За Паган, паганите и „Господаря на България" Кампаган
On Pagan, Pagans and “the Bulgarian Ruler” Kampagan

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses questions about the personality and the reign of Bulgarian ruler, known in history under two similar but still different names - Pagan and Kampagan. By comparing two sources of information, the chronicles of Teofan the Confessor and Patriarch Nicephorus, the author concludes that both of them had shortened different parts of the original source they had relied on, the so-called .Great Chronicler.. On the basis of information taken from the above-mentioned texts, the author argues that Pagan/Kampagan became Bulgarian ruler right after the 40 days. rule of Umar/Umor and initially had been co-ruler of Toktu as a representative of the alternative, namely, pro- Byzantine political trend that existed in Bulgarian society at that time. He rejects the claim that dominated in Bulgarian historiography that Pagan had been kaphkhan, i.e. co-ruler of Umar/Umor. Instead, the author argues that, series of events, some of which related to his rule, were evidence that he had occupied the Bulgarian throne for at least 2 years (end of 763 - ? 764). Secondly, the author explores the etymology of names “Pagan” and .Kampagan.. The first name is regarded by the author as eponym of ethno-confessional community, whose influence contributed to the accession of this ruler to the Bulgarian throne. The author claims that the other name, Kampagan, derives from the term .campagii., which refers to special shoes used by patricians and representatives of Senate in the Byzantine Empire as insignia of their privileged position and noble dignity.

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