Sevar of Bulgaria

Sevar (Bulgarian: Севар) was a ruler of Bulgaria in the 8th century.

The Nominalia of the Bulgarian khans, which states that he belonged to the royal Dulo clan and ruled for 15 years. According to the chronology developed by Moskov, Sevar would have reigned 721–737. Other chronologies place his reign in 738–754, but cannot be reconciled with the testimony of the "Namelist".

It is possible that his reign was peaceful, because the Byzantine chronicles do not report any events on the Empire’s northern borders from that period. Although this is an argument from silence, it is a plausible assumption.

The 17th century Volga Bulgar compilation Ja'far Tarikh (a work of disputed authenticity) represents Suvar (i.e., Sevar) as the son and successor of Kermes (i.e., Kormesij), who was allegedly deposed by the nobility. The Ja'far Tarikh also alleges that Suvar himself was deposed and died two years after his deposition. The same source makes Suvar the father of an otherwise unknown Kermek, who was in turn the father of Toktu and Kardam.

References

• Mosko Moskov, Imennik na bălgarskite hanove (novo tălkuvane), Sofia 1988.
• Jordan Andreev, Ivan Lazarov, Plamen Pavlov, Koj koj e v srednovekovna Bălgarija, Sofia 1999.
• (primary source), Bahši Iman, Džagfar Tarihy, vol. III, Orenburg 1997.

Donate to Wikimedia