History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Cut-out detail; background removed. Open book with a writing figure on the left and a red heading below two birds on the right. A later copy according to the Commons description.
Hexameron copy

Simeon and the Golden Age · First Tsardom

Simeon: books and power

How does the monk Simeon become a ruler?

9 scenes · 4 min · Sources · 18

StartListen

The monk Simeon becomes a ruler. The story leads to Preslav, the battle of Achelous and the books of John the Exarch and Constantine of Preslav.

Modern photograph of a restored section of the walls in Istanbul. This is not the identified location of the meeting in 913.

Part 1 · First Tsardom

The monk becomes a ruler

Simeon studies in Constantinople, the capital of the neighbouring Byzantine Empire. His father is the Bulgarian ruler Boris-Michael. Young Simeon studies Greek books. He becomes a monk and promises to follow the rules of monastic life.

In 893 his brother Vladimir is removed from power. Simeon becomes ruler of Bulgaria. He exchanges monastic life for governing a country.

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:24
Sources · 2
  1. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  2. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
Preslav palace complex today. Surviving and conserved remains; this does not show the palace at its original height.
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders123
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · First Tsardom

Two capitals on the map

Find Preslav on the map, inland in present-day northeastern Bulgaria. According to the Preslav museum, the capital moves here from Pliska in 893. Archaeologists also find earlier buildings. Under Simeon the city grows as a centre of government and bookmaking.

To the southeast is Constantinople, present-day Istanbul. It is the neighbouring empire’s capital. Look for the Achelous river by the Black Sea too. The markers show places, not the borders of states at that time.

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:30
Sources · 6
  1. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” History of Preslav. Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav", official website, English version Official museum website
  2. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” Exposition hall. Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav", official website, English version Official museum website
  3. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Preslav: geographical records
  5. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Constantinople, present-day Istanbul: geographical records
  6. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Achelous river area: geographical records
Lead seal attributed to Simeon I in the CNG catalogue. Christ is on the left, the Virgin on the right. This is not a coin.

Part 3 · First Tsardom

Simeon’s lead seal

This is a lead seal. Seals authenticated documents. The catalogue attributes it to Simeon. Its sides show Christ and Mary, Jesus’s mother. Simeon wants an imperial title: ruler of an empire.

In 913 he meets Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, a senior Church leader, near Constantinople. An old account describes prayer and a covering placed on Simeon’s head. Was this a coronation or a blessing? Some historians see coronation, others a Church blessing. Simeon wants the Byzantine emperor’s title. That does not mean the Byzantine court recognises his claim.

1 · Christ
Christ is depicted on the left.
2 · The Virgin
The right side shows the Virgin. This face is not a portrait of Simeon.
3 · Letters around the edge
There is an inscription around the edge. Not every letter is clear in this small photograph.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:38
Sources · 6
  1. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  2. Ian Mladjov The Crown and the Veil: Titles, Spiritual Kinship, and Diplomacy in Tenth-Century Bulgaro–Byzantine Relations History Compass · 2015 · 13 · 171–183
  3. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  4. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Seal of Simeon I: Electronic Auction 236, lot 545 CNG Research Coins catalogue · 2010
  5. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (www.cngcoins.com) Seal of Simeon I of Bulgaria.jpg Wikimedia Commons imageinfo API; original provider in Credit
  6. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” Seals Official museum website, Treasure-room
Modern photograph of a restored section of the walls in Istanbul. This is not the identified location of the meeting in 913.

Part 4 · First Tsardom

Victory by the river

On 20 August 917, Bulgarian and Byzantine armies fight at Achelous, near the Black Sea coast. The Byzantine army, commanded by Leo Phokas, suffers a severe defeat.

For Simeon this is an important victory over the neighbouring empire. Yet victory does not settle the dispute over his title. The walls shown here are restored remains in present-day Istanbul. They show us the capital, which Simeon does not capture. The struggle also continues through negotiation.

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:32
Sources · 3
  1. Aleksander Paroń; translated by Thomas Anessi The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe PDF East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450–1450. Leiden–Boston: Brill · 2021 · 74 · 259–263
  2. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Achelous river area: geographical records

Part 5 · First Tsardom

Activity: what remains disputed?

What do historians dispute about the meeting in 913?

  1. Whether the ceremony meant coronation or blessing
  2. Whether Simeon studied at Achelous
  3. Whether the pictured object is a coin
Why is that?

We know about the meeting from old accounts. But historians interpret the ceremony differently: as a coronation or a Church blessing. Its meaning therefore remains disputed.

