Editing Bulgars (section)

== History ==
=== Turkic migration ===
{{History of Bulgaria}}
{{Further|Turkic migration|Huns}}[[File:Giudjenov Kubrat and his sons.jpg|thumb|261x261px|A 1926 painting depicting Kubrat (in center), ruler of [[Great Bulgaria]].]] The original homeland of the early Bulgars is still unclear. Their homeland is believed to be situated in [[Kazakhstan]] and the [[North Caucasus|North Caucasian]] steppes. Interaction with the Hunnic tribes, causing the migration, may have occurred there, but the [[Pontic–Caspian steppe]] seems a more likely location.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=103}} Some scholars propose that the Bulgars may have been a branch or offshoot of the Huns or at least Huns seem to have been absorbed by the Onogur-Bulgars after [[Dengizich]]'s death.{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|p=168}} [[Hyun Jin Kim]] however, argues that the [[Huns]] continued under Ernak, becoming the [[Kutrigurs|Kutrigur]] and [[Utigurs|Utigur]] [[Huns|Hunno]]-Bulgars.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kim |first=Hyun Jin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jCpncXFzoFgC |title=The Huns, Rome and the Birth of Europe |date=2013-04-18 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-00906-6 |location=2013 |pages=123 |language=en}}</ref> These conclusions remain a topic of ongoing debate and controversy among scholars.

The first clear mention and evidence of the Bulgars was in 480, when they served as the allies of the Byzantine Emperor [[Zeno (emperor)|Zeno]] (474–491) against the [[Ostrogoths]].{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=104}} Anachronistic references about them can also be found in the 7th-century geography work ''[[Ashkharatsuyts]]'' by [[Anania Shirakatsi]], where the ''Kup'i Bulgar'', ''Duch'i Bulkar'', ''Olkhontor Błkar'' and immigrant ''Ch'dar Bulkar'' tribes are mentioned as being in the North Caucasian-Kuban steppes.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=103}} An obscure reference to ''Ziezi ex quo Vulgares'', with [[Ziezi]] being an offspring of Biblical [[Shem]], is in the ''[[Chronography of 354]]''.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=103}}{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}

The Armenian history of [[Movses Khorenatsi]] (5th century or later) speaks about two migrations of the Bulgars from the [[Caucasus]] to [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]]. The first migration is mentioned in association with the campaign of Armenian ruler Valarshak to the lands "named [[Phasiane (historical region)|Basen]] by the ancients... and which were afterwards populated by immigrants of the Vlendur Bulgar Vund, after whose name they (the lands) were named [[Vanand]]".<ref name="Origin" /> In fact, the name Vanand is attested prior to the appearance of the Bulgars.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hewsen |first=Robert H. |author-link=Robert H. Hewsen |url=https://archive.org/details/TheGeographyOfAnaniasOfSirak |title=The Geography of Ananias of Širak (Ašxarhac῾oyc῾): The Long and the Short Recensions |publisher=Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag |year=1992 |isbn=3-88226-485-3 |location=Wiesbaden |pages=110}}</ref> Grigor Khalatians and [[Josef Markwart]] connected the name ''Vlendur'' with the ''Olkhontor'' mentioned in the ''Ashkharatsuyts'', while Stepan Malkhasiants considered it a form of the Mongolian word ''baghatur'' 'hero'.<ref>{{cite book |author=Moses Khorenatsʻi |author1-link=Movses Khorenatsi |title=History of the Armenians |publisher=Caravan Books |others=Translation and commentary by [[Robert W. Thomson]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-88206-111-5 |edition=Revised |location=Ann Arbor |page=133, note 39 |orig-date=Orig. published 1978}}</ref>

