The Asenids Against the Angeloi: the Cuman Dynasty Ties as a Factor in the Restoration of the Bulgarian State

The article deals with the role of dynasty ties of the Asenids in the organization of the local coalition of the Danube peoples against the Byzantine Empire in the 1180–1190s and restoration of Bulgarian statehood. As a result of the analysis, the dating of the attachment of the Cumans to the rebellion in Bulgaria was clarified and the role of the Turkic factor in the success of the rebellion is shown. The Turkic origin of the Asenid dynasty, ascending to the Ashina clan, in conjunction with their awareness in the culture of nomads (probable Turkic language, taking into account the factor of seasonal migrations, etc.), ensured a high degree of loyalty of the Cumans to the Asenids. This also explains the fact that, despite their significant military potential, the Cumans do not at that time do independent raids on Byzantium and invariably act in the interests of the rebels. Against this background, the complete absence of any data on the presence of the Turkic-nomadic contingents as part of the Byzantine army at that time; nothing is also known about the participation of the Cumans on the side of the Union Byzantium of the armies. It can be assumed that by the time of the rebellion in Bulgaria, Byzantine diplomats finally lost the levers of influence on the Black Sea steppe.