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40-588: The Asen dynasty rose as the leaders of Bulgaria after a rebellion against the Byzantine Empire at the turn of the year 1185/1186 caused by the increase in the Imperial taxes. Some members of the Asen family entered Byzantine service in the thirteenth to fourteenth centuries. The name also occurs as a family name in modern Greek, and could go back to the same name. Their origin is obscure. The origins of

80-528: A bishop . In English, the feminine form of the title is despotess (from ‹See Tfd› Greek: δεσπότισσα , translit.   despótissa ; Bulgarian: деспотица , romanized:  despotítsa ; Serbian: деспотица /[despotica] Error: {{Lang}}: invalid parameter: |links= ( help ) ), which denoted the spouse of a despot, but the transliterated traditional female equivalent of despotes , despoina ( ‹See Tfd› Greek: δέσποινα , translit.   déspoina , lit.  "lady of

120-518: A different meaning: " despotism " is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. The semantic shift undergone by the term is mirrored by " tyrant ", an ancient Greek word that originally bore no negative connotation, and the Latin " dictator ", a constitutionally sanctioned office of the Roman Republic . In colloquial Modern Greek , the word is often used to refer to

160-631: A noble family from the city of Rome"), it is usually dismissed as simply a hidden compliment of the Pope to Kaloyan. Pope Innocent III in his letter to the Bulgarian King Kaloyan (Calojoannes) in 1204 addressed him "King of Bulgarians and Vlachs" ( rex Bulgarorum et Blachorum ); in answering the Pope, John called himself imperator omnium Bulgarorum et Blachorum ("Emperor of all Bulgarians and Vlachs'), but signed himself imperator Bulgariae Calojoannes ("Emperor Kaloyan of Bulgaria"); besides,

200-569: A noble title, but bore the titles of their husbands. Thus the spouse of a despot, the despotess ( despotissa ), had the right to bear the same insignia as he. Among the women of the court, the despotesses likewise took the first place after the empress. The use of the title spread also to the other countries of the Balkans. The Latin Empire used it to honour the Doge of Venice Enrico Dandolo and

240-536: The Caesar another appellatory epithet, eutychestatos ( εὐτυχέστατος , 'most fortunate') or paneutychestatos ( πανευτυχέστατος , 'most fortunate of all'). During the last centuries of Byzantium's existence, the title was awarded to the younger sons of emperors (the eldest sons were usually crowned as co-emperors, with the title of basileus ) as well as to the emperor's sons-in-law ( gambroi ). The title entailed extensive honours and privileges, including

280-634: The Empire of Trebizond . With the political fragmentation of the period, the term gave rise to several principalities termed "despotates" which were ruled either as independent states or as appanages by princes bearing the title of despot; most notably the Despotate of Epirus , the Despotate of the Morea , the Despotate of Dobruja and the Serbian Despotate . In modern usage, the word has taken

320-541: The Palaiologoi , as well as the Latin Emperors who claimed their succession and imitated their styles, continued to use the term despotes in its more generic sense of 'lord' in their personal seals and in imperial coinage. In a similar manner, the holders of the two immediately junior titles of sebastokrator and Caesar could be addressed as despota ( δεσπότα ). The despot shared with

360-534: The Serbian Empire it was widely awarded among the various Serbian magnates, with Jovan Oliver being the first holder, and it was held by lesser principalities as well, including the self-proclaimed Albanian despots of Arta . In the 15th century, the Venetian governors of Corfu were also styled as despots. As the title of despot was conferred by the emperor and usually implied a degree of submission by

400-488: The 12th century, the honorific was used interchangeably with the more formal title of basileus . Although it was used for high-ranking nobles from the early 12th century, the title of despot began being used as a specific court title by Manuel I Komnenos , who conferred it in 1163 to the future King Béla III of Hungary , the Emperor's son-in-law and, until the birth of Alexios II in 1169, heir-presumptive. According to

