The Head of Nicephorus I brought to Khan Krum (litho)

The Head of Nicephorus I brought to Khan Krum. After a short and inglorious reign of five years the unnatural Irene was deposed and imprisoned by her Grand Treasurer, Nicephorus I, a man of Arab descent, who proved a strong and able, though unfortunate ruler. He was eventually defeated in 811 whilst invading Bulgaria. Krum had been driven to seek for terms of peace, but Nicephorus allowed himself to be surprised in a night attack and was slain with a large part of his army. His head was brought to the ferocious Krum, who made the skull into a drinking-cup. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson, c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.