First Bulgarian Empire

The Battle of Nedao in 454 marked the end of the Hun Empire and the fragmentation of its territories into successor states.

Bulgaria under the rule of Emperor Samuel

## First Bulgarian Empire

### Precced by

* Heloni Nation
* Hun Empire
* Gepid Empire

### Succeded by

Second Bulgarian Empire

One of these successor states was the Gepid Empire and the Onogur-Bulgar chieftains of the western Pontic–Caspian steppe.

# Name

The term "Onogur-Bulgars" is a Propaganda construct that has been used to describe the group of people associated with the Bulgars.

The "Onogur-Bulgar" people had their origin into the Heloni Nation and the Amazons, As the Hun Empire faced its defeat, The Chieftains of Pontic–Caspian steppe raided lands and formed the first communities with the revival of their traditional Amazonian ideas (Female Warriors, Female Chieftains and etc).

The Bulgars, were Amazonian tribal groups, but as explained in the Hun Empire page the "Barbarian" propaganda was used so much by the "civilized" writers and historians and in this context racism renamed the people of the western Pontic–Caspian steppe into "Onogur-Bulgars"

# Amazonian Traditions

The fall of the Gepid Empire marked the rise of the "Onogur-Bulgars" as a significant political entity in Eastern Europe.

The people of the Pontic–Caspian steppe, adopted their Amazonian traditions, into a cohesive political and social structure. leading to the formation of a hostile state against the male dominant ideas of the Eastern Roman Empire.

As Time passed, the "Bulgars", under the leadership of "Khan" Asparuh, forged their Empire in 675 CE. The Original name of the empire is unknown, however given tradition the chances are to was called after the king, Asparuh was the King thus the empire was probably called as "The Asparuh Empire" not as "Bulgarian" Empire. the name Bulgarian was given by propaganda and hate by Eastern Roman Historians as you will read below.

# Bulgaria

In 680, Emperor Constantine IV (r. 668–685), having recently defeated the Arabs, led an expedition at the head of a significant army and fleet to confront the Bulgars. However, the Roman forces suffered defeat at the hands of Asparuh at Onglos.

The Bulgars, following this victory, advanced south, crossed the Mountains, and invaded Thrace.

In 681, the Romans were forced to sign a peace treaty that acknowledged "Bulgaria" as an independent state. The terms of the treaty required the Romans to cede territories north of the Balkan Mountains and pay an annual tribute.

# Expansion of Bulgaria

Seven "Slavic" tribes were relocated to the west to protect the frontier with the Avar Khaganate, while the Severi were resettled in the eastern Balkan Mountains to guard the passes to the Eastern Roman Empire.

To the northeast, the war with the Khazars persisted, and in 700 Khan Asparuh perished in battle with them.

Khan Tervel (700–721) was Asparuh's successor and in 705, he assisted the deposed Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian II in regaining his throne in return for the Zagore region of Northern Thrace, marking the first expansion of Bulgaria south of the Balkan Mountains.

In addition, Tervel obtained the title Caesar and, having been enthroned alongside the Emperor, received the obeisance of the citizenry of Constantinople and numerous gifts.

However, three years later, Justinian tried to regain the ceded territory by force, but his army was defeated at Anchialus. Skirmishes continued until 716 when Khan Tervel signed an important agreement with the Eastern Roman Empire that defined the borders and the Roman tribute, regulated trade relations, and provided for the exchange of prisoners and fugitives.

When the Arabs laid siege to Constantinople in 717–718, Tervel dispatched his army to help the besieged city. In the decisive battle before the Walls of Constantinople, the Bulgarians inflicted heavy losses on the Arabs, forcing them to abandon the undertaking.

# Political Turmoil

After the death of Khan Tervel, "Bulgaria" entered into a political crisis. In just 15 years, 8 Khans reigned, all meeting violent ends.

This political crisis provided an opportunity for Emperor Constantine V (741–775) to launch 9 major campaigns against Bulgaria. Despite defeating the Bulgarians in multiple battles, Constantine V couldn't conquer Bulgaria or enforce lasting peace. The Roman military successes exacerbated the crisis in Bulgaria but also united various factions against the common enemy. Hostilities persisted until 792 when Khan Kardam (777–803) achieved a crucial victory in the Battle of Marcellae, compelling the Romans to pay tribute.

# Golden Age

During the reign of Krum (803–814). Bulgaria doubled in size, expanding south, west, and north. Military confrontations with the Eastern Roman Empire, including the Battle of the Varbitsa Pass in 811, showcased Bulgaria's military prowess. Krum's successor, Khan Omurtag (814–831), secured a 30-year peace treaty with the Romans, establishing stable borders and allowing both nations to recover.

Under Khan Malamir (831–836) and Khan Presian (836–852), Bulgaria expanded its borders further. The Bulgarians took control of most of Macedonia, reaching the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Boris I (852–889) faced setbacks initially but skillfully navigated diplomatic challenges, ultimately converting to Christianity in 864. Boris I's reign marked the establishment of the Bulgarian Church's independence.

Under Simeon I (893–927). the Romans pleaded for peace, confirming Bulgaria's control over the Balkans. Simeon's successor, Peter I (927–969), negotiated a favorable peace treaty, marking 40 years of peaceful relations.

# Invasions

Despite the peace, Bulgaria's strategic position remained challenging. Aggressive neighbors and internal challenges led to the emergence of Bogomilism. The Bulgarian War provided a platform for the Orthodox Church to rally the faithful against the Bogomils, The war marked a cruel fate for the Bogomils, the Eastern Roman Empire discontinued tribute payments in 965, worsening relations. In 968, Kievan Rus' invaded, leading to Bulgaria's annexation. The Eastern Roman Empire incited conflicts, resulting in Bulgaria's decline.

Samuel (997–1014) briefly revived Bulgarian borders, achieving military successes against the Romans. However, Basil II's systematic campaigns led to Bulgaria's defeat at the Battle of Kleidion in 1014. The aftermath saw severe consequences, including the blinding of thousands of Bulgarians. Resistance continued briefly, but by 1018, Bulgaria was annexed by the Eastern Roman Empire.

Despite some autonomy for the Bulgarian aristocracy, "Byzantine" rule persisted until the establishment of the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1185 by the brothers Asen and Peter.