The second migration took place during the time of the ruler Arshak, when "great disturbances occurred in the range of the great Caucasus mountain, in the land of the Bulgars, many of whom migrated and came to our lands and settled south of Kokh". While Khorenatsi discusses these migrations in the context of the 2nd century BC, it has been suggested that Khorenatsi confused events from the second half of the 4th century AD with earlier occurrences; thus, the migration may have occurred during the reign of King [[Arshak III]] of Armenia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dimitrov |first=Dimitar |title=Prabŭlgarite po Severnoto i Zapadnoto Chernomorie |publisher=Georgi Bakalov |year=1987 |location=Varna |pages=31 |language=bg |script-title=bg:Прабългарите по Северното и Западното Черноморие |trans-title=''Proto-Bulgarians north and west of the Black Sea'' |oclc=17878149}}</ref> The "disturbances" which caused them are believed to be the expansion of the Huns in the East European steppes. Dimitrov recorded that the toponyms of the Bolha and [[Vorotan (river)|Vorotan]] rivers, tributaries of the [[Aras (river)|Aras]] river, are known as ''Bolgaru-chaj'' and ''Vanand-chaj'', and could confirm the Bulgar settlement of Armenia.<ref name="Origin">{{cite book |author=D. Dimitrov |title=Prabylgarite po severnoto i zapadnoto Chernomorie |date=1987 |place=Varna |chapter=Bulgars, Unogundurs, Onogurs, Utigurs, Kutrigurs |chapter-url=http://www.kroraina.com/p_bulgar/p_bulg1a.htm}}</ref>

Around 463 AD, the [[Akatziroi]] and other tribes that had been part of the Hunnic union were attacked by the Šarağurs, one of the first Oğuric Turkic tribes that entered the [[Pontic–Caspian steppe|Ponto-Caspian steppes]] as the result of migrations set off in Inner Asia.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=92–93, 103}} According to [[Priscus]], in 463 the representatives of Šarağur, Oğur and Onoğur came to the Emperor in [[Constantinople]],{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=92–93}} and explained they had been driven out of their homeland by the [[Sabir people|Sabirs]], who had been attacked by the [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]].{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=92–93, 97}} This tangle of events indicates that the Oğuric tribes are related to the [[Dingling|Ting-ling]] and [[Tiele people]].{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=93–95}} It seems that Kutrigurs and Unigurs arrived with the initial waves of Oğuric peoples entering the Pontic steppes.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=99}} The Bulgars were not mentioned in 463.{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}

The account by [[Paul the Deacon]] in his ''[[History of the Lombards]]'' (8th century) says that at the beginning of the 5th century in the North-Western slopes of the [[Carpathians]] the ''Vulgares'' killed the [[Lombards|Lombard]] king Agelmund.<ref name="Origin"/> Scholars attribute this account to the Huns,<ref>{{cite book |last=Menghin |first=Wilfred |date=1985 |title=Die Langobarden. Archäologie und Geschichte |language=de |publisher=Theiss |place=Stuttgart |page=14 |isbn=9783806203646}}</ref>{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|pp=127–129}} Avars{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|pp=127–129}} or some Bulgar groups who were probably carried away by the Huns to the Central Europe.<ref name="Origin"/>{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|pp=127–129}} The Lombards, led by their new king Laimicho, rose up and defeated the Bulgars with great slaughter,<ref>Hist. gentis Lang., Ch. XVII.</ref> gaining great booty and confidence as they "became bolder in undertaking the toils of war."<ref>PD, XVII.</ref>

The defeated Bulgars then became subjects of the Lombards and later migrated in Italy with their king [[Alboin]].<ref>{{cite book|title=History of the Lombards: Translated by William Dudley Foulke |first=Edward |last=Peters |year=2003 |place=University of Pennsylvania Press}}</ref> When the army of Ostrogoth chieftain [[Theodoric Strabo]] grew to 30,000-men strong, it was felt as a menace to Byzantine [[Zeno (emperor)|Emperor Zeno]], who somehow managed to convince the Bulgars to attack the Thracian Goths.<ref name="Wolfram">{{cite book |first1=Herwig |last1=Wolfram |author-link=Herwig Wolfram |first2=Thomas J. |last2=Dunlap |date=1990 |title=History of the Goths |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xsQxcJvaLjAC |publisher=University of California Press |page=276 |isbn=9780520069831}}</ref> The Bulgars were eventually defeated by Strabo in 480/481.<ref name="Wolfram" /> In 486 and 488 they fought against the Goths again, first as allies of Byzantium, according to [[Magnus Felix Ennodius]],<ref name="Origin" /> and later as allies of the [[Gepids]], according to Paul the Deacon.<ref name="Origin" /> However, when [[Theoderic the Great]] with his Ostrogoths departed for Italy in 489, the [[Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum|Illyricum]] and [[Thracia|Thrace]] were open for Bulgar raids.{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=69}}

