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Europe & colonial empiresEurope

First Bulgarian Empire

681 CE – 1018 CE · about 337 years

The First Bulgarian Empire was founded on the lower Danube and became a major Balkan power and rival of Byzantium. It adopted Christianity in 864 and became a centre of Slavic literature and the Cyrillic script. Byzantium conquered it in 1018.

Key facts

Dates681 CE – 1018 CE
RegionEurope & colonial empires
ContinentEurope
CapitalsPliska, Preslav, Ohrid
FounderAsparukh
Religion(s)Tengrism, Christianity (from 864)
Peak extent≈ 0.4 million km² (c. 850 CE) – source

Before & after

Preceded by

Avar Khaganate Old Great Bulgaria

Followed by

Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire)

Sources

Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.