I saw some guy from Poland wishing that his country be added to the game so I decided to start this (spam)thread in hope that someone from Firaxis would see this and have one thing in mind(and just for ChrTh signature - Bulgaria is better then the HRE).
Let us begin with the reason why the specific country should be in.
History:
Prehistory
Bulgaria is one of the cradles of European civilization and the home of the world's oldest known writing system, engraved on the Gradeshnitsa Tablets. These have been dated to over 6000 years ago and are currently preserved in
the Vratsa Museum. Rooted in the Thracian, Greek and Roman worlds of antiquity, Bulgaria's history dates back to prehistoric times and its continuous historical wealth throughout prominent cyclical eras of growth, decline and medieval renaissance rivals that of the much larger and more populous countries of China, India and Egypt.
Antiquity
Thracian's were the earliest known people to inhabit what is now Bulgaria and are direct ancestors of the modern Bulgarian nation. [6][7] They were divided in numerous tribes until King Teres united most of them around 500 BC in the Odrysian kingdom, which peaked under the kings Sitalkes and Cotys I (383-359 BC). In 341 BC, it was destroyed by the Macedonian state but rose from its ashes at the end of the fourth century BC under Seuthes III. In 188 BC, the Romans invaded Thrace and the wars with them continued to 45 CE, when Thrace became a Roman province.
It is believed that the oldest handcrafted gold treasure in the world, the 6,500-year old Varna treasure of Eastern Bulgaria, is Thracian-made. One of the most talented ancient commanders, Spartacus, was a Thracian born in the middle Struma region.
Old Great Bulgaria
In 632, the Bulgars led by Khan Kubrat formed an independent state called Great Bulgaria, bounded by the Danube delta to the west, the Black Sea to the south, the Caucasus to the southeast, and Volga River to the east. Byzantium recognized the new state by treaty in 635.
Pressure by the Khazars led to the loss of the eastern part of Great Bulgaria in the second half of the seventh century. Some of the Bulgars from that territory later migrated to the northeast to form a new state called Volga Bulgaria around the confluence of the Volga River and Kama River, which lasted until the thirteenth century.
First Bulgarian Empire
Kubrats successor, Khan Asparuh migrated with some of the Bulgarian tribes to the lower courses of the rivers Danube, Dniester and Dniepr (known as Ongal), and conquered Moesia and Scythia Minor (Dobrudzha) from the Byzantine Empire, expanding Great Bulgaria on the Balkan Peninsula. The peace treaty with Byzantium in 681 and the establishment of the new capital of Pliska south of the Danube is considered the beginning of the First Bulgarian Empire. At the same time one of his brothers, Kuber, settled with another Bulgar group in what is now Macedonia.
In 717, the Bulgarians stopped the Arab siege of Constantinople, killing some 40,000-60,000 Arab soldiers. The Bulgarian Khan Tervel was called "The Saviour of Europe" by his contemporaries. For centuries afterward Bulgarians were regarded as the angel warriors of Europe.
In 864, Bulgaria accepted the Orthodox Faith and became a major European power in the ninth and the tenth century, while fighting with the Byzantine Empire for the control of the Balkans. This happened under the rule of Boris I. During his reign Bulgaria also produced the Slavonic alphabet, which became a pillar for further cultural development. Centuries later, this alphabet along with the Old Bulgarian language became the intellectual written language (lingua franca) for Eastern Europe. The greatest territorial extension was reached under Simeon I the first Tsar,son of Boris I,[8] covering most of the Balkans. However his greatest achievement was that at that time Bulgaria developed rich, unique Christian Slavonic culture, which became an example for the other Slavonic peoples in Eastern Europe and ensured the continual existence of the Bulgarian nation regardless of the centrifugal forces that threatened to tear it into pieces throughout its long, rich and war-ridden history.
In 971, they seized the capital Preslav and captured Emperor Boris II. Resistance continued under Tsar Samuil in the western Bulgarian lands for nearly half a century until the state was completely destroyed by the Byzantines led by Basil II in 1018.
Second Bulgarian Empire
In 1185, the Second Bulgarian Empire once again established Bulgaria as an important power in Europe for two more centuries. With its capital based in Veliko Turnovo and under the Asenevtsi Dynasty this empire fought for dominance in the region against the Byzantine Empire, the Crusader states and Hungary, reaching its zenith under Ivan Asen II (12181241).
By the end of the fourteenth century, the country had disintegrated into several feudal principalities and was eventually conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman rule
The five centuries of Ottoman rule were characterized by great violence and oppression. The Bulgarian population was decimated and most of its cultural relics were lost. Large towns and the areas where Ottoman power was strong were severely depopulated until the nineteenth century.
1878 to WW 2
Following the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78 (when the Ottoman Empire was crushed by the Russian forces together with volunteered Bulgarian rebels) and the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3, 1878, an autonomous Bulgarian principality was proclaimed.
