Boris II of Bulgaria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boris II |
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| Emperor of Bulgaria | |
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| Reign | 969–971 |
| Predecessor | Peter I |
| Successor | Roman |
| Born | c. 931 |
| Died | 977 |
| Spouse | Unknown |
| Issue | Two daughters |
| House | Krum's dynasty |
| Father | Peter I |
| Mother | Irene Lekapene |
Boris II (born around 931 – died 977) was an emperor, also known as a tsar, of Bulgaria. He ruled from 969 to 977. However, he was held captive by the Byzantines from 971 onwards.
Boris II was the oldest son of Emperor Peter I of Bulgaria. His mother was Maria Lekapena, who was renamed Eirene. She was also the granddaughter of a Byzantine emperor, Romanos I Lekapenos. Boris was born by 931, as he visited Constantinople with his mother that year.
Contents
Becoming Emperor: A Difficult Start
Not much is known about Boris II's early life. In 968, he traveled to Constantinople again. This time, he went to discuss a peace agreement with the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas. He also served as an honored hostage, which was a way to ensure peace.
Why Did Bulgaria and Byzantium Need Peace?
This agreement was meant to stop the fighting between Bulgaria and Byzantium. The two empires would then work together. Their common enemy was Prince Sviatoslav I of Kiev, whom the Byzantine emperor had actually encouraged to attack Bulgaria earlier.
How Did Boris II Become Emperor?
In 969, Prince Sviatoslav's army invaded Bulgaria again. They defeated the Bulgarians. After this defeat, Emperor Peter I, Boris's father, decided to step down and become a monk. It's not completely clear how it happened, but Boris II was allowed to return to Bulgaria. He then took his father's place on the throne.
Boris II's Reign: A Time of Conflict
As emperor, Boris II faced a huge challenge. He could not stop the Kievan army from advancing. He was forced to accept Sviatoslav of Kiev as his ally. This meant he had to turn against the Byzantines.
The Battle of Arkadioupolis
The Kievan army, with Boris II as their ally, launched a campaign into Byzantine Thrace. However, they were defeated at the Battle of Arkadioupolis in 970. After this, the new Byzantine Emperor, John I Tzimiskes, marched north.
The Fall of Preslav and Boris's Capture
Sviatoslav failed to protect the passes through the Balkan Mountains. This allowed the Byzantines to enter Moesia. They then laid siege to the Bulgarian capital, Preslav. Even though Bulgarians and Kievan Rus' soldiers fought together to defend the city, the Byzantines managed to set fire to the wooden buildings. They took the fortress.
Boris II then became a prisoner of Emperor John I Tzimiskes. John continued to chase the Kievan army, trapping Sviatoslav in Drăstăr (Silistra). John claimed he was Boris's ally and protector. He treated the Bulgarian emperor with respect.
The End of Boris II's Rule
After Sviatoslav made peace and left for Kiev, the Byzantine emperor returned to Constantinople in triumph. But John did not free Bulgaria as he had claimed. Instead, he brought Boris II and his family, along with the Bulgarian imperial treasury, to Constantinople in 971.
In a public ceremony in Constantinople, Boris II was stripped of his imperial symbols. He was given a Byzantine court title called magistros as a form of payment. The Bulgarian lands in Thrace and lower Moesia then became part of the Byzantine Empire. They were put under the control of Byzantine governors.
The Western Bulgarian Provinces and Boris's Escape
Even though the ceremony in 971 was meant to end the Bulgarian empire, the Byzantines could not control the western parts of Bulgaria. These areas remained under the rule of local governors. One important family was led by four brothers known as the Kometopouloi (meaning "the sons of the Count"). Their names were David, Moses, Aron, and Samuel.
The "Revolt" of the Kometopouloi
The Byzantine emperor saw this movement as a "revolt." However, the Kometopouloi likely saw themselves as acting on behalf of the captive Boris II. As they began to raid nearby Byzantine territories, the Byzantine government came up with a plan. They hoped to cause problems among the Kometopouloi leaders.
Boris II's Tragic Death
The Byzantines allowed Boris II and his brother Roman to escape from their honorary captivity. They hoped that Boris's return to Bulgaria would create a split between the Kometopouloi and other Bulgarian leaders.
In 977, as Boris II and Roman entered the area controlled by Bulgarians, Boris II got off his horse and walked ahead of his brother. Because of his clothing, he was mistaken for a Byzantine noble. A border patrol guard, who was deaf and mute, shot Boris in the chest. Roman managed to identify himself to the other guards. He was then accepted as the new emperor.
Family Life
Boris II was married to an unknown woman. They had several children. The Byzantine historian Kedrenus wrote that Emperor John I Tzimisces found "Boris, king of the Bulgarians, with his wife and children" among the Russian prisoners when he invaded Bulgaria.
His children may have included:
- A daughter named Maria, who might have married Tsar Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria.
- An unnamed daughter who was engaged to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II in 968.
- Another unnamed daughter who was engaged to the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VIII in 968.
Images for kids
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The Byzantine emperor John Tzimisces returns in triumph in Constantinople with the captured Boris II and Preslav Icon
See also
In Spanish: Boris II para niños
