22 juill. 923 - Battle of Philippopolis of 923

Description:

After the battle of Serdica, both side back to numerous small conflict while no pitched battles, the war length for near twenty years since Battle of Dorostorum. Romanos II decide to launch another campaign in Philippopolis.

The Battle of the Philippopolis was fought on July 22, 912, as fifteen thousand Bulgars met the six thousand Romans with four thousand Magyar mercenaries. During the battle, dispite the Bulgars succeed to get the upperhand fronting the Romans, the sudden emerge of Magyars from the flank broke the their lines, after a hour of fighting, Simeon's men broke and ran. Three thousand Bulgar had been ordered to turn around and aiming to catch and dystroy the horse archers, but the Magyars had rallied and just slaughtering these unsupported and out of formation men all. The Magyars did the same maneuver at other points of Bulgar flank, causing large casualties of Bulgars, and Simeon’s army broke. The Magyars pursued them without hesitation, and Simeon died in the Magyars pursuit.

The victory of Romans was due to two factors. First was, as all of the opponents had been defeated by Simeon once, he had underestimated the enemies, leaving him unprepared to the possible Magyars flank attack. Second was, Romanos II not only utilized Magyar mercenaries, but granted more power on decision-making on the battlefield, making them able to strike the Bulgar's flank freely, rather than just support the Imperial Army.

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