Димов, Г. Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185). ИБЦТ–БАН, София: Университетско издателство „Св. Климент Охридски“, 2023, 600 с. ISBN 978-619-7179-35-4, ISBN 978-954-07-5682-0, 2023
Димов, Г. Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185). ИБЦТ–БАН, София: Университетско из... more Димов, Г. Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185). ИБЦТ–БАН, София: Университетско издателство „Св. Климент Охридски“, 2023, 600 с. ISBN 978-619-7179-35-4, ISBN 978-954-07-5682-0
Резюме: Книгата Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185) представлява първото вълнуващо изследване върху политическата и стопанската история на Балканския полуостров в периода XI–XII в. Написана въз основа на голям брой писмени и археологически извори, документи, нумизматични и сигилографски свидетелства, изследвания върху климата, географията, храната, облеклото, икономиката и градския живот, тя има за цел да възстанови живата и пълнокръвна картина на византийско-балканския свят през Средните векове. При това монографията обхваща както политическите събития, така и настъпилите промени и тенденции в бита и нравите на средновековното балканско общество. В нея е разгледана не само политическата история на Ромейската империя, но и животът на българите по Долен Дунав, латинското присъствие на Балканите и много други аспекти от славната епоха на Комниновата династия (1081–1185). Представени са множество нови извори, данни и хипотези, които досега не са представлявали обект на българската и световната историография. Написана на един жив и достъпен език, книгата Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185) е предназначена не само за специалисти, но и за любители и ценители на историческата литература.
THE BALKAN WORLD IN THE AGE OF THE KOMNENIANS (1081–1185)
Abstract: The book The Balkan World in the Age of the Komnenians (1081–1185) presents the first exciting study of the political and economic history of the Balkan Peninsula in the period XI–XII centuries. Written on the basis of a large number of written and archaeological sources, documents, numismatic and sigilographic evidences, studies on Climate, Geography, Economy and Urban-life history, it aims to restore a vivid and full-blooded picture of the Byzantine-Balkan world in the Middle Ages. At the same time, the monography covers both the political events, changes and trends that occurred in the way of life and customs of the Medieval Balkan society. It express not only the political history of the Byzantine Empire, but also the life of the Bulgarians along the Lower Danube, the Latin presence in the Balkans and many other aspects of the glorious era of the Komnenian dynasty (1081–1185). Many new sources, data and hypotheses are presented, which until now have not been the subject of Bulgarian and World historiography. Written in a lively and vivid language, the book The Balkan World in the Age of the Komnenians (1081–1185) is aimed not only to specialists, but also to lovers and connoisseurs of historical literature.
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During the millennial existence of Byzantium, the ancient road infrastructure decline despite the efforts of the central Byzantine government during the Syrian (717–802), Macedonian (867–1056) and especially the Komnenos dynasty (1081–1185). However, travel never stops, although at times it is limited by political upheavals and destroyed road infrastructure. Moreover, in the 11th and 12th centuries, the road network in the Balkans reached its maximum load for the Middle Ages – especially during the rule of the Komnenos, when the Byzantine Empire experienced its last economic and political rise.
Резюме: През XIV−XV в., както е известно, във всички християнски
армии на Европа служили наемни контингенти. Най-големи мащаби обаче наемничеството достигнало в средновековните италийски земи. При това никъде другаде в Средиземноморския свят или на север от Алпите не съществувала подобна сложна и правно регламентирана система за наемане на военни контингенти, както на Апенините. В съвременната историография това се обяснява не само с големия брой независими и полузависими държавици на полуострова, но и с постоянното състояние на война, в което те се намирали помежду си. Самите наемници станали известни с времето като кондотиери, като названието им несъмнено идвало от договора (condotta), който те подписвали при постъпване на служба. Произходът и въоръжението им били разнообразни: сред тях
наблюдаваме каталани и наварци, немци, англичани, французи, швейцарци, бургундци и брабантци, а накрая – и балкански конници. От особен интерес за настоящото изследване са именно балканските наемни контингенти в италийските късносредновековни армии, които продължили своята служба и през Ранната модерна епоха.
