History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
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.
Coin with two emperors

Asparuh and 681 · First Tsardom

Asparuh: why 681?

Why do we remember 681?

9 scenes · 5 min · Sources · 19

StartListen

An emperor leads an army towards the marshes. After his retreat, the Bulgars cross the Danube. Peace and payments follow. But where does the year we remember come from?

Two pages from a later copy of chronicles: BnF Supplément grec 327. This is not a record of the council of 681. The passage has not been identified as an account of Asparuh.

Part 1 · First Tsardom

Two chronicles on the table

Open a chronicle: a book that arranges the past in time. Theophanes and Nikephoros tell Asparuh’s story from Byzantium, the Eastern Roman Empire. Both write long after the war. Neither witnessed it. Theophanes speaks harshly of the Bulgars, yet describes his side’s defeat.

Their accounts have Kubrat urging his five sons to stay together. Researchers read this as a moral tale, not a recorded conversation. Theophanes calls Asparuh the third son. Researchers suggest both writers probably share an earlier source. Similar accounts need not provide independent confirmation.

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:37
Sources · 5
  1. Kirił Marinow Asparuh and His People on the Lower Danube through the Eyes of Theophanes, or a Story that Was Not Meant to Happen PDF Studia Ceranea · 2018 · 8 · 167–191
  2. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  3. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
  4. Jesse W. Torgerson and Mike Humphreys Chronicles, Histories, and Letters PDF A Companion to Byzantine Iconoclasm, ed. Mike Humphreys (Leiden: Brill) · 2021 · 191–229
  5. Unidentified manuscript copyist; texts attributed to Georgius Syncellus and Theophanes; digitisation: Bibliothèque nationale de France File:Supplément grec 327 - btv1b110047233 (0393 of 1105).jpg Wikimedia Commons
Modern landscape in the Danube Delta, Romania. It does not show a verified battlefield or seventh-century shorelines.
Modern photograph from the Tulcea delta area: a tree in water. Geographic context, not an identification of Onglos.
Trees beside water in today’s delta. Supplementary landscape; not a reconstruction of the campaign.
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders1
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · First Tsardom

Reeds beside Onglos

According to Theophanes, Asparuh’s people cross the Dnieper and Dniester towards Onglos. Rivers and marshes protect this refuge. An army would struggle to deploy there. But where exactly is it?

Proposals include the earthworks at Niculiţel, Wallachia, and land between the Siret, Prut and Danube. The debate remains open. Our map uses the delta only as a geographic reference. The photograph shows reeds today. It helps us imagine wet ground. It cannot locate the camp or show how the banks looked then.

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:32
Sources · 6
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Alexandru Madgearu Recent Discussions about “Onglos” PDF Istro-Pontica. Tulcea · 2000 · 343–348
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Danube Delta
  4. TriviaKing (English Wikipedia) File:Danube Delta Reeds.JPG Wikimedia Commons
  5. michael clarke stuff File:Danube delta, Tulcea 05 (2477824433).jpg Wikimedia Commons
  6. michael clarke stuff File:Danube delta, Tulcea 03 (2478633804).jpg Wikimedia Commons
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.
Reverse of the solidus dated 659–661: a cross on three steps, between two figures.

Part 3 · First Tsardom

Two faces on gold

Look at the solidus: a gold coin. The larger bearded figure on the left is Constans II. The smaller figure is young Constantine IV. A cross stands between their crowns. Cleveland’s museum dates it to 659–661, before the campaign. The reverse shows a cross on three steps, between two figures.

Later, Constantine IV leads an army against the Bulgars. The coin shows his image, but cannot count his soldiers. No link to a payment to Asparuh is established. What do the chronicles say about the campaign?

