Khan Kardam was the ruler of Bulgaria from 777 to 802, known most for his establishment of order in Bulgaria and his defeat of attacking Byzantine forces. Kardam usurped the throne amidst chaotic infighting of nobles. His line was unbroken until the death of Roman I of Bulgaria in 997. Events Charlemagne beats the Saxons. ... Events 31 October - Irene deposed as Emperoress of Byzantium and replaced by Nicephorus I. She is banished to Lesbos. ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. ... Tsar Roman I of Bulgaria The second son of Tsar Peter from his marriage with Maria (Irena), granddaughter of the Byzantine Emperor Romanus I Lecapenus. ... Events City of Gdansk is founded Saint Adalbert of Prague is sent to Prussia by Boleslaus I of Poland Samuil of Bulgaria crowned Tsar by Pope Gregory V The town of Trondheim is founded. ...

Because the Byzantine Empire was weak during this period, Kardam was able to expand to the south and southwest, where he found potential allies in the native Slavic tribes. The Slavic peoples are the most numerous ethnic and linguistic body of peoples in Europe. ...

In 789 Kardam defeated the Byzantines at Struma river. The Strimonians welcomed the Bulgarians. Emperor Constantine VI attacked Kardam in July, 796 near Marcellae in Thrace, where he was defeated; the Byzantine leaders were killed and most of their supplies plundered, according to Theophanes. Events Uprising in Japan leads to a major defeat for Emperor Kammu, alongside a severe drought and famine Constantine becomes king of the Picts Herford founded by Charlemagne Fes founded by Idris I Eadburh marries Beorhtric of Wessex Births Deaths Categories: 789 ... Struma was a Greek ship chartered to carry Jewish refugees from Romania to British-controlled Palestine. ... Constantine VI (771 - 797) succeeded his father Leo IV as Byzantine emperor at the age of nine in 780, and was emperor under the regency of his iconophile mother Irene. ... Thrace (Greek Θρᾴκη Thrákē, Bulgarian Тракия Trakija, Turkish Trakya) is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe spread over southern Bulgaria, northeastern Greece, and European Turkey. ... Theophanes (died 817 or 818) was a Byzantine monk and chronicler. ...

Bulgaria's honor was restored, and Constantine returned to Constantinople, after signing a peace treaty to pay tribute to the Bulgarians. The emperor attempted to weasel out of the tribute; in response, Kardam replied "Pay your dues or I'll ravage Thrace."

Kardam spent the remainder of his years in peace, confident that he had united the state and secured the power of the Kahn.

See also

• History of Bulgaria
• Bulgars