Balkan Mercenaries in the Italian Peninsula during the Late Middle Ages
The stratiotai (It: stradioti) were recruited in Balkans during
the 14th−15th centuries. Most of their names were Albanian, but a
good number of the names, and particularly those of officers, were
of Greek origin, such as Palaiologos, Spandounios, Laskaris, Rhalles,
Comnenos, Psendakis, Maniatis, Spyliotis, Alexopoulos, Psaris,
Zacharopoulos, Klirakopoulos, Kondomitis, etc. Others seemed to be
of Slavic origin: e.g., Soimiris, Vlastimiris, and Voicha. Among their
leaders there were members of several old Byzantine noble families,
such as the Palaiologoi and Komnenoi. In the medieval sources the
stradioti are variously mentioned as being either Greeks or Albanians.
This is mostly due to the fact that the bulk of the stradioti rank and file
was of Albanian origins, or had emigrated from continental Greece.
By the middle of the 16th century, however, many of them appear to
have been hellenized or, in some cases, italianized. The present article
aims at shedding some additional light on their origins, history and
culture in the 15th through the 17th centuries.
THE TREASURE OF NIKOPOL AND THE BULGARIAN MEDIEVAL HISTORY
Abstract: The Treasure of Nikopol ranks among the most remarkable
monuments of jewelry art and toreutics in the Bulgarian lands during the period of the Late Middle Ages. It is known in the scientific literature in the form of two collective finds, discovered in the years 1915 and 1971, which over time have become known as the First and Second Treasure of Nikopol. The subject of this paper is precisely the interpretation and the role of the treasure from the town of Nikopol for the Medieval Bulgarian history and culture.
Summary/Abstract: In the medieval urban life of southern Italy the Church was at the core of the city‘s make-up: it dictated the community‘s accepted belief system; it sculpted the streets and squares with its buildings and dominated the skyline with its cathedral (Duomo); its wealth percolated through the urban economy; its officials provided guidance, both spiritual and political, and through its ceremonies it offered a framework in which the urban community could socially commune. The city and the Church in medieval southern Italy very much merged into, and were reliant on, each other, no doubt much to the chagrin of some of the more radical Church reformers of the day.
Резюме: В средновековния градски живот на Южна Италия църквата била пулсиращото сърце на града; тя диктувала системата от вярвания сред град-ската общност; доминирала над градските улици и площади със своите сгради и силуета на катедралата (т.нар дуомо). Или с други думи – чрез различни церемонии и богослужения църквата, в лицето на градския прелат (епископ), предложила рамката, чрез която градската общност се социализирала, и поло-жила фундамента на бъдещата комуна. Така градът и църквата в средновеков-ната Южна Италия не само се слели в едно цяло, но станали залог за бъдещия градски икономически и политически просперитет – за разлика от реформите и антицърковните настроения в Северна Италия и католическа Европа.
Summary/Abstract: At the beginning of the 11th century, in the aftermath of the long rule of the Macedonian dynasty (867 – 1056), the Byzantine Empire was going through a political, cultural and economic upsurge. After winning victories over Bulgarians, Arabs, Georgians and Armenians the Empire extended its borders by consolidating many of its former territories. At that time city life in the Byzantine Empire was making headway at a scale unknown since late Antiquity. A century later some Norman adventurers, on pilgrimage to Monte Sant’ Angelo – Gargano, lent their swords in 1017 to the Lombard cities of Apulia against the Byzantines. From 1016 to 1030 the Normans were pure mercenaries, serving either Byzantine or Lombard. In the second half of 11th century their leaders joined in the organized attempt to wrest Apulia from the Byzantines, who had lost most of that province by 1040. Bari was captured by the Normans in April 1071, and Byzantine authority was finally terminated in Italy, five centuries after the conquest of Justinian I.
