Peter I of Bulgaria

Peter I
Петър І
Tsar of Bulgaria
Seal of Emperor Peter I with Irene Lekapene
Reign927–969
PredecessorSimeon I
SuccessorBoris II
Died30 January 970
SpouseIrene Lekapene
IssueBoris II
Roman
HouseKrum's dynasty
FatherSimeon I
MotherGeorge Sursuvul' sister

Peter I (Church Slavonic: Петръ А҃; Bulgarian: Петър I; died 30 January 970) was emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 27 May 927 to 969. Facing Bogomilism and rebellions by his brothers and also by Časlav Klonimirović early on in his reign, Peter secured more success later in life; he ensured the retreat of the invading Rus by inciting Bulgaria's allies, the Pechenegs, to attack Kiev itself. Traditionally seen as a weak ruler who lost land and prestige, recent scholarship challenges this view, emphasizing the empire's affluence and internal peace. Considered a good ruler during the Middle Ages, his name was adopted by later leaders trying to restore Bulgarian independence under Byzantine rule to emphasize legitimacy and continuity.