Simeon I of Bulgaria 339877 226100113 2008-07-16T20:42:31Z TodorBozhinov 277419 rm unsourced {{featured article}} {{Infobox Monarch | name =Simeon I | title =Tsar of the Bulgarians and the Byzantines | image =[[Image:Simeon the Great anonymous seal.jpg]] | caption =Anonymous seal of Simeon I | reign =893&ndash;[[27 May]] [[927]] | coronation = | predecessor =[[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]] | successor =[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]] | consort =two, names unknown | issue =''[[#Family|see below]]'' | father =[[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]] | mother =Maria | date of birth =864/865 | place of birth = | date of death ={{death date|927|5|27|df=y}} | place of death = | buried = |}} '''Simeon''' (also '''Symeon''')<ref>For example in Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans''.</ref> '''I the Great''' ({{lang-bg|Симеон I Велики}}, transliterated ''Simeon I Veliki'';<ref>This article uses the [[United Nations]]-authorized [[scientific transliteration]] system to romanize Bulgarian [[Cyrillic]]. For details, see [[Romanization of Bulgarian]].</ref> {{pronounced|simɛˈɔn ˈpɤrvi vɛˈliki}}) ruled over [[Bulgaria]] from 893 to 927,<ref name="lalkov-pp23-25">Lalkov, ''Rulers of Bulgaria'', pp. 23–25.</ref> during the [[First Bulgarian Empire]]. Simeon's successful campaigns against the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], [[Magyars]] and [[Serbs]] led Bulgaria to its greatest territorial expansion ever,<ref>{{cite book |title=Enciklopedija Bǎlgarija |year=1988 |publisher=Akademično izdatelstvo "Marin Drinov" |language=Bulgarian |oclc=75865504 }}</ref> making it the most powerful state in contemporary [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761556147_8/Bulgaria.html#p48 |title=The First Bulgarian Empire |publisher=[[Encarta]] |accessdate=2007-03-03 }}</ref> His reign was also a period of unmatched cultural prosperity and enlightenment later deemed the [[Golden Age]] of [[Bulgarian culture]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/creees/content/outreach/fulbright/final_projects/hart.pdf |format = PDF | last=Hart |first=Nancy |title=Bulgarian Art and Culture: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives |pages=p. 21 |publisher=[[University of Texas at Austin]] |accessdate=2007-03-03 }}</ref> During Simeon's rule, Bulgaria spread over a territory between the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]], the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] and the [[Black Sea]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Etnografija na Makedonija |url=http://knigite.abv.bg/gw/gw_index.html |last=Weigand |first=Gustav |chapter=1 Istoriko-geografski obzor: 4 Srednovekovie |chapterurl=http://knigite.abv.bg/gw/gw_1_4.html |year=1924 |location=[[Leipzig]] |publisher=Friedrich Brandstetter |others=trans. Elena Pipiševa |language=Bulgarian }}</ref><ref name=bakalov>Bakalov, ''Istorija na Bǎlgarija'', "Simeon I Veliki".</ref> and the new Bulgarian capital [[Preslav]] was said to rival [[Constantinople]].<ref name=bakalov/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sofia.usembassy.gov/uploads/images/9slwbq67Sfo4dBuR2WMVfg/about_bulgaria1.PDF |format = PDF |title=About Bulgaria |publisher=U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria |accessdate=2007-03-03 }}</ref> The newly-independent [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church]] became the first new [[patriarchate]] besides the [[Pentarchy]] and Bulgarian [[Glagolitic alphabet|Glagolitic]] translations of [[Christianity|Christian]] texts spread all over the [[Slavic peoples|Slavic]] world of the time.<ref>{{cite book |title=Istorija na Balkanite XIV&ndash;XX vek |last=Castellan |first=Georges |others=trans. Liljana Caneva |year=1999 |publisher=Hermes |location=[[Plovdiv]] |id=ISBN 954-459-901-0 |language=Bulgarian |pages=p. 37 }}</ref> Halfway through his reign, Simeon assumed the title of [[Emperor]] (''[[Tsar]]''),<ref>"Цѣсарь Блъгарѡмъ". Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 367.</ref> having prior to that been styled [[Prince]] (''[[Knyaz]]'').<ref name=zlat-p280>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 280.</ref> ==Biography== ===Background and early life=== Simeon was born in 864 or 865 as the third son of Knyaz [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]]<ref name=zlat-p280/> of [[Krum of Bulgaria|Krum]]'s dynasty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historymuseum.org/upload/fck_editor/40%20mazenizi(6).htm?PHPSESSID=c3baefb9cf4c28b27bbb7c03d78cfeec |last=Dimitrov |first=Božidar |authorlink=Bozhidar Dimitrov |title=Hramǎt “Sveti Četirideset mǎčenici” |accessdate=2007-03-07 |language=Bulgarian |publisher=[[National Historical Museum (Bulgaria)|National Historical Museum]]}}</ref> As Boris was the ruler who [[Christianization of Bulgaria|Christianized Bulgaria]] in 865, Simeon was a Christian all his life.<ref name=zlat-p280/><ref name=fine-p132>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 132.</ref> As his eldest brother [[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]] was designated heir to the Bulgarian throne, Boris intended Simeon to become a high-ranking cleric,<ref name=delev9>Delev, ''Bǎlgarskata dǎržava pri car Simeon''.</ref> possibly Bulgarian archbishop, and sent him to the leading [[University of Constantinople]] to receive theological education when he was thirteen or fourteen.<ref name=fine-p132/> He took the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] name [[Simeon]]<ref>"From the Greek form of the Hebrew name שִׁמְעוֹן (''Shim'on'') which meant "hearkening" or "listening"." {{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Mike |url=http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/bibl2.php |title=Biblical Names |publisher=Behind the Name |accessdate=2007-03-04 }}</ref> as a novice in a monastery in Constantinople.<ref name=fine-p132/> During the decade (ca. 878&ndash;888) he spent in the Byzantine capital, he received excellent education and studied the rhetoric of [[Demosthenes]] and [[Aristotle]].<ref>"Hunc etenim Simeonem emiargon, id est semigrecum, esse aiebant, eo quod a puericia Bizantii Demostenis rhetoricam Aristotelisque sillogismos didicerit". [[Liutprand of Cremona]]. ''Antapodosis'', cap. 29, p. 66. Cited in {{cite book |last=Drinov |first=Marin |authorlink=Marin Drinov |title=Južnye slavjane i Vizantija v X veke |pages=p. 374 |year=1876 |language=Russian }}</ref> He also learned fluent [[Greek language|Greek]], to the extent that he was referred to as "the half-Greek" in Byzantine chronicles.<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 132.<br /> * Delev, ''Bǎlgarskata dǎržava pri car Simeon''.<br /> * Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 282.