×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Sunday
18
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 7°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

The Rise and Fall of the Mighty Bulgars and the First Bulgarian Empire

In 1018, the Byzantine Emperor Basil II dealt a decisive blow to Bulgaria by capturing the capital city of Preslav

Newsroom August 2 12:30

In the annals of history, the First Bulgarian Empire emerges as a captivating tale of rise, conquest and eventual decline. Founded by Khan Asparuh in the late 7th century, one of the early leaders of the Bulgars, it flourished into a powerful state that challenged the Byzantine Empire’s authority and became one of the strongest Medieval powers in Europe.

Led by remarkable rulers like Krum and Simeon I, the empire experienced golden eras of cultural, political and military achievements. However, internal strife, external pressures and territorial losses eventually led to its downfall. Despite its ultimate decline, the First Bulgarian Empire remains a captivating chapter, highlighting the resilience and rich heritage of the Bulgarian people.

See Also:

Athens reacts to referral of detained Himara Mayor Beleris to the Albanian Special Court

>Related articles

Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose U.S. plans for Greenland

CIA chief in Venezuela meets with Rodriguez

Ballistic missile strike hits pier in Ukraine

The Bulgars: From Nomads to Empire Builders

The Bulgars were Turkic semi-nomadic warrior tribes that some believe can be traced back to Central Asia. Their first written mention dates back to 480 AD when they allied themselves with Byzantine emperor, Zeno. This was the beginning of a complicated relationship that lasted hundreds of years.

Continue here: Ancient Origins

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Byzantine Emperor Basil II “the Bulgar Slayer”#Byzantine Empire#culture#history#world
> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

War, diplomacy, or insurrection: What’s next in Iran

January 17, 2026

New tensions in the Middle East as Trump invites regional leaders to the Gaza Peace Council

January 17, 2026

Weather: A return to winter in the coming days – Cold and strong northerly winds – Kolydas’ post

January 17, 2026

A view of Nikolaos Stasinopoulos of Viohalco – The “enduring imprint” of Greece’s greatest industrialist

January 17, 2026

The horror of the “Tariff of the Dead”: how the Iranian regime prices the bodies of protesters

January 17, 2026

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

January 17, 2026

Patras in carnival mode – This evening, the city’s official opening ceremony

January 17, 2026

Greenland as the first line ofdefense for the U.S. and NATO:

January 17, 2026
All News

> Politics

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on Saturday morning about the proposed Karystianou party, his forthcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and his scheduled meeting with farmers on Monday

January 17, 2026

Mitsotakis attends the inauguration of the renovated Emergency Department at Red Cross Hospital

January 16, 2026

Marinakis: Anestidis has no place in a meeting with Mitsotakis; The video with insults crosses the line of decency

January 16, 2026

Gerapetritis: ‘Extension of territorial waters will come, as marine parks and spatial planning’

January 16, 2026

Hydrocarbon contracts in Parliament, Greece as an energy hub with Saudi Arabia and investments in the background

January 15, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα