DOCSLIB.ORG

Bulgarian Historiography on the Military Campaigns Against Serbia in 1214–1215: a Reconsideration

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bulgarian Historiography on the Military Campaigns Against Serbia in 1214–1215: a Reconsideration UDC: 355.48:94](497.11:497.2)“1214/1215“:930.2(497.2) DOI: 10.34298/9788677431396.12 Ivelin IVANOV St. Cyril and St. Methodius University Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria BULGARIAN HISTORIOGRAPHY ON THE MILITARY CAMPAIGNS AGAINST SERBIA IN 1214–1215: A RECONSIDERATION Abstract: The Bulgarian-Serbian conflict of 1214 is related to the rule of Tsar Boril (1207-1218), traditionally regarded as a weak and unsuccessful ruler. The author summarizes the positions on this conflict among the most prominent Bulgarian medievalists in several aspects: the reasons and the cause of the conflict, the course of the campaigns of 1214 and 1215, and its consequences. In conclusion, the author formulated several major trends in the positions of Bulgarian historians on the issue in question, stressing that the conflict and the campaigns of 1214 and 1215 require further and deeper analytical research. Keywords: middle ages, Bulgarian-Serbian relations, Tsar Boril, Stefan the First- Crowned, Sebastokrator Strez. The Bulgaria–Serbia relations at the beginning of the 13th century are not among the leading topics in Bulgarian historiography1. Rather, the bilateral 1 The Bulgarian–Serbian conflict in the 13–14th centuries spread in two directions: to Belgrade, Branichevo and Vidin regions, and to Macedonia. The conflict in the southwest territory was exacerbated by the separatist actions of local rulers, the strongest of whom was Strez. After the death of Tsar Kaloyan in 1207, Strez lost his positions in the struggle for the throne, but succeeded in establishing political control over territories in the southwest, centered on the fortress of Prosek. As a result of an active policy, Stres established close relations with Great Prince Stefan Nemanjić (1165–1228) and acted openly against Bulgarian Tsar Boril. The Strez’s role and his activities in the events in question in Bulgarian historiography are presented below, 251 Ivelin Ivanov relations in the 9–10th centuries, during the period of the re-establishment of the Bulgarian Tsardom at the end of the 12th century, as well as the Bulgaria– Serbia relations in the 14th century, are much more popular and disputed. The first Bulgarian academic historian to analyze the reign of Tsar Boril (1207–1218) was prof. Marin Drinov. In the study Имали ли са сърбите някои колонии и някоя тайна власт в Македония преди XIII век? Как са се наричали славяните, които населявали Македония, преди тая епоха, prof. Drinov presents, in particular, the local ruler Sebastokrator Strez and his complicated relations with Serbian Grand Prince Stefan Nemanjić (Stephen the First-Crowned), but without any comment on the military campaigns against Serbia from 1214–1215.2 Therefore, the true beginning of the present historiographical review should be associated with the name and research of Czech mediaevalist Konstantin Josef Jireček. Although he was not a Bulgarian by birth, K. Jireček was a significant figure among the founders of Bulgarian academic historiography and his research strongly influenced the first generation of Bulgarian professional historians. In his work Историjа Срба Jireček notes that the reasons that gave rise to the Bulgaria–Serbia conflict of 1214 were related to border disputes and territorial claims by both Bulgaria and Hungary. As a cause for the beginning of the military conflict, K. Jireček pointed out the demand by Bulgarian Tsar Boril for the surrender of Sebastokrator Strez, which Serbian ruler Stefan Nemanjić did not agree to.3 Although Konstantin Jireček analyzed this clash only in brief, his position on this issue had a far-reaching effect on the following generation of Bulgarian professional historians. The next Bulgarian medievalist to discuss the events in question was Professor Vasil Zlatarski. In the third volume of his general study История на българската държава през средните векове, he analyses the rule of Tsar Boril, his conflict with the separatist local ruler Strez, and the orientation but I would like to outline a new and interesting thesis about the relations between Sevastokrator Strez, Tsar Boril and Serbian ruler Stefan the First-Crowned. According to Serbian medievalist Ivana Komatina, the alliance between Strez and Stephen the First-Crowned should be dated not in 1208, but after 1211, and the end of this alliance – with the Bulgarian–Latin campaign against Serbia from 1213–1214. И. Коматина, Историјска подлога чудâ Св. Симеона у Житију Симеоновом од Стефана Првовенчаног, Зборник радова Византолошког института LI (2014) 111–134. 