The Bitola Inscription of Tsar Ivan Vladislav, restored copy.
National History Museum of Bulgaria

The Bitola inscription is a 11th century stone inscription of Tsar Ivan Vladislav of Bulgaria commemorating the fortification works on the Bitola fortress. There is another version supported by some scholars who claim that this is actually a 13th century stone inscription of Tsar Ivan Asen of Bulgaria. The stela was found in 1956 during the demolition of an old Ottoman mosque in the town of Bitola, Republic of Macedonia and it is now kept at the Institute and Museum of Bitola. The oldest traces of Slavic literacy in Bitola can be found on Bitola plate. It is considered to originate from the end of 10th century or the beginning of the 11th century. According to the most scholars the Bitola plate dates from year 1017. As an epitaph it mainly speaks of the language almost one thousand years ago, as part of Old Bulgarian language used here in that time. It was written in a nice constitutional letter of an epigraph type, with paleographic marks of the letters, very similar to those on Samuil's Inscription, Mostich's Inscription, Varosh Inscription, Temnichki Inscription and others. At the same time these characteristics are very close to other renown scripts, such as: Suprasal collection, Hilandar Leaves, Savina Book, Enin Apostle etc. Bitola Inscription This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Bitola Inscription This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , Croatian car, in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... Ivan Vladislav was the ruler of Bulgaria from August or September 1015 to August or September 1018. ... City motto : Битола, бабам Битола (Bitola, babam Bitola) Coordinates Municipality : Bitola municipality Elevation 576 m Population 95 385 Time zone  - Standard  - Summer (DST) CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) Founded Area code +389 047 Postal code 7000 Car plates BT Official Website www. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... Ivan Asen was the name of three Bulgarian monarchs of the 12th and 13th century: Ivan Asen I (1186–1196) Ivan Asen II (1218–1241) Ivan Asen III (1279–1280) Category: ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... City motto : Битола, бабам Битола (Bitola, babam Bitola) Coordinates Municipality : Bitola municipality Elevation 576 m Population 95 385 Time zone  - Standard  - Summer (DST) CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) Founded Area code +389 047 Postal code 7000 Car plates BT Official Website www. ... For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ... City motto : Битола, бабам Битола (Bitola, babam Bitola) Coordinates Municipality : Bitola municipality Elevation 576 m Population 95 385 Time zone  - Standard  - Summer (DST) CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) Founded Area code +389 047 Postal code 7000 Car plates BT Official Website www. ... An epitaph ( literally: on the gravestone in ancient Greek) is text honoring the deceased, most commonly inscribed on a tombstone or plaque. ... Old Bulgarian may refer to: The first literary period in the development of the Bulgarian language. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Samuil. ... Hilandar (Greek Chilandar) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, traditionally occupied and maintained by the Serbian Orthodox Church. ...

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Translation from Old Bulgarian: Old Bulgarian may refer to: The first literary period in the development of the Bulgarian language. ...

Events August: Canute the Great invades England. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , Croatian car, in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... City motto : Битола, бабам Битола (Bitola, babam Bitola) Coordinates Municipality : Bitola municipality Elevation 576 m Population 95 385 Time zone  - Standard  - Summer (DST) CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) Founded Area code +389 047 Postal code 7000 Car plates BT Official Website www. ... ... ... Samuil (also Samuel)[1] (Bulgarian: ; IPA: ) ruled as Emperor (Tsar) of Macedonia from 997 to 6 October 1014, having prior to that co-ruled with Roman between 976 and 997. ... Early Bulgar leaders bore the title of baltavar (balt-avar), which literally means ruler of Avars. Later they acquired the title Khan and Khagan, still later the title tsar. ... An emperor is a (male) monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. ... Painting of Basil II, from an 11th century manuscript. ... Combatants Bulgarian Empire Byzantine Empire Commanders Samuil of Bulgaria Basil II Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Light c. ... Events February 14 - Pope Benedict VIII recognizes Henry of Bavaria as King of Germany July 29 - Battle of Kleidion: Basil II inflicts not only a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, but his subsequent savage treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of shock... Combatants Byzantine Empire Bulgaria Commanders Basil II Nicephorus Xiphias Theophylactus Botaniates † Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria Strength Unknown 20 000 Casualties Unknown At least 14 000 The Battle of Kleidion (also Clidium and Klyuch, (the) key, or Belasitsa) took place on July 29, 1014 between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire. ...

Significance

As an example for the historical and political importance of the inscription for the supporters of Macedonism could be shown the recent scandal in Republic of Macedonia. It arised by the preparing touristical catalogue of Bitola. The French consulate in the city wich sponsored and prepared the book put on the cover part of the text of Bitola inscription with clear visible word Bulgarian. Befor the presenting of the catalogue this made a big confusion in the official persons of Bitola municipality. The issuue of the new book was stoped and the cover cnanged.[1] This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

References

• Бурмов, Александър. Новонамерен старобългарски надпис в НР Македония, Пламък, 3, София 1959, 10, с.84-86
• Заимов, Йордан. Битолският надпис на цар Иван Владислав, самодържец български. Епиграфско изследване, София 1970
• Заимов, Йордан. Битольская надпись болгарского самодержца Ивана Владислава, 1015-1016, Вопросы языкознания, 28, 1969, 6, с. 123-133;
• Мошин, Владимир. Битољска плоча из 1017. год., Македонски jазик, ХVІІ, Скопjе 1966, с.51-61;
• Радмила Угринова - Скаловска, Битолската плоча, Записи и летописи, Скопје 1975.
• Томовић, Г. Морфологиjа ћирилских натписа на Балкану. Историjски институт. Посебна издања, 16, Београд 1974, с.33
• Mathiesen R. The Importance of the Bitola Inscription for Cyrilic Paleography, The Slavic and East European Journal,21, Bloomington 1977, 1, p. 1-2

See also

• Comitopuli dynasty
• History of the Republic of Macedonia
• History of Bulgaria

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