old great bulgaria - Kubrat
Kubrat (also Kurt or Houvrat) was of the kingly Dulo clan ² and the rightful heir of the Bulgar throne. He spent his adolescence in the Byzantine Empire, where he was educated and baptised ³ , while his maternal uncle Organa was a regent over his tribe.

Around 628 Kubrat returned to his fatherland, took the leadership over his people most probably with the approval of the Avar khagan. He soon managed to overthrow Avar domination and also to secede from the Western Turkic Khaganate (which was entangled in dynastic wars).

Picture of Great Bulgaria and adjacent regions, c. 650 AD

Next