</ref> He is speculated to have been tutored by [[Patriarch Photios I of Constantinople]],<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 281.</ref> but this is not supported by any source.<ref name=fine-p132/> {{rquote|right|For who could have anticipated that Simeon, who for his great wisdom, for the favour shown him by heaven, has led the Bulgarian nation to a height of glory, who more than any man detests knavery, who honours justice, who abominates injustice, who is above all sensual pleasures…|from [[Nicholas Mystikos]]' letters to Simeon<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 133.</ref>}} Around 888, Simeon returned to Bulgaria and settled at the newly-established royal monastery of [[Preslav]] "at the mouth of the [[Kamchiya|Tiča]]",<ref>This is not to be understood literally, as the mouth of the Tiča lies to the east, on the Black Sea coast. Researchers link the word ''ustie'' ("river mouth") in the sources to a narrow section of the river or to the Ustie pass near the city. {{cite book |title=Pravoslavnite cǎrkvi prez Bǎlgarskoto srednovekovie |last=Nikolova |first=Bistra |pages=p. 88 |chapter=Veliki Preslav |language=Bulgarian |year=2002 |isbn=954-430-762-1 |location=Sofia |publisher=Bulgarian Academy of Sciences }}</ref> where, under the guidance of [[Naum of Preslav]], he engaged in active translation of important religious works from Greek to [[Old Church Slavonic]] ([[History of the Bulgarian language|Old Bulgarian]]), aided by other students from Constantinople.<ref name=fine-p132/> Meanwhile, Vladimir had succeeded Boris, who had retreated to a monastery, as ruler of Bulgaria. Vladimir attempted to reintroduce [[paganism]] in the empire and possibly signed an anti-Byzantine pact with [[Arnulf of Carinthia]],<ref>''[[Annales Fuldenses]]'', p. 408. Cited in Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 133.</ref> forcing Boris to assume the throne for a second time only to depose and punish Vladimir and promptly appoint Simeon as the new ruler.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 283.</ref><ref name=lexikon>Todt, ''Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon''.</ref> This was done at an assembly in Preslav which also proclaimed Bulgarian as the only language of state and church<ref name=crampton>{{cite book |title=A Concise History of Bulgaria |chapter=The Reign of Simeon the Great (893&ndash;927) |last=Crampton |first=R.J. |id=ISBN 0521850851 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=2005 |pages=pp. 16–17}}</ref> and decided to move the Bulgarian capital from [[Pliska]] to Preslav.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://liternet.bg/publish/akaloianov/civilizacia.htm |title=Slavjanskata pravoslavna civilizacija |accessdate=2007-03-12 |last=Kalojanov |first=Ančo |date=2005-05-11 |language=Bulgarian }}</ref> It is not known why Boris did not place his second son, Gavril, on the throne, but instead preferred Simeon.<ref name=zlat-p280/> ===Trade War with Byzantium and Magyar invasions=== {{see also|Byzantine-Bulgarian Wars|Bulgarian-Hungarian Wars|Medieval Bulgarian Army}} With Simeon on the throne, the long-lasting peace with the Byzantine Empire established by his father was about to end. A conflict arose when [[Byzantine Emperor]] [[Leo VI the Wise]], acting under pressure from his wife [[Zoe Karbonopsina]] and her father, moved the marketplace for Bulgarian goods from Constantinople to [[Thessaloniki]],<ref name=delev9/> where the Bulgarian merchants were heavily taxed. The Bulgarians sought protection by Simeon, who in turn complained to Leo. However, the Byzantine emperor ignored his embassy.<ref>[[John Skylitzes]]. Skylitzes&ndash;Kedrenos, II, p. 254.<sub>4–16</sub></ref><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 144–145.</ref> [[Image:Bulgaria Simeon I (893-927).svg|right|thumb|360px|Map of Bulgaria's greatest territorial extent during the reign of Simeon I]] Forced to take action, in the autumn of 894 Simeon invaded the Byzantine Empire from the north, meeting with little opposition<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 289.</ref> due to the concentration of most Byzantine forces in eastern [[Anatolia]] to counter [[Arab]] invasions.<ref>[[Theophanes the Confessor|Theophanes]] Continuatus, p. 312., cited in {{cite book |last=Vasil'ev |first=A. |title=Vizantija i araby, II |year=1902 |pages=p. 88, p. 104, pp. 108–111 |language=Russian }}</ref> Informed of the Bulgarian offensive, the surprised Leo sent an army consisting of guardsmen and other military units from the capital to halt Simeon, but his troops were routed<ref name=delev9/><ref name=canev-p198>Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 198.</ref> somewhere in the [[Macedonia (theme)|theme of Macedonia]].<ref name=bakalov/> The Bulgarians took most of the [[Khazars|Khazar]] mercenary guardsmen prisoners and killed many [[archon]]s, including the army's commander. However, instead of continuing his advance to the Byzantine capital, Simeon quickly withdrew his troops to face a [[Magyars|Magyar]] invasion from the north.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 289–291.</ref> These events were later called "the first trade war in [[Middle Ages|medieval]] [[Europe]]" by Bulgarian historians.<ref name=canev-p198/> Unable to effectively respond to the Bulgarian campaign due to the engagement of their forces against the Arabs, the Byzantines convinced the Magyars to attack Bulgaria,<ref name=delev9/> promising to transport them across the [[Danube]] using the [[Byzantine navy]].<ref name=canev-p198/><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 145.</ref> Leo VI may have also concluded an agreement with Arnulf to make sure that the [[Franks]] did not support Simeon against the Magyars.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 294–295.</ref> In addition, the talented commander Nikephoros Phokas was called back from [[Italy]] to lead a separate army against Bulgaria in 895 with the mere intention to overawe the Bulgarians.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 146.</ref> Simeon, unaware of the threat from the north, rushed to meet Phokas' forces, but the two armies did not engage in a fight.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 295.</ref> Instead, the Byzantines offered peace, informing him of both the Byzantine foot and maritime campaign, but intentionally did not notify him of the planned Magyar attack. Simeon did not trust the envoy and, after sending him to prison, ordered the Byzantine navy's route into the Danube closed off with ropes and chains, intending to hold it until he had dealt with Phokas.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 296–297.</ref> Despite the problems they encountered because of the fencing, the Byzantines ultimately managed to ferry the Magyar forces led by [[Árpád]]'s son Liüntika across the Danube,<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 297.