THE MIDDLE AGES
(JEWISH PRESENCE IN APULIA – VII – XII CENTURY)
Abstract. The topic of the article is the history of the Jews of Apulia. Their
communities in such cities as Oria, Taranto, Bari and Trani reached a highpoint
during the Midle Ages. Toleration of the Jews in Apulia came to end when the
Apulia, as well as other parts of southern Italy fell to the Kingdom of Naples. King
Charles II of Anjou ordered the forced baptism of all Jews in his realm. Many Apulian
Jews fled to neighboring central Italy and northern Italy. Many also moved to the
Germanic areas of central Europe. All synagogoues at that time were converted into
Roman Catholic Churches and all Torah academies were closed.
Резюме: В статията е представено едно случайно открито византийско блюдо в земите на Североизточна България от началото на XX в. За съжаление, от разглежданата находка при с. Светлен (Поповско) е останал единствено фрагмент, който впоследствие е съхранен в музея в Разград.
EARLY BYZANTINE SILVER DISH FROM NORTH BULGARIA (AN ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE A CENTURY LATER)
Abstract: In this paper we present a Byzantine plate accidentally discovered in the lands of Northeastern Bulgaria since the beginning of XX century. Unfortunately, the issue of finding in Svetlen (Popovo) remained only fragment that is subsequently stored in the museum in Razgrad. This happened once in 1925 discoverers of this invaluable work of Byzantine toreutics not cut silver dish and sharing it with each other. Therefore the aim of our research is not only to be able to determine the purpose and the dating of this ancient plate, but to try to recover approximately its parameters, overall appearance and image.
Резюме. В основата на съвременната геополитическа позиция на България неминуемо лежи културно-историческото ни наследство. Понякога принизявано, алиенирано, неглижирано и от нас, българите, от нашите съседи и от далечни и чужди на нас страни. За сметка на това, в един схематичен и по-общ вид, в духа на съвременния академичен дискурс този наш патримониален дар е осъзнат и осмислен от видни световни историци като Лев Гумильов и Арнълд Тойнби. Неслучайно за тях българският етнос е изиграл решаваща роля в развитието на Евразия. А според романтичната днес представа на покойния византолог и приятел на България Стивън Рънсиман нашият народ има най-голямо основание да претендира за военнополитическото наследство на Атила. Именно тези ракурси от историята на нашите български земи, неспособни да избягат от своята „балканска квалификация“, ще разгледаме в тази кратка и твърде обща статия, посветена иначе на един болезнен проблем. А именно дали Балканите, с цялата им днешна пейоративна натовареност, не са били някога, в миналото, център на идеи и културни модели за едни необятни и далечни земи и общества. Център за номадските и седентарните народи на Евразия. За един толкова отдалечен от нас свят.
MEDIEVAL BALKANS IN THE CONTEXT OF EURASIA
Abstract. The word, the term „Eurasia“ is often used to describe a idiocratic society including vast territory of nowadays Asia and Europe . The term „Eurasia“ is also sometimes used in Geopolitics, in History, in economic, diplomatic, cultural and ecclesiastical relations in modern times, but never in medieval ones. Therefore that article is concerned with two themes. The first, a multiple and largely narrative one is the history of Eurasian’s relations in medieval times. The second one is used to present the role of medieval Balkans in the context of Eurasian space.
Резюме. Настоящата статия е етюд върху англо-византийските отношения в периода X–XII в., доколкото ги е имало. Изглежда странно, но контактите между империята и кралството са съществували. Били са интензивни – и в политиката, и в културата, и в изкуството. Византия е давала естетика, цветове, модели. Англия ги е акумулирала. Ако трябва да бъдем честни, византийските находки в Скандинавия са в по-големи количества. Но норвежките или датските крале не им подражавали, не се наричали василевси. Единствени го правели английските крале. Единствени те имитирали ромейския блясък, монети, ювелирни произведения. Защо ли? Не сме се опитали да дадем отговор, а по-скоро да го опишем. До някаква степен.
