Establishment_and_consolidation First_Bulgarian_Empire

bulgaria @ turn of 7th century

the bulgars of asparukh moved westwards bessarabia, subdued territories north of danube in modern wallachia, , established in danube delta. in 670s crossed danube scythia minor, nominally byzantine province, steppe grasslands , pastures important large herd stocks of bulgars in addition grazing grounds west of dniester river under control. in 680 byzantine emperor constantine iv (r. 668–685), having defeated arabs, led expedition @ head of huge army , fleet drive off bulgars suffered disastrous defeat @ hands of asparukh @ onglos, swampy region in or around danube delta bulgars had set fortified camp. bulgars advanced south, crossed balkan mountains , invaded thrace. in 681, byzantines compelled sign humiliating peace treaty, forcing them acknowledge bulgaria independent state, cede territories north of balkan mountains , pay annual tribute. in universal chronicle western european author sigebert of gembloux remarked bulgarian state established in 680. first state empire recognised in balkans , first time legally surrendered claims part of balkan dominions. byzantine chronicler theophanes confessor wrote of treaty:

...the emperor [constantine iv] signed peace them [the bulgars], , agreed pay them tribute shame of romans , our many sins. wondrous faraway , close peoples hear he, made pay him tribute – east , west, north , south, had been defeated unclean , newly emerged people.

the relations between bulgars , local slavs matter of debate depending on interpretation of byzantine sources. vasil zlatarski asserts concluded treaty historians agree subjugated. bulgars superior organisationally , militarily , came dominate politically new state there cooperation between them , slavs protection of country. slavs allowed retain chiefs, abide customs , in return pay tribute in kind , provide foot soldiers army. 7 slavic tribes relocated west protect frontier avar khaganate, while severi resettled in eastern balkan mountains guard mountain passes byzantine empire. number of asparukh s bulgars difficult estimate. vasil zlatarski , john van antwerp fine jr. suggest not particularly numerous, numbering 10,000, while steven runciman considers tribe must had been of considerable dimensions. bulgars settled in north-east, establishing capital @ pliska, colossal encampment of 23 km protected earthen ramparts.

to north-east war khazars persisted , in 700 khan asparukh perished in battle them. despite setback consolidation of country continued under asparukh s successor, khan tervel (r. 700–721). in 705 assisted deposed byzantine emperor justinian ii regain throne in return of area zagore in northern thrace, first expansion of bulgaria south of balkan mountains. in addition tervel obtained imperial title caesar , sitting enthroned besides emperor received obeisance of citizenry of constantinople , numerous gifts. however, 3 years later justinian tried regain ceded territory force, army defeated @ anchialus. skirmishes continued until 716 when khan tervel signed important agreement byzantium defined borders , byzantine tribute, regulated trade relations , provided prisoners , fugitives exchange. when arabs laid siege constantinople in 717–718 tervel dispatched army besieged city. in decisive battle before walls of constantinople bulgarians slaughtered between 22,000 , 30,000 arabs forcing them abandon undertaking. historians agree byzantine-bulgarian victory important 1 stopping arab offences against europe.