In 493, according to [[Marcellinus Comes]], they defeated and killed [[magister militum]] Julian.{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=69}} In 499, they crossed the Danube and reached Thrace where on the banks of the river Tzurta (considered a tributary of [[Maritsa]]{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=53}}) defeated a 15,000-strong Roman army led by magister militum Aristus.{{sfn|Croke|2001|pp=23, 68}}{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=75}} In 502, Bulgars again devastated Thrace as reportedly there were no Roman soldiers to oppose them.{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=69}}{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=75}} In 528–529 they again invaded the region and defeated Roman generals [[Justin (Moesia)|Justin]] and [[Baduarius (Scythia)|Baduarius]].{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=70}} However, the Gothic general [[Mundus (general)|Mundus]] offered allegiance to Emperor [[Justinian I]] (527–565) in 530, and managed to kill 5,000 Bulgars plundering Thrace.{{sfn|Croke|2001|p=69}} [[John Malalas]] recorded that in the battle a Bulgar warlord was captured.{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=75}} In 535, magister militum [[Sittas]] defeated the Bulgar army at the river [[Yantra (river)|Yantra]].{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=75}}

Ennodius, [[Jordanes]] and [[Procopius]] identified the Bulgars with the Huns in a 6th-century [[literary topos]], in which Ennodius referred to a captured Bulgar horse as "''equum Huniscum''".{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|pp=164, 220}} In 505, the alleged 10,000 Hun horsemen in the [[Sabinianus (consul 505)|Sabinian]] army, which was defeated by the Ostrogoths, are believed to be the Bulgars.{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|p=164}} In 515, Bulgar mercenaries were listed along with others from the Goths, Scythians and Hunnic tribes as part of the [[Vitalian (general)|Vitalian]] army.{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|p=421}} In 539, two Hunnic "kinglets" defeated two Roman generals during the raid into [[Scythia Minor (Roman province)|Scythia Minor]] and [[Moesia]].{{sfn|Curta|2015|pp=75–76}}

A Roman army led by magister militum [[Ascum]] and [[Constantiolus]] intercepted and defeated them in Thrace; however, another raiding party ambushed and captured the two Roman generals.{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=76}} In 539 and 540, Procopius reported a powerful Hunnic army crossed the Danube, devastated Illyricum and reached up to the [[Anastasian Wall]].{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=76}} Such large distances covered in a short time indicate they were horsemen.{{sfn|Curta|2015|p=76}}

[[Jordanes]] described, in his work ''[[Getica]]'' (551), the Pontic steppe beyond the Akatziri, above the Pontic Sea, as the habitat of the ''Bulgari'', "whom the evils of our sins have made famous". In this region, the ''Hunni'' divided into two tribes: the ''Altziagiri'' (who trade and live next to [[Chersonesus|Cherson]]) and ''Saviri'', while the ''Hunuguri'' (believed to be the Onoğurs) were notable for the [[marten]] skin trade.<ref name="Origin"/>{{sfn|Maenchen-Helfen|1973|p=431}}{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=98}} In the Middle Ages, marten skin was used as a substitute for minted money.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=254}}

The Syriac translation of [[Pseudo-Zacharias Rhetor]]'s ''Ecclesiastical History'' (c. 555) in Western Eurasia records:

<blockquote>The land Bazgun... extends up to the [[Derbent|Caspian Gates]] and to the sea, which are in the Hunnish lands. Beyond the gates live the Burgars (Bulgars), who have their language, and are people pagan and barbarian. They have towns. And the Alans – they have five towns... Avnagur (Aunagur, considered Onoğurs) are people, who live in tents</blockquote>

Then he records 13 tribes, the ''wngwr'' ([[Onogurs|Onogur]]), ''wgr'' (Oğur), ''sbr'' ([[Sabirs|Sabir]]), ''bwrgr'' (Burğa, i.e. Bulgar), ''kwrtrgr'' (Kutriğurs), ''br'' (probably [[pannonian Avars|Vars]], also known as the Avars), ''ksr'' (''Kasr''; possibly [[Akatziri]]), ''srwrgwr'' ([[Saragurs]]), ''dyrmr'' (unknown<!-- If it's unknown this is meaningless: Dirmar=Ιτίγαροι -->), ''b'grsyq'' (''Bagrasir'', i.e. [[Barsils|Barsil]]), ''kwls'' (unknown<!-- If it's unknown this is meaningless: Xwâlis -->), ''bdl'' (probably [[Durrani|Abdali]]), and ''ftlyt'' (Hephthalite) ... They are described in typical phrases reserved for nomads in the ethnographic literature of the period, as people who "live in tents, earn their living on the meat of livestock and fish, of wild animals and by their weapons (plunder)".<ref name="Origin"/>{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=97}}

