The Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927 was fought between the Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire for more than a decade. Although the war was provoked by the Byzantine emperor Alexander's decision to discontinue paying an annual tribute to Bulgaria, the military and ideological initiative was held by Simeon I of Bulgaria, who demanded to be recognized as Tsar and made it clear that he aimed to conquer not only Constantinople but the rest of the Byzantine Empire, as well.
A Bulgarian delegation and Leo VI, Madrid Skylitzes
Above: a feast in Constantinople in honour of Simeon; below: a Bulgarian attack upon the Byzantines, Manasses Chronicle.
The Walls of Constantinople
The Byzantine soldiers take an oath on the eve of the battle of Achelous, Madrid Skylitzes.
The Bulgarian–Serbian wars of 917–924 were a series of conflicts fought between the Bulgarian Empire and the Principality of Serbia as a part of the greater Byzantine–Bulgarian war of 913–927. After the Byzantine army was annihilated by the Bulgarians in the battle of Achelous, the Byzantine diplomacy incited the Principality of Serbia to attack Bulgaria from the west. The Bulgarians dealt with that threat and replaced the Serbian prince with a protégé of their own. In the following years the two empires competed for control over Serbia. In 924 the Serbs rose again, ambushed and defeated a small Bulgarian army. That turn of events provoked a major retaliatory campaign that ended with the annexation of Serbia in the end of the same year.
The Bulgarians defeat the Byzantines in the Battle of Achelous, Madrid Skylitzes.
The Byzantines sending envoys to the Serbs and the Croats, Madrid Skylitzes.