Thracians, Romans & Byzantium

Bulgaria is one of the oldest cultural regions in Europe. Archaeological findings prove human settlement for over 40,000 years. The Neolithic Revolution reached the Balkans around 6000 BC — the findings from Karanovo (near Nova Zagora) document one of the earliest agricultural cultures in Europe.

The Thracians (2nd millennium – 1st century BC)

The Thracians were the dominant people of ancient Bulgaria — a warlike, artistically talented equestrian people, mentioned by Homer in the Iliad and described by the Greeks as "barbaric but brave." Their goldsmiths produced masterpieces admired in museums worldwide today: The Panagyurishte Treasure (4th century BC) and the Varna Treasure (4600–4200 BC — the oldest processed gold in the world!) testify to a high culture that was in some respects equal to the Greeks.

The Thracian religion revolved around the Dionysus cult (Sabazios), fertility rituals, and the belief in an afterlife — hence the richly equipped burial mounds, over 50,000 of which have been identified in Bulgaria. The myth of Orpheus, the divine singer from the Rhodopes, is of Thracian origin and was adopted by the Greeks.

Roman Period (1st century – 5th century AD)

From 46 AD, Thrace became a Roman province. The Romans built roads, baths, and amphitheaters — many of which are still preserved today. Serdica (Sofia), Philippopolis (Plovdiv), and Odessos (Varna) became significant cities. Emperors Diocletian and Constantine the Great resided temporarily in Serdica. Constantine's famous saying "Serdica is my Rome" shows the importance of the city.

Byzantine Empire

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Bulgaria became part of the Byzantine Empire — a period characterized by the cultural influence of Constantinople: Christianity, the Greek language, and Byzantine art fundamentally shaped Bulgarian identity.