Battle in Thrace

The first account of Bulgar involvement in geopolitical events in the Balkan Peninsula states that in 479 the Byzantine emperor Zeno first allied himself with the "so-called Bulgars", who inhabited the area between Constantinople and the Adriatic coast. John of Antioch records this fact.

The battle took place in 480. The Bulgars participated as allies of the Byzantine Empire with the aim of stopping the Ostrogothic advance. 

In subsequent years, the Bulgars living in Illyria and Thrace raided and plundered these territories.