</ref> possibly near modern [[Galaţi]],<ref>According to [[toponymy|toponymic]] evidence. {{cite book |title=Relationum Hungarorum cum oriente gentibusque originis historia antiquissima |last=Kuun |first=Géza |year=1895 |pages=p. 23 |language=Latin }}</ref> and assisted them in pillaging the nearby Bulgarian lands. Once notified of the surprise invasion, Simeon headed north to stop the Magyars, leaving some of his troops at the southern border to prevent a possible attack by Phokas.<ref name=zlat-pp298-299>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 298–299.</ref> Simeon's two encounters with the enemy in [[Northern Dobruja]] resulted in Magyar victories,<ref name=delev9/> forcing him to retreat to [[Silistra|Drǎstǎr]].<ref name=zlat-pp298-299/><ref>Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 199.</ref> After pillaging much of Bulgaria and reaching Preslav, the Magyars returned to their lands,<ref>Bakalov, ''Istorija na Bǎlgarija'', "Simeon I Veliki".<br />* Delev, ''Bǎlgarskata dǎržava pri car Simeon''.<br /> * Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 199.</ref> but not before Simeon had concluded an armistice with Byzantium towards the summer of 895.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 146.</ref> A complete peace was delayed, as Leo VI required the release of the Byzantine captives from the Trade War.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 301–304.</ref> ===Anti-Magyar campaign and further wars with Byzantium=== [[Image:Skylitzeshungarosvencenabulgarosdesimeon.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The Magyars defeat a Bulgarian army]] Having dealt with the pressure from the Magyars and the Byzantines, Simeon was free to plan a campaign against the Magyars looking for retribution. He negotiated a joint force with the Magyars' eastern neighbours, the [[Pechenegs]], and imprisoned the Byzantine envoy Leo Magister in order to delay the release of the captives until after the campaign against the Magyars.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 304.</ref> This would allow him to renegotiate the peace conditions in his favour. In an exchange of letters with the envoy, Simeon refused to release the captives and ridiculed Leo VI's [[astrology|astrological]] abilities.<ref name=delev9/><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 304–311.</ref> Using a Magyar invasion in the lands of the neighbouring Slavs in 896 as a ''[[casus belli]]'', Simeon headed against the Magyars together with his Pecheneg allies, defeating them completely<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 147.</ref> in the [[Battle of Southern Buh]] and making them leave [[Etelköz]] forever and settle in [[Pannonia]].<ref name=bakalov/><ref name=delev9/> Following the defeat of the Magyars, Simeon finally released the Byzantine prisoners in exchange for Bulgarians captured in 895.<ref name=delev9/> [[Image:Skylitzes - Simeon at Bulgarophygon 896.jpg|right|thumb|180px|The Bulgarians routing the Byzantine forces at [[Battle of Bulgarophygon|Bulgarophygon]] in 896. From the [[Madrid Skylitzes]].]] Claiming that not all prisoners had been released,<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 147.</ref> Simeon once again invaded Byzantium in the summer of 896, heading directly to Constantinople.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 315.</ref> He was met in [[Thrace]] by a hastily-assembled Byzantine army, but annihilated the Byzantine forces in the [[Battle of Bulgarophygon]] (at modern [[Babaeski]], [[Turkey]]).<ref name=delev9/><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 316.</ref> Arming Arab captives and sending them to fight with the Bulgarians as a desperate measure, Leo VI managed to repel the Bulgarians from Constantinople, which they had besieged.<ref name=delev9/><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 317.</ref> The war ended with a peace treaty which formally lasted until around Leo VI's death in 912<ref name=bakalov/> and under which Byzantium was obliged to pay Bulgaria an annual tribute.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 148.</ref> Under the treaty, the Byzantines also ceded an area between the Black Sea and [[Strandzha|Strandža]] to the Bulgarian Empire.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 318–321.</ref> Meanwhile, Simeon had also imposed his authority over Serbia in return for recognizing [[Archont Petar|Petar Gojniković]] as their ruler.<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 141.</ref> Simeon often violated the peace treaty with Byzantium, attacking and conquering Byzantine territory on several occasions,<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 321.</ref> such as in 904, when the Bulgarian raids were used by Arabs led by the Byzantine renegade [[Leo of Tripoli]] to undertake a maritime campaign and seize Thessaloniki.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 324.</ref> After the Arabs plundered the city, it was an easy target for Bulgaria and the nearby Slavic tribes. In order to dissuade Simeon from capturing the city and populating it with Slavs,<ref name=delev9/><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 152.</ref> Leo VI was forced to make further territorial concessions to the Bulgarians in the modern region of [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]]. With the treaty of 904, all Slavic-inhabited lands in modern southern Macedonia and southern [[Albania]] were ceded to the Bulgarian Empire,<ref name=bakalov/><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 334–337.</ref> with the border line running some 20 kilometres north of Thessaloniki.<ref>"In the year 6412 since the creation of the world, [[indict]] 7 (904). Border between Byzantines and Bulgarians. In the time of Simeon, by the grace of God Prince of the Bulgarians, under Olgu Tarkan Theodore and under Komit Drista." Border marking inscription from Narǎš (modern [[Greece]]). {{cite journal |last=Uspenskij |first=F.I. |authorlink=Fyodor Uspensky |title=Pograničnyj stolb meždu Vizantiej i Bolgariej pri Simeone |journal=Izvestija russkogo arheologičeskogo instituta v Konstantinopole |year=1898 |pages=pp. 184–194 |language=Russian }}</ref> ===Recognition as Emperor=== The death of Leo VI on [[11 May]] [[912]] and the accession of his infant son [[Constantine VII]] under the guidance of Leo's brother [[Alexander (emperor)|Alexander]], who expelled Leo's wife Zoe from the palace, constituted a great opportunity for Simeon to attempt another campaign against Constantinople, the conquest of which remained a dream of his all his life. In the spring of 913, Simeon's envoys, which had arrived in Constantinople to renew the peace of 896, were sent away by Alexander, who refused to pay the annual tribute, urging Simeon to prepare for war.<ref>Todt, ''Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon''.