440-498: The 19-20th century, which did not exist in the 12-13th century. Vlachs and Bulgarian Slavs jointly inhabited Bulgaria, and both groups in sufferance were united against the common cause under a leader, regardless of the leader "race". The Asen brothers were associated with the Vlach population of the mountainous regions around Trnovo, Niketas Choniates recorded Vlach shamans during revolt exhibition, but nevertheless of their ethnicity, it

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480-767: The Asen family in the Byzantine Empire include: From Byzantium, the Asens spread as far as Frankish Greece , the Principality of Theodoro , the Principality of Moldavia , the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Aragon . Uprising of Asen and Peter Krum 's campaigns Simeon I 's campaigns Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria Byzantine conquest of Bulgaria Uprising of Peter Delyan Second Bulgarian Empire The Uprising of Asen and Peter ( Bulgarian : Въстание на Асен и Петър )

520-635: The Bulgarian Tsars Samuil , Peter I and Simeon I , and the state they founded as a continuation of the First Bulgarian Empire. However, this could be just a way to proclaim their legitimacy for the throne of the Empire. In a correspondence, of 1199, the Pope talks about the "Roman descent" of Kaloyan. However, considering the actual text says Nos autem audito quod de nobili urbis Romae prosapia progenitores tui originem traxerint ("We heard that your forefathers come from

560-538: The Bulgarians and the Vlach people and to lift the yoke that they had borne for so long". This persuaded their followers to attack Byzantine cities, seizing prisoners and cattle. Preslav , capital of the First Bulgarian Empire , was raided, and it was after this symbolic incident that Peter assumed the insignia of Tsar (or Emperor ). In the spring of 1186, Isaac started a counter-offensive. It

600-487: The Byzantine world, these were chiefly the Despotate of Epirus and the Despotate of the Morea . The close association of title and territory began already from the late 13th century and became widespread from the mid-14th century, as a steady succession of despots began to rule over the same territory. Nevertheless, the term "despotate" is technically inaccurate: the title of despot, like every other Byzantine dignity,

640-613: The advantage. In the spring of 1187, Isaac attacked the fortress of Lovech , but failed to capture it after a three-month siege. The lands between the Haemus Mons and the Danube were now lost for the Byzantine Empire, leading to the signing of a truce, thus de facto recognising the rule of the Asen and Peter over the territory, leading to the creation of the Second Bulgarian Empire . The Emperor's only consolation

680-587: The archbishop of Veliko Tarnovo called himself totius Bulgariae et Blaciae Primas ("Primate of all Bulgaria and Vlachia"). Ivan Asen II styles himselve “Tsar and sovereign of the Bulgarians “ and “Tsar of Bulgarians and Greeks ”. The Bulgarian historiography negate, while the Romanian highlight the role of the Vlachs in the uprising. However, the scientific debate reflects the nationalistic rivality from

720-550: The awardee, the Palaiologan emperors tried long to persuade the Emperors of Trebizond , who also claimed the Byzantine imperial title, to accept the title of despot instead. Only John II of Trebizond and his son Alexios II , however, accepted the title, and even they continued to use the usual imperial title of basileus in their own domains. With the death of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI on May 29, 1453,

760-461: The contemporary Byzantine historian John Kinnamos , the title of despot was analogous to Béla's Hungarian title of urum , or heir-apparent. From this time and until the end of the Byzantine Empire, the title of despot became the highest Byzantine dignity, which placed its holders "immediately after the emperor" ( Rodolphe Guilland ). Nevertheless, the Byzantine emperors from the Komnenoi to

800-403: The control of large estates – the domains of Michael VIII's brother John Palaiologos for instance included the islands of Lesbos and Rhodes – to finance their extensive households. Like the junior titles of sebastokrator and Caesar however, the title of despot was strictly a courtly dignity, and was not tied to any military or administrative functions or powers. Women could not hold

