Battle of Ongal

Battle of Ongal
Part of the Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars
Date summer, 680 Location The Ongal area in southern Ukraine Result Decisive Bulgarian victory, formation of Bulgaria
Belligerents
Bulgars	Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Asparukh	Constantine IV
Strength
~10 000	25 000
Casualties and losses
Light	Almost the whole army

The Battle of Ongal took place in the summer of 680 in the Ongal area, an unspecified location in around the Danube delta near the Peuce Island. The battle had an enormous significance and influence not only for Balkan but also for European history with the creation of the First Bulgarian Empire.

Origins of the conflict

In 632, Khan Kubrat managed to unite the Bulgars into the mighty Old Great Bulgaria between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. After his death in 660s the state was threatened by constant attacks by the Khazars from the east and his sons divided. Batbayan the eldest son inherited the throne but was defeated by the Khazars and submitted to their rule. Kotrag headed to the north and established the strong Volga Bulgaria, while the third son Asparukh marched westward and settled with his folk in the Ongal area to the north of the Danube. From there he launched an attack against the Byzantine fortresses to the south. During that time Byzantium was at war with the Arabs who even besieged the capital Constantinople. However, in 680 the Byzantines defeated them and settled peace. After this success the emperor Constantine IV decided to punish the Bulgars for their attack and led an army against Asparukh. In the meantime the Bulgarian leader made an alliance with the Seven Slavic tribes for mutual protection against Byzantine attacks and formed a federation.

The battle

The Bulgars had built wooden ramparts in the swampy area near the Peuce Island. The marshes forced the Byzantines to attack from different places and in smaller groups which reduced the strength of their attack. With sudden strikes from the ramparts, the well-organised defense eventually forced the Byzantines to retreat, and the retreat developed into a stampede. The Bulgar cavalry came out and charged the enemy who retreated chaotically. Most of the Byzantine soldiers perished. According to popular belief, the emperor had leg pain and went to Nessebar to seek treatment. The troops thought that he fled the battlefield and in turn began fleeing. When the Bulgars realised what was happening, they attacked and easily defeated the discouraged enemy.

Aftermath

After the victory, the Bulgars advanced south and seized the lands to the north of Stara Planina. In 681 they invaded Thrace defeating the Byzantines again. Constantine IV found himself in a dead-lock and asked for peace. With the treaty of 681 the Byzantines recognised the creation of the new Bulgarian state and were obliged to pay annual tribute to the Bulgarian rulers, which was greatly humiliating for the empire which managed to defeat the Persians and the Arabs.

Significance

This battle was a significant moment in European history, as it led to the creation of a mighty Slavic state, which was to become a European superpower in the 9th and 10th century along with the Byzantine and Frankish Empires. It became a cultural and spiritual centre of Slavic Europe through most of the Middle Ages.

Honour

Ongal Peak in Tangra Mountains on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named for the historical Ongal area.

References

• Атанас Пейчев и колектив, 1300 години на стража, Военно издателство, София 1984.
• Йордан Андреев, Милчо Лалков, Българските ханове и царе, Велико Търново, 1996.