[[Agathias]] (c. 579–582) wrote:

<blockquote>...all of them are called in general Scythians and Huns in particular according to their nation. Thus, some are Koutrigours or Outigours and yet others are Oultizurs and Bourougounds... the Oultizurs and Bourougounds were known up to the time of the Emperor [[Leo I (emperor)|Leo]] (457–474) and the Romans of that time and appeared to have been strong. We, however, in this day, neither know them, nor, I think, will we. Perhaps, they have perished or perhaps they have moved off to very far place.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=98}}</blockquote>

According to D. Dimitrov, scholars partially managed to identify and locate the Bulgar groups mentioned in the Armenian ''Ashkharatsuyts''. The ''Olxontor Błkar'' is one of the variations used for the Onoğurs Bulgars, while others could be related to the ancient river names,{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=144}} such as the ''Kup'i Bulgar'' and the [[Kuban river|Kuban]] (Kuphis). The ''Duč'i'' could read ''Kuchi Bulkar'' and as such could be related to the [[Dnieper]] (Kocho). However, the ''Č'dar Bulkar'' location is unclear. Dimitrov theorized that the differences in the ''Bulgar'' ethnonym could be due to the dialect differentiations in their language.<ref name="Origin"/>

By the middle of the 6th century, the Bulgars momentarily fade from the sources and the Kutrigurs and Utigurs come to the front.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=104}} Between 548 and 576, mostly due to Justinian I (527–565), through diplomatic persuasion and bribery the Kutrigurs and Utigurs were drawn into mutual warfare, decimating one another. In the end, the Kutrigurs were overwhelmed by the Avars, while the Utigurs came under the rule of the Western Turks.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=100}}

The Oğurs and Onoğurs, in the 6th- and 7th-century sources, were mentioned mostly in connection with the Avar and Turk conquest of Western Eurasia.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=100–102}} From the 8th century, the Byzantine sources often mention the Onoğurs in close connection with the Bulgars. Agathon (early 8th century) wrote about the nation of Onoğurs Bulğars. [[Nikephoros I of Constantinople|Nikephoros I]] (early 9th century) noted that [[Kubrat]] was the lord of the ''Onoğundurs''; his contemporary [[Theophanes the Confessor|Theophanes]] referred to them as ''Onoğundur–Bulğars''.

[[Constantine VII]] (mid-10th century) remarked that the Bulğars formerly called themselves ''[[Onogurs|Onoğundurs]]''. This association was previously mirrored in Armenian sources, such as the ''Ashkharatsuyts'', which refers to the ''Olxontor Błkar'', and the 5th century ''History'' by Movses Khorenatsi, which includes an additional comment from a 9th-century writer about the colony of the Vłĕndur Bułkar. Marquart and Golden connected these forms with the ''Iġndr'' (*Uluġundur) of [[Hisham Ibn Al-Kalbi|Ibn al-Kalbi]] (c. 820), the ''Vnndur'' (*Wunundur) of [[Hudud al-'Alam]] (982), the ''Wlndr'' (*Wulundur) of [[Al-Masudi]] (10th century) and Hungarian name for Belgrad ''Nándor Fejérvár'', the ''nndr'' (*Nandur) of [[Abu Saʿīd Gardēzī|Gardīzī]] (11th century) and ''*Wununtur'' in the [[Khazar Correspondence|letter]] by the Khazar King [[Joseph (Khazar)|Joseph]]. All the forms show the phonetic changes typical of later Oğuric (prothetic v-).{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=102}}

Scholars consider it unclear how this union came about, viewing it as a long process in which a number of different groups were merged.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=244}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=143}} During that time, the Bulgars may have represented a large confederation including the remnants of Onoğurs, Utigurs and Kutrigurs among others.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=100, 103}}

=== Old Great Bulgaria ===
{{Main|Old Great Bulgaria}}
[[File:Bulgarians and Slavs VI-VII century.png|thumb|300px|The migration of the Bulgars after the fall of Old Great Bulgaria in the 7th century.]]