2 М. Дринов, Имали ли са сърбите някои колонии и някоя тайна власт в Македония преди XIII век? Как са се наричали славяните, които населявали Македония,преди тая епоха, Избрани съчинения, том. II, София 1971, 314–328. 3 К. Иречек, История на българите, София 1978, 289; К. Jиречек, Историjа Срба, т. I, Београд 1978, 214. “Когато Борилъ и Хенрихъ не могли да изпросятъ у великия жупанъ да имъ предаде (sic) Стрѣза, тѣ предприели съвмѣстенъ воененъ походъ противъ Сърбия.” 252 Bulgarian historiography on the military campaigns against Serbia in 1214–1215: a reconsideration of the latter to Stefan Nemanjić’s side. Professor Zlatarski studied the deepening of the Bulgaria–Serbia conflict, stressing the fact that Strez and his political maneuvering were both the general cause of, and the main factor in, the outbreak of the conflict of 1214. Next, V. Zlatarski dates the death of Sebastokrator Strez in the year 1215 and presumes that the killing was instigated by the Serbian ruler, but the killers belonged to the inner circle of vassals and companions of Strez.4 Also, Professor Zlatarski disagrees with Konstantin Jireček’s thesis about the cause of the conflict in Историjа Срба and assumes that the final goals of the war in 1214 were the destruction of Serbia and the deposition of Stefan the First-Crowned.5 Vasil Zlatarski is also of the opinion that the initiator of the war was the Bulgarian ruler and indicates three main objectives: 1) returning of occupied lands; 2) strengthening of domestic political positions; and 3) destroying the alliance between the Serbian ruler and Strez, and recruiting the latter as an ally. As far as the course of the military campaign is concerned, prof. Zlatarski points out that the planned march in 1214 was not actually realized. He backs his thesis not with a military defeat, but with reconciliation between Stefan the First-Crowned and Boril, as the latter had already achieved some of the initial goals mentioned above.6 Further on, analyzing the Hungarian–Latin campaign against the Serbian ruler in the spring of 1215, Vasil Zlatarski supports the view that Boril’s involvement is uncertain, but that the Bulgarian ruler gave the Latins a free pass through his realm. According to Zlatarski, after the unsuccessful march of 1214 and the death of Sebastokrator Strez, Tsar Boril was unable to take military action in 1215.7 The above positions were accepted (thoroughly or almost without criticism) by the next generations of Bulgarian medievalists. Among the founders and leading authorities in the Bulgarian medieval research is also Professor Petar Mutafchiev, with his works Сръбското разширение в Македония през средните векове and История на българския народ. A more detailed and well-argumented position on the events in question could also be found in his study Владетелите на Просек. Страници из 4 В. Златарски, История на българската държава през Средните векове, Т. ІІІ, Второ българско царство. България при Асеневци (1187–1280), София 1940 (2007) 317; В. Златарски, Българо-сръбските политически отношения в миналото, Българска историческа библиотека, година трета, том втори, София 1930, 83. 5 В. Златарски, История на българската държава през Средните векове, т. ІІІ, 310. 6 В. Златарски, Българо-сръбските политически отношения в миналото, 82–83. 7 В. Златарски, История на българската държава презъ Средните векове, т. ІІІ, 319–320. 253 Ivelin Ivanov историята на българите в края на XII и началото на XIII в.8 In this work, P. Mutafchiev defends the thesis that Strez was the real leader of the military campaign against Grand Prince Stefan Nemanjić in 1214. Mutafchiev dates Strez’s death in 1214, believing the conspiracy was initiated by Serbian agents.9 According to Petar Mufafchiev, the leading motives of Tsar Boril in this war were a revenge for Stefan II’s hostility and, secondly, a punishment for the Serbian support for Sebastokrator Strez, which resulted in separating Macedonia from the Bulgarian Tsardom after 1208.10 Another goal of the 1214 campaign was Boril’s desire for an easy military success aimed at strengthening his position on the throne, according to Professor Mutafchiev.11 Also, Mutafchiev dates the subsequent Hungarian–Latin campaign against the Serbian Kingdom to 1215, but without noticing the Bulgarian ruler Boril in this event. The final conclusion of the author