Tervel ruled in the early eighth century. Byzantine accounts and damaged Greek inscriptions preserve evidence of his rule. Caesar was a high rank at the Byzantine court; receiving it did not make the Bulgar ruler emperor of Byzantium. Supported Justinian II’s return to the throne in 705. Received the Byzantine title caesar. His name can be read in the upper Madara inscription. The inscription supplies a name, but does not by itself identify the rider as Tervel.
History of Bulgaria
