Battle of Rodosto

Following their triumph at the Battle of Rusion on 31 January 1206, the Bulgarians pursued the survivors of the Latin army, who attempted to take refuge in the coastal stronghold of Rodosto. Before beginning the siege of Rodosto, Tsar Kaloyan decided to attack the neighbouring town of Apros (Neapolis). The town was defended by a Latin garrison commanded by Bègue de Fransures, a vassal of Count Louis of Blois, who had been killed at Adrianople. Apros was captured and destroyed, and almost the entire garrison perished during the assault. Captured ordinary soldiers were released, while the knights were executed.

The Bulgarian troops then advanced towards Rodosto, a heavily fortified town with a large Venetian garrison. The garrison was reinforced by survivors of the Battle of Rusion and an additional contingent of 2,000 soldiers that arrived later. These substantial forces were commanded by Theodore Branas, a Byzantine aristocrat who had entered Latin service. 

The Venetians panicked and began evacuating by sea. Despite this chaos, the Byzantine Niketas Choniates states that a brief engagement took place in which the Bulgarians prevailed and Kaloyan successfully captured Rodosto. After taking the town, the Bulgarians continued their victorious advance through Eastern Thrace.