<br /> * Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 155.<br /> * Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 352.<br /> * ''Bǎlgarite i Bǎlgarija'', 1.2.</ref> {{rquote|left|Simeon was the Bulgarian [[Charlemagne]], but he was better educated than our Charles the Great and much greater than him, for he laid down the foundations of literature that belonged to the people.<ref>Cited in Dimitrov, ''Bulgaria: illustrated history''.</ref>|[[Alfred Nicolas Rambaud]], [[France|French]] historian}} Before Simeon could attack, Alexander died on [[6 June]] [[913]], leaving the empire in the hands of a regency council headed by [[Patriarch of Constantinople|Patriarch]] [[Nicholas Mystikos]].<ref>Todt, ''Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon''.<br /> * Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 155.<br /> * Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 212.</ref> Many of the residents of Constantinople did not recognize the young emperor and supported the pretender Constantine Doukas,<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 156.</ref> which, exacerbated by revolts in southern [[Italy]] and the planned Arab invasion in eastern Anatolia, was all to Simeon's advantage.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 353.</ref> Constantine Nicholas tried to discourage Simeon from invading Byzantium in a long series of pleading letters, but the Bulgarian ruler nevertheless attacked in full force in late July or August 913 and reached Constantinople without any serious resistance.<ref name=bg1-2>''Bǎlgarite i Bǎlgarija'', 1.2.</ref> However, the anarchy in Constantinople had ceased after the murder of the pretender Constantine Doukas and a government had promptly been formed with Patriarch Nicholas at the helm.<ref name=zlat-p359>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 359.</ref> This urged Simeon to raise his siege and enter peace negotiations, to the joy of the Byzantines.<ref name=zlat-p359/> The protracted negotiations resulted in the payment of the Byzantine tribute's [[arrears]],<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 157.</ref> the promise that Constantine VII should marry one of Simeon's daughters<ref name=delev9/><ref name=bg1-2/> and, most importantly, Simeon's official recognition as Emperor of the Bulgarians by Patriarch Nicholas<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', pp. 144–148.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=George |last=Ostrogorsky |authorlink = George Ostrogorsky|title=Avtokrator i samodržac |journal=Glas Srpske kraljevske akademije |language=Serbian |issue=CLXIV |year=1935 |pages=pp. 95–187 }}</ref> in the [[Blachernae|Blachernai]] Palace. Shortly after Simeon's visit to Constantinople, Constantine's mother Zoe returned to the palace on the insistence of the young emperor and immediately proceeded to eliminate the regents. Through a plot, she managed to assume power in February 914, practically removing Patriarch Nicholas from the government, disowning and obscuring his recognition of Simeon's imperial title<ref>{{cite journal |title=A re-examination of the ‘coronation’ of Symeon of Bulgaria in 913 |last=Loud |first=G.A. |year=1978 |journal=The Journal of Theological Studies |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |issue= XXIX |pages=pp. 109–120 |doi=10.1093/jts/XXIX.1.109 |volume=xxix }}</ref> and rejecting the planned marriage of her son to one of Simeon's daughters.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 367–368.</ref> Simeon had to resort to war to achieve his goals. He invaded Thrace in the summer of 914 and captured [[Edirne|Adrianople]]. Zoe was quick to send Simeon numerous presents in order to conciliate him and managed to convince him to cede back Adrianople and withdraw his army. In the following years, Simeon's forces were engaged in the northwestern Byzantine provinces, around Drač ([[Durrës]]) and Thessaloniki, but did not make a move against Constantinople.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 158–159.</ref> ===Victories at Anchialos and Katasyrtai=== [[Image:Skylitzes Simeon at Anchialos 917.jpg|left|thumb|280px|The Bulgarian victory at Anchialos. Madrid Skylitzes.]] By 917, Simeon was preparing for yet another war against Byzantium. He attempted to conclude an anti-Byzantine union with the Pechenegs, but his envoys could not match the financial resources of the Byzantines, who succeeded in outbidding them.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 159.</ref> The Byzantines hatched a large-scale campaign against Bulgaria and also tried to persuade the Serbian Prince Petar Gojniković to attack the Bulgarians with Magyar support.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 375–376.</ref> In 917, a particularly strong Byzantine army led by Leo Phokas, son of Nikephoros Phokas, invaded Bulgaria accompanied by the Byzantine navy under the command of [[Romanos I|Romanos Lekapenos]], which sailed to the Bulgarian Black Sea ports. En route to Mesembria ([[Nesebar|Nesebǎr]]), where they were supposed to be reinforced by troops transported by the navy, Phokas' forces stopped to rest near the river of Achelaos, not far from the port of Anchialos ([[Pomorie]]).<ref name=runciman-pp160-161>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 160–161.</ref><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 376–377.</ref> Once informed of the invasion, Simeon rushed to intercept the Byzantines, and attacked them from the nearby hills while they were resting disorganized. In the [[Battle of Anchialus|Battle of Anchialos]] of [[20 August]] [[917]], one of the largest in medieval history,<ref>Dimitrov, ''Bulgaria: illustrated history''.</ref> the Bulgarians completely routed the Byzantines and killed many of their commanders, although Phokas managed to escape to Mesembria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Symeon of Bulgaria wins the Battle of Acheloos, 917 |author=Theophanes Continuatus, trans. Paul Stephenson |url=http://homepage.mac.com/paulstephenson/trans/theocont2.html |accessdate=2007-03-10 }}</ref> Decades later, [[Leo the Deacon]] would write that "piles of bones can still be seen today at the river Achelaos, where the fleeing army of the Byzantines was then infamously slain".<ref>Leo the Deacon, ''[http://oldru.narod.ru/biblio/ldiakon1.htm History]'', p. 124<sub>10–12</sub>. Cited in Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 216.</ref> [[Image:Battle of Anchialos (917).svg|right|thumb|250px|Map of the progress of the [[Battle of Anchialus|Battle of Anchialos]]<ref>According to {{cite book |title=Slavata na Bǎlgarija: istoriko-hudožestven očerk |year=1988 |last=Čolpanov |first=Boris |publisher=Voenno izdatelstvo |location=Sofia |language=Bulgarian |oclc= 22276650}}</ref>]] The planned Pecheneg attack from the north also failed, as the Pechenegs quarrelled with admiral Lekapenos, who refused to transport them across the Danube to aid the main Byzantine army.