In medieval government, civil and military authority was not always clearly separated. This characteristic had older roots: under the Byzantine theme system, the military commander of a theme—a military and administrative province—also directed its civil government. In early states created through conquest, administrative structures were likewise often based on institutions that had originally served military purposes. Some offices in the Bulgarian provinces therefore cannot be classified as exclusively military or exclusively civil.
The military organization of early medieval Bulgaria was largely disrupted during the period of Byzantine rule. Although the restored Bulgarian Empire presented itself as the continuation of the state of Symeon I and the saintly Emperor Peter, it also adopted the Byzantine administrative and military arrangements then in operation. Byzantium itself had already transformed the old theme system: during the eleventh century the themes finally lost their former character, the army became more centralized, smaller, and more professional, and the provinces assumed a more limited defensive role. Regional governors nevertheless retained certain military responsibilities.
In the Second Bulgarian Empire, the army appears to have been directed chiefly from the centre, while the available forces were comparatively small and to a considerable extent non-professional. A separate and highly developed provincial military administration probably did not exist. Regional governors commanded small detachments that guarded fortresses and important installations or performed military-police duties against bands of raiders. These personnel belonged to the empire’s defensive organization, but their work was closer to permanent guard duty and the maintenance of local security than to the command of substantial field armies.
Not every governor who possessed military responsibilities should automatically be counted among the provincial military officers. Such individuals were primarily heads of administrative and territorial units. Offices concerned with obligations to supply and support the army also fall outside this category. Although their holders may have been attached to the armed forces, their duties were mainly fiscal or economic. Cooks and toll collectors may have belonged to this group, but neither their precise responsibilities nor their chain of command is adequately known.
Almost no reliable information survives about the internal organization of the provincial military services. It is clear chiefly that they were subordinate to the regional governors. The kastrophylakes—officials responsible for guarding individual fortresses—may have enjoyed a more independent position. They appear to have been among the closest military assistants of the kephale, the governor of a region or town. Three offices connected with the cavalry service are also known, but their functions are difficult to distinguish; their proposed ranking rests solely on the order in which they appear in charters.
For the remaining officers, it is unknown whether they were subordinate to one another or how they fitted into a common command structure. Any detailed reconstruction of their hierarchy is therefore uncertain. The sources also provide no precise date for the disappearance of this group of provincial offices.
In medieval government, civil and military power were not always separate. This had older roots. Under the Byzantine theme system, the military commander of a theme, a military and administrative province, also ran its civil government. In early states formed by conquest, the administrative system was often built on institutions that had first been created for military use. For that reason, some offices in the Bulgarian provinces cannot be treated as purely military or purely civil.
The military system of early medieval Bulgaria was badly broken up during the period of Byzantine rule. The restored Bulgarian Empire claimed to be the direct successor of the state of Symeon I and the saintly Emperor Peter, but it also took over the Byzantine administrative and military arrangements that were then in use. Byzantium itself had already changed the old theme system. During the eleventh century, the themes finally lost their earlier character. The army became more centralized, smaller, and more professional, and the provinces took on a narrower defensive role. Even so, regional governors still kept some military duties.
In the Second Bulgarian Empire, the army seems to have been controlled mainly from the centre. The forces available were relatively small and, to a large extent, not professional soldiers. There probably was no separate, highly developed provincial military administration. Regional governors led small detachments that guarded fortresses and important installations or carried out military-police duties against bands of raiders. These men were part of the empire’s defensive system, but their work was closer to standing guard and keeping local order than to leading large armies in the field.
Not every governor with military duties should automatically be counted as a provincial military officer. These people were mainly the heads of administrative and territorial units. Offices linked to the obligation to supply and support the army also do not belong in this category. Their holders may have been attached to the armed forces, but their work was mostly financial or economic. Cooks and toll collectors may have been among them, but their exact duties and their chain of command are not known well enough.
Almost nothing reliable survives about how the provincial military services were organized inside. What is clear is mainly that they answered to the regional governors. The kastrophylakes, officials in charge of guarding individual fortresses, may have had a more independent role. They seem to have been among the closest military assistants of the kephale, the governor of a region or town. Three offices connected with cavalry service are also known, but it is hard to tell their functions apart. Their supposed rank is based only on the order in which they appear in charters.
For the other officers, we do not know whether they were under one another’s command or how they fit into any wider command system. Because of that, any detailed reconstruction of their hierarchy remains uncertain. The sources also do not give a precise date for when this group of provincial offices disappeared.
In medieval states, civil and military power were often mixed. This came from older Byzantine practice, where one local leader handled both government and army. When Bulgaria was restored after Byzantine rule, it kept some of these ways.
In the Second Bulgarian Empire, the army seems to have been controlled mainly from the capital. The forces were small and not very professional. Local governors usually did not lead big armies. They mostly guarded fortresses, protected key places, and helped keep order against raiders. Some other jobs only helped supply the army. They were more about taxes and food than command.
We know very little about the exact chain of command in the provinces. Some fortress guards may have answered directly to the local governor. Other officers are known only by name. Their order and duties are still unclear.