Presian of Bulgaria

Presian, sometimes enumerated as Presian I (Bulgarian: Пресиян, Персиян, Пресиан) was the khan of Bulgaria in 836–852. He ruled during an extensive expansion in Macedonia.

Origin

The composite picture of the Byzantine sources indicates that Presian was the son of Zvinitsa (Zbēnitzēs), who was a son of Omurtag. In several older studies Presian is identified with his short-lived predecessor Malamir and it is assumed that this single character survived until the 850s as the direct predecessor of Boris I. This is very unlikely, as Malamir is attested as having been succeeded by his nephew (the son of his brother Zvinitsa), while Boris I was preceded by his father Presian. Zlatarski resolved the problems in the fragmentary sources by determining that Malamir's unnamed nephew and successor was in fact Presian, and Boris I was the latter's son.

The 17th century

Presian may have been young and inexperienced at the time of his accession, and state affairs may have been dominated by the minister (

and Omurtag.

In retaliation Isbul campaigned along the

Smolyani

.

Presian's reign coincides with the extension of Bulgarian control over the Slavic tribes in and around Macedonia. It is known that the Serbs and Bulgars lived in peace until Presian invaded Serbian territory in 839, during the last years of Theophilos.

Vlastimir's army.^[4] In addition to making no territorial gains, Presian suffered heavy losses due to the Serbian tactical advantage in the hills.^[7] The war ended with the death of Theophilos in 842, which released Vlastimir from his obligations to the Byzantine Empire.^[8]

Presian died in 852, and was succeeded by his son Boris I.

Honour

Presian Ridge on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, is named after Presian of Bulgaria.

See also

• Bulgars
• History of Bulgaria
• Presian Inscription

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Presian I of Bulgaria.

1. ^ ^{a b c} Bury 2008, p. 372
2. ^ L. Kovacevic & L. Jovanovic, Историја српскога народа, Belgrade, 1894, Book 2, p. 38—39
3. ^ S. Stanojevic, Историја српскога народа, Belgrade, 1910, p. 46—47
4. ^ ^{a b} Известия за българите, p. 42—43
5. ^ Fine 1991, p. 108
6. ^ Fine 1991, p. 110
7. ^ Runciman 1930, p. 88
8. ^ Houtsma 1993, p. 199

Sources

• Jordan Andreev, Ivan Lazarov, Plamen Pavlov, Koj koj e v srednovekovna Bălgarija, Sofia 1999.
• Vasil Zlatarski, Istorija na bălgarskata dăržava, 1:1, Sofia, 1918.
• (primary source), Bahši Iman, Džagfar Tarihy, vol. III, Orenburg 1997.
• De Administrando Imperio by Constantine Porphyrogenitus, edited by Gy. Moravcsik and translated by R. J. H. Jenkins, Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies, Washington D. C., 1993
• Bury, J. B. (2008). History of the Eastern Empire from the Fall of Irene to the Accession of Basil: A.D. 802-867.
  ISBN 978-1-60520-421-5
  .
• ISBN 0-472-08149-7
  .
• Houtsma, M. Th. (1993). E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam 1913–1936. BRILL.
  ISBN 90-04-08265-4
  .
• Runciman, Steven (1930). A history of the First Bulgarian Empire. London: G. Bell & Sons. Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2011-08-23.

Regnal titles
Preceded by Malamir	Khan of Bulgaria 836–852	Succeeded by Boris I