2/26/2012 11. Bulgars plays Pope against Patriarch 1 2/26/2012 Early Bulgaria • nomadic horsemen from Altaic Steppe • called “Huns” in early Greek sources (Onogurs) ... “under the yoke” of the Avars The Madara Rider (ca. 710 CE), large rock relief carved on the Madara Plateau east of Shumen, northeast Bulgaria Towards a kingdom • King Organa – nephew Korvat comes to Const. and was baptized Chronicle of John of Nikiu “he overcame all the barbarians and heathens due to life-giving baptism” • Korvat revolts against Avars • forms alliance with Herakleios – Korvat’s son Asparuch not so friendly 2 2/26/2012 War when convenient • Peace Treaty of 705 • War again 756-75 b/t Constantine V (iconoclasm) and Khan Asparuh • Bulgarians pacified until the rise of a new leader Bulgars become more urban The Khan Krum (809-14) • by all accounts, a nasty piece of work • Bulgars grow in power after Charlemagne destroys Avars • kills Emp. Nikephoros I – uses his skull as a drinking cup – made his fellow boyars drink from it to show allegiance 3 2/26/2012 Krum feasts with his nobles, while the servant (right) is bringing the skull of Nikephoros already made a drinking cup full of wine from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes from nomadic pastoralism to sedentary farming cultural change: • need to adapt to agrarian society – everything from work day to economy • dislocation and disassociation with ancient “sacred places” in the S. Russian steppe • growing importance of the Slavs – longer contact w/ Christianity • cultural diffusion of sophisticated Byzantines weakened the hold of paganism 4 2/26/2012 Khan Omurtag (814–831) Khan Omurtag watches the execution of Bishop Manuel, from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes Fear of Christianity closely tied into Byzantine imperialism from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes Competition for the “souls” of distant lands Bulgaria borders both Franks and Byzantines 862 Khan Boris (r. 852-907) renews alliance w/Franks 864 Emp. Michael III makes a show of force – sends army and fleet – Boris I surrenders 865 Boris baptized in H. Sophia – spiritual adoption (becomes Michael) – Boris acknowledges sovereignty of Constantinople – given the title (basileus) Consequences of Kingly Conversion • Old Bulgar clans (boyars) revolt immediately • assassination • Boris rallies and crushes rebellion • persuaded to execute all ringleaders (52) plus all their wife and kids by Greeks priests • Photios sends letter to Boris praising him as a new Constantine – DOES NOT DISCUSS A BULGAR PATRIARCH 5 2/26/2012 Boris plays both sides – deep hatred for Byzantium – ethnic dualism w/Slavs – resentment of pagan clans over brutality Boris opens negotiations with Pope – what are his motivations? – seeking independence – looking to up the ante Boris plays both sides 866 sends a letter w/106 questions to the Pope Nicholas I – Pope responds • amazingly important for understanding Pagan religious attitudes and doctrinal differences between Western and Eastern churches Formalistic ritualism? • baths on Wed and Fri ? • communions w/ no belts? • no meat by eunuchs? • no laymen conduct public prayers for rain? • “ “ make sign of the cross before a meal? • stand in church with arms crossed over torso? 6 2/26/2012 3 ? of political importance 1. How many true Patriarchs are there? 2. Which (Rome or Const.) is second? 3. Did chrism and communion need to originate from Constantinople and was from there distributed throughout the world? Nicholas’ answers: questions 1 and 2: • yes 5 patriarchs, but Rome is #1 – Constantinople not founded by an Apostle – should not be even considered a Patriarchate question 3: • ridiculous and contemptuous What Boris’ ?s reveal – resentment at monastic interference into political decisions – indicate Byzantine universal pretensions – Bulgarian difficulties assimilating to sedentary life – ruling class reconciling Christian life to military culture – pagan ritual and traditions 7 2/26/2012 Pope wins round 1 866 Greek clergy expelled from Bulgaria – Photios sends encyclical letter 867 Patriarch excommunicates Pope – filioque 868 Michael III assassinated – new emperor Basil compelled to depose Photios – new Patriarch Ignatius restores communion b/w E and W churches To Cuckold and Kill • Basil I: Armenian family resettled in Macedonia – successful boxer and horse tamer – left for the capital – horse taming lead to royal appointment in stables • Michael III befriends him Basil and his son Leo VI (Wise) – makes him co-regent • Michael dies under suspicious circumstances – he was killed by Basil Macedonian Dynasty (867-1056) • Basil I Macedonian (867-86) • Leo VI Wise (886-913) • Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos (913-59) • Nikephoros II Phokas (963-9) • Basil II Bulgar Slayer (976-1025) • Michael IV Pamphagonian (1034-41) • Constantine IX Monomachus (1042-55) 8 2/26/2012 Who has jurisdiction of Bulgarian Church? Feb. 870 Council is held to judge who should be Patriarch – Ignatius or Photios – Photios excommunicated • will be reinstated (in a future lecture) • Bulgarian delegation asks Council to choose – papal delegation not prepared for the question – both sides use historical precedence – “neutral” Patriarchs side w/Constantinople E. Church wins Bulgaria Byzantines tread carefully • careful not to make same mistakes • divide up Bulgaria into diocese w/ Bishops – at first from Constantinople – soon elite Bulgarian youth come to capital for education – among them, Boris’ son Symeon • Bulgarian pagans clans down, but not out... • (wait and see) Help from Monastic Exiles Methodios’ companions convert Bulgaria • Clement 886 Clement sent to Macedonia – succeeds in what couldn’t be done in Moravia 893 Bishop of Macedonia • Naum – remains in NE Bulgaria – founds a school in Pliska – royal patronage of Boris and Symeon • Old Slavonic 9 2/26/2012 Boris abdicates (and reclaims) throne 889 Boris abdicates throne to retire to monastery – Old Bulgar clans rise up – eldest son Vladamir tool of boyars • pact w/King Arnulf of Germany – persecutes Christians for 4 years 893 Boris comes out of retirement – summons son Symeon; becomes King – moves capital from Pliska to more Christian Preslav – Slavonic becomes official language of the country 10 .