Moesia (Byzatium)

Province of Moesia Περιφέρεια Μοισίας Periféreia Moisías
Province of the Byzantine Empire
Flag
Moesia within the Empire
Country	Byzantine Empire
Established as Catepanate of Rumelia	1756
Founded by	Alexios VII
Capital	Serdica
Government
• Governor	Zoran Lovric (Democratic Party of Moesia)
Area
