Hi, this is Eric Hallsief in the Bulgarian History Podcast.

The Byzantine standout is one of the great empires of history, an empire both famous

and infamous.

An empire which spent centuries locked in titanic struggles with similarly famous enemies,

the Arabs, the Persians, many others.

But, there was another people, a less well-known people.

The Bulgarians are about to enter the world stage in the history of Byzantium.

In them, the Byzantines will find the greatest of friends and the worst of enemies.

Each will come within a hair of destroying each other more than once.

A no-dow Robin is going to do an excellent job discussing this history.

But for a more in-depth perspective on Bulgarian history from the beginning till now, and this

incredible relationship with the Byzantines, check out the Bulgarian History Podcast.

Now, time for Robin to resume the history of Byzantium.

Hello, everyone, and welcome to the history of Byzantium.

Episode 53.

The Bulgarians are coming.

Last time, we covered the earliest and greatest challenge that Constantine IV faced during

his reign.

Those land and sea battles with the Arabs that seemed to be building toward a siege of

Constantinople.

Before we move on to what Constantine did with the peace which he'd won, we need to cover

some things which didn't fit into the narrative of the last episode.

...