1 · Constans II
The larger bearded figure on the left is Constans II.
2 · The young Constantine IV
The smaller figure on the right is the future leader of the campaign. The coin dates to 659–661, before that campaign.
3 · Cross between the crowns
A small cross stands between the crowns of the two figures.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:36
Sources · 3
  1. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a
  2. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus of Constans II and Constantine IV with a Cross Potent on Three Steps (reverse) Collection 2012.22.b
  3. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
Modern photograph from the Tulcea delta area: a tree in water. Geographic context, not an identification of Onglos.

Part 4 · First Tsardom

The rumour of flight

The chroniclers say the campaign answers Bulgar raids on imperial lands. We usually date it to 680. The emperor brings troops and ships. The Bulgars shelter behind defences. Marshes hinder attack. Theophanes gives three or four waiting days; Nikephoros four.

Both say Constantine leaves for Mesembria with gout, a painful joint disease. He leaves orders. A rumour spreads: the emperor is fleeing. His army retreats. The Bulgars pursue, cross the Danube and settle towards Varna near Odessos and inland. They subject local Slavic communities and post frontier guards.

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:40
Sources · 3
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
  3. Юлиян Тодоровски Българо–византийският мирен договор от 681 г. в историографската традиция PDF Терени / Tereni · 2024 · 9 · 74–83

Part 5 · First Tsardom

Activity: what does the coin establish?

What can we learn directly from this coin and its museum description?

  1. How the young Constantine IV is depicted
  2. The army’s size at Onglos
  3. The day the peace was signed
Why is that?

The museum identifies the figures and dates the coin. It does not connect it to a particular treaty payment.

Correct · How the young Constantine IV is depicted

  1. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a
  2. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:04
Sources · 2
  1. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a
  2. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
Two pages from a later copy of chronicles: BnF Supplément grec 327. This is not a record of the council of 681. The passage has not been identified as an account of Asparuh.

Part 6 · First Tsardom

Peace for a yearly payment

After settlement, Theophanes reports Bulgar raids on imperial villages and forts. He says the emperor must make peace and pay yearly. Why 681?

On 9 August 681, the priest Constantine of Apamea mentions defeat against Bulgaria. He addresses a church council, a meeting of clergy. His “this year” is disputed. A September year spans 1 September 680 to 31 August 681. His words alone cannot settle the treaty’s year.

We use the usual date, 681, to mark Danubian Bulgaria’s establishment. The peace’s exact day remains unknown.

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:42
Sources · 6
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
  3. Юлиян Тодоровски Българо–византийският мирен договор от 681 г. в историографската традиция PDF Терени / Tereni · 2024 · 9 · 74–83
  4. Third Council of Constantinople; ed. Giovanni Domenico Mansi; Bulgarian translation Ivan Dujčev Actio XVI: statement of Constantine, presbyter of Apamea Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio. Florence; Гръцки извори за българската история III. Sofia, 1960 · 1765 · XI · Mansi col. 617; GIBI III, 169–170
  5. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Constantinople
  6. Unidentified manuscript copyist; texts attributed to Georgius Syncellus and Theophanes; digitisation: Bibliothèque nationale de France File:Supplément grec 327 - btv1b110047233 (0393 of 1105).jpg Wikimedia Commons

Part 7 · First Tsardom

Activity: put the account in order

Order these actions as the chroniclers tell them, without relying on disputed calendar dates.

  1. Imperial troops arrive at the defences
  2. The emperor leaves for treatment
  3. Rumour triggers the army’s retreat
  4. Bulgars cross the Danube after pursuit
Why is that?

Both authors give this sequence. Disagreement about the treaty year does not change the order of these actions in their accounts.

Correct order

  1. Imperial troops arrive at the defences
  2. The emperor leaves for treatment
  3. Rumour triggers the army’s retreat
  4. Bulgars cross the Danube after pursuit
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:06
Sources · 2
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
The archaeological site at Pliska today. The visible foundations do not establish buildings of Asparuh in 681.
Modern view of remains at Pliska. The photograph’s date is not a foundation date; the stone complex is not presented as a camp of 681.