<ref name=runciman-pp160-161/> The Byzantines were not aided by Serbs and Magyars either: the Magyars were engaged in [[Western Europe]] as Frankish allies, and the Serbs under Petar Gojniković were reluctant to attack Bulgaria because the Bulgarian ally Mihailo Višević of [[Zahumlje]] had notified Simeon of their plans.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 370.</ref> Simeon's army quickly followed up the victory of Anchialos with another success.<ref name=bg1-2/> The Bulgarians sent to pursuit the remnants of the Byzantine army approached Constantinople and encountered Byzantine forces under Leo Phokas, who had returned to the capital, at the village of [[battle of Katasyrtai|Katasyrtai]] in the immediate proximity of Constantinople.<ref>{{cite book |first=Сarl Gothard |last=De Boor |title=Vita Euthymii |pages=p. 214 |location=[[Berlin]] |publisher=Reimer |year=1888 }}</ref> The Bulgarian regiments attacked and again defeated the Byzantines, destroying some of their last units before returning to Bulgaria.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 382.</ref> ===Suppression of Serbian unrest and late campaigns against Byzantium=== Immediately after that campaign, Simeon sought to punish the Serbian ruler Petar Gojniković who had attempted to betray him by concluding an alliance with the Byzantines.<ref name=bakalov/> Simeon sent an army led by two of his commanders, [[Theodore Sigritsa|Theodore Sigrica]] and [[Marmais]], to Serbia. The two managed to persuade Petar to attend a personal meeting, during which he was enchained and carried off to Bulgaria, where he died in a dungeon. Simeon put Pavle Branović, prior to that an exile in Bulgaria, on the Serbian throne, thus restoring the Bulgarian influence in Serbia for a while.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 385–386.</ref> Meanwhile, the Byzantine military failures forced another change of government in Constantinople: the admiral Romanos Lekapenos replaced Zoe as regent of the young Constantine VII in 919, forcing her back into a convent. Romanos betrothed his daughter [[Helena Lekapene]] to Constantine and advanced to the rank of co-emperor in December 920, effectively assuming the government of the empire,<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium]] |editor=[[Alexander Kazhdan]] |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=1991 }}</ref><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 163.</ref> which was largely what Simeon had planned to do.<ref>Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 217.</ref> No longer able to climb to the Byzantine throne by diplomatic means, the infuriated Simeon once again had to wage war to impose his will. Between 920 and 922, Bulgaria increased its pressure on Byzantium, campaigning in the west through [[Thessaly]] and in the east in Thrace, reaching the [[Dardanelles]] and the [[Isthmus of Corinth]].<ref name=delev9/><ref name=medlands>{{cite book |title=Medieval Lands |last=Cawley |first=Charles |chapter=Bulgaria: Symeon I 893&ndash;927 |url=http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ |chapterurl=http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BULGARIA.htm#_Toc137439346 |publisher=Foundation for Medieval Genealogy |date=2006–2007 }}</ref> Simeon's forces appeared before Constantinople in 921, when they demanded the deposition of Romanos and captured Adrianople, and 922, when they were victorious at [[battle of Pigae|Pigae]], burned much of the [[Golden Horn]] and seized [[Vize|Bizye]].<ref name=runciman-pp164-165>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 164–165.</ref><ref>''Vita S. Mariae Junioris''.</ref> In the meantime, the Byzantines attempted to ignite Serbia against Simeon, but he substituted Pavle with Zaharije Pribisavljević, a former refugee at Constantinople that he had captured.<ref name=delev9/><ref name=runciman-pp164-165/> [[Image:Skylitzes Simeon sending envoys to the Fatimids.jpg|right|thumb|320px|Simeon sending envoys to the Fatimids. Madrid Skylitzes.]] Desperate to conquer Constantinople, Simeon planned a large campaign in 924 and sent envoys to the [[Fatimid]] caliph [[Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah]], who possessed a powerful navy which Simeon needed. The caliph agreed and sent his own representatives back with the Bulgarians to arrange the alliance. However, the envoys were captured by the Byzantines at [[Calabria]]. Romanos offered peace to the Arabs, supplementing this offer with generous gifts, and ruined their union with Bulgaria.<ref name=delev9/><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 168–169.</ref> In Serbia, Zaharije was persuaded by the Byzantines to revolt against Simeon. Zaharije was supported by many Bulgarians exhausted from Simeon's endless campaigns against Byzantium.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 446–447.</ref> The Bulgarian emperor sent his troops under Sigrica and Marmais, but they were routed and the two commanders beheaded, which forced Simeon to conclude an armistice with Byzantium in order to concentrate on the suppression of the uprising. Simeon sent an army led by [[Časlav Klonimirović]] in 924 to depose Zaharije. He was successful, as Zaharije fled to Croatia. After this victory, the Serbian nobility was invited to come to Bulgaria and bow to the new Prince. However, he did not appear at the supposed meeting and all of them were beheaded. Bulgaria annexed Serbia directly.<ref name=delev9/><ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 459.</ref> In the summer of 924, Simeon nevertheless arrived at Constantinople and demanded to see the patriarch and the emperor. He conversed with Romanos on the Golden Horn on [[9 September]] [[924]] and arranged a truce, according to which Byzantium would pay Bulgaria an annual tax, but would be ceded back some cities on the Black Sea coast.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 169–172.</ref> During the interview of the two monarchs, two eagles are said to have met in the skies above and then to have parted, one of them flying over Constantinople and the other heading to Thrace, as a sign of the irreconcilability of the two rulers.<ref>Theophanes Continuatus, pp. 405–407.</ref> In his description of this meeting, [[Theophanes the Confessor|Theophanes]] Continuatus mentions that "the two ''emperors''… conversed", which may indicate renewed Byzantine recognition of Simeon's imperial claims.<ref>"tôn ''basileôn'' omilountôn". Discussed in {{cite web |url=http://homepage.mac.com/paulstephenson/trans/theocont3.html |title=The peace agreed between Romanos Lekapenos and Symeon of Bulgaria, AD 924 (translation of Theophanes Continuatus) |last=Stephenson |first=Paul |accessdate=2007-03-11 }}</ref> ===War with Croatia and death=== {{see also|Croato-Bulgarian Wars}} Most likely after (or possibly at the time of) Patriarch Nicholas' death in 925, Simeon raised the status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to a patriarchate.