Because the Bulgars had been raiding Byzantine lands since 976, the Byzantine government sought to cause dissension among them by allowing the escape of their captive emperor Boris II of Bulgaria.
Ketika orang-orang Bulgar menggerebek tanah Bizantium sejak 976, pemerintah Bizantium berusaha menyebabkan perselisihan di antara mereka dengan membiarkan pelarian kaisar mereka Boris II dari Bulgaria.