Special Sub-Topic: Mighty Monarchs V (Bulgars) Authored by: hund Sub-topic of: Medieval History

This Khan of the Bulgars succeeded to the throne c. 803 AD and went on to forge his people into a formidable force in European affairs. Only his sudden death (814 AD) saved the Byzantine Empire from destruction. Which individual was it?

Krum. Krum (reigned c. 803-814 AD) not only destroyed the Kingdom of the Avars (c. 808 AD) but also challengeed the Byzantine Empire for control of the Balkans. At the Battle of the Verbitza Pass (Jul 24, 811 AD) he ambushed and massacred an Imperial army led by the Emperor himself (Nicephorus I). Krum turned the Emperor's skull into his special drinking cup. After defeating the next emperor (Michael I Rhangabe) at the Battle of Versinicia (Jun 21, 813 AD) he marched to the very walls of Constantinople (Jul 17, 813 AD) and demand the surrender of the city from the new Emperor (Leo V) (Michael I had abdicated after returning to the capital). Krum died (Apr 13, 814 AD) never having captured Constantinople. He was succeeded by his son, Omortag (reigned 814-831 AD) who soon conclude peace with the Byzantium.

In Sep 865 AD this Khan of the Bulgars was converted to Christianity by missionaries sent from Byzantium. Which individual was it?

Boris I, the Saint. Boris I, the Saint (reigned 852-889 AD) soon quarrelled with Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and expelled all Greek Orthodox missionaries from the kingdom. He received Papal legates from Pope Nicholas I and soon switched to Roman Catholicism. At this time Nicholas and Photius were exchanging excommunications, and the support of the Bulgars was a great asset to the Pope. Nicholas eventually failed to keep his promise to Boris (the establishment of a Bulgarian Partiarch) and Boris returned to the Greek Orthodox Church (870 AD).

This Khan was deposed and blinded by his own father for reverting to paganism in 893 AD. Which individual was it?

Vladimir. Boris I, the Saint, had earlier abdicated and retired to a monastary (889 AD) and was succeeded by his son, Vladimir (reigned 889-894 AD). After deposing his son he returned to his monastic life and turned the kingdom over to his brother, Symeon I (reigned 894-927 AD).

Shortly before his death in 927 AD this Knyaz (or king) had assumed the lofty title of "Tsar of the Bulgars and Autocrat of the Greeks" as a direct challenge to Byzantium for control of the Balkans. Which individual was it?

Symeon I. Symeon I (reigned 894-927 AD) lead the Bulgars to the zenith of their power. In 913 AD he marched on Constantinople and, failing to take the city, devastated the surrounding countryside. In 926 AD he proclaimed Bulgarian religious independence from Constantinople and raise the status of the archbishop of the Bulgarian Church to that of patriarch. He died (May 27, 927 AD) and was succeeded by his son, Peter I (reigned 927-969 AD).

Basil II, Byzantine Emperor, was intent on ending the Bulgarian threat to his Empire by invading Bulgarian territory (c. 981 AD). At the Battle of Trajan's Gate (Aug 17, 986 AD) he was personally humiliated when the Imperial army he was leading was defeated by the Bulgarians under the command of this Tsar. Which individual was it?

Samuel. Samuel (reigned 976-1014 AD) failed to return the Bulgarian Empire to the greatness of Symeon I. At the Battle of Cimbalongus (Clidion) (Jul 29, 1014 AD) Basil II gained his revenge. Defeated, Samuel fled to his capital of Presda. Basil, as a final gesture, had approx. 14,000-15,000 Bulgarian captives blinded. He left every hundredth man one eye to help guide his comrades back to their master. Samuel died of shock upon their return (Oct 1014 AD). He was succeeded by his son, Gabriel Radomir (reigned 1014-1016 AD) who continued the useless struggle only to be murdered and usurped by John Vladislav (reigned 1016-1018 AD). Basil defeated John and incorporated the Bulgarian Empire into the Byzantine Empire. It remained so till 1185 AD. Basil would earn the name "Bulgaroctonus" (the Bulgar-Slayer).