Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine Emperor Blinds 15,000 Bulgarian Prisoners
Emperor Basil II annihilated the Bulgarian army at the Battle of Kleidion, then ordered the blinding of 15,000 prisoners, leaving one eye to every hundredth man so they could lead the rest home. The horrific sight of his mutilated soldiers reportedly caused Tsar Samuil to suffer a fatal heart attack within months. The victory earned Basil the epithet "Bulgar-Slayer" and ended four decades of war by destroying Bulgaria's capacity to resist Byzantine annexation.
July 29, 1014
1012 years ago
Key Figures & Places
Bulgaria
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Byzantine Emperor
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Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
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Battle of Kleidion
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Basil II
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Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria
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October 6
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Byzantine–Bulgarian wars
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Bulgaria
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Byzantine Empire
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List of Byzantine emperors
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Basil II
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Samuel of Bulgaria
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Battle of Kleidion
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October 6
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Macedonia (region)
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Histoire de la Bulgarie
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