In 1912 and 1913, Bulgaria became involved in the Balkan Wars, entering into conflict with Greece and Serbia against the Ottoman Empire. The campaign was a success for the Bulgarian army, but unfortunately a conflict for the division of Macedonia aroused between the allies. Then a second Balkan war followed against its former Balkan allies in a desperate effort to achieve national unity. After being defeated in the Second Balkan War, Bulgaria lost most of the territory conquered in the first war, as well as Southern Dobruja.
During World War I, Bulgaria found itself fighting on the losing side after its alliance with the Central Powers. The defeat led to new territorial losses.
After regaining control over Southern Dobruja in 1940, Bulgaria allied with the Axis Powers in World War II, although no Bulgarian soldiers participated in the war against the USSR. During World War II, Nazi Germany allowed Bulgaria to occupy parts of Greece and Yugoslavia, including territories long coveted by the Bulgarians. Bulgaria was one of three countries (with Finland and Denmark) that saved its entire Jewish population (around 50,000) from the Nazi camps by refusing to comply with a 31 August 1943 resolution. But Jews in territories newly acquired from Greece and Yugoslavia were sent to death camps by the Bulgarian authorities on German request. In September 1944, the Soviet army entered Bulgaria which later enabled the Bulgarian Communists to seize power and establish a Communist dictatorship. In 1944, Bulgaria's forces were turned against its former German ally (a 450,000 strong army in 1944, reduced to 130,000 in 1945). More than 30,000 Bulgarian soldiers and officers were killed in the war.
Leaders:
Note:The given traits exist are found in the current leaders, they are given just as an example.
Tzar/Khan Boris I (852889) - Spi/Cul
*Converted the Bulgarians to Orthodox Christianity.
*Welcomed the disciples of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. Two of these disciples, Clement of Ohrid and Naum of Preslav who were of noble Bulgarian origin, set up educational centers in Pliska and in Ohrid to further the development of Slavonic letters and liturgy.In the following centuries this alphabet was adopted by other Slavic peoples.
Tzar Simeon I(c. 866927) -Spi/Imp
*During Simeon's reign, Bulgaria reached its cultural apogee, becoming the literary and spiritual centre of Slavic Europe.
*Fought against Byzantium and nearly won(died near Constantinople), during his life the Eastern Roman empire feared him and tried to obtain his favor.
*The country become the Third most powerful nation under his rule.
Stefan Stambolov (January 31, 1854 - July 6, 1895) - Ind/Org
*Took part and led the revolutionary movement against the Ottoman Empire.
*After the Independence he took an active political life industrializing the country with "iron fist". This period is noted by the West due to the speed with which the country economy has increased.
Community support:
For every edition of Sid Meier Civilization series there is a modification adding Bulgarians as a playable side.
P.S. Most of the information is from wikipedia, big thanks to the guys working hard to bring us information.
Let us begin with the reason why the specific country should be in.
History:
Prehistory
Bulgaria is one of the cradles of European civilization and the home of the world's oldest known writing system, engraved on the Gradeshnitsa Tablets. These have been dated to over 6000 years ago and are currently preserved in
the Vratsa Museum. Rooted in the Thracian, Greek and Roman worlds of antiquity, Bulgaria's history dates back to prehistoric times and its continuous historical wealth throughout prominent cyclical eras of growth, decline and medieval renaissance rivals that of the much larger and more populous countries of China, India and Egypt.
Antiquity
Thracian's were the earliest known people to inhabit what is now Bulgaria and are direct ancestors of the modern Bulgarian nation. [6][7] They were divided in numerous tribes until King Teres united most of them around 500 BC in the Odrysian kingdom, which peaked under the kings Sitalkes and Cotys I (383-359 BC). In 341 BC, it was destroyed by the Macedonian state but rose from its ashes at the end of the fourth century BC under Seuthes III. In 188 BC, the Romans invaded Thrace and the wars with them continued to 45 CE, when Thrace became a Roman province.
It is believed that the oldest handcrafted gold treasure in the world, the 6,500-year old Varna treasure of Eastern Bulgaria, is Thracian-made. One of the most talented ancient commanders, Spartacus, was a Thracian born in the middle Struma region.
Old Great Bulgaria
In 632, the Bulgars led by Khan Kubrat formed an independent state called Great Bulgaria, bounded by the Danube delta to the west, the Black Sea to the south, the Caucasus to the southeast, and Volga River to the east. Byzantium recognized the new state by treaty in 635.
Pressure by the Khazars led to the loss of the eastern part of Great Bulgaria in the second half of the seventh century. Some of the Bulgars from that territory later migrated to the northeast to form a new state called Volga Bulgaria around the confluence of the Volga River and Kama River, which lasted until the thirteenth century.
First Bulgarian Empire
Kubrats successor, Khan Asparuh migrated with some of the Bulgarian tribes to the lower courses of the rivers Danube, Dniester and Dniepr (known as Ongal), and conquered Moesia and Scythia Minor (Dobrudzha) from the Byzantine Empire, expanding Great Bulgaria on the Balkan Peninsula. The peace treaty with Byzantium in 681 and the establishment of the new capital of Pliska south of the Danube is considered the beginning of the First Bulgarian Empire. At the same time one of his brothers, Kuber, settled with another Bulgar group in what is now Macedonia.