Correct · Whether the ceremony meant coronation or blessing

  1. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  2. Ian Mladjov The Crown and the Veil: Titles, Spiritual Kinship, and Diplomacy in Tenth-Century Bulgaro–Byzantine Relations History Compass · 2015 · 13 · 171–183
  3. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  4. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Seal of Simeon I: Electronic Auction 236, lot 545 CNG Research Coins catalogue · 2010

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:04
Sources · 4
  1. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  2. Ian Mladjov The Crown and the Veil: Titles, Spiritual Kinship, and Diplomacy in Tenth-Century Bulgaro–Byzantine Relations History Compass · 2015 · 13 · 171–183
  3. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  4. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Seal of Simeon I: Electronic Auction 236, lot 545 CNG Research Coins catalogue · 2010
Open book with a writing figure on the left and a red heading below two birds on the right. A later copy according to the Commons description.

Part 6 · First Tsardom

A book that keeps being copied

Commons describes this as a fifteenth-century Russian copy of the Hexameron. A manuscript copy is made by hand. This book is much later than Simeon.

In the Hexameron, John the Exarch explains the Bible’s account of the world’s creation. He combines Greek works with his own writing. Constantine of Preslav compiles the Didactic Gospel, with teachings about the accounts of Jesus Christ. He uses Greek interpretations and adds his own addresses and explanations.

1 · A writing figure
The left page depicts a person writing. This is a drawing in the later manuscript.
2 · A red heading
Red letters separate the heading from the dark lines below it. Commons describes the book as a fifteenth-century copy of the Hexameron.
3 · Bird decoration
Two birds face one another above the heading. They decorate this page. We do not know whether books from Simeon’s time had this decoration.

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:29
Sources · 4
  1. Анисава Милтенова Йоан Екзарх в руската средновековна литература SESDIVA: Bulgarian-Russian cultural exchange digital research project
  2. Лора Тасева Животъ, житиуе и жизнь в Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2024 · 48 · 35–58
  3. Георги Митов Византийските новозаветни катени и Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски: от катената към хомилията (Предварителни наблюдения) Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2022 · 46 · 29–41
  4. Shakko John of Bulgaria’s Hexameron: Moscow copy, 15th century Wikimedia Commons

Part 7 · First Tsardom

Activity: put events in time

Put these events in order, earliest first.

  1. Simeon becomes ruler
  2. Meeting with the patriarch
  3. The battle of Achelous
Why is that?

893 precedes 913, and 913 precedes 917. Disagreement over the ceremony’s meaning does not change this order.

Correct order

  1. Simeon becomes ruler
  2. Meeting with the patriarch
  3. The battle of Achelous
  1. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  2. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  3. Aleksander Paroń; translated by Thomas Anessi The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe PDF East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450–1450. Leiden–Boston: Brill · 2021 · 74 · 259–263

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 3
  1. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  2. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  3. Aleksander Paroń; translated by Thomas Anessi The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe PDF East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450–1450. Leiden–Boston: Brill · 2021 · 74 · 259–263
Stone walls of the palace complex at Preslav today.

Part 8 · First Tsardom

Books after Simeon

Historians call the cultural flowering under Simeon the Golden Age. Books are written and translated during this period. The name is a later judgement by historians. It does not mean exactly a hundred years. Nor does it prove everyone lived well: there are wars too.

Simeon dies in 927. Peter rules after him. Books continue to be copied much later. Simeon supports literary work; John the Exarch and Constantine of Preslav create and translate works.

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:30
Sources · 3
  1. Petko Dobrev / Петко Добрев “The Golden Age” of Simeon – Myth or Reality / „Златният век“ на Симеон – мит или реалност PDF Proceedings of University of Ruse / Научни трудове на Русенския университет · 2016 · 55 · 101–105
  2. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  3. Анисава Милтенова Йоан Екзарх в руската средновековна литература SESDIVA: Bulgarian-Russian cultural exchange digital research project

Part 9 · First Tsardom

Activity: match the pairs

Match each person with his role in the story.

  1. Simeon · Ruler who supports literary work
  2. John the Exarch · Author of the Hexameron
  3. Constantine of Preslav · Compiler of the Didactic Gospel
Why is that?

Simeon is the ruler supporting literary work. John the Exarch combines sources and his own writing in the Hexameron. Constantine compiles the sermons in the Didactic Gospel.

  1. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  2. Анисава Милтенова Йоан Екзарх в руската средновековна литература SESDIVA: Bulgarian-Russian cultural exchange digital research project
  3. Георги Митов Византийските новозаветни катени и Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски: от катената към хомилията (Предварителни наблюдения) Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2022 · 46 · 29–41

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 3
  1. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  2. Анисава Милтенова Йоан Екзарх в руската средновековна литература SESDIVA: Bulgarian-Russian cultural exchange digital research project
  3. Георги Митов Византийските новозаветни катени и Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски: от катената към хомилията (Предварителни наблюдения) Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2022 · 46 · 29–41

A new find for your collection

Simeon fights wars and supports the making of books. Historians call the cultural flowering under him the Golden Age.

