The nomadic empire that vanished, scattering its people from the Volga to Italy
In short: Old Great Bulgaria was a 7th-century powerhouse that briefly united nomadic tribes on the Pontic-Caspian steppe. When it collapsed under Khazar pressure in 668, the empire splintered. Its people migrated in every direction, leaving behind a trail of horse burials, new kingdoms, and enduring legacies across Europe and Russia.
Formed between 630 and 635 by Khan Kubrat, Old Great Bulgaria—also known as Patria Onoguria—was a formidable confederation centered on the Taman Peninsula. Kubrat, a member of the royal Dulo clan, successfully unified the Onogur, Kutrigur, and Utigur tribes. His authority was recognized by the Byzantine Empire, which awarded him the title of honorary patrician. At its peak, the empire stretched from the Dniester to the lower Volga, and some scholars believe it extended as far west as the Pannonian Plain.
The empire's unity was short-lived. Following Kubrat's death and burial at Mala Pereshchepina, his five sons faced intense pressure from the Khazars. In 668, the state disintegrated. The eldest son, Batbayan, remained under Khazar domination, while his brothers led their tribes into exile. Kotrag moved north to the Volga-Ural region, establishing Volga Bulgaria, where his people eventually converted to Islam in the 9th century and maintained their identity until the Mongol invasions of the 13th century.
Other branches of the population traveled further afield. Asparukh led tens of thousands of followers to the Balkans, founding the First Bulgarian Empire, which gained Byzantine recognition in 681. Meanwhile, Kuber settled in Macedonia, and Alcek sought refuge in Italy. In the Molise region, Alcek's followers were granted land by the Lombard Duke Romuald. Archaeological evidence, such as 7th-century horse burials found near Boiano, confirms the presence of these Central Asian nomads in the Italian Apennines, where they reportedly maintained their native language for generations.
The legacy of these migrations remains a subject of historical study. While the name 'Bulgar' may derive from a Turkic verb meaning to stir or mix, the people themselves became integral to the formation of diverse cultures. Today, the citizens of Tatarstan and Chuvashia are considered descendants of the Volga Bulgars, while the First Bulgarian Empire laid the foundations for the modern Bulgarian state.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Old Great Bulgaria
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