History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Later artistic depiction · 19th century
Later artistic depiction

First Bulgarian Tsardom · Khan

Asparuh

≈Dates disputed: 668–694

Founded Danube Bulgaria after a war with Byzantium.

See the sources for the dating evidence.

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Life

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Asparuh was a ruler of Kubrat’s family. The accounts of his war with Byzantium were written later by Theophanes and Nikephoros, neither an eyewitness. They describe a defended position beside marshes called Onglos; its exact location remains disputed. Led the Bulgars at the lower Danube. The Byzantine campaign against him ended in retreat. The peace of 681 included a payment by the empire. The treaty is a reference date, rather than proof that a state appeared overnight.

Sources · 13

Open · Asparuh

Achievements

  • Led the Bulgars at the lower Danube
  • The Byzantine campaign against him ended in retreat
  • The peace of 681 included a payment by the empire

In our stories

Cut-out detail; background removed. Gold coin. Constans II is on the left, the smaller Constantine IV on the right. It predates the campaign; no link to the treaty payment is established.
Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

First Tsardom

Asparuh: why 681?

5 min

Sources

  1. Ian S. R. Mladjov Bulgaria (Bălgarija): kings and emperors of the Bulgarians; princes of Bulgaria and kings of the Bulgarians Ian Mladjov’s Resources, Chronologies. Author’s working chronology, updated March 2024, 6 pp. · 2024
  2. John R. Martindale (editor); King’s College London Old Bulgarian Rulers Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire I (641–867). Ashgate, 2001; KCL online edition. · 2001
  3. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a
All sources (12)
  1. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus of Constans II and Constantine IV with a Cross Potent on Three Steps (reverse) Collection 2012.22.b
  2. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Constantinople: geographical record Wikimedia geographical database
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Danube Delta Wikidata
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Pliska palace centre: geographical record Wikimedia geographical database
  5. Third Council of Constantinople; ed. Giovanni Domenico Mansi; Bulgarian translation Ivan Dujčev Actio XVI: statement of Constantine, presbyter of Apamea PDF Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio. Florence; Гръцки извори за българската история III. Sofia, 1960 · 1765 · XI · Mansi col. 617; GIBI III, 169–170
  6. Павел Георгиев / Pavel Georgiev Могилният комплекс при Кабаюк и началото на Плиска / Barrow Assemblage at Kabayuk and the Foundation of Pliska Приноси към българската археология / Contributions to Bulgarian Archaeology, NAIM–BAS · 2018 · 8 · 33–46
  7. Alexandru Madgearu Recent Discussions about “Onglos” PDF Istro-Pontica. Tulcea · 2000 · 343–348
  8. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 PDF The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  9. Jesse W. Torgerson and Mike Humphreys Chronicles, Histories, and Letters PDF A Companion to Byzantine Iconoclasm, ed. Mike Humphreys (Leiden: Brill) · 2021 · 191–229

Images

Later artistic depiction

Nikolai Pavlovich · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Later artistic depiction · 19th century

Open source

Full attribution

Nikolai Pavlovich (1835–1894) / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Later artistic depiction · detail