History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Later artistic depiction · 12th century
Later artistic depiction

First Bulgarian Tsardom · Tsar

Simeon I

≈Dates disputed: 893–927

Preslav became a major literary centre under him, and he took the title of tsar.

See the sources for the dating evidence.

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Life

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Simeon was Boris-Michael’s son and was educated in Constantinople. He took power in Bulgaria after his brother Vladimir’s rule. Seals bearing Christ and letters exchanged with Byzantine churchmen show how he asserted authority; they are not neutral portraits of his personality. Ruled Bulgaria from 893 to 927. Under him Preslav was a royal and literary centre. His army won at Achelous in 917. “Golden Age” is a later assessment of literary development, rather than his own label.

Sources · 67

Open · Simeon

Achievements

  • Ruled Bulgaria from 893 to 927
  • Under him Preslav was a royal and literary centre
  • His army won at Achelous in 917

In our stories

The figure from a reproduction of the ceramic icon of St Theodore. Missing areas have not been reconstructed.
Unknown medieval painter (Preslav); photograph credited to Julian Tomanov in Atanas Boschkov, Die bulgarische Malerei (1969), p. 53 · Public domain (PD-Art, PD-old-70) · Wikimedia Commons

First Tsardom

The saint made of tiles

6 min

Sources

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  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. Археологически музей „Велики Преслав“ (Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav"), official website Exposition hall. Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav", official website, English version Official website of the Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav"
All sources (65)
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  62. Vislupus Pliska Fortress 030.jpg Wikimedia Commons · 2016

Images

Later artistic depiction

Anonymous medieval illuminator · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Later artistic depiction · 12th century

Open source

Full attribution

Anonymous medieval illuminator; Кардам / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Later artistic depiction · detail