The Turk rule weakened sometime after 600, allowing the Avars to reestablish the control over the region.{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=144}} As the [[Western Turkic Khaganate]] declined, finally collapsing in the middle of the 7th century, it was against Avar rule that the Bulgars, recorded as ''Onoğundur–Bulğars'', reappeared.{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=244}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}} They revolted under their leader [[Kubrat]] (c. 635), who seems to have been prepared by [[Heraclius]] (610–641) against the Sasanian–Avar alliance. With his uncle [[Organa]] in 619, Kubrat had been baptized in Constantinople.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=244–245}}{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=144}}<ref name="Great">{{cite book |author=D. Dimitrov |date=1987 |chapter="Old Great Bulgaria" |title=Prabylgarite po severnoto i zapadnoto Chernomorie |chapter-url=http://www.kroraina.com/p_bulgar/p_bulg5.htm |place=Varna}}</ref> He founded the [[Old Great Bulgaria]] (''Magna Bulgaria''{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=152}}), also known as ''Onoğundur–Bulğars'' state, or ''Patria Onoguria'' in the ''[[Ravenna Cosmography]]''.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=245}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=144}}<ref name="Origin"/>

Little is known about Kubrat's activities. It is considered that Onogur Bulgars remained the only steppe tribes in good relations with the Byzantines.{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=152}} His date of death is placed between 650 and 663 AD.<ref>{{cite book |last=Somogyi |first= Péter |chapter=New remarks on the flow of Byzantine coins in Avaria and Walachia during the second half of the seventh century |title=The Other Europe in the Middle Ages: Avars, Bulgars, Khazars and Cumans |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_-G1L-9Zec0C |editor-last1=Curta |editor-first1=Florin |editor-link1=Florin Curta |editor-last2=Kovalev |editor-first2=Roman |date=2008 |publisher=Brill |page=104 |isbn=9789004163898}}</ref> According to Nikephoros I, Kubrat  instructed his five sons to "never separate their place of dwelling from one another, so that by being in concordance with one another, their power might thrive".{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=245}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}}

Subsequent events proved Old Great Bulgaria to be only a loose tribal union, as there emerged a rivalry between the [[Khazars]] and the Bulgars over Turk patrimony and dominance in the Pontic–Caspian steppe.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=236, 245}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}} Some historians consider the war an extension of the Western Turks struggle, between the ''Nushibi'' tribes and [[Ashina tribe|Ashina clan]], who led the Khazars, and the ''Duolu/Tu-lu'' tribes, which some scholars associated with the [[Dulo clan]], from which Kubrat and many Bulgar rulers originated.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=103, 236–237}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=144}} The Khazars were ultimately victorious and parts of the Bulgar union broke up.{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}

=== Subsequent migrations ===
{{Further|Volga Bulgaria|First Bulgarian Empire}}
[[File:Bulgar necropolises on lower Danube.jpg|thumb|300px|Map of the Bulgar necropolises on the Lower Danube (8–9 century AD.)]]

It is unclear whether the brothers' parting ways was caused by the internal conflicts or strong Khazar pressure.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=245}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}} The latter is considered more likely.{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}} The Bulgars led by the first two brothers [[Batbayan]] and [[Kotrag]] remained in the Pontic steppe zone, where they were known as ''Black Bulgars'' by Byzantine and Rus sources, and became Khazar vassals.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=245–246}}{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}<ref name="Saltovo">{{cite book |author=D. Dimitrov |date=1987 |chapter=The Proto-Bulgarians and the Saltovo-Majack culture |title=Prabylgarite po severnoto i zapadnoto Chernomorie |chapter-url=http://www.kroraina.com/p_bulgar/p_bulg5.htm |place=Varna}}</ref> The Bulgars led by Kotrag migrated to the middle [[Volga]] region during the 7th and 9th centuries, where they founded [[Volga Bulgaria]], with [[Bolghar]] as its capital.{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}}<ref name="Saltovo"/>

