Goodness and Cruelty: The Image of the Ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire in the Period of Christianisation (Ninth Century)

Abstract

As in other medieval societies that converted to Christianity during the early Middle Ages, the image of the good Christian ruler in the First Bulgarian Tsardom was closely linked to the process of Christianisation, which took place in the ninth and early tenth centuries. The main virtues of the Christian ruler were naturally derived from the Byzantine world, where the process of (re‐)Christianisation started.While during the short period between 866 and 870 Western and mainly papal influences played a significant role, the main role model of the Christian ruler in Bulgaria was the Byzantine emperor. The Bulgarian ruler aimed at imitating and, as in the case of Symeon the Great (893–927), even surpassing the image of his great neighbour.1 Despite dependence on the Constantinopolitan model in terms of Christian virtues, however, the image of the good Christian ruler in Bulgaria developed in a specific and particular way that served as a role model for later centuries. Especially after the decline and fall of the First Bulgarian Tsardom in 1018 and its renaissance at the end of the twelfth century, the first Christian rulers were taken as good examples of Christian rulership in order to create political continuity and stability.2 The Christian ruler was, in fact, not much different from his pagan predecessor. The successful ruler justified his rule through military victories, though the role of the Roman Emperor changed after the adoption of Christianity from emphasizing