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(From The Encyclopedia of Battles).

Balathista,
Macedonia Byzantine-Bulgar Wars - 1014 AD

The growing power of the Bulgarian Empire of Tsar Samuel forced the Byzantine emperor Basil II to undertake one of the most brutal campaigns in history. Beginning in 996, the Byzantine and Bulgar armies see-sawed in indecisive combat from Adrianople (Edirne) westward into Macedonia and Greece proper. Finally, in 1014, Basil managed to trap a large Bulgar force at Balathista in the valley of the Struma River, which flows into the Aegean Sea. The Byzantine army overwhelmed its opponents, taking some 15,000 prisoners. Basil ordered their eyes put out. A few men were each spared one eye to serve as guides for the return of the blinded captives to Samuel. The shock of seeing his mutilated warriors was too much for the Bulgar emperor. He died on the spot. Four years later Samuel's successors made peace with Basil II (now called Bulgaroktonos, or "slayer of the Bulgarians") and the Bulgars were incorporated into the Byzantine Empire.
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If the liberals think a little fire is bad, they need to read some history.