Battle in Northern Dobrudja

After taking the throne, Simeon decided to end the long peace with Byzantium established by his father. The conflict arose from the transfer of the market for Bulgarian goods from Constantinople to Thessaloniki and the imposition of heavy taxes by Emperor Leo VI the Philosopher, apparently influenced by his mistress Zoe Zaoutzaina and her father Stylianos Zaoutzes.

Bulgarian merchants appealed to Simeon, who complained to Leo VI, but the emperor ignored their requests. In autumn 894, Simeon responded by going to war and advancing south with little resistance, since the main Byzantine forces were fighting the Abbasid Caliphate in the east. Leo VI sent guards and other units from the capital to stop him, but they were defeated in Macedonia.

Simeon did not continue his advance. Instead, he withdrew north to confront a Magyar invasion. Unable to counter the Bulgarian offensive effectively, the Byzantines persuaded the Magyars to attack Bulgaria, promising assistance across the Danube. The emperor may also have arranged with Arnulf of Carinthia that he would not support Simeon against them. The war became more complicated when Nikephoros Phokas was recalled from Italy and led an army towards Bulgaria in 895 to divert attention from the northern frontier.

Despite difficulties with the Byzantine fleet's passage along the Danube, the Byzantines transported the Magyar army across the river near Galați. Simeon marched north, leaving some troops on the southern frontier to prevent a possible attack by Phokas.

Both encounters with the Magyars in Northern Dobrudja ended in Bulgarian defeat, forcing Simeon to withdraw to Drastar.