Editing Thermopylae (section)

=== Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars ===
{{Main|Battle of Spercheios}}
In 997, the [[Bulgarian people|Bulgarian]] [[Tsar]] [[Samuel of Bulgaria|Samuel]] invaded Greece and advanced as far as the [[Peloponnese]]. On his return, he was met by a [[Byzantine]] army under [[Nikephoros Ouranos]] at Spercheios. As the river was flooded, both sides encamped on opposite sides without action. Confident that the Byzantines could not cross the river, the Bulgarians relaxed their guard and were taken by surprise when Byzantine scouts discovered a ford further upriver.