Titles and roles

The title Cometopuli refers to an influential and important family in the medieval history of the Balkans. The Cometopuli were a Bulgarian aristocratic family that played a key role in political events and Bulgaria’s ruling structure during the 11th–12th centuries.

Despot is a Byzantine title that ranked immediately below tsar. Sebastokrator ranked below it. The title was used in the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Revolutionaries, hajduks and voivodes were people who resisted Ottoman bondage. Hajduks were volunteer forces opposing the authorities, as well as brigands.

Historical figures is a collection of outstanding individuals who left their mark on Bulgarian history and culture through their achievements, inspiring deeds and contributions to society. It includes educators who fostered national awareness, writers, clerics, artists, politicians and other people who played a key role in shaping national identity and the country’s development.

Ichirgu-boil, also known as chargubilya, was a high governing rank in the First Bulgarian Empire. Its holder was one of the dignitaries closest to the kan and took part in governing the state. His importance stemmed from his role in the ruler’s security and the administration of the state’s internal affairs. The ichirgu-boil was an inner boyar who received authority from the kan and participated in negotiations and military campaigns alongside the kavhan. He was one of the highest-ranking representatives of the Bulgar aristocracy and played a key role in governing the empire.

Kan is a proposed title used by some Bulgarian historians for Bulgarian rulers up to the end of the 9th century, in place of the traditionally accepted title khan.

The kavhan was one of the key officials in the First Bulgarian state. He was the second most important person in the state after the Bulgarian ruler. The kavhan held extensive power and authority and was responsible for numerous state functions.

Knyaz is an aristocratic title of a Slavic ruler or feudal lord, without a universal character. The word derives from Proto-Slavic kъnędzь, corresponding to Bulgarian knez, Russian knyaz, Polish knyaz, Czech kniaže, Serbian knez, and Croatian and Slovenian knez.

Revolutionaries, hajduks and voivodes were people who resisted Ottoman bondage. Revolutionaries sought reforms or changes in government through various methods, including demonstrations, uprisings, political support and other forms of activism.

Sebastokrator is a Byzantine title that originally ranked immediately below tsar. It was later displaced by despot. Both titles were used in the Second Bulgarian Empire.

In Bulgaria, the title tarkan denoted a high military rank found in Bulgar inscriptions and written sources from the early period of the Bulgarian state. It was usually used in combination with other titles, such as Zera Tarkan, Zhupan Tarkan, Olgu Tarkan, Vulia (Boila) Tarkan, Boritarkan, Kaluterkan and Kanna Tarkan.

Tsar is a monarchical title used primarily by Bulgarian, Serbian and Russian monarchs between the 9th and 20th centuries.

Revolutionaries, hajduks and voivodes were people who resisted Ottoman bondage. Voivodes were the leaders of the volunteer forces, the hajduks.