is that the Serbian ruler pursued both direct and further political interventions in Bulgaria. It can be summarized that in his studies Professor Mutafchiev stresses the leading position of Sebastokrator Strez, while Tsar Boril is qualified as a weak and minor political figure. Thus, Petar Mutafchiev agrees with Jireček’s and Zlatarski’s negative view of Tsar Boril as a political usurper and a weak tsar. Another Bulgarian medievalist – professor Petar Nikov, also describes Tsar Boril as a helpless ruler who failed to stop the expansion of Serbian influence in the southwestern Bulgarian lands. In his article Цар Борил под светлината на един нов паметник, prof. Nikov admits that the anti-Serbian coalition was a consequence of the domestic political instability of usurper Boril, who succeeded in keeping the crown thanks to Hungarian and Latin support.12 Petar Nikov mentions the Serbian politics and Serbian Grand Prince Stefan only with regard to the second military campaign in 1215, assuming that Tsar 8 П. Мутафчиев, Изток и Запад в европейското Средновековие, Владетелите на Просек. Страници из историята на българите в края на XII и началото на XIII в., IV (Стрез и Стефан Неман, Сава), Сборник на Българската академия на науките 1 (София 1913) 82–107.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • (2019), the Vardar River As a Border of Semiosphere – Paradox Of
    Geographia Polonica 2019, Volume 92, Issue 1, pp. 83-102 https://doi.org/10.7163/GPol.0138 INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY AND SPATIAL ORGANIZATION POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES www.igipz.pan.pl www.geographiapolonica.pl THE VARDAR RIVER AS A BORDER OF SEMIOSPHERE – PARADOX OF SKOPJE REGENERATION Armina Kapusta Urban Regeneration Laboratory Institute of Urban Geography and Tourism Studies Faculty of Geographical Sciences University of Łódź Kopcińskiego 31, 90-142 Łódź: Poland e-mail: [email protected] Abstract As suggested by its etymology, regeneration usually carries positive connotations while its negative aspects tend to be belittled. However, any renewal results in major morphological, physiognomic, functional or social changes, which imply changes in the meanings encoded in space. These transformations are not always welcome and they may lead to public discussions and conflicts. Skopje 2014 is a project within which such controversial transformations have been taking place. The area surrounding the Vardar River and its banks plays a major role here. On the river banks monumental buildings were erected, bridges over the river were modernised and new ones, decorated with monuments, were built for pedestrians. Bridges can be considered a valuable component of any urban infrastructure as they link different parts of a settlement unit (in the case of Skopje – left (northern) bank and the right (southern) bank; Albanian and Macedonian), improve transport, facilitate trade and cultural exchange. In this context, referring to Lotman’s semiosphere theory, they may become borders of semiotic space, which acts as a filter that facilitates the penetration of codes and cultural texts. Yet, in multicultural Skopje meanings attached to bridges seem to lead to social inequalities as they glorify what is Macedonian and degrade the Albanian element.
    [Show full text]
  • Xerox University Microfilms
    INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy o f the original document. While the most advai peed technological meant to photograph and reproduce this document have been useJ the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The followini explanation o f techniques is provided to help you understand markings or pattei“ims which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or “ target" for pages apparently lacking from die document phoiographed is “Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This| may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. Wheji an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is ar indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have mo1vad during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. Wheh a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in 'sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to righj in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again - beginning below the first row and continuing on until com alete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, ho we ver, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "ph btographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation.
