A History of the Eastern Roman Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil I Quotes

“Bulgarians.”
― J.B. Bury, A History of the Eastern Roman Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil I

“of Irene and Constantine VI., the Bulgarians had the upper hand; king Kardam repeatedly routed Roman armies, and in the end the Empress submitted to the humiliation of paying an annual tribute to the lord of Pliska. A period of peace ensued, lasting for about ten years (a.d. 797-807). We may surmise that the attention of the Bulgarian king was at this time preoccupied by the political situation which had arisen in the regions adjacent to the Middle Danube by the advance of the Frank power and the overthrow of the Avars. On the other hand, Nicephorus who, soon after his accession, was embroiled in war with the Saracens, may have taken some pains to avoid hostilities on his northern frontier. It is at all events significant that he did not become involved in war with Bulgaria until the tide”
― J.B. Bury, A History of the Eastern Roman Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil I