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Ambushed in a narrow pass: A Roman tradition.

Byzantine royal court drama feels like the true story. They could have won so many wars, if they weren't busy murdering each other and then going to war with each other over the murders.

When a Bardas revolts against you, counter with another Bardas you have in your back pocket. Which is why you never leave home without at least one Bardas.

Basil Lack-a-penois is the best name ever for a Eunuch Uncle. I can't stop laughing.

Imagine how loyal those Armenians were to the Emperor to not only hold their own in battle at night, but realize the situation, and act with all possible effort to save their leader at any cost. Those men are what history is made of, we don't and never will know their names, but they changed the course of history that night.

Those Armenian soldiers deserve credit for rescuing Basil II in a very difficult situation. They literally changed history by saving him.

So the eunuch uncle's name is Lakapenus. Guess that fits.

As a bulgarian I'd still have to admit that what follows is one of the most hardcore moments in medival history. Basil II not only didn't forget this defeat, but made sure to have a payback served COLD. Can't wait for next episodes of the series.

Most underrated rivalry in history

Absolutely love learning about the Byzantine empire, so much luscious culture and history 👍

I like hearing anything about the Byzantine and Basil II. He's an interesting character. Can't wait to see the next episode of this series. I just hope we also see the next episode of the Hannibal series too.

Thank you for this great and accurate video on Bulgarian and East Roman Empire history! I look forward for the second part!

The old romans should've started a new genre for their books called military horror in which a lot of of them started with "during the march in the narrow pass ..."

I think its a huge oversight not mentioning Nikephoros' conquest of Antioch.

I really love your videos about the bulgaro-byzantine wars, a topic of history that I believe is neglected by most people and I am so happy to see someone talk about my country's history. Some fun facts: about Arons execution. Samuel ordered the death of him, his wife and all of his children, trying to wipe out that branche of the family for good, but Samuel's own son, Gavrail Radomir, stepped in to save his childhood friend, the son of Aron, Ivan Vladislav. I will not spoil how the latter two will become important, but they will be. The four brothers who continued the war, also known as the Komitopul, were of unknown descent. We know that their father was the ruler of Sredets, Nikola, but some scholars believe that the brothers were a minor branch of the Krum dynasty, to which tzar Petar, Simeon and khan Krum belong(and others), which might be where their legitimacy came from. When tzar Boris II was brought to Constantinople, he was ritualistically stripped of his regalia and humiliated as to show that the Byzantines were now the rulers of his domain, afterwards his brother Roman was castrated. I will not spoil what happens to them.

This'll be a great series! looking forward to part2

Thanks! Balkan history is always fascinating and you did it justice with a fine retelling! Awaiting part II ...

Damn, what an in extremis escape for the King and his retinue. Just barely managing to go through a side pass to escape the battle, leaving everyone else to die behind you. Harrowing thing.

This trinity, Nikephoros Phokas, John Tzimiskes, and Basil the II, was the greatest in the Byzantine History!!! Hope that you cover Phokas and Tzimiskes' story, after Basil's!

“The blind leading the half blind.” Best podcast episode title ever from History of Byzantium by R. Pearson

Благодарим ви!

Awesome video as usual! Can’t believe we’re getting this quality of content for free

History Marche always introduces informative, excellent historical videos.. thanks for sharing 👍🏻

Most excellent! Great storytelling.. Go team History Marche..!

Greetings from Sredets/Serdica (nowadays Sofia).

Great presentation! The narration is excellent and the animations are clear, beautiful and abstract enough to leave space for imagination!

great video man! the narration is done so well

Can't wait. Keep up the good work.

cant wait for the next episode on this. Thank you! liked and subscribed as always.

I am really glad you are doing docs on this time, thank you

huge respect of putting the Byzantine empire as the Roman Empire

As a Serb I sometimes wonder if there's any other people on the Balkans that have mastered the level of surprise attacks as our Bulgarian brothers and yes, if you sense a slight insinuation in this joke for what happened back in 1915 then you are absolutely right, lol, though jokes aside you guys really are good at ambushes and surprise attacks and that truly deserves respect and recognition as it is not easily pulled off, though I hope you guys can understand that my stereotypical Serbian inat-o-meter requires that I make a lighthearted reference all the while I show my admiration for you guys.

love your byzantine vids man keep them coming

Wow very Informative and also inspiring video! I will illustrate this whole battle in my Basil II comic.

