500-125... - Southeastern Europe In The Middle Ages,

Preoccupied with Persian and Arab wars, Constantinople lost direct control over much of the Balkan interior. The Rise of Regional Powers (700–1000)

Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Balkan Peninsula remained under the nominal control of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. However, the 6th and 7th centuries brought seismic shifts: Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-125...

Byzantine Emperor Basil II dismantled the Bulgarian Empire in 1018, bringing the entire peninsula under Greek rule for over a century. Preoccupied with Persian and Arab wars, Constantinople lost

The 9th century saw the arrival of Christianity. The work of Saints Cyril and Methodius introduced the Glagolitic and later Cyrillic alphabets, fostering a distinct Slavic liturgy. The 9th century saw the arrival of Christianity

In Serbia, Stefan the First-Crowned secured a royal title from the Pope, while his brother Saint Sava established an autocephalous Serbian Orthodox Church.