Khan Kardam and emperor Constantine VI in the Chronography of Theophanes
Khan Kardam and emperor Constantine VI in the Chronography of Theophanes

Summary/Abstract: The Byzantine chronographer Theophanes Confessor related to the times of khan Kardam (777–802) and his policy towards Byzantium. According chronicler Bulgarian ruler was hesitant, even fearful. His victories over the Byzantines had not been his merit and result from their mistakes. The Byzantine author used this creates an image of the inn to show the emperor Constantine VI as incapable, weak and cruel ruler. Kardam was not of particular interest to Theophanes (which should not come as a surprise), and was merely a tool for building the portrayal of the emperor Constantine VI. The chronographer was not an admirer of the latter, which, one might think, was a result of the evaluation of his rule, seen as one far from ideal, and of the positive attitude towards Irene, the mother of Constantine, despite the negative evaluation of some of her actions.

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