Bizans İmparatorları Tarafından Bulgar Hükümdarlarına Verilen Unvanlar
Titles Given to the Bulgarian Rules by the Byzantine Emperors

Author(s): Öner Tolan
Subject(s): Political history, Government/Political systems, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Özgür Yayın Dağıtım Ltd. Şti.
Keywords: Byzantine State; titles; Bulgarians; Bulgarian rulers; emperors;
Summary/Abstract: The relationship of the Byzantine State with the Bulgarians, had already started when they were in the north of the Black Sea before they came to the Lower Danube region in the last quarter of the 7th century. After the arrival of the Bulgarians in the Northern Balkans, even more intense contacts were established by being a border neighbor. However, this relationship has followed a fluctuating line in the historical process. In this context, the attitude and diplomatic relations of the Byzantine State towards the Bulgarians differed according to the periods in proportion to its political power. While he exhibited an attitude towards destroying his opponent during his strong periods, he sought ways of reconciliation by resorting to diplomacy during his weak periods. While doing this, she often used some diplomatic methods that he generally resorted to in his relations with the communities she defined as “barbarian”. One of these methods finds its expression in the form of giving one of the titles within the Byzantine palace hierarchy to the administrators of the relevant communities. By this means, Byzantium generally aimed to prevent his opponent from taking action against him or to form an alliance against another opponent. He felt the need to give some titles to the Bulgarian rulers he came into contact with for the same purpose. However, these titles differ according to the conditions when they are given and express different hierarchical levels. This study aims to determine the titles given by the Byzantine emperors to the Bulgarian rulers, their meanings and the expectations of the emperors from this practice.

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