New Books in History Eric Halsey, "State Builders from the Steppe: A History of The First Bulgarian Empire" (This is RETHINK, 2025)
Nov 13, 2025
Eric Halsey, a historian and author specializing in Bulgarian history, delves into the rich yet often overlooked narrative of the First Bulgarian Empire. He discusses how the Proto-Bulgarians built their identity and empire, from the invention of the Cyrillic Alphabet to their near conquests of the Roman Empire. Halsey explains the internal and external factors leading to the empire's collapse, including heresies and invasions. He also highlights the empire's legacy in modern Bulgaria and the challenges in interpreting its history through various political lenses.
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How A Teen Gift Sparked A Career
- Eric Halsey’s interest in Bulgaria began after meeting Bulgarian friends and receiving a book on Tsar Boris III as a teenager.
- That personal spark led him to study, live in Bulgaria, and build a career focused on Bulgarian history.
Steppe Roots To Lasting Cultural Influence
- The First Bulgarian Empire (681–c.1018) transformed from a steppe polity into a settled Christian medieval state.
- It produced lasting legacies like Old Church Slavonic and the Cyrillic alphabet used by hundreds of millions today.
Elite Integration Drove State Transformation
- Proto-Bulgarian elites initially ruled as a steppe cavalry aristocracy over Slavic agricultural majorities.
- Over centuries they integrated Slavic elites, adopted Christianity, and reorganized into Byzantine-style state structures.