Part 8 · First Tsardom

A burial beneath a mound

Pliska’s stone foundations stand before us today. Archaeology investigates when buildings were made and objects deposited. These foundations cannot establish Asparuh’s camp.

Nearby Kabayuk has a rich burial beneath a barrow, a mound of earth. One proposed date places the burial in the very late seventh or very early eighth century. The barrow is dated to the early ninth century. Another proposal dates the whole complex no earlier than the ninth century’s beginning. This dispute changes its connection with Asparuh. Stones and objects both need careful dating.

  • Pliska · Approximate location

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:35
Sources · 5
  1. 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
  2. Юлиян Тодоровски Българо–византийският мирен договор от 681 г. в историографската традиция PDF Терени / Tereni · 2024 · 9 · 74–83
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors National Historical and Archaeological Reserve “Pliska”
  4. Svilen Enev File:Ruins in Pliska Palace 9.JPG Wikimedia Commons
  5. Svilen Enev File:Pliska-svik.jpg Wikimedia Commons

Part 9 · First Tsardom

Activity: match the evidence

Match each piece of evidence to its description in the story.

  1. Theophanes’ account · Campaign, retreat and annual payment
  2. Constantine of Apamea’s statement · War against Bulgaria mentioned in 681
  3. Cleveland’s gold solidus · Two emperors on a gold coin
Why is that?

The chronicle narrates events. The statement comes from a session in 681. The coin bears images and predates the campaign.

  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Third Council of Constantinople; ed. Giovanni Domenico Mansi; Bulgarian translation Ivan Dujčev Actio XVI: statement of Constantine, presbyter of Apamea Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio. Florence; Гръцки извори за българската история III. Sofia, 1960 · 1765 · XI · Mansi col. 617; GIBI III, 169–170
  3. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:04
Sources · 3
  1. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  2. Third Council of Constantinople; ed. Giovanni Domenico Mansi; Bulgarian translation Ivan Dujčev Actio XVI: statement of Constantine, presbyter of Apamea Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio. Florence; Гръцки извори за българската история III. Sofia, 1960 · 1765 · XI · Mansi col. 617; GIBI III, 169–170
  3. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a

A new find for your collection

681 is an accepted marker for the establishment of Danube Bulgaria, rather than a known birthday. We compare narratives, contemporary testimony and archaeology.

Madara Rider · MadaraThe rider above the pathExplore another struggle over power and freedom.Georgi Ivanov · BaikonurInto orbit, without dockingPreslav ceramic icon · PreslavThe saint made of tiles

People in this story

AsparuhConstantine IVKubratTheophanesNikephorosConstans IIConstantine of ApameaAsparuh · Rulers

Sources

  1. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus with Busts of Constans II and Constantine IV (obverse) Collection 2012.22.a
  2. Cleveland Museum of Art Solidus of Constans II and Constantine IV with a Cross Potent on Three Steps (reverse) Collection 2012.22.b
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Constantinople
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Danube Delta
  5. Wikimedia geographical database contributors National Historical and Archaeological Reserve “Pliska”
  6. Third Council of Constantinople; ed. Giovanni Domenico Mansi; Bulgarian translation Ivan Dujčev Actio XVI: statement of Constantine, presbyter of Apamea Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio. Florence; Гръцки извори за българската история III. Sofia, 1960 · 1765 · XI · Mansi col. 617; GIBI III, 169–170
  7. 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
  8. Alexandru Madgearu Recent Discussions about “Onglos” PDF Istro-Pontica. Tulcea · 2000 · 343–348
  9. Kirił Marinow Asparuh and His People on the Lower Danube through the Eyes of Theophanes, or a Story that Was Not Meant to Happen PDF Studia Ceranea · 2018 · 8 · 167–191
  10. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople; ed. and tr. Cyril Mango Short History / Nicephori Patriarchae Constantinopolitani breviarium historicum Dumbarton Oaks Texts 10; CFHB 13 (Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks) · 1990 · §§35–36; Greek 86.38–90.29; English 87–91
  11. michael clarke stuff File:Danube delta, Tulcea 03 (2478633804).jpg Wikimedia Commons
  12. michael clarke stuff File:Danube delta, Tulcea 05 (2477824433).jpg Wikimedia Commons
  13. Unidentified manuscript copyist; texts attributed to Georgius Syncellus and Theophanes; digitisation: Bibliothèque nationale de France File:Supplément grec 327 - btv1b110047233 (0393 of 1105).jpg Wikimedia Commons
  14. Svilen Enev File:Ruins in Pliska Palace 9.JPG Wikimedia Commons
  15. Svilen Enev File:Pliska-svik.jpg Wikimedia Commons
  16. TriviaKing (English Wikipedia) File:Danube Delta Reeds.JPG Wikimedia Commons
  17. Theophanes the Confessor; ed. Carl de Boor; tr. Cyril Mango and Roger Scott, with Geoffrey Greatrex Chronographia, AM 6171 The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor. Oxford: Clarendon Press · 1997 · I · de Boor 356.18–359.25; Mango–Scott 497–499
  18. Юлиян Тодоровски Българо–византийският мирен договор от 681 г. в историографската традиция PDF Терени / Tereni · 2024 · 9 · 74–83
  19. 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

Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Open source

Full attribution

Cleveland Museum of Art (photograph); Byzantine mint (object maker not individually recorded); Wikimedia Commons; CC0. 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. Cut-out detail; background removed.

Unknown scribe · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Two pages from a later copy of chronicles: BnF Supplément grec 327. This is not a record of the council of 681. The passage has not been identified as an account of Asparuh.

Open source

Full attribution

Unidentified copyist; texts by Syncellus and Theophanes; digitisation: National Library of France; Wikimedia Commons; Public domain. Two pages from a later copy of chronicles: BnF Supplément grec 327. This is not a record of the council of 681. The passage has not been identified as an account of Asparuh. Processed image.

TriviaKing · CC BY-SA 3.0 · English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons

Modern landscape in the Danube Delta, Romania. It does not show a verified battlefield or seventh-century shorelines.

Open source

Full attribution

TriviaKing, English Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. Modern landscape in the Danube Delta, Romania. It does not show a verified battlefield or seventh-century shorelines. Processed image.

michael clarke stuff · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Modern photograph from the Tulcea delta area: a tree in water. Geographic context, not an identification of Onglos.

Open source

Full attribution

michael clarke stuff; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 2.0. Modern photograph from the Tulcea delta area: a tree in water. Geographic context, not an identification of Onglos. Processed image.

michael clarke stuff · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Trees beside water in today’s delta. Supplementary landscape; not a reconstruction of the campaign.

Open source

Full attribution

michael clarke stuff; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 2.0. Trees beside water in today’s delta. Supplementary landscape; not a reconstruction of the campaign. Processed image.

Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Open source

Full attribution

Cleveland Museum of Art (photograph); Byzantine mint (object maker not individually recorded); Wikimedia Commons; CC0. 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. Processed image.

Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Reverse of the solidus dated 659–661: a cross on three steps, between two figures.

Open source

Full attribution

Cleveland Museum of Art; Wikimedia Commons; CC0. Reverse of the solidus dated 659–661: a cross on three steps, between two figures. Processed image.

Svilen Enev · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The archaeological site at Pliska today. The visible foundations do not establish buildings of Asparuh in 681.

Open source

Full attribution

Svilen Enev; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. The archaeological site at Pliska today. The visible foundations do not establish buildings of Asparuh in 681. Processed image.

Svilen Enev · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Modern view of remains at Pliska. The photograph’s date is not a foundation date; the stone complex is not presented as a camp of 681.

Open source

Full attribution

Svilen Enev; Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0. Modern view of remains at Pliska. The photograph’s date is not a foundation date; the stone complex is not presented as a camp of 681. Processed image.

Geographic context, without historical borders

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth

Open source

Full attribution

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso