806 Humiliating peace with Harun-ar-Rashid.
808 Unsuccessful attempt of Arsaber to obtain throne.
809 Death of Harun-ar-Rashid reopens the struggle with the Mohammedans.
810 Treaty of peace with Charlemagne, who unsuccessfully tries to make the Venetians and their allies tributary to him.
811 The emperor at war with the Mohammedans and Bulgarians. Death of Nicephorus in an attack by the Bulgarians. His son Stauracius succeeds. He is unable to hold out against the unpopularity of his father’s fiscal severity. After two months’ reign, a revolution places Michael (I) Rhangabe on the throne. The Mohammedans, owing to civil strife, do not trouble the empire, but the Bulgarians continue their attacks, with such success that
813 Michael is deposed, and the general Leo (V) the Armenian is saluted as emperor. Michael retires to a monastery. The Bulgarians approach the walls of Constantinople.
814 Annihilation of the Bulgarian army by Leo, at Mesembria. Thirty years’ truce concluded. Leo pursues a variable policy in regard to image-worship.
820 Leo assassinated in a conspiracy in favour of Michael (II) the Stammerer, who takes the throne.