    [Show full text]
  • Very Short History of the Macedonian People from Prehistory to the Present
    Very Short History of the Macedonian People From Prehistory to the Present By Risto Stefov 1 Very Short History of the Macedonian People From Pre-History to the Present Published by: Risto Stefov Publications [email protected] Toronto, Canada All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written consent from the author, except for the inclusion of brief and documented quotations in a review. Copyright 2008 by Risto Stefov e-book edition 2 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................4 Pre-Historic Macedonia...............................................................................6 Ancient Macedonia......................................................................................8 Roman Macedonia.....................................................................................12 The Macedonians in India and Pakistan....................................................14 Rise of Christianity....................................................................................15 Byzantine Macedonia................................................................................17 Kiril and Metodi ........................................................................................19 Medieval Macedonia .................................................................................21
    [Show full text]
  • Piotrkowskie Zeszyty Historyczne, T. 15 (2014) ______
    Piotrkowskie Zeszyty Historyczne, t. 15 (2014) _______________________________________________________________ Georgi N. Nikolov, Samostojatelni i polusamostojatelni vladenija văv văzobnovenoto Bălgarsko carstvo (kraja na XII – sredata na XIII v.), IK „Gutenberg”, Sofija 2011, ss. 255 Recenzowana ksiąŜka wyszła spod pióra Georgiego N. Nikołowa, znanego bułgarskiego historyka, autora wielu prac dotyczących róŜ- nych aspektów średniowiecznych dziejów Bułgarii1. Tym razem przedmiotem jego rozwaŜań są przejawy separatyzmu na ziemiach bułgarskich od czasów odrodzenia Bułgarii po powstaniu Teodora- Piotra i Asena po połowę wieku XIII. W obrębie jego rozwaŜań zna- leźli się moŜni, którzy, w interesującym go okresie, zbudowali samo- dzielne lub na wpół samodzielne władztwa. Badacz stara się odtwo- rzyć ich losy, zasięg terytorialny posiadłości, którymi zarządzali, wreszcie ocenić znaczenie ich działalności w kontekście interesów państwowości bułgarskiej. Jego szczególną uwagę budzą równieŜ rezydencje i twierdze, które znalazły się w rękach separatystów (m.in. Wielki Presław, Prosek, Cepina, Melnik). Cele, które postawił sobie G.N. Nikołow, nie były łatwe do zrealizowania ze względu na skąpość i charakter materiałów źródłowych, którymi dysponują badacze zajmujący się tymi zagadnieniami. Mimo to bułgarskiemu uczonemu udało się, w moim przekonaniu, zbudować pełny, na ile było to moŜliwe, obraz ruchów separatystycznych na ziemiach buł- garskich od końca XII po połowę XIII w. Praca podzielona jest na pięć podstawowych części. W pierwszej, zatytułowanej Apanažni vladenija i separatizăm v Bălgarskija seve- roiztok (s. 59–69), Autor przedstawia dwie samodzielne czy częściowo samodzielne struktury, które istniały w północno-wschodniej Bułga- 1 Dorobek G.N. Nikołowa obejmuje sto kilkadziesiąt pozycji, spośród których szczególną uwagę trzeba zwrócić na ksiąŜkę: Centralizăm i regionalizăm v ranno- srednovekovna Bălgarija ( kraja na VII-načaloto na XI v.), Sofija 2005, ss.
