Bulgarian Empire

Bulgarian Empire
ц︢рьство бл︢гарское
681–1018
1185 - 1396
Flag of king Kaloyan Imperial Coat of arms
Bulgaria during the reign of Simeon the Great, 10th century
Capital Pliska
(681–893)
Preslav
(893–972)
Skopje
(972–992)
Ohrid
(992–1018)
Tarnovo
(1185–1393)
Vidin & Nikopol
(1393–1396/1422)
Languages Bulgar, Greek
(681–893)
Old Bulgarian
(893–1018)
Middle Bulgarian
(1185-1396/1422)
Religion Tengrism, Paganism
(681–864)
Bulgarian Orthodox
(864–1018)
Bulgarian Orthodox
(1185–1204)
Roman Catholic
(1204–1235)
Bulgarian Orthodox
(1235–1396/1422)
Government Autocracy
Monarch
 -  681–700 Asparukh (first)
 - 1396-1422 Constantine II (last)
Historical era Middle Ages
 -  Established 681
 -  Disestablished 1018
1185 - 1396
Today part of

In the medieval history of Europe, Bulgaria's status as the Bulgarian Empire (Bulgarian: Българско царство, Balgarsko tsarstvo [ˈbəlɡɐrskʊ ˈt͡sarstvʊ]), wherein it acted as a key regional power (particularly rivaling Byzantium in Southeastern Europe[1]) occurred in two distinct periods: between the seventh and eleventh centuries, and again between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. The two "Bulgarian Empires" are not treated as separate entities, but rather as one state restored after a period of Byzantine rule over its territory.

First Bulgarian Empire

Kanasubigi Omurtag (814-831)

The First Bulgarian Empire was established on the territory both north and south of the lower course of Danube River, and is usually described as having lasted between 681[2][3][4] and 1018, when it was subjugated by the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus' despite Samuel's fierce resistance. It gradually reached its cultural and territorial apogee in the 9th century and early 10th century under Boris I and Simeon the Great, when it developed into the cultural and literary centre of Slavic Europe, as well as one of the largest states in Europe.

Second Bulgarian Empire

Tsar Ivan Alexander (1331-1371)

The medieval Bulgarian state was restored as the Second Bulgarian Empire after a successful uprising of two nobles from Tarnovo, Asen and Peter, in 1185, and existed until it was conquered during the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans in the late 14th century, with the date of its subjugation usually given as 1396, although some place it at 1422.[5] Under Ivan Asen II in the first half of the 13th century the country gradually recovered much of its former power, though this did not last long due to internal problems and foreign invasions. The Empire became tributary to the Golden Horde, a successor state of the Mongol Empire in the 13-14th century.[6][7] After the death of emperor Ivan Alexander in 1371 Bulgaria was split into three different countries and in the following decades fell under the domination of the Ottomans.

Maps

See also

References

  1. War in the Balkans, 1991-2002 - R. Craig Nation - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  2. A Concise History of Bulgaria, R. J. Crampton, Cambridge University Press, 2005, ISBN 0521616379, pp. 8-9.
  3. The New Cambridge Medieval History: Volume 1, c.500-c.700, Paul Fouracre, Cambridge University Press, 2005, ISBN 0521362911, p. 301.
  4. Мутафчиев, П. Гюзелев. В, История на българския народ 681-1323. Българска Академия на науките, 1986. стр. 106-108.
  5. http://liternet.bg/publish13/p_pavlov/konstantin_II_asen.htm
  6. Peter Jackson The Mongols and the West, p.204
  7. Denis Sinor, "The Mongols in the West", Journal of Asian History v.33 n.1 (1999).

Further reading