840-541: The creation of a despot became irregular. The title was granted by Pope Paul II to Andreas Palaiologos , heir to the Byzantine throne in 1465, and by the king of Hungary to the heirs of the Serbian Despotate . From the mid-14th century on, various territories were given to imperial princes with the rank of despot to rule as semi-autonomous appanages , some of which have become widely known in historiography as "despotates" (sing. δεσποτάτον , despotaton , in Greek); in

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880-576: The daughter of King Béla III of Hungary , levied a new tax which fell heavily on the population of the Haemus Mountains . They sent two leaders ( Peter and Asen ) to negotiate with the emperor at Kypsella (now İpsala ) in Thrace . They asked to be added to the roll of the Byzantine army and to be granted land near Haemus to provide the monetary income needed to pay the tax. This was refused, and Peter and Asen were treated roughly. Their response

920-466: The dynasty, especially the ethnic background of the three Asen brothers ( Teodor I Peter IV ( Romanian : Teodor I Petru IV ), Ivan Asen I ( Romanian : Ioan Asan I ) and Kaloyan ( Romanian : Caloian )) are still a source of much controversy, debated among historians. There are three main hypotheses regarding their origins: In their own administrative documents and correspondence, the three rulers viewed themselves as descendants and successors of

960-776: The end of the 12th century, which mention the monastery's problems with some of the Cuman stratiotes, where "Asen" is listed as the name of one of those Cumans. Other study shows that the only name that makes sense is änish ("descent") and the word can be found almost exclusively in the languages of the Kipchak Turks Monument to the Asen Dynasty, Veliko Tarnovo The Asens in Byzantium largely descend from Ivan Asen III, who ruled briefly as Emperor of Bulgaria before fleeing to Constantinople as Ivaylo 's uprising

1000-401: The hills, Isaac returned hastily to Constantinople to celebrate his victory. Thus, when the armies of Bulgarians and the Vlachs returned, reinforced by the northern Vlachs and their Cuman allies, they found the region undefended and regained not only their old territory but the whole of Moesia , a considerable step towards the establishment of a new Bulgarian state . The Emperor now entrusted

1040-460: The house"), is also commonly used. The original Greek term δεσπότης ( despotes ) meant simply 'lord' and was synonymous with κύριος ( kyrios ). As the Greek equivalent to the Latin dominus , despotes was initially used as a form of address indicating respect. As such it was applied to any person of rank, but in a more specific sense to God (e.g. Revelation 6:10), bishops and

1080-638: The local ruler of the Rhodope region, Alexius Slav . After ca. 1219 it was regularly borne (it is not clear whether the title was awarded by the Emperor or usurped) by the Venetian podestàs in Constantinople, as the Venetian support became crucial to the Empire's survival. In 1279/80, it was introduced in Bulgaria to placate the powerful magnate (and later Tsar) George Terter in 1279/80. During

1120-534: The patriarchs, and primarily the Roman and Byzantine Emperors . Occasionally it was used in formal settings, for example on coins (since Leo III the Isaurian ) or formal documents. During the 8th and 9th centuries, co-emperors appear on coinage with the address despotes , but this was still a mark of respect rather than an official title. Senior emperors were also occasionally addressed as despotes . Before

1160-554: The rebels was Alexius Branas , who, in turn, rebelled and turned on Constantinople. Isaac defeated him with the help of a second brother-in-law, Conrad of Montferrat , but this civil strife had diverted attention from the rebels and Isaac was able to send out a new army only in September 1187. The Byzantines obtained a few minor victories before winter, but the rebels, helped by the Cumans and employing their mountain tactics, still held

1200-426: The war to his uncle, John the sebastocrator , who gained several victories against the rebels but then himself rebelled. He was replaced with the emperor's brother-in-law, John Kantakouzenos , a good strategist but unfamiliar with the guerrilla tactics used by the mountaineers. His army was ambushed, suffering heavy losses, after unwisely pursuing the enemy into the mountains. The third general in charge of fighting