    [Show full text]
  • Christianity in the Balkans
    STUDIES IN CHURCH HISTORY VOL. I. MATTHEW SPINKA ROBERT HASTINGS NICHOLS Editors a TT- , H »80-6 A H istory of CHRISTIANITY IN THE BALKANS "Y. ^ \ A STUDY IN THE SPREAD OF BYZANTINE CULTURE \ X # 0% \ AMONG THE SLAVS • pi- . ':'H, \ - ■ V V"\ \ By MATTHEW SPINKA THE CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY a y THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CHURCH HISTORY CHICAGO, ILL. Copyright 1933 by The American Society of Church History All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America DNU072 TABLE OF CONTENTS ❖ ♦> ❖ ❖ The Ruin of Graeco-Roman and the Rise of Slavic Balkan Christianity........................ 1 Bulgarian Christianity after the Conversion of Boris................. 37 Bulgarian Patriarchate of the First Bulgarian Empire............. 57 Serbian Christianity Before the Time of St. Sava....... ............. 73 The Bulgarian Church of the Second Empire.............................. 91 The Rise and Fall of the Serbian Church..................................129 Bogomilism in Bosnia and Hum................... 157 Epilogue ............... 185 Selected Bibliography .....................................................................189 Index .................................................................................................193 t PREFACE No one can be more conscious of the limitations of this work than the author himself. He was constantly impressed with the fact that all too little attention has been paid hither­ to to the subject even by scholars of the Balkan nations, not to speak of non-Slavic historians; consequently, much preliminary pioneering work had to be done. Much yet remains to be accomplished; but the restricted scope of this undertaking as well as the paucity of source material per­ taining to the early history of the Balkan peninsula com­ bined to make the treatment actually adopted expedient. In gathering his material, the author spent some time during the summer of 1931 in the Balkans.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Macedonian People
    HISTORY OF THE MACEDONIAN PEOPLE 1 2 INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL HISTORY HISTORY OF THE MACEDONIAN PEOPLE SKOPJE 2008 3 Editor: Todor Chepreganov, Ph.D. Authors: Aneta Shukarova, Ph.D. Mitko B. Panov, Ph.D. Dragi Georgiev, Ph.D. Krste Bitovski, Ph.D. Academician Ivan Katardziev Vanche Stojchev, Ph.D. Novica Veljanovski, Ph.D. Todor Chepreganov, Ph.D. 4 MACEDONIA IN THE PREHISTORIC TIME On the territory of Macedonia an active life is registered even in the earliest stages of the human prehistory. The climate, geomorphology, and other natural factors on the whole territory of Macedonia were pre- conditions for establishment of an organized life and for the creation of different cultures whose evolution had a continuous course from the pe- riod of the first agricultural communities to the end of the Iron Age. The archeological and anthropological researches of the artifacts from the first settlements in Macedonia are where the basic knowledge which is crucial for the explanation of the origin of the later populations as well as the ori- gin of the historical and cultural influences and movements came from. The territory of Macedonia is situated in the core of the Balkan’s natural crossroads and connects the two largest cultural spheres: the Ae- gean and the Anatolian, as the nuclei of the oldest farming and stock- breeding communities, or the inner part of the Balkan Peninsula and the Middle Europe. The natural routes along the river valleys have the partic- ular role from this aspect; the valley of the river Vardar, which joins the valley of the river Morava enables communication of the Aegean World and Panonia while Strumeshnica, through lower reaches of the river Struma makes a link between southern Thrace and the front part of the Middle Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • Statement on Security of Supply, Republic of Macedonia
    Statement on Security of Supply, Republic of Macedonia STATEMENT ON SECURITY OF SUPPLY - REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - Skopje, July 2011 i Statement on Security of Supply, Republic of Macedonia CONTENT 1. LEGAL REGULATION ON SECURITY OF SUPPLY .................................................................................... 4 1.1. ENERGY LAW ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION.......................................................................................................... 4 1.3. COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF COMPETITION (CPC) ............................................................................... 6 1.4. PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION ................................................................................................................... 7 1.5. SUPPLIERS OF LAST RESORT ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.6. ENERGY SECURITY AND ENERGY BALANCES ................................................................................................ 8 1.7. ACT FOR DECLARATION OF CRISIS ............................................................................................................. 9 2. STRATEGY FOR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ........................................................................................... 10 2.1. ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN THE PERIOD 2000-2010 .................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Brotherly Historical Ties Between the Jews and the Macedonians in the Holy Land and Macedonia
    Aleksandar DONSKI THE BROTHERLY HISTORICAL TIES BETWEEN THE JEWS AND THE MACEDONIANS IN THE HOLY LAND AND MACEDONIA Publisher: Macedonian Literary Association “Grigor Prlichev” – Sydney P.O. Box 227 Rockdale N.S.W. 2216 – Australia In collaboration with: The Institute of history and archaeology in the University “Goce Delchev” – Stip Republic of Macedonia For the publisher: Dushan RISTEVSKI English translation: Ljubica Bube DONSKA David RILEY ISBN 978 0 9876019 2 6 Stip/Sydney March, 2013 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 MARIJA EMILIJA KUKUBAISKA Sept. 4th 2012, See of Galilee, Kinaret, Israel MILK, HONEY AND POSION: Secular change vs. the Absolute Israel birthed 10 Commandments, 7 Blessings, 7 x 77 forgiving - giving from now to Eternity… Still: today, defiant sons join anti-matters, fight against themselves, there and in New Worlds: Refuse, abuse wisdom norms, use faithless vows to change forms, cause cosmic wrath, curse And do not teach: hostility brings futility of freedom-fights. Keep God’s rights, O land of stars! Eternal genes wired in your milk and honey. Still your secular scorn against Hope in Faith that Love of God is universal-victory law. Love your heart-h! God birthed all – birthed you. Be aware! Israel downloaded from galaxies - 10 Commandments that do not demand but present space-time laws that no rule, no science or psychology could deny. Creations of all nations to learn to earn paradise on earth, coveted by hell. Israel remains … God Himself obtains Fruit of the spirit from its endless gardens of fertile hearts, mind-fields, sacred arts, races racing to prosper.
