Battle of Messinopolis

Battle in 1207 in Greece

Battle of Mosynopolis

Date	4 September 1207
Location	Mosynopolis, close to Komotini
Result	Bulgarian victory

Belligerents

Bulgarian Empire

Latin Empire

Commanders and leaders

Unknown

Boniface of Montferrat †

Strength

Larger force

Unknown

Casualties and losses

Unknown

Heavy

Bulgarian–Latin wars

Adrianople
Serres
Rusion
Rodosto
Messinopolis
Beroia
Plovdiv
Constantinople

The Battle of Mosynopolis (Bulgarian: Битка при Месинопол) took place on 4 September 1207, at Mosynopolis near the town of Komotini in contemporary Greece, and was fought between the Bulgarians and the Latin Empire. It resulted in a Bulgarian victory.

While the armies of the Bulgarian emperor Kaloyan were besieging Odrin, Boniface of Montferrat, King of Thessalonica, launched attacks towards Bulgaria from Serres. His cavalry reached Messinopolis at 5 days raid to the east of Serres, but in the mountainous terrain around the town his army was attacked by a larger force composed mainly of local Bulgarians. The battle began in the Latin rear guard and Boniface managed to repulse the Bulgarians, but while he was chasing them he was killed by an arrow, and soon the crusaders were defeated. His head was sent to Kaloyan, who immediately organized a campaign against Boniface's capital of Thessalonica. However, Kaloyan was murdered by conspirators during the siege, and the grieved Bulgarians raised the siege.