Nikulitsa of Bulgaria

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Capture of the bolyarin Nikulitsa by Byzantines and putting him in prison

Nikulitsa (Bulgarian: Никулица) was a Bulgarian noble, governor of Servia during the reign of Emperor Samuil. He was called with that intimate name because of his short height. In 1001 the Byzantines lead by Basil II besieged the city and after a long siege they managed to make a break-through despite the desperate defence. The Bulgarian population was forced to move in the area called Voleron between the rivers Mesta and Maritsa and replaced it with a strong garrison.

Nikulitsa was taken to Constantinople and given the title patricius. The loyal noble could not betray his people and fled from Contsantinople and joined Samuil's forces who were trying to take back the town of Servia. Basil II acted quickly and headed to the town with an army and managed to repuse the Bulgarians. Samuil and Nikulitsa retreated but soon after that the latter was ambushed and captured again. He was taken back to the Byzantine capital where he was imprisoned.

He managed to escape once more and continued to fight. After the death of Emperor Ivan Vladislav in 1018 he was among the nobles who continued the resistance in the mountaineous areas of the country. After his troops were surrounded by a Byzantine army he understood that further resistance is pointless and surrendered to Basil II with the rest of his troops. Basil II sent him in Solun under arrest.