    [Show full text]
  • Monarchs' Names and Numbering in the Second Bulgarian State*
    Studia Ceranea 5, 2015, p. 267–310 ISSN: 2084-140X DOI: 10.18778/2084-140X.05.09 e-ISSN: 2449-8378 Ian S.R. Mladjov (Bowling Green) Monarchs’ Names and Numbering in the Second Bulgarian State* n modern historiographical practice, Bulgaria’s rulers over the ages are assigned Iconsecutive ordinal numbers without distinction between monarchs who reigned under different titles, for example: Boris I (852–889), Boris II (969–977), and Boris III (1918–1943), or Simeon I (893–927) and Simeon II (1943–1946)1. Such numeration has only been assumed formally by modern rulers, reigning after 18782. Its application to medieval monarchs is convenient and relatively unexcep- tional when compared with historiographical practices in other modern societ- ies. There are, however, certain inconsistencies that have been introduced into the names and numbering of monarchs due to a combination of oversight and misunderstanding. Names like Ivan II Asen, Mihail II Asen, Georgi I Terter, Ivan IV Smilec, and Mihail III Šišman, which are found commonly in the historical literature, are inaccurate or inconsistent in various ways. A re-examination of the subject, focusing on double names, yields a regularized and improved naming and numbering system with only minor effective emendation. * Although the editorial board follows the principle of Anglicizing / Latinizing the personal and family names of historical figures, their spelling in this text has been left unaltered at the special insistence of the author [Editors’ note]. 1 Of these, Boris I was a king (rex in papal letters, although the old generic term for monarch used in contemporary Bulgarian sources, knjaz, subsequently came to designate the usually non-sovereign title of prince), Boris II was emperor (car / tsar), and Boris III was king (roi des bulgares in diplomatic usage, although he used the traditional medieval title of tsar); Simeon I was king and then emperor, and Simeon II, king.
    [Show full text]
  • Robert Mihajlovski the Medieval Town of Prilep
    Robert Mihajlovski The Medieval Town of Prilep The Medieval settlement of Prilep (Прилепъ), or Byzantine Prilapos (Πρίλαπος), was situated near the Roman site of Ceramiae.1 In Macedonia, north of Thessalonica, the town of Prilep had a strategic position on the vital route of communication between the junctions of the Via Egnatia near Bitola and the road corridor of the Vardar river system at Stobi (Fig. 21). It was situated in the centre of a network of small roads and communications and guarded the passes of Mount Babuna and Pletvar controlling the gates to the Pelagonian valley and the Via Egnatia.2 The fortress of Prilep was literally attached to the rocky hilltop, and “Prilep” in Slavonic means “stuck on the rock”.3 (Fig. 22). It was first mentioned by John Skylitzes in connection with the Tsar Samuel, who died there from apoplexy two days after hearing the news from the Battle of Kleidion near Strumitsa on 6 October 1014.4 After the definitive victory, Emperor Basil II reorganised Tsar Samuel’s realm and its former Patriarchate into an independent Archbishopric named after Justiniana Prima, based at Okhrid and encompassing the territory of the whole of conquered Bulgaria, without abolishing its autocephaly nor reducing its scope. In the first chrysobull, issued by the Emperor Basil II in 1019 the town of Prilep was mentioned as a part of the bishopric of Bitola (Pelagonia): And the bishop of Bitola shall have Pelagonia, Prilep, Debreshte and Veles with fifteen clerics and fifteen parishes.5 In Varosh, the “suburbia” of Prilep’s castle, a Cyrillic Church Slavonic inscription was found in the monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael, referring to Bishop Andrew in the year 996.6 The title of Bishop Andrew mentioned in the inscription is enigmatic and it may 1 F.
