Territorial_expansion First_Bulgarian_Empire

during reign of khan krum (r. 803–814) bulgaria doubled in size , expanded southward , northwest, occupying lands along middle danube , transylvania. between 804 , 806 bulgarian armies thoroughly eliminated avar khaganate, had suffered crippling blow franks in 796, , border frankish empire established along middle danube or tizsa. prompted byzantine moves consolidate hold on slavs in macedonia , northern greece , in response byzantine raid against country, bulgarians confronted byzantine empire. in 808 raided valley of struma river, defeating byzantine army, , in 809 captured important city serdica (modern sofia). in 811 byzantine emperor nicephorus launched massive offensive against bulgaria, seized, plundered , burned down capital pliska on way byzantine army decisively defeated in battle of varbitsa pass. nicephorus i himself slain along of troops, , skull lined silver , used drinking cup. krum took initiative , in 812 moved war towards thrace, capturing key black sea port of messembria , defeating byzantines once more @ versinikia in 813 before proposing generous peace settlement. however, during negotiations byzantines attempted assassinate krum. in response, bulgarians pillaged eastern thrace , seized important city of adrianople, resettling 10,000 inhabitants in bulgaria across danube . krum made enhanced preparation capture constantinople: 5,000 iron-plated wagons built carry siege equipment; byzantines pleaded frankish emperor louis pious. due sudden death of krum on 14 april 814, however, campaign never launched. khan krum implemented legal reform , issued first known written law code of bulgaria established equal rules peoples living within country s boundaries, intending reduce poverty , strengthen social ties in vastly enlarged state.

krum s successor khan omurtag (r. 814–831) concluded 30-year peace treaty byzantines, allowing both countries restore economies , finance after bloody conflicts in first decade of century, establishing border along erkesia trench between debeltos on black sea , valley of maritsa river @ kalugerovo. west bulgarians in control of belgrade (whose modern name first known alba bulgarica) 820s , northwestern boundaries frankish empire firmly settled along middle danube 827. north-east omurtag fought khazars along dnieper river, easternmost limit of bulgaria. extensive building undertaken in capital pliska, including construction of magnificent palace, pagan temples, ruler s residence, fortress, citadel, water-main, , bath, stone , brick. expansion south , south-west continued under omurtag s successors under guidance of capable kavhan (first minister) isbul. during short reign of khan malamir (r. 831–836), important city of philippopolis (plovdiv) incorporated country. under khan presian (r. 836–852), bulgarians took of macedonia, , borders of country reached adriatic sea near valona , aegean sea. byzantine historians not mention resistance against bulgarian expansion in macedonia, leading conclusion expansion largely peaceful. this, bulgaria had become dominant power in balkans. advances further west blocked development of new slavic state under byzantine patronage, principality of serbia. between 839 , 842 bulgarians waged war on serbs did not make progress. historian mark whittow asserts claim serb victory in war in de administrando imperio wishful byzantine thinking notes serb submission bulgarians went no further payment of tribute.

bulgaria after territorial expansion under krum, omurtag , presian

the reign of boris (r. 852–889) began numerous setbacks. ten years country fought against byzantine empire, eastern francia, great moravia, croats , serbs forming several unsuccessful alliances , changing sides. in august 863 there period of 40 days of earthquakes , there lean year, caused famine throughout country. cap all, there incursion of locusts. yet, despite military setbacks , natural disasters skilful diplomacy of boris i prevented territorial losses , kept realm intact. in complex international situation christianity had become attractive religion mid 9th-century because provided better opportunities forging reliable alliances , diplomatic ties. taking account, variety of internal factors, boris i converted christianity in 864, assuming title knyaz (prince). taking advantage of struggle between papacy in rome , ecumenical patriarchate of constantinople, boris i brilliantly manoeuvred assert independence of newly established bulgarian church. check possibility of byzantine interference in internal matters of bulgaria, sponsored disciples of brothers cyril , methodius create literature in old bulgarian language. boris i dealt ruthlessly opposition christianisation of bulgaria, crushing revolt of nobility in 866 , overthrowing own son vladimir (r. 889–893) after attempted restore traditional religion. in 893 convened council of preslav decided capital of bulgaria moved pliska preslav, byzantine clergy banished country , replaced bulgarian clerics, , old bulgarian language replace greek in liturgy. bulgaria become principle threat stability , security of byzantine empire in 10th century.