CULTURAL AND POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
AND KINGDOM OF ENGLAND (X-XII C.)
Abstract. In this article I will try to review indications of contacts between the Byzantine Empire and Anglo-Saxon England. At first look it seems strange but the relations between the Empire and the Kingdom existed during X–XII century. Some of these contacts were neglected by earlier scholars and others will offer more questions than answers. First, it is right when we say that English refugees and mercenaries played a certain role in the transmission of Byzantine fashion and material culture. On the other hand, there seems to be more evidences of official diplomatic exchange between the Anglo-Saxons Kings and the Emperors of Constantinople. These relations were even intense. Found as evidences are Greek seals in Britain. The Byzantine coins found in British Isles are in much help in establishing the extent of relations between East and West. But we can not tell whether Byzantine coins found their way into Britain via soldiers, ambassadors, travelers, pilgrims or merchants. Such is the case about the art influences in medieval Anglo-Saxons material culture. Byzantium gave aesthetics, colors and patterns. England accumulated them. Anglo-Saxon art survives mostly in illuminated manuscripts, architecture, a number of very fine ivory carvings and some works in gold, silver and other materials. Anglo-Saxon artists also worked in cloisonné (enamel), many examples of which have been recovered through archeological excavations and some of which have simply been preserved over the centuries, especially in churches and monasteries on the Continent. By the 10th century Anglo-Saxon metalwork had a famous reputation as far afield as Italy, where English goldsmiths worked on plate for the altar of St. Peters itself, but hardly any pieces have survived the destruction of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Silk was another article given or sent by Byzantine emperor to colleagues – kings and rulers. If we have to be honest, Byzantine finds in Scandinavia are in larger quantities. On the British Isles Greek silks are less numerous than on the Continent or Scandinavia. But the Norwegian and Danish kings did not imitate Oriental finds and they did not call themselves Emperors. It was done only by the English kings. Only they copied the Byzantine splendor, coins and jewelry pieces. Why? We do not attempt to answer, but rather to describe that process. To some extent. By the end of the story I will hope that art historians, archeologists and, of course, historians might be stimulated to find the answer.
During the millennial existence of Byzantium, the ancient road infrastructure decline despite the efforts of the central Byzantine government during the Syrian (717–802), Macedonian (867–1056) and especially the Komnenos dynasty (1081–1185). However, travel never stops, although at times it is limited by political upheavals and destroyed road infrastructure. Moreover, in the 11th and 12th centuries, the road network in the Balkans reached its maximum load for the Middle Ages – especially during the rule of the Komnenos, when the Byzantine Empire experienced its last economic and political rise.
Резюме: През XIV−XV в., както е известно, във всички християнски
армии на Европа служили наемни контингенти. Най-големи мащаби обаче наемничеството достигнало в средновековните италийски земи. При това никъде другаде в Средиземноморския свят или на север от Алпите не съществувала подобна сложна и правно регламентирана система за наемане на военни контингенти, както на Апенините. В съвременната историография това се обяснява не само с големия брой независими и полузависими държавици на полуострова, но и с постоянното състояние на война, в което те се намирали помежду си. Самите наемници станали известни с времето като кондотиери, като названието им несъмнено идвало от договора (condotta), който те подписвали при постъпване на служба. Произходът и въоръжението им били разнообразни: сред тях
наблюдаваме каталани и наварци, немци, англичани, французи, швейцарци, бургундци и брабантци, а накрая – и балкански конници. От особен интерес за настоящото изследване са именно балканските наемни контингенти в италийските късносредновековни армии, които продължили своята служба и през Ранната модерна епоха.