In 717, the Bulgarians stopped the Arab siege of Constantinople, killing some 40,000-60,000 Arab soldiers. The Bulgarian Khan Tervel was called "The Saviour of Europe" by his contemporaries. For centuries afterward Bulgarians were regarded as the angel warriors of Europe.
In 864, Bulgaria accepted the Orthodox Faith and became a major European power in the ninth and the tenth century, while fighting with the Byzantine Empire for the control of the Balkans. This happened under the rule of Boris I. During his reign Bulgaria also produced the Slavonic alphabet, which became a pillar for further cultural development. Centuries later, this alphabet along with the Old Bulgarian language became the intellectual written language (lingua franca) for Eastern Europe. The greatest territorial extension was reached under Simeon I the first Tsar,son of Boris I,[8] covering most of the Balkans. However his greatest achievement was that at that time Bulgaria developed rich, unique Christian Slavonic culture, which became an example for the other Slavonic peoples in Eastern Europe and ensured the continual existence of the Bulgarian nation regardless of the centrifugal forces that threatened to tear it into pieces throughout its long, rich and war-ridden history.
In 971, they seized the capital Preslav and captured Emperor Boris II. Resistance continued under Tsar Samuil in the western Bulgarian lands for nearly half a century until the state was completely destroyed by the Byzantines led by Basil II in 1018.
Second Bulgarian Empire
In 1185, the Second Bulgarian Empire once again established Bulgaria as an important power in Europe for two more centuries. With its capital based in Veliko Turnovo and under the Asenevtsi Dynasty this empire fought for dominance in the region against the Byzantine Empire, the Crusader states and Hungary, reaching its zenith under Ivan Asen II (12181241).
By the end of the fourteenth century, the country had disintegrated into several feudal principalities and was eventually conquered by the Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman rule
The five centuries of Ottoman rule were characterized by great violence and oppression. The Bulgarian population was decimated and most of its cultural relics were lost. Large towns and the areas where Ottoman power was strong were severely depopulated until the nineteenth century.
1878 to WW 2
Following the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78 (when the Ottoman Empire was crushed by the Russian forces together with volunteered Bulgarian rebels) and the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3, 1878, an autonomous Bulgarian principality was proclaimed.
In 1912 and 1913, Bulgaria became involved in the Balkan Wars, entering into conflict with Greece and Serbia against the Ottoman Empire. The campaign was a success for the Bulgarian army, but unfortunately a conflict for the division of Macedonia aroused between the allies. Then a second Balkan war followed against its former Balkan allies in a desperate effort to achieve national unity. After being defeated in the Second Balkan War, Bulgaria lost most of the territory conquered in the first war, as well as Southern Dobruja.
During World War I, Bulgaria found itself fighting on the losing side after its alliance with the Central Powers. The defeat led to new territorial losses.
After regaining control over Southern Dobruja in 1940, Bulgaria allied with the Axis Powers in World War II, although no Bulgarian soldiers participated in the war against the USSR. During World War II, Nazi Germany allowed Bulgaria to occupy parts of Greece and Yugoslavia, including territories long coveted by the Bulgarians. Bulgaria was one of three countries (with Finland and Denmark) that saved its entire Jewish population (around 50,000) from the Nazi camps by refusing to comply with a 31 August 1943 resolution. But Jews in territories newly acquired from Greece and Yugoslavia were sent to death camps by the Bulgarian authorities on German request. In September 1944, the Soviet army entered Bulgaria which later enabled the Bulgarian Communists to seize power and establish a Communist dictatorship. In 1944, Bulgaria's forces were turned against its former German ally (a 450,000 strong army in 1944, reduced to 130,000 in 1945). More than 30,000 Bulgarian soldiers and officers were killed in the war.
Leaders:
Note:The given traits exist are found in the current leaders, they are given just as an example.
Tzar/Khan Boris I (852889) - Spi/Cul
*Converted the Bulgarians to Orthodox Christianity.
*Welcomed the disciples of Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius. Two of these disciples, Clement of Ohrid and Naum of Preslav who were of noble Bulgarian origin, set up educational centers in Pliska and in Ohrid to further the development of Slavonic letters and liturgy.In the following centuries this alphabet was adopted by other Slavic peoples.
Tzar Simeon I(c. 866927) -Spi/Imp
*During Simeon's reign, Bulgaria reached its cultural apogee, becoming the literary and spiritual centre of Slavic Europe.
*Fought against Byzantium and nearly won(died near Constantinople), during his life the Eastern Roman empire feared him and tried to obtain his favor.
*The country become the Third most powerful nation under his rule.
Stefan Stambolov (January 31, 1854 - July 6, 1895) - Ind/Org
*Took part and led the revolutionary movement against the Ottoman Empire.
*After the Independence he took an active political life industrializing the country with "iron fist". This period is noted by the West due to the speed with which the country economy has increased.
Community support:
For every edition of Sid Meier Civilization series there is a modification adding Bulgarians as a playable side.
P.S. Most of the information is from wikipedia, big thanks to the guys working hard to bring us information.