    [Show full text]
  • Macedonian Struggle for Independence
    Macedonian Struggle For Independence By Risto Stefov Macedonian Struggle For Independence Published by: Risto Stefov Publications [email protected] Toronto, Canada All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written consent from the author, except for the inclusion of brief and documented quotations in a review. Copyright 2008 by Risto Stefov e-book edition 2 Index Index ............................................................................................................3 Part 1 – Introduction ....................................................................................5 Part 2 – Roman Occupation.........................................................................7 Part 3 - A New Beginning..........................................................................12 Part 4 – Cultural Revival ...........................................................................17 Part 5 - Establishing a Macedonian State ..................................................23 Part 6 - Uprisings against Byzantine Rule .................................................31 Part 7 – The Hrs, Strez and Dragota Uprisings..........................................37 Part 8 – Ottoman Occupation.....................................................................44 Part 9 – Early Uprisings against Ottoman Rule.........................................51 Part 10 – The Karposh
    [Show full text]
  • Żywot Św. Sawy Teodozjusza Chilandarskiego, Jako Źródło Do Dziejów Streza, Władcy Proseku
    BALCANICA POSNANIENSIA XIX Poznań 2012 ŻYWOT ŚW. SAWY TEODOZJUSZA CHILANDARSKIEGO, JAKO ŹRÓDŁO DO DZIEJÓW STREZA, WŁADCY PROSEKU JAN M. WOLSKI ABSTRACT . Jan M. Wolski, „Żywot św. Sawy” Teodozjusza Chilandarskiego, jako źródło do dziejów Streza, władcy Proseku (“Life of St. Sava” by Theodosius of Chilandar as a historical source on Strez, the ruler of Prosek). Balcanica Posnaniensia. Acta et studia, XIX, Poznań 2012, Wydawnictwo Instytutu Historii UAM, pp. 51-70, ISBN 978-83-63-047-17-7, ISSN 0239-4278. Polish text with a summary in English. Jan M. Wolski, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Instytut Historii, Katedra Historii Bizancjum, ul. Aleksandra Kamińskiego 27a, 90-219 Łódź, Polska – Poland. Wprowadzenie Koniec XII w. i początek XIII w. przyniosły znaczne przemiany w krajobrazie poli- tycznym Bałkanów. Kryzys cesarstwa bizantyńskiego, powstanie Asenidów (1185 r.), a w końcu IV krucjata doprowadziły do znacznego rozdrobnienia politycznego w re- gionie1. W pasmach górskich Rodopów oraz rejonach doliny Wardaru w latach 1186- 1 Por. m. in.: D.M. Nicol, The Despotate of Epiros, Oxford 1957; G. Ostrogorski, Dzieje Bizancjum, tł. pod red. H. Evert-Kappesowej, Warszawa 1967, s. 322-353; Ch. M. Brand, Byzantium Confronts the West, 1180-1204, Cambridge Massachusetts 1968; G. Prinzing, Die Bedeutung Bulgariens und Serbiens in den Jahren 1204-1209 im Zusammenfasung mit der Entstehung und Entwicklung der byzantinischen Teilstaaten nach der Einnahme Konstantinopels infolge 4. Kreuzzuges, München 1972; А. Данчева- Василева, България и латинската империя (1204-1261), София 1981; B. Primov, The Third and Fourth Crusades and Bulgaria, „Études Historiques” 7, 1975, s. 43-68; R. Browning, Historia Bizancjum, tł. G. Żurek, Warszawa 1997, s.
    [Show full text]