Balkan Mercenaries in the Italian Peninsula during the Late Middle Ages
The stratiotai (It: stradioti) were recruited in Balkans during
the 14th−15th centuries. Most of their names were Albanian, but a
good number of the names, and particularly those of officers, were
of Greek origin, such as Palaiologos, Spandounios, Laskaris, Rhalles,
Comnenos, Psendakis, Maniatis, Spyliotis, Alexopoulos, Psaris,
Zacharopoulos, Klirakopoulos, Kondomitis, etc. Others seemed to be
of Slavic origin: e.g., Soimiris, Vlastimiris, and Voicha. Among their
leaders there were members of several old Byzantine noble families,
such as the Palaiologoi and Komnenoi. In the medieval sources the
stradioti are variously mentioned as being either Greeks or Albanians.
This is mostly due to the fact that the bulk of the stradioti rank and file
was of Albanian origins, or had emigrated from continental Greece.
By the middle of the 16th century, however, many of them appear to
have been hellenized or, in some cases, italianized. The present article
aims at shedding some additional light on their origins, history and
culture in the 15th through the 17th centuries.
THE TREASURE OF NIKOPOL AND THE BULGARIAN MEDIEVAL HISTORY
Abstract: The Treasure of Nikopol ranks among the most remarkable
monuments of jewelry art and toreutics in the Bulgarian lands during the period of the Late Middle Ages. It is known in the scientific literature in the form of two collective finds, discovered in the years 1915 and 1971, which over time have become known as the First and Second Treasure of Nikopol. The subject of this paper is precisely the interpretation and the role of the treasure from the town of Nikopol for the Medieval Bulgarian history and culture.
Summary/Abstract: In the medieval urban life of southern Italy the Church was at the core of the city‘s make-up: it dictated the community‘s accepted belief system; it sculpted the streets and squares with its buildings and dominated the skyline with its cathedral (Duomo); its wealth percolated through the urban economy; its officials provided guidance, both spiritual and political, and through its ceremonies it offered a framework in which the urban community could socially commune. The city and the Church in medieval southern Italy very much merged into, and were reliant on, each other, no doubt much to the chagrin of some of the more radical Church reformers of the day.
Резюме: В средновековния градски живот на Южна Италия църквата била пулсиращото сърце на града; тя диктувала системата от вярвания сред град-ската общност; доминирала над градските улици и площади със своите сгради и силуета на катедралата (т.нар дуомо). Или с други думи – чрез различни церемонии и богослужения църквата, в лицето на градския прелат (епископ), предложила рамката, чрез която градската общност се социализирала, и поло-жила фундамента на бъдещата комуна. Така градът и църквата в средновеков-ната Южна Италия не само се слели в едно цяло, но станали залог за бъдещия градски икономически и политически просперитет – за разлика от реформите и антицърковните настроения в Северна Италия и католическа Европа.
Summary/Abstract: At the beginning of the 11th century, in the aftermath of the long rule of the Macedonian dynasty (867 – 1056), the Byzantine Empire was going through a political, cultural and economic upsurge. After winning victories over Bulgarians, Arabs, Georgians and Armenians the Empire extended its borders by consolidating many of its former territories. At that time city life in the Byzantine Empire was making headway at a scale unknown since late Antiquity. A century later some Norman adventurers, on pilgrimage to Monte Sant’ Angelo – Gargano, lent their swords in 1017 to the Lombard cities of Apulia against the Byzantines. From 1016 to 1030 the Normans were pure mercenaries, serving either Byzantine or Lombard. In the second half of 11th century their leaders joined in the organized attempt to wrest Apulia from the Byzantines, who had lost most of that province by 1040. Bari was captured by the Normans in April 1071, and Byzantine authority was finally terminated in Italy, five centuries after the conquest of Justinian I.
THE MIDDLE AGES
(JEWISH PRESENCE IN APULIA – VII – XII CENTURY)
Abstract. The topic of the article is the history of the Jews of Apulia. Their
communities in such cities as Oria, Taranto, Bari and Trani reached a highpoint
during the Midle Ages. Toleration of the Jews in Apulia came to end when the
Apulia, as well as other parts of southern Italy fell to the Kingdom of Naples. King
Charles II of Anjou ordered the forced baptism of all Jews in his realm. Many Apulian
Jews fled to neighboring central Italy and northern Italy. Many also moved to the
Germanic areas of central Europe. All synagogoues at that time were converted into
Roman Catholic Churches and all Torah academies were closed.
Резюме: В статията е представено едно случайно открито византийско блюдо в земите на Североизточна България от началото на XX в. За съжаление, от разглежданата находка при с. Светлен (Поповско) е останал единствено фрагмент, който впоследствие е съхранен в музея в Разград.
EARLY BYZANTINE SILVER DISH FROM NORTH BULGARIA (AN ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE A CENTURY LATER)
Abstract: In this paper we present a Byzantine plate accidentally discovered in the lands of Northeastern Bulgaria since the beginning of XX century. Unfortunately, the issue of finding in Svetlen (Popovo) remained only fragment that is subsequently stored in the museum in Razgrad. This happened once in 1925 discoverers of this invaluable work of Byzantine toreutics not cut silver dish and sharing it with each other. Therefore the aim of our research is not only to be able to determine the purpose and the dating of this ancient plate, but to try to recover approximately its parameters, overall appearance and image.
Резюме. В основата на съвременната геополитическа позиция на България неминуемо лежи културно-историческото ни наследство. Понякога принизявано, алиенирано, неглижирано и от нас, българите, от нашите съседи и от далечни и чужди на нас страни. За сметка на това, в един схематичен и по-общ вид, в духа на съвременния академичен дискурс този наш патримониален дар е осъзнат и осмислен от видни световни историци като Лев Гумильов и Арнълд Тойнби. Неслучайно за тях българският етнос е изиграл решаваща роля в развитието на Евразия. А според романтичната днес представа на покойния византолог и приятел на България Стивън Рънсиман нашият народ има най-голямо основание да претендира за военнополитическото наследство на Атила. Именно тези ракурси от историята на нашите български земи, неспособни да избягат от своята „балканска квалификация“, ще разгледаме в тази кратка и твърде обща статия, посветена иначе на един болезнен проблем. А именно дали Балканите, с цялата им днешна пейоративна натовареност, не са били някога, в миналото, център на идеи и културни модели за едни необятни и далечни земи и общества. Център за номадските и седентарните народи на Евразия. За един толкова отдалечен от нас свят.
MEDIEVAL BALKANS IN THE CONTEXT OF EURASIA
Abstract. The word, the term „Eurasia“ is often used to describe a idiocratic society including vast territory of nowadays Asia and Europe . The term „Eurasia“ is also sometimes used in Geopolitics, in History, in economic, diplomatic, cultural and ecclesiastical relations in modern times, but never in medieval ones. Therefore that article is concerned with two themes. The first, a multiple and largely narrative one is the history of Eurasian’s relations in medieval times. The second one is used to present the role of medieval Balkans in the context of Eurasian space.
Резюме. Настоящата статия е етюд върху англо-византийските отношения в периода X–XII в., доколкото ги е имало. Изглежда странно, но контактите между империята и кралството са съществували. Били са интензивни – и в политиката, и в културата, и в изкуството. Византия е давала естетика, цветове, модели. Англия ги е акумулирала. Ако трябва да бъдем честни, византийските находки в Скандинавия са в по-големи количества. Но норвежките или датските крале не им подражавали, не се наричали василевси. Единствени го правели английските крале. Единствени те имитирали ромейския блясък, монети, ювелирни произведения. Защо ли? Не сме се опитали да дадем отговор, а по-скоро да го опишем. До някаква степен.
CULTURAL AND POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
AND KINGDOM OF ENGLAND (X-XII C.)