According to [[Ahmad ibn Rustah]] (10th century), the Volga Bulgars were divided into three branches: "the first branch was called Bersula (Barsils), the second [[Esegel]], and the third Bulgar".<ref name="Barsils">{{cite book |author=D. Dimitrov |title=Prabylgarite po severnoto i zapadnoto Chernomorie |date=1987 |place=Varna |chapter=Sabirs, Barsils, Belendzheris, Khazars |chapter-url=http://www.kroraina.com/p_bulgar/p_bulg1b.htm}}</ref> In 922 they accepted [[Islam]] as the official religion.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=245, 253–258}}{{sfn|Bowersock, Brown, Grabar|1999|p=354}} They preserved their national identity well into the 13th century by repelling the first [[Mongol invasion of Volga Bulgaria|Mongol attacks]] in 1223. They were eventually subdued by the Mongols in 1237.{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=107}} They gradually lost their identity after 1431 when their towns and region were captured by the Russians.{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|pp=107–108}}

The third and most famous son, [[Asparukh of Bulgaria|Asparukh]], according to Nikephoros I:

{{Blockquote|crossed the river Danapros and Danastros, lived in the locale around the Ister, having occupied a place suitable for settlement, called in their language ογγλον (ogglon; Slav. ''o(n)gl'', "angle", "corner"; Turk. ''agyl'', "yard"<ref>{{cite book |author=D. Dimitrov |date=1987 |chapter=The migration of the Unogundur-Bulgars of Asparukh from the lands of Azov to the Lower Danube |title=Prabylgarite po severnoto i zapadnoto Chernomorie |chapter-url=http://www.kroraina.com/p_bulgar/P_bulg10.html |place=Varna}}</ref>)... The people having been divided and scattered, the tribe of the Khazars, from within Berulia ([[Bessarabia]]), which neighbors with Sarmatia, attacked them with impunity. They overran all the lands lying behind the Pontos Euxeinos and penetrated to the sea. After this, having made Bayan a subject, they forced him to pay tribute.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=246}}}}

Asparukh, according to the ''Pseudo''–Zacharias Rhetor, "fled from the Khazars out of the Bulgarian mountains". In the Khazar ruler Joseph's letter is recorded "in the country in which I live, there formerly lived the Vununtur (< Vunundur < Onoğundur). Our ancestors, the Khazars warred with them. The Vununtur were more numerous, as numerous as the sand by the sea, but they could not withstand the Khazars. They left their country and fled... until they reached the river called Duna ([[Danube]])".{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=246}}

This migration and the foundation of the Danube Bulgaria (the [[First Bulgarian Empire]]) is usually dated c. 681.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=246}}{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145}} The composition of the horde is unknown, and sources only mention tribal names Čakarar, Kubiar, Küriger, and clan names [[Dulo]], [[Uokil|Ukil/Vokil]], Ermiyar, Ugain and Duar.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=247}} The ''Onglos'' where Bulgars settled is considered northern [[Dobruja]], secured to the West and North by Danube and its [[Danube Delta|Delta]], and bounded to the East by the [[Black Sea]].{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=152}} They re-settled in North-Eastern Bulgaria, between [[Shumen]] and [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], including [[Ludogorie]] plateau and southern Dobruja.{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=154}} The distribution of pre-Christian burial assemblages in Bulgaria and Romania is considered as the indication of the confines of the Bulgar settlement.{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|pp=154–156}}[[File:Old_Great_Bulgaria_and_migration_of_Bulgarians.png|left|thumb|The Bulgar migrations and settlements after the decline of Old Great Bulgaria in the 7th century.]]In the Balkans they merged with the Slavs and other autochthonous Romance and Greek speaking population, like the [[Thracians]] and [[Vlachs]],{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}} becoming a political and military elite.{{sfn|Golden|2011|p=145, 158, 196}} However, the influence of the pre-Slavic population had relatively little influence on the Slavs and Bulgars, indicating their population was reduced in previous centuries.{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=68}} The hinterlands of the Byzantine territory were for years occupied by many groups of Slavs.{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=154}} According to Theophanes, the Bulgars subjugated the so-called [[Seven Slavic tribes]], of which the [[Severians]] were re-settled from the pass of Beregaba or Veregava, most likely the [[Rish Pass]] of the [[Balkan Mountains]], to the East, while the other six tribes to the Southern and Western regions as far the boundary with the Pannonian Avars.{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=154}} Scholars consider that the absence of any source recording the Slavic resistance to the invasion was because it was in their interest to be liberated from the Byzantine taxation.{{sfn|Sedlar|2011|p=16}}{{multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| footer            = 
| image1            = 52-manasses-chronicle.jpg
| alt1              = A page of a medieval manuscript
| caption1          = Khan [[Krum]] defeats the Byzantine Emperor [[Nicephorus I]] in the [[battle of Pliska|battle of the Varbitsa Pass]], ''[[Constantine Manasses|Manasses Chronicle]]''
| image2            = 51-manasses-chronicle krum crop.png
| alt2              = A page of a medieval manuscript
| caption2          = Khan Krum feasts with the skull cup of Nicephorus after the victory at the Varbitsa Pass, ''Manasses Chronicle''
}}

It is considered that the Slavic tribal organization was left intact, and paid tribute to the ruling Bulgars.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=67–69}}{{sfn|Fiedler|2008|p=154}}{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=109}} According to Nikephoros I and Theophanes, an unnamed fourth brother, believed to be [[Kuber]], "having crossed the river Ister, resides in Pannonia, which is now under the sway of the Avars, having made an alliance with the local peoples". Kuber later led a revolt against the Avars and with his people moved as far as the region of [[Thessaloniki]] in Greek [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]].{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=245}} The fifth brother, reported by Nikephoros I and Theophanes, "settling in the five [[Ravenna]]te cities became a subject of the Romans". This brother is believed to be [[Alcek]], who after a stay in Avar territory left and settled in Italy, in [[Sepino]], [[Bojano]] and [[Isernia]]. These Bulgars preserved their speech and identity until the late 8th century.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=245}}

[[File:Varangian_routes.png|thumb|300x300px|Trade routes of the Black Sea region, 8th–11th centuries]]

The First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018) had a significant political influence in the Balkans. In the time of [[Tervel of Bulgaria|Tervel]] (700–721) the Bulgars helped Byzantines two times, in 705 the Emperor [[Justinian II]] to regain his throne, and 717–718 defeating the Arabs during the siege of Constantinople.{{sfn|Golden|1992|pp=247–248}} [[Sevar of Bulgaria|Sevar]] (738–753) was the last ruler from the Dulo clan, and the period until c. 768–772 was characterized by the Byzantino-Bulgar conflict and internal crisis.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=248}} In the short period followed seven rulers from the Uokil and Ugain clan.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=248}} [[Telerig of Bulgaria|Telerig]] (768–777) managed to establish a pacific policy with Byzantium, and restore imperial power.{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=248}}

[[File:Europe 814.svg|thumb|Europe in 814]]

During the reign of [[Krum]] (803–814), the Empire doubled its size, including new lands in Macedonia and [[Principality of Serbia (early medieval)|Serbia]].{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}} He also successfully repelled the invading force of the Byzantines, as well defeated the Pannonian Avars where additionally extended the Empire size.{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}}{{sfn|Golden|1992|p=248}} In 865, during the reign of Khan [[Boris I of Bulgaria|Boris I]] (852–889), the Bulgars accepted Christianity as the official religion, and Eastern Orthodoxy in 879.{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}} The greatest expansion of the Empire and prosperity during the time of [[Simeon I of Bulgaria|Simeon I]] (893–927) is considered as the Bulgarian [[Golden Age of medieval Bulgarian culture|Golden Age]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/creees/content/outreach/fulbright/final_projects/hart.pdf |last=Hart |first=Nancy |title=Bulgarian Art and Culture: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives |page=21 |publisher=[[University of Texas at Austin]] |access-date=2007-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810191242/http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/creees/content/outreach/fulbright/final_projects/hart.pdf |archive-date=August 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}} However, from the time of [[Peter I of Bulgaria|Peter I]] (927–969) their power declined. The Hungarians, [[Kievan Rus']] Slavs, as well [[Pechenegs]] and [[Cumans]] held many raids into their territory,{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}} and so weakened were eventually conquered in 1018 by the Byzantine Empire.{{sfn|Waldman, Mason|2006|p=108}}