Editing 972 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* Spring &ndash; Emperor [[John I Tzimiskes]] divides the [[Bulgaria]]n territories, recently held by the [[Kievan Rus']], into six new [[Theme (Byzantine district)|themes]]. He turns his attention to the East against the [[Abbasid Caliphate]] and its [[vassal]]s, beginning with an invasion of [[Upper Mesopotamia]]. John transfers Byzantine troops to [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]], and the region of [[Philippopolis (Thracia)|Philippopolis]] in [[Thrace (theme)|Thrace]], to dilute the [[Slavs]].<ref>Brian Todd Carey (2012). ''Road to Manzikert: Byzantine and Islamic Warfare 527–1071'', p. 95. {{ISBN|978-1-84884-215-1}}.</ref>
* John I removes various Bulgarian [[boyar]]s from their homes, and settles them in [[Constantinople]] and [[Anatolia]] (modern [[Turkey]]), where they are given high titles and lands.<ref>{{The Early Medieval Balkans|p=188}}</ref>
* [[John I Tzimiskes|John I]] grants a charter for the Monastic Republic of Holy [[Mount Athos]], in [[Greece]].