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

First Bulgarian Tsardom · Khan

Tervel

≈Dates disputed: 694–715

Helped Justinian II regain his throne and received the title of caesar.

See the sources for the dating evidence.

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Life

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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.

Sources · 9

Open · Tervel

Achievements

  • 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

In our stories

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. John R. Martindale (editor); King’s College London Tervel 1 Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire I. Ashgate, 2001; KCL online edition. · 2001
All sources (12)
  1. Веселин Бешевлиев Прабългарски епиграфски паметници София: Издателство на Отечествения фронт · 1981 · 50–66
  2. Nora Dimitrova Inscriptions and Iconography in the Monuments of the Thracian Rider Hesperia · 2002 · 71 · 209–229
  3. Slavi Donchev The Madara Horseman PDF Monumentum · 1981 · 23–24 · 41–46
  4. Павел Георгиев Плиска — Българският Метрополис от края на „тъмните векове“ PDF НАИМ–БАН, CARARE digital repository · 12–13 (PDF)
  5. Национален археологически институт с музей – БАН; редактори: Методи Даскалов, Снежана Горянова, Милена Райчева, Галина Грозданова Езическа България. Власт и общество / Pagan Bulgaria. Power and Society PDF Национален археологически музей. Каталози. София: НАИМ–БАН · 2017 · V · 166–167
  6. Регионален исторически музей – Шумен Национален историко-археологически резерват „Плиска“ РИМ–Шумен, официален сайт
  7. UNESCO World Heritage Centre Madara Rider. World Heritage List no. 43 UNESCO World Heritage List
  8. Republic of Bulgaria / UNESCO World Heritage Centre Madara Rider: inscribed property map UNESCO World Heritage Centre · 2009 · 1
  9. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Pliska — Great Basilica area: geographical record Wikimedia geographical database

Alternative dates in the sources

≈ 702–718
John R. Martindale (editor); King’s College London
≈ 702–719
John R. Martindale (editor); King’s College London

Images

Later artistic depiction

Unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Later artistic depiction · 19th century

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Full attribution

Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain. Later artistic depiction