Battle of Anchialus (708)

The Battle of Anchialus (708) was a military engagement fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire near the city of Anchialus (modern-day Pomorie, Bulgaria). The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Bulgarians, led by Emperor Tervel, against the Byzantine army commanded by Emperor Justinian II.

Following Justinian II's restoration to the Byzantine throne in 705 with the help of Tervel, relations between the two empires deteriorated. Justinian II attempted to reclaim territories granted to the Bulgarians as a reward for their assistance. The battle of Anchialus in 708 was a direct consequence of this shift in policy.

The Bulgarian victory significantly weakened Byzantine control over the Balkan region and consolidated Bulgarian power. It led to further territorial gains for Bulgaria and contributed to a period of instability within the Byzantine Empire. It is considered a significant event in the early history of the Bulgarian state and its relationship with Byzantium. Further military conflicts followed in the years after.