1240-544: Was a megas doux and two were titled megas primikerios . In Greek, the male form of the family name is rendered as Ἀσάνης ( Asanis ) and the female as Ασανίνα ( Asanina ). A smaller branch descends from Elena Asenina of Bulgaria , wife of Nicaean Emperor Theodore II Laskaris . The Asens of Byzantium intermarried with other prominent noble dynasties, including the Kantakouzenos , Doukas , Laskaris , Tornikios , Raoul and Zaccaria families. Notable members of

Asen dynasty - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-539: Was a joint venture of the Bulgarians, Vlachs and Cumans. The name of the dynasty comes from one of the brothers, namely Asen I. The etymology is most likely of Cuman Turkic origin, derived from "esen" which meant "safe, sound, healthy" and the Belgun nickname seems to be derived from Turkic "bilgün", which meant "wise". Further support to this connection can be found in the charters of the Great Lavra of Mt. Athos from

1320-616: Was a revolt of Bulgarians and Vlachs living in Moesia and the Balkan Mountains , then the theme of Paristrion of the Byzantine Empire , caused by a tax increase. It began on 26 October 1185, the feast day of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki , and ended with the restoration of Bulgaria with the creation of the Second Bulgarian Empire , ruled by the Asen dynasty . Isaac II Angelus , in order to raise money for his wedding with

1360-611: Was a senior Byzantine court title that was bestowed on the sons or sons-in-law of reigning emperors, and initially denoted the heir-apparent of the Byzantine emperor . From Byzantium it spread throughout the late medieval Balkans and was also granted in the states under Byzantine cultural influence, such as the Latin Empire , the Second Bulgarian Empire , the Serbian Empire and its successor states ( Bulgarian and Serbian : деспот , romanized :  despót ), and

1400-415: Was described as "the ruler of Acarnania , the despot John" rather than "the despot of Acarnania" by the emperor-historian John VI Kantakouzenos ( r.  1347–1354 ). According to the mid-14th-century Book of Offices of Pseudo-Kodinos and the descriptions given by the historian George Pachymeres , the despot's insignia in the Byzantine court were characterised by the colours purple and white, and

1440-605: Was gaining momentum in 1280. A despotes under Michael VIII Palaiologos , Ivan Asen III had already been married to the Byzantine Emperor's eldest daughter, Irene Palaiologina . The couple's five sons and two daughters were the progenitors of one of the highest-regarded Byzantine noble families of their time, along with the Palaiologoi . Among the Byzantine Asens, three bore the title of despotes , three that of sebastokrator , two panhypersebastos , one

1480-422: Was not hereditary nor intrinsic to a specific territory. Even in the so-called "despotates", a son of a despot might succeed to his father's territory but could not and would not hold the title unless it was conferred anew by the emperor. In normal Byzantine usage, a clear distinction was drawn between the personal dignity of despot and any other offices or attributes of its holder. Thus for instance John II Orsini

1520-635: Was successful at first. During the solar eclipse of 21 April 1186, the Byzantines successfully attacked the rebels, many of whom fled north of the Danube , making contact with the north-Danubian Vlachs and with the Cumans of the Pontic Steppe . In a symbolic gesture, Isaac II entered Peter's house and took the icon of Saint Demetrius, thus regaining the saint's favour. Still under threat of ambush from

1560-846: Was to hold, as hostages, Asen's wife and a certain John (future Kaloyan of Bulgaria ), brother of the two new leaders of the Bulgarian state. De facto independent Bulgarian states from the Second Empire First Bulgarian Empire Second Bulgarian Empire [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] First Bulgarian Empire Second Bulgarian Empire Prominent writers and scholars: Famous examples: Despot (court title) Despot or despotes ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : δεσπότης , translit.   despótēs , lit.  "lord, master")

1600-620: Was to threaten revolt. After their return, many of the protesters were unwilling to join the rebellion. The brothers Peter and Asen built the Church of St Demetrius of Thessaloniki in Tarnovo , dedicated to Saint Demetrius , who was traditionally considered a patron of the Byzantine city of Thessaloniki , and claimed that the Saint had ceased to favour the Byzantines: "God had decided to free

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