<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 156.</ref> This may be linked to Simeon's diplomatic relations with the [[Papacy]] between 924 and 926, during which he demanded and received Pope [[John X]]'s recognition of his title as "Emperor of the Romans", truly equal to the Byzantine emperor, and possibly the confirmation of a patriarchal dignity for the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mladjov |first=Ian |title=Between Byzantium and Rome: Bulgaria and the West in the Aftermath of the Photian Schism |journal=Byzantine Studies/Études Byzantines |year=1999 |pages=pp. 173–181 }}</ref> In 926, Simeon's troops under [[Alogobotur]] invaded Croatia, at the time a Byzantine ally, but were completely defeated by the army of King [[Tomislav]] in the [[Battle of the Bosnian Highlands]].<ref name=bakalov/> Fearing a Bulgarian retribution, Tomislav accepted to abandon his union with Byzantium and make peace on the basis of the ''[[status quo]]'', negotiated by the papal legate Madalbert.<ref>Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 225.</ref><ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 176.</ref> In the last months of his life, Simeon prepared for another siege of Constantinople<ref name=medlands/> despite Romanos' desperate pleas for peace.<ref>Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', pp. 489–491.</ref> On [[27 May]] [[927]], Simeon died of [[heart failure]] in his palace in Preslav. Byzantine chroniclers tie his death to a legend, according to which Romanos decapitated a statue which was Simeon's inanimate double, and he died at that very hour.<ref>Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', pp. 176–77.</ref><ref>Canev, ''Bǎlgarski hroniki'', p. 226–227.</ref> He was succeeded by his son [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]], with George Sursuvul, the new emperor's maternal uncle, initially acting as a regent.<ref name=medlands/> As part of the peace treaty which Bulgaria and Byzantium signed in October 927 and Peter's marriage to Maria (Eirene), Romanos' granddaughter, the existing borders were confirmed, as were the Bulgarian ruler's imperial dignity and the head of the Bulgarian Church's patriarchal status.<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans''.</ref> ==Culture and religion== {{rquote|right|A new [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] as he presented himself to them,</br> but not in faith &mdash; in desire mostly,</br> and due to his collection of all</br> divine and most precious books,</br> with which his palaces he'd filled,</br> he earned himself eternal memory.<ref>Ivanova, "[http://knigite.abv.bg/zv/zv1_5.html Pohvala za car Simeon]", ''Tǎržestvo na slovoto''.</ref>| ''Praise to Tsar Simeon'' by an anonymous contemporary of the tsar}} During Simeon's reign, Bulgaria reached its cultural apogee, becoming the literary and spiritual centre of [[Slavic Europe]].<ref name="lalkov-pp23-25"/><ref name=delev10>Delev, ''Zlatnijat vek na bǎlgarskata kultura''.</ref> In this respect, Simeon continued his father Boris' policy of establishing and spreading Slavic culture and attracting noted scholars and writers within Bulgaria's borders. It was in the [[Preslav Literary School]] and [[Ohrid Literary School]], founded under Boris, that the main literary work in Bulgaria was concentrated during the reign of Simeon.<ref name=slovotointro>Ivanova, "[http://knigite.abv.bg/zv/zv_uvod.html Introduction]", ''Tǎržestvo na slovoto''.</ref> [[Image:St. Theodor.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Ceramic icon of Saint Theodore dating to Simeon's reign]] The late 9th and early 10th century constitute the earliest and most productive period of medieval [[Bulgarian literature]].<ref name=slovotointro/> Having spent his early years in Constantinople, Simeon introduced Byzantine culture to the Bulgarian court, but eliminated its assimilative effect by means of military power and religious autonomy.<ref name=slovotointro/> The disciples of [[Cyril and Methodius]], among whom [[Clement of Ohrid]], [[Saint Naum|Naum]] and [[Constantine of Preslav]], continued their educational work in Bulgaria, actively translating Christian texts, such as the [[Bible]] and the works of [[John Chrysostom]], [[Basil of Caesarea]], [[Cyril of Alexandria]], [[Gregory of Nazianzus]], [[Athanasius of Alexandria]], as well as historic chronicles such as these of [[John Malalas]] and [[George Hamartolus]], to Bulgarian.<ref name=slovotointro/> The reign of Simeon also witnessed the production of a number of original theological and secular works, such as [[John Exarch]]'s ''Six Days'' (''Šestodnev''), Constantine of Preslav's ''Alphabetical Prayer'' and ''Proclamation of the Holy Gospels'', and [[Chernorizets Hrabar|Černorizec Hrabǎr]]'s ''An Account of Letters''.<ref name=slovotointro/> Simeon's own contribution to this literary blossoming was praised by his contemporaries, for example in the ''Praise to Tsar Simeon'' preserved in the ''Zlatostruj'' collection and ''Simeon's Collection'',<ref name=delev10/> to which the tsar personally wrote an addendum.<ref>Ivanova, "[http://knigite.abv.bg/zv/zv1_4.html Pribavka ot samija hristoljubiv car Simeon]", ''Tǎržestvo na slovoto''.</ref> Simeon turned the new Bulgarian capital Preslav into a magnificent religious and cultural centre, intended more as a display of his realm's heyday and as a royal residence than as a military fortress.<ref name=delev10/> With its more than twenty cross-domed churches and numerous monasteries, its impressive royal palace and the royal Golden (or Round) Basilica, Preslav was a true imperial capital.<ref name=delev10/> The development of Bulgarian art in the period is demonstrated by a ceramic icon of [[Theodore of Amasea]] and the Preslav-style illustrated ceramics.<ref>{{cite web |title=Risuvana keramika |publisher=Muzej Preslav |url=http://www.museum-preslav.com/colectr.html |accessdate=2007-03-10 }}</ref> ==Family== Simeon was married twice. By his first wife, whose identity is unknown, Simeon had a son called [[Mihail of Bulgaria|Michael]],<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 160.</ref> who was born before 913. He was excluded from the succession in 927 and sent to a monastery. He died in 931, shortly after organizing a revolt.<ref name=medlands/> By his second wife, the daughter of the influential noble George Sursuvul, he had three sons: [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter]], who succeeded as Emperor of Bulgaria in 927 and ruled until 969; Ivan, who rebelled against Peter in 928 and then fled to Byzantium;<ref name=medlands/> and Benjamin (Bajan), who, according to [[Lombards|Lombard]] historian [[Liutprand of Cremona]], "possessed the power to transform himself suddenly into a wolf or other strange animal".