Samuil · Klyuch and PrespaSamuil: holding out for almost forty yearsFollow another change in power.Boyana Church · BoyanaThe faces of BoyanaThe Gospels of Ivan Alexander · LondonThe tsar between the pages

People in this story

Boris ISimeonPeterVladimirJohn the ExarchConstantine of PreslavNicholas MystikosLeo PhokasChristVirgin MarySimeon I · Rulers

Sources

  1. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. Seal of Simeon I: Electronic Auction 236, lot 545 CNG Research Coins catalogue · 2010
  2. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Achelous river area: geographical records
  3. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Constantinople, present-day Istanbul: geographical records
  4. Wikimedia geographical database contributors Preslav: geographical records
  5. Petko Dobrev / Петко Добрев “The Golden Age” of Simeon – Myth or Reality / „Златният век“ на Симеон – мит или реалност PDF Proceedings of University of Ruse / Научни трудове на Русенския университет · 2016 · 55 · 101–105
  6. Shakko John of Bulgaria’s Hexameron: Moscow copy, 15th century Wikimedia Commons
  7. Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (www.cngcoins.com) Seal of Simeon I of Bulgaria.jpg Wikimedia Commons imageinfo API; original provider in Credit
  8. Mirosław J. Leszka; English translation: Katarzyna Gucio The Monk versus the Philosopher: From the History of the Bulgarian-Byzantine War 894–896 Studia Ceranea · 2011 · 1 · 55–70
  9. Mirosław J. Leszka Bulgarian-Byzantine Relations during the Reign of Symeon I the Great (893–927) PDF The Bulgarian State in 927–969. The Epoch of Tsar Peter I. Byzantina Lodziensia XXXIV. Łódź–Kraków: Łódź University Press / Jagiellonian University Press · 2018 · 35–46
  10. G. A. Loud A Re-examination of the ‘Coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 The Journal of Theological Studies, New Series · 1978 · XXIX · 109–120
  11. Анисава Милтенова Йоан Екзарх в руската средновековна литература SESDIVA: Bulgarian-Russian cultural exchange digital research project
  12. Георги Митов Византийските новозаветни катени и Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски: от катената към хомилията (Предварителни наблюдения) Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2022 · 46 · 29–41
  13. Ian Mladjov The Crown and the Veil: Titles, Spiritual Kinship, and Diplomacy in Tenth-Century Bulgaro–Byzantine Relations History Compass · 2015 · 13 · 171–183
  14. Aleksander Paroń; translated by Thomas Anessi The Pechenegs: Nomads in the Political and Cultural Landscape of Medieval Europe PDF East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450–1450. Leiden–Boston: Brill · 2021 · 74 · 259–263
  15. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” Exposition hall. Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav", official website, English version Official museum website
  16. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” History of Preslav. Archaeological Museum "Veliki Preslav", official website, English version Official museum website
  17. Archaeological Museum “Veliki Preslav” Seals Official museum website, Treasure-room
  18. Лора Тасева Животъ, житиуе и жизнь в Учителното евангелие на Константин Преславски Palaeobulgarica / Старобългаристика (Кирило-Методиевски научен център при БАН) · 2024 · 48 · 35–58

Images

Shakko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Commons describes this as a fifteenth-century Russian copy of the Hexameron from the Russian State Library. The exact shelfmark has not been verified.

Open source

Full attribution

Shakko. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Unmodified. Cut-out detail; background removed.

en:User:Bigdaddy1204 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Modern photograph of a restored section of the walls in Istanbul. This is not the identified location of the meeting in 913.

Open source

Full attribution

en:User:Bigdaddy1204. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Unmodified. Processed image.

Камен Ханджиев · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Preslav palace complex today. Surviving and conserved remains; this does not show the palace at its original height.

Open source

Full attribution

Камен Ханджиев. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. Processed image.

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Lead seal attributed to Simeon I in the CNG catalogue. Christ is on the left, the Virgin on the right. This is not a coin.

Open source

Full attribution

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (www.cngcoins.com). Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.5. Unmodified. Processed image.

Shakko · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Commons describes this as a fifteenth-century Russian copy of the Hexameron from the Russian State Library. The exact shelfmark has not been verified.

Open source

Full attribution

Shakko. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Unmodified. Processed image.

Камен Ханджиев · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Stone walls of the palace complex at Preslav today.

Open source

Full attribution

Камен Ханджиев. Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified. 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