First Bulgarian Empire

First Bulgarian Empire was an empire in Balkans and Greece (Europe) that lasted from 681 to 1018 CE, about 337 years. Its people spoke Slavic languages (Russian, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian).

Asparukh's Bulgars won Byzantine recognition in 681 and merged with the local Slavs. Boris I adopted Christianity, and Simeon I made it a centre of Slavic letters. Basil II conquered it by 1018.

See First Bulgarian Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

681 to 1018 CE

Duration

337 years

Type

Empire

Region

Balkans and Greece, Europe

Language family

Slavic

Capital

Pliska, later Preslav and Ohrid

Came from

• Old Great Bulgaria c. 632 to 668 CE

Became

• Second Bulgarian Empire 1185 to 1396 CE

Events in Europe during its time

• 732 Battle of Tours
• 793 Viking raid on Lindisfarne
• 800 Charlemagne crowned emperor
• 988 Baptism of the Rus

Neighbours in Europe

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE
• Kievan Rus 882 to 1240 CE
• Carolingian Empire 751 to 843 CE
• Papal States 756 to 1870 CE
• Kingdom of Scotland 843 to 1707 CE
• Republic of Genoa c. 1005 to 1797 CE
• Kingdom of Hungary 1000 to 1526 CE
• Kingdom of Norway c. 872 to 1397 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
• Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
• Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE, South Asia

Questions