MACEDONIA - Helm History

Kubrat’s Sons: The Founding of the First Bulgarian Empire

The origin of the modern Bulgarians is associated with Turkic people who in the past inhabited the Caucasus region. From there they gradually migrated westward and southward toward the Balkan Peninsula. Origins Sources concerning the Proto-Bulgarians are relatively scarce, and the study of their history relies heavily on early Byzantine authors. Of particular importance is […]

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Blood Revenge in the Balkans: A Historical and Cultural Perspective

MEDIEVAL

The custom of blood revenge was popular in many cultures, but the Balkan cult of revenge stands out. Even during the Middle Ages, in the Balkans, people knew this custom as “vražda”. King Milutin settled these feuds with monetary payment. In King Tvrtko I’s documents, the expression ‘to draw blood’ appears as compensation for murder.

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Slavs In Anatolia: Historical Migrations And Byzantine Wars

MEDIEVAL

The reign of Constans II (641-668) faced early obstacles, with the most significant pressure coming from Arabs in the east. Things changed when chaos took over the Arab world, and the civil war between Mu’awiya I and Ali broke out. Mu’awiya became caliph in Syria, while Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, held power in

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LANGUAGES OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

MEDIEVAL

The Byzantine Empire’s language dynamics reflect diverse social phenomena. Byzantium witnessed a diverse population, significant movements, and fluctuations in numbers. The absorption of foreign populations into the Empire, compared to its assimilation power, was notable. In the early Byzantine era, Greek prevailed in the eastern part. From the 2nd century BC, Latin influences varied, dominating

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SLAVIC SIEGE OF THESSALONIKI (THIRD PART)

MEDIEVAL

Despite the fact that Thessaloniki proved to be impregnable for the Slavs more than once, Slavs did not give up their intentions. The next story brought to us by the Miracles of St. Demetrius relates to the fate of Prince Prvud (Predab) and the new attack of the Slavs on the city. Prince Prvud, the

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SLAVIC SIEGES OF THESSALONIKI (SECOND PART)

MEDIEVAL

The miracles of Saint Demetrius bring us additional information about the critical position of the city of Thessaloniki, which was surrounded by Slavic tribes. This time we bring an episode about the Slavic siege of Thessaloniki under the leadership of Hacon/Haton in 614-616. It is said that during the time of Bishop John, the Slavs

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SLAVIC SIEGE OF THESSALONIKI (PART ONE)

MEDIEVAL

A precious source for us when studying the Slavs in the Balkans at the end of the 6th century is the “Miracles of St. Demetrius”. This source was written in Greek and originates from the 7th century. There are two parts(two books). The first book was written around the year 620 and it is considered

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Vinča Unveiled: Archaeology Insight

NEOLITHIC

The Vinča culture, an archaeological phenomenon from the Neolithic era, holds significant importance. This culture once spanned a broad geographical area encompassing present-day Serbia, the western parts of Romania and Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and the eastern parts of Bosnia and Slavonia. It derived its name from the site Vinča-Belo Brdo, with the initial excavation conducted

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