Знатни пленници в Първата българска държава
Noble captives in the First Bulgarian State

Summary/Abstract: Subject of the current article is the problem about the presence of foreign noble captives in the First Bulgarian State. The analysis of the available information shows that the successful war campaigns were the main source of captives. According to the widespread practice only the noble people were taken in captivity and the common soldiers were released. In most cases, the Bulgarian rulers used the presence of foreign noble captives as an instrument to settle the relations between Bulgaria and its neighbors. The ability to use the captives in the right moment very often helped the rulers in imposing their will on the enemies. A certain number of the noble captives were the so-called ruler slaves. As a part of the ruler’s entourage they were able to influence on some of his decisions.

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