Peter Delyan

Who was Peter Delyan?

Petar Delyan was the leader of a local Bulgarian uprising against Byzantine rule, started in the Theme of Bulgaria during the summer of 1040. He was proclaimed Tsar of Bulgaria, as Samuel's grandson in Belgrade. His original name may have been simply Delyan, in which case he assumed the name Petar II upon his accession, commemorating the sainted Emperor Petar I, who had died in 970. The year of his birth is uncertain, but probably not long after 1000, and before 1014. He probably died in 1041.