Bulgarian history

Bulgarian lands are among the oldest civilized territories in the world. They were inhabited in early days of history and since then many known and unknown tribes and peoples have crossed them. Some went further west, others stayed for a short period, and for still others these lands become part of their destiny. All of them leave traces of their presence and have a share in the rich Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage. Bulgaria has preserved many cultural strata and some of them - like the Thracian stratum - are unique. These cultural strata coexisted and interacted through the centuri ... more

The first traces of man in the territories of today's Bulgaria were discovered during archeological excavations in the Kozarnika cave, Belogradchik region. The findings relate the country to the territories inhabited by the earliest humans in Europe - the Archaean period (1 500 000/1 400 000 - 600 000 B.C.). There are traces of the Paleolithic Age (600 000-10 000 B.C.) in the Iskar defile, in Southeastern Bulgaria, and in caves in the Balkan Mountains. Due to the general warming of the climate during the Mesolithic Age (10000 - 6400/5100 B.C.), cold-loving animals withdrew to the north. Man fo ... more

The oldest population, known to have inhabited Bulgarian territories, whose name we know, were the Thracians. They are mentioned for the first time by the Ancient Greek poet Homer (8th c. B.C.). If we can trust his ,,Iliad", Thracian tribes took part in the Thracian War (c. 1250 B.C.) under the commandment of King Rezos. The name Thracian means ,,brave", ,,courageous" people. The Ancient Greeks used it for all tribes living to the north.The Thracians were a numerous people divided into tribes - Getae, Dacians, Moesians, Triballi, Satri, Bessoi, Odrysai and others. They formed their ethnic comm ... more

During the 8th- 6th c. B.C. the Ancient Greeks, who settled along the Aegean and the Black Sea coast, founded big towns. Along the Black Sea coast grew the towns of Apollonia (today's Sozopol), Mesemvria (today's Nessebar), Odessos (today's Varna), Dionisopol (today's Balchik) and others. There the Greeks built fortifications, castles, baths, ports, artisan shops, open theatres, schools and residential quarters. Sculpturing developed in the Greek towns on the Black Sea. In Mesembria there was a workshop, which, in the 3rd c. B.C., produced reliefs of all sorts.The Thracians acquired some of th ... more

The first Thracian tribe to found its state (beginning of 5th c. B.C.) was that of the Odrysai. They inhabited the vast territories between the Eastern Rhodopes and the Black Sea coast. The first period of the written history of the Odrysai kingdom is connected with the name of the Thracian chief Teres (end of 6th c. B.C. - middle of 5th c. B.C.). According to the ancient Greek philosopher Tuquidid (c. 460 - 404 B.C.), he was not the first ruler but rather the first powerful king of the Odrysai. During the rule of his sons Sparadocus (c. the 50s - 40s of the 5th c. B.C.) and Sitalces (c. the 4 ... more

The conquest of the Balkan Peninsula by the Romans started as early as the 2nd c. B.C., but the opposition of the Thracians was crushed only in the beginning of the 2nd c. A.D. During the 1st c. B.C. - 1st c. A.D. Bulgarian territories turned into Roman provinces. The Romans built a well organized and well-kept network of roads. The so-called Diagonal Road from Belgrade, through Serdika (Sofia), Philipopolis (Plovdiv) and Adrianopolis (Ederne) up to Byzantion (Istanbul), which was the shortcut from Europe to Asia, dates back to Roman times. In the south the Romans repaired and fortified the Vi ... more

The Ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th c. B.C.) describes the Thracians in the following way: ,,The Thracian people, next to that of the Hindus, is the most numerous of all peoples. If they were ruled by one sovereign and were united, they would have been invincible and more powerful than any other people. The Thracians bear many names - each tribe in accordance with their country. But they all have almost the same customs. Sitting round the new-born baby, its relatives bemoan it for the numerous evils awaiting the child after its birth and enumerate all human sufferings. They bury the dea ... more

The tomb of Alexandrovo was discovered in 2000 in the mound of Rashova Chuka near the village of Alexandrovo, 20 km northeasterly of Haskovo. The frescoes in it are a unique and authentic source of knowledge about Thracian culture and religion (including clothing, weaponry, horse-trappings, etc.) before the coming of the Romans. They are best preserved in the oval chamber where one can see several rounds of floral and geometric ornaments and figural scenes. One of the friezes illustrates a burial feast and the other - hunting scenes. The images are expressive, each of the warriors having indiv ... more

The archeological monuments in the Valley of the Thracian Kings (the Kazanluk hollow, with about 1000 mounds of which only 100 have been studied) prove that the Thracians were perfect builders, skillful masons, metallurgists and potters.The Kazanluk tomb was discovered accidentally in 1944 by soldiers when digging up a bomb shelter near Kazanluk. It consists of an anteroom, a long narrow corridor and round burial chamber, which is richly painted with frescoes. On the dome of the oval room is depicted a burial feast.Central position in it is attributed to the images of the Thracian ruler ... more

The grave in the Svetitsata mound was discovered in 2004 between the town of Shipka and Krun village, Kazanluk region. It is built of perfectly cut stone pieces and has the form of a sarcophagus. In it was buried a Thracian ruler (following the Orphic ritual, only part of the legs and the lower jaw were laid there) with an almost complete set of weapons, metal and ceramic vessels. The objects found make the treasure unique.There is an anatomic armour-plating of two pieces - front and back, two swords, spears, 144 bronze arrow tips, two large amphoras, the sides of two jars with paintings of sa ... more