Pagan of Bulgaria
Pagan Паган | |
---|---|
Khan of Bulgaria | |
Reign | 767–768 |
Predecessor | Toktu |
Successor | Telerig |
Died | 768 Near Varna, Bulgaria |
Father | Vineh of Bulgaria |
Mother | Wife of Vineh |
Pagan (Bulgarian: Паган) was ruler of Bulgaria in 767–768.
Biography
Pagan has been identified as a member of that faction of the Bulgarian aristocracy which sought to establish peaceful relations with the Eastern Roman Empire. After ascending the throne following the murder of his predecessor Toktu, Pagan set out together with his court to attend negotiations with Emperor Constantine V Kopronymos[1] somewhere in Thrace. In the heated talks the emperor represented himself as intent on keeping the peace in Bulgaria and upbraided the Bulgarians for their anarchy, and for deposing their former ruler Sabin, who lived as a refugee at the imperial court. The emperor nevertheless agreed to make peace, and Pagan returned home.
At this point Constantine V suddenly invaded Bulgaria and managed to penetrate across the mountains into the core area of the Bulgarian state, setting afire some settlements around the Bulgarian capital Pliska. Although Constantine V did not follow up his relatively successful invasion and returned home, Pagan faced the wrath of his subjects who accused him of credulity and inability to oppose the enemy. The monarch fled in the direction of Varna, but was murdered by his servants, and succeeded by Telerig.
The 17th century Volga Bulgar compilation Cäğfär Taríxı (a work of disputed authenticity) represents Boyan (i.e., Pagan) as the son of the former ruler Bunek (i.e., Vinekh), and credits him with the expulsion of Sain (i.e., Sabin).[2]
See also
- History of Bulgaria
- Bulgars
References
- Mosko Moskov (1988). Imennik na bălgarskite hanove (novo tălkuvane). Sofia.
- Jordan Andreev, Ivan Lazarov, Plamen Pavlov, Koj koj e v srednovekovna Bălgarija, Sofia 1999.
Preceded by | Khan of Bulgaria 767–768 | Succeeded by |
- v
- t
- e
- Presian II
- Petar Delyan
- Tihomir
- Alusian
- Constantine Bodin
- Peter II
- Ivan Asen I
- Kaloyan
- Boril
- Ivan Asen II
- Kaliman Asen I
- Michael Asen I
- Kaliman Asen II
- Mitso Asen
- Rostislav I
- Constantine I Tih
- Jacob Svetoslav
- Michael Asen II
- Ivaylo
- Ivan Asen III
- George Terter I
- Smilets
- Ivan II
- Chaka
- Theodore Svetoslav
- George Terter II
- Michael Asen III
- Ivan Stephen
- Ivan Alexander
- Michael Asen IV
- Ivan Asen IV
- Ivan Sratsimir
- Ivan Shishman
- Ivan Asen V
- Constantine II
Kingdom (1908–1946)