Abstract. In this article I will try to review indications of contacts between the Byzantine Empire and Anglo-Saxon England. At first look it seems strange but the relations between the Empire and the Kingdom existed during X–XII century. Some of these contacts were neglected by earlier scholars and others will offer more questions than answers. First, it is right when we say that English refugees and mercenaries played a certain role in the transmission of Byzantine fashion and material culture. On the other hand, there seems to be more evidences of official diplomatic exchange between the Anglo-Saxons Kings and the Emperors of Constantinople. These relations were even intense. Found as evidences are Greek seals in Britain. The Byzantine coins found in British Isles are in much help in establishing the extent of relations between East and West. But we can not tell whether Byzantine coins found their way into Britain via soldiers, ambassadors, travelers, pilgrims or merchants. Such is the case about the art influences in medieval Anglo-Saxons material culture. Byzantium gave aesthetics, colors and patterns. England accumulated them. Anglo-Saxon art survives mostly in illuminated manuscripts, architecture, a number of very fine ivory carvings and some works in gold, silver and other materials. Anglo-Saxon artists also worked in cloisonné (enamel), many examples of which have been recovered through archeological excavations and some of which have simply been preserved over the centuries, especially in churches and monasteries on the Continent. By the 10th century Anglo-Saxon metalwork had a famous reputation as far afield as Italy, where English goldsmiths worked on plate for the altar of St. Peters itself, but hardly any pieces have survived the destruction of the Norman Conquest in 1066. Silk was another article given or sent by Byzantine emperor to colleagues – kings and rulers. If we have to be honest, Byzantine finds in Scandinavia are in larger quantities. On the British Isles Greek silks are less numerous than on the Continent or Scandinavia. But the Norwegian and Danish kings did not imitate Oriental finds and they did not call themselves Emperors. It was done only by the English kings. Only they copied the Byzantine splendor, coins and jewelry pieces. Why? We do not attempt to answer, but rather to describe that process. To some extent. By the end of the story I will hope that art historians, archeologists and, of course, historians might be stimulated to find the answer.
Резюме: Книгата Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185) представлява първото вълнуващо изследване върху политическата и стопанската история на Балканския полуостров в периода XI–XII в. Написана въз основа на голям брой писмени и археологически извори, документи, нумизматични и сигилографски свидетелства, изследвания върху климата, географията, храната, облеклото, икономиката и градския живот, тя има за цел да възстанови живата и пълнокръвна картина на византийско-балканския свят през Средните векове. При това монографията обхваща както политическите събития, така и настъпилите промени и тенденции в бита и нравите на средновековното балканско общество. В нея е разгледана не само политическата история на Ромейската империя, но и животът на българите по Долен Дунав, латинското присъствие на Балканите и много други аспекти от славната епоха на Комниновата династия (1081–1185). Представени са множество нови извори, данни и хипотези, които досега не са представлявали обект на българската и световната историография. Написана на един жив и достъпен език, книгата Балканският свят в епохата на Комнините (1081–1185) е предназначена не само за специалисти, но и за любители и ценители на историческата литература.
THE BALKAN WORLD IN THE AGE OF THE KOMNENIANS (1081–1185)
Abstract: The book The Balkan World in the Age of the Komnenians (1081–1185) presents the first exciting study of the political and economic history of the Balkan Peninsula in the period XI–XII centuries. Written on the basis of a large number of written and archaeological sources, documents, numismatic and sigilographic evidences, studies on Climate, Geography, Economy and Urban-life history, it aims to restore a vivid and full-blooded picture of the Byzantine-Balkan world in the Middle Ages. At the same time, the monography covers both the political events, changes and trends that occurred in the way of life and customs of the Medieval Balkan society. It express not only the political history of the Byzantine Empire, but also the life of the Bulgarians along the Lower Danube, the Latin presence in the Balkans and many other aspects of the glorious era of the Komnenian dynasty (1081–1185). Many new sources, data and hypotheses are presented, which until now have not been the subject of Bulgarian and World historiography. Written in a lively and vivid language, the book The Balkan World in the Age of the Komnenians (1081–1185) is aimed not only to specialists, but also to lovers and connoisseurs of historical literature.