Back here so I can remind myself of what happened before, now that the second video about Basil is released. Loving the content, as always!

Absolutely love eastern roman empire history guys, keep it going!

After this battle the byzantine author John Geometres wrote: ,,Ister grabbed the wreath of Rome- the Bulgarian arrows are stronger than the Roman spears."🇧🇬

As always, great work!

These videos make me love the game Crusader Kings 3 even more haha

Another great video. Intro to a legendary ruler, the calm before the storm lol

Great video as always!

What a marvellous channel. Quite astonishing.

Love your videos keep them up mate!

another great video as always!

Great stuff, thanks!

Again amazing video,thank you for good videos,respect from Türkiye,u are loved

Excellent video as always and l think the battles of arcadiopolis and dorystolon diserve their own video

waiting for the next! thank you

Amazing content keep it up

Great videos as always.

The end was just great!

This is going to be your greatest series.

Very informative ❤

I know this series probably isn’t first priority but I’m really looking forward to you finishing it. I think Basil should get more attention.

Great video!⚔

Oh. I have been waiting for one on Basil.

That was awesome!

good content thanks

Please continue this is excellent

Though defeated, Basil showed in the following decades that he learned his lesson. And the bulgarians would know this in a horrible and unforgetable way

It is indeed an interesting documentary. Thank you

These videos are as good as a cup of coffee in the morning!

Yesssss i was waiting for basil II

Thank you!

Interesting as per usual.

The Elite Armenian Bodyguard who saved Basil had been put together by John Tzismiskes. They certainly did their job. John was a better general than Basil but he did not live long and some think he was poisoned.

Great video!

great explaination

Please continue this series! I'd love to know better on basil and you always put out vids on how the eastern roman empire lost haha, would love to see when did they win actually

Thank you very much for the video and for the Bulgarian subtitles. My father is big fan of yours and all the time I have to translate for him. This time I passed 😂

Increíble que a pesar de dicha derrota tan catastrófica Basilio II pudo mantener su trono y prevalecer, debemos de dar a conocer mucho mas la Roma Oriental.

Thanks!

great thank you - for the range ;)

Great stuff. I live in Bulgaria. Always interested to learn more history of this country.

Insert puerile comment:"Basil's eunuch uncle, Basil Lackapenis." Superb presentation as always good sir. You are definitely one of the best history channels on this platform.

Great video

Amazing!!

This chanel always deliver

great content

Oh, my God! I’ve always wanted a series about Basil… Can’t wait for the whole documentary!

Congrats for 700k subscriber

Love this guy.

Love you work even though im not intersted in this topic

"Bulgar-Slayer" !!! Can't wait for the next episode!! Peace and Lots of Love from Mumbai India ❤️💯👌✨

La historia del imperio romano de oriente o bizantino es tan increíble que podrían hacer varias series o películas, excelente video.

Excelente!

Basil made the escape of the ages. If he was caught and killed like Nikephoros 1 the fate of ERE and Bulgaria would've been totally different.

These videos are so well made that even commanders Phuk-ass and Lak-of-penus couldnt distract me from learning some interesting history.

Usually other than minor details, dates and other small peices of information, I'm never really finding out anything I haven't already known. As I'm fairly educated on the period. However I had NO idea the RUS were going into the Balkans this early on. The bribery by the Eastern Roman's was stunning and quite interesting. Love this channel, good voice, good graphics, just a great all around program. Keep it up. 👍🏻

I look forward to new HistoryMarche videos like it's Christmas and the voice guy is Santa Claus 🤣

This narrator is so good!

Having kids become King that early must have been tough, Blessed Be.

Perfect

8:30 What I have learned on this topic is that Boris II was likely given the option to side with the Rus or get executed. In addition, there were many Bulgarian soldiers siding with the Romans and fighting against the Rus. So there were Bulgarians fighting on both sides of the conflict.

Pretty awesome video! Beside I am bulgarian really like Byzantine-Sassanide wars, before theyre total exhaustion.

Bulgarian military tactics: 1. Ambush in a montain pass 2. Attack with litght cavalry, lure, ambush Repeat

Basil II and Alexios must be two of the best Eastern Roman emperors ever in terms of revitalizing the state both externally and internally especially since the dismal condition the state were at their respective reigns.

Very good.

Looked up more information after watching video, Empress Theophano is a very interesting character, her grand daughters are equally interesting, they are all scheming double-crossing masterminds!