<ref>''Antapodosis'', p. 309.</ref> Simeon also had several daughters, including one who was arranged to marry Constantine VII in 913, and was thus born before that date.<ref name=medlands/> The marriage was annulled by Constantine's mother Zoe once she had returned to the court.<ref>Fine, ''The Early Medieval Balkans'', p. 148.</ref> <div style="float: centre; width: 100%" class="NavFrame"><div style="background: #ccddcc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Family tree of Simeon I'''<ref>Cawley, ''Medieval Lands''.<br /> * Zlatarski, ''Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo'', p. 280, p. 495.<br /> * Runciman, ''A history of the First Bulgarian Empire'', p. 133, p. 177.</ref></div> <div class="NavContent" style="font-size:normal; text-align:center"> {| width="100%" style="border-colapse: colapse; text-align: center;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |- | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; | width="8.333%" | &nbsp; |- style="vertical-align: bottom;" | colspan="4" | '''[[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]]'''</br><small>(d. 907, ruled 852&mdash;889)<small/> | colspan="8" | Maria |- style="height: 2ex;" | colspan="2" style="border-right: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="6" | &nbsp; | colspan="4" style="border-left: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; |- style="height: 3ex;" | colspan="2" | &nbsp; | colspan="3" style="border-right: 1px solid black; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="3" style="border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="3" | &nbsp; | colspan="1" | &nbsp; |- style="height: 2ex;" | colspan="1" style="border-right: solid black 1px;" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: 1px solid black;" | &nbsp; | colspan="1" | &nbsp; |- style="height: 4ex; vertical-align: top;" | colspan="2" | '''[[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]]'''</br><small>(ruled 889&ndash;893)</small> | colspan="2" | Gabriel (Gavril) | colspan="1" style="border-right: solid black 1px" | &nbsp; | colspan="1" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" | Jacob (Jakov) | colspan="2" | Eupraxia (Evpraksija) | colspan="2" | Anna |- style="height: 2ex;" | colspan="5" style="border-right: solid black 1px;" | &nbsp; | colspan="7" s| &nbsp; |- style="vertical-align: top;" | colspan="1" | &nbsp; | colspan="3" | 1<br/>unknown wife | colspan="2" | <big>'''Simeon I'''</big><br/><small>(b. 864/865, d. 927,</br> ruled 893&ndash;927)</small> | colspan="3" | 2<br/>daughter of<br />George Sursuvul | colspan="3" | &nbsp; |- | colspan="5" style="border-right: solid black 1px;" | &nbsp; | colspan="7" | &nbsp; |- style="text-align: left;" | colspan="3" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" style="border-left: solid black 1px; border-right: solid black 1px; border-top: solid black 1px; padding-left: 0.5em;" | &nbsp;1 | colspan="2" style="border-top: solid black 1px; padding-left: 0.5em;" | &nbsp;2 | colspan="2" style="border-left: solid black 1px; border-top: solid black 1px; padding-left: 0.5em;" | &nbsp;2 | colspan="2" style="border-left: solid black 1px; border-top: solid black 1px; padding-left: 0.5em;" | &nbsp;2 | colspan="1" style="border-left: solid black 1px; padding-left: 0.5em;" | &nbsp;? |- style="vertical-align: top" | colspan="2" | &nbsp; | colspan="2" | [[Mihail of Bulgaria|Michael]]</br><small>(d. 931)<small/> | colspan="2" | '''[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]]'''</br><small>(b.&nbsp;after&nbsp;912,&nbsp;d.&nbsp;970,<br />ruled&nbsp;927&ndash;969)<small/> | colspan="2" | Ivan | colspan="2" | Benjamin | colspan="2" | daughters |} </div><div class="NavFrame" style="clear: none; display: none"></div></div> ==Legacy and popular culture== Tsar Simeon I has remained among the most highly valued Bulgarian historical figures, as indicated by popular vote in the ''[[Velikite Balgari|Velikite Bǎlgari]]'' (a spin-off of ''[[100 Greatest Britons]]'') television programme, which in February 2007 placed him fourth among the greatest Bulgarians ever.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://velikite.bg/index.php?p=4&id=58 |title=Vasil Levski beše izbran za naj-velikija bǎlgarin na vsički vremena |publisher=Velikite Bǎlgari |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2007-03-25 |date=2007-02-18 }}</ref> The last Bulgarian monarch, [[Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha]], was named after Simeon I.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omda.bg/bulg/news/personal/simeon.htm |title=Simeon Sakskoburggotski (Car Simeon Vtori) |publisher=OMDA.bg |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2007-03-25 }}</ref> A brand of high-quality grape [[rakia|rakija]], ''Car Simeon Veliki'', also bears his name,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vinexbg.com/bg/main/grape-brandy/brandy.html |title=Grozdova rakija: Car Simeon Veliki |accessdate=2007-03-25 |language=Bulgarian |publisher=Vinex }}</ref> and an [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] peak on [[Livingston Island]] of the [[South Shetland Islands]] was named [[Simeon Peak]] in his honour by the [[Antarctic Place-names Commission]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://apc.mfa.government.bg/peaks/simeon.htm |title=Bulgarian Antarctic Gazetteer: Simeon Peak |publisher=Antarctic Place-names Commission. Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs |accessdate=2007-03-25 }}</ref> Simeon [[List of people known as The Great|the Great]] has also been regularly featured in fiction. Bulgarian national writer [[Ivan Vazov]] dedicated a children's patriotic poem to him, "Car Simeon", and it was later arranged as a song, "Kraj Bosfora šum se vdiga" ("Noise Is Being Made Near the [[Bosphorus]]").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novotovreme.bg/?cid=15&spid=126&PHPSESSID=f48bebc98a0238f47871e0f5c3b9ee6e |title=Večnite pesni na Bǎlgarija |publisher=Novoto vreme |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2007-03-25 }}</ref> An eleven-episode drama series filmed in 1984, ''Zlatnijat vek'' (''Golden Age''), retells the story of Simeon's reign. In the series, the tsar is played by Marius Donkin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369188/ |title="Zlatniyat vek" (1984) |publisher=[[IMDb]] |accessdate=2007-03-25 }}</ref> A historical [[drama]] play called ''Car Simeon &mdash; Zlatnijat vek'' and produced by Stefan Stajčev, director of the Silistra Theatre, debuted in December 2006. Ivan Samokovliev stars in the part of Simeon.