International congress of byzantine studies belgrade, 22 27 august 2016

Karina Kapsalykova
Ural Federal University after named B. N. Yeltsin, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation; 
[e-mail]
The Slavic Military Commander in Byzantium: Dragshan of Voden
Byzantium annexed the planed Bulgaria at the end of the X century. The revolt against Byzantine 
administration was headed by Samuel – an ambitious military leader, who was brought up on the 
stories of his father, Nicholas Comita. He told his son about victorious campaigns of Bulgarian Tsar 
Simeon and the power of his state.
Samuel managed to win over not only the representatives of noble families. He also put forward 
talented but common military commanders. This practice inherited the fate of young state in the 
hands of the elite, which, primary, has been linked by kinship and obligations, and secondary, was 
torn by internal conflicts. A certain number of military leaders deserted to the enemy, i.e. Byzantine 
emperor Basil II. He conferred honorable title (has not given real power) to any commander, in 
exchange for the voluntary surrender of the city. But he gave nobody real power.
However, Dragshan of Voden defended his castle up to the end. According to legend after 
capture of Voden, Basil ordered a brave commander for the count. The lack of well-trained military 
personnel and information of chronicler John Skylitzes suggested quite different version of events. 
Dragshan settled in Thessaloniki, married the daughter of senior priest of St. Demetrius church. He 
became the father of two sons.
After the terrible Battle of Kleidion (1014) Bulgarians refused of the idea restore the independent 
Bulgaria of Tsar Simeon the Great. Former Samuel military commanders faced a choice in 1018: to 
go to Preslav, to Basil II, and sign the capitulation or to raise the anti-Byzantine rebellion in the 
Tmor (Macedonia).
During 1014-1018 the Byzantines rendered resistance to Habra’s, Elemag’s and Ivatz’s forces. 
Dragshan tried to escape but unsuccessfully. After the third escape (approximately 1018) when 
Bulgarian forces were defeated, Dragshan was put on a stake.
The greatest Serbian and Bulgarian commanders, that is Bogdan, Dragomuzh, Ilitza, Krakra 
of Pernik and his brother, son, thirty-five leaders, signed capitulation in Preslav in 1018. All of them 
received high Byzantine titles patrikioi and anthypatoi.
Moreover, Dragshan’s supports, Ivatz, Havra and Elemag were also in Mount Athos in 1019-1020. 
It is known at that time three boyars turned out to be in Mount Athos. One of them, John (Ivatz is 
probably the name used military environment) bought a small monastery near the Zograf Monastery.
The tragic fate of Dragshan of Voden is poorly described in historical chronicles. Even these 
data show that the transition of Slavic commander to the Byzantine service as difficult for him. The 
generation of Dragshan had to give up the dream of Bulgaria’s independence and seek integration 
into the world of the Byzantine elite.
Work is executed at financial support of the “Russian Foundation for Humanities”, the project 
No. 16-31-00027 “The byzantine army in VIII-XI centuries: organizational structure, command of 
the armed forces, everyday life”.

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