Battle of Skopje

Battle of Skopje
Part of the Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria
Bulgarians put to flight by Ouranos at the Spercheios River from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.
Date 1004 Location Skopje, present-day North Macedonia Result Byzantine victory
Belligerents
Byzantine Empire	Bulgarian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Basil II	Samuel of Bulgaria

The Battle of Skopje occurred in 1004 within the vicinity of the city of Skopje. The battled was waged between forces of the Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire. The result was Byzantine victory.

Background

In 1003, Basil II launched a campaign against the First Bulgarian Empire and after eight months of siege conquered the important town of Vidin to the north-west. The Bulgarian counter strike in the opposite direction towards Odrin did not distract him from his aim and after seizing Vidin he marched southwards through the valley of the Morava destroying the Bulgarian castles on his way. Eventually, Basil II reached the vicinity of Skopje and learned that the camp of the Bulgarian army was situated very close on the other side of the Vardar river.

Battle

Samuil of Bulgaria relied on the high waters of the river of Vardar and did not take any serious precautions to secure the camp. Strangely the circumstances were the same as at the battle of Spercheios seven years earlier, and the scenario of the fight was similar. The Byzantines managed to find a ford, crossed the river and attacked the heedless Bulgarians at night. Unable to resist effectively the Bulgarians soon retreated, leaving the camp and Samuil's tent in the hands of the Byzantines. During this battle Samuil managed to escape and headed east.

References

• Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.