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://btv.bg/news/?magic=bulgaria&story=54704&page=2 |title=Tazi večer v Silistra e premierata na grandioznija istoričeski spektakǎl "Zlatnijat vek &mdash; Car Simeon Veliki" |publisher=[[BTV (Bulgaria)|bTV]] Novinite |date=2006-12-07 |language=Bulgarian |accessdate=2007-03-25 }}</ref> ==Timeline== <div style="float: centre; width: 100%" class="NavFrame"><div style="background: #ccddcc; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #667766" class="NavHead">'''Timeline of Simeon I's life'''</div> <div class="NavContent" style="font-size:normal; text-align:center"> {{Simeon I of Bulgaria timeline}} </div><div class="NavFrame" style="clear: none; display: none"></div> ==Footnotes== <!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add footnotes to this article, please see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php --> {{reflist|2}} ==References== * {{cite book |last = Bakalov |first = Georgi |coauthors = Milen Kumanov |title = Elektronno izdanie &ndash; Istorija na Bǎlgarija |publisher = Trud, Sirma |year = 2003 |location = [[Sofia]] |isbn = 9844830679 |oclc = 62020465 |language = Bulgarian }} * {{cite book |title = Simeon Veliki &mdash; epoha i ličnost |last = Bogdanov |first = Ivan |location = Sofia |language = Bulgarian |year = 1973 |oclc = 71590049 }} * {{cite book |title = Car Simeon Veliki (893&ndash;927) &mdash; zlatnijat vek na srednovekovna Bǎlgarija |last = Božilov |first = Ivan |language = Bulgarian |year = 1983 |publisher=Izdatelstvo na Otečestvenija front |location = Sofia |oclc = 1323835 }} * {{cite book |title = Bǎlgarski hroniki |last = Canev |first = Stefan |authorlink = Stefan Tsanev |chapter = 10 (889&ndash;912) Zlatnijat vek. Knjaz Rasate-Vladimir, car Simeon Veliki; 11 (912&ndash;927) Kǎrvavijat vek. Simeon &mdash; car na bǎlgari i romei |publisher = Trud, Žanet 45 |language = Bulgarian |year = 2006 |location = Sofia, [[Plovdiv]] |isbn = 954-528-610-5 }} * {{cite book |title = Istorija i civilizacija za 11. klas |last = Delev |first = Petǎr |coauthors = Valeri Kacunov, Plamen Mitev, Evgenija Kalinova, Iskra Baeva, Bojan Dobrev |chapter = 9 Bǎlgarskata dǎržava pri Car Simeon; 10 Zlatnijat vek na bǎlgarskata kultura |year = 2006 |language = Bulgarian |publisher = Trud, Sirma |isbn = 9549926729 }} * {{cite book |title = Bulgaria: illustrated history |last = Dimitrov |first = Božidar |authorlink = Bozhidar Dimitrov |chapter = Bulgaria &mdash; a predominant power in the European East 893&ndash;967 AD |chapterurl = http://www.bulgaria.com/history/bulgaria/predom.html |publisher = Borina |year = 1994 |location = Sofia |isbn = 9545000449 }} * {{cite book |last = Fine, Jr. |first = John V.A. |year = 1991 |title = The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century |publisher = [[University of Michigan]] Press |chapter = 5 Bulgaria under Symeon, 893&ndash;927 |location = [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]] |isbn = 978-0472081493 }} * {{cite book |last = Ivanova |first = Klimentina |coauthors = Svetlina Nikolova |url = http://knigite.abv.bg/zv/ |title = Tǎržestvo na slovoto. Zlatnijat vek na bǎlgarskata knižnina |chapterurl = http://knigite.abv.bg/zv/ |publisher = Agata-A |location = Sofia |isbn = 9789545400056 |year = 1995 |language = Bulgarian }} * {{cite book |last = Lalkov |first = Milčo |title = Rulers of Bulgaria |chapterurl = http://www.bulgaria.com/history/rulers/simeon.html |chapter = Tsar Simeon the Great (893&ndash;927) |publisher = Kibea |isbn = 954-474-098-8 |year = 1997 }} * {{cite book |last = Runciman |first = Steven |authorlink = Steven Runciman |title = A history of the First Bulgarian Empire |url = http://knigite.abv.bg/en/sr/index.html |chapterurl = http://knigite.abv.bg/en/sr/sr_3_1.htm |chapter = Emperor of the Bulgars and the Romans |publisher = [[George Bell & Sons]] |location = [[London]] |oclc = 832687 |year = 1930 }} * {{cite book |last = Todt |first = Klaus-Peter |title = Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon |chapterurl = http://www.bautz.de/bbkl/s/s4/symeon_z_v_b.shtml |chapter = Symeon, Zar und bedeutendster Herrscher des ersten bulgarischen Reiches |publisher = Traugott Bautz |isbn = 3-88309-064-6 |year = 1996 |language = German }} * {{cite book |last = Zlatarski |first = Vasil |authorlink = Vasil Zlatarski |title = Istorija na bǎlgarskata dǎržava prez srednite vekove. Tom I. Istorija na Pǎrvoto bǎlgarsko carstvo |url = http://www.promacedonia.org/vz1b/index.html |edition = 2 |chapter = 2 Ot slavjanizacijata na dǎržavata do padaneto na Pǎrvoto carstvo (852&ndash;1018): 4 Borba s Vizantija za političesko nadmoštie |publisher = Nauka i izkustvo |location = Sofia |year = 1971 |origyear = 1927 |language = Bulgarian |oclc = 67080314 }} * {{cite book |url = http://www.mfa.government.bg/history_of_Bulgaria/ |title = Bǎlgarite i Bǎlgarija |publisher = Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Trud, Sirma |chapter = 1.2 Bǎlgarite stavat hristijani. Izborǎt na knjaz Boris I |chapterurl = http://www.mfa.government.bg/history_of_Bulgaria/18.html |year = 2005 |language = Bulgarian }} </div> ==External links== {{commonscat|Simeon I of Bulgaria}} * {{PDFlink|[http://sitemaker.umich.edu/mladjov/files/bulgarian_rulers.pdf Detailed list of Bulgarian rulers]|192&nbsp;[[Kibibyte|KiB]]<!-- application/pdf, 196727 bytes -->}} * {{bg icon}} [http://synpress-classic.dveri.bg/03-2003/simeon-petar.htm ''The Realm of War and the Realm of Peace''], an article by Georgi Todorov * [http://www.mfa.government.bg/history_of_Bulgaria/audio/krai%20bosfora.mp3 "Noise Is Being Made Near the Bosphorus"], {{bg icon}} [http://www.slovo.bg/showwork.php3?AuID=14&WorkID=1376&Level=2 lyrics] * [http://www.ordosimeoni.org/ OrdoSimeoni, Order of Simeon the Great] {{Bulgarian monarchs}} {{start box}} {{succession box|before=[[Vladimir of Bulgaria|Vladimir]]|title=[[List of Bulgarian monarchs|Tsar of Bulgaria]]|after=[[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]]|years=893–927}} {{end box}} {{Persondata |NAME=Simeon I the Great |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Symeon I the Great; Симеон I Велики (Bulgarian); Simeon I Veliki (transliteration) |SHORT DESCRIPTION=Tsar of Bulgaria |DATE OF BIRTH=860s |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Bulgaria]], possibly [[Pliska]] |DATE OF DEATH=[[27 May]] [[927]] |PLACE OF DEATH=Bulgaria, most likely [[Preslav]] }} [[Category:Bulgarian monarchs]] [[Category:860s births]] [[Category:927 deaths]] {{link FA|sv}} [[bs:Simeon I]] [[bg:Симеон I]] [[cs:Simeon I.]] [[cy:Simeon I, ymerawdwr Bwlgaria]] [[de:Simeon I. (Bulgarien)]] [[el:Συμεών Α' της Βουλγαρίας]] [[es:Simeón I de Bulgaria]] [[fr:Siméon Ier de Bulgarie]] [[ko:불가리아의 시메온 1세]] [[hr:Simeon]] [[it:Simeone I]] [[mk:Симеон I]] [[nl:Simeon I van Bulgarije]] [[ja:シメオン1世]] [[no:Simeon I av Bulgaria]] [[pl:Symeon I]] [[ru:Симеон I]] [[sk:Simeon I. (Bulharsko)]] [[cu:Сѷмеѡнъ А Великъ]] [[sr:Симеон I]] [[sv:Simeon I av Bulgarien]] [[zh:西美昂一世]]