The Second Bulgarian Kingdom

Rise, Struggles, and Fall

Byzantine Domination (1014-1186)

Bulgaria endured Byzantine rule from 1014 to 1186. The Byzantine emperors imposed the Greek language on Bulgaria in an attempt to absorb it as a Byzantine province. However, the strong Bulgarian national identity resisted being overshadowed. Despite several uprisings, the Bulgarians remained under Byzantine control until 1186.

Liberation and Leadership of the Asen Brothers (1186)

In 1186, Bulgaria liberated itself from Byzantine rule under the leadership of brothers Peter and Ivan Asen. Peter became the king and prioritized reestablishing the independence of the Bulgarian church, restoring Bulgarian as the religious and literary language instead of Greek. Although Peter was killed in 1196 after a significant victory over the Greeks, his younger brother Ivan Asen, also known as Kaloyan, took the throne. Kaloyan continued the war against the Byzantines, achieving multiple victories and uniting all Bulgarian lands within the borders of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom City Tours Istanbul.

Ivan Asen II and Expansion (1218)

Ivan Asen II succeeded his father and continued the work of uniting the Bulgarian people. He expanded the country’s borders and achieved notable victories, including the defeat and capture of Teodor, the emperor of Epir, ruling over western Greece. Despite the fall of Byzantium to the Romans in 1204, the Bulgarians, after laying siege to the city, withdrew, believing the Romans posed a lesser threat than the Greeks.

Weakening Rule and Turkish Invasion (1331-1393)

Following Ivan Asen II, a series of weak rulers led the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In 1331, Ivan Alexander came to power, ruling vigorously for thirty years, witnessing another period of greatness. However, after his passing, his three sons vied for succession, dividing the country and leading to its downfall at the hands of a new enemy, the Turks. In 1393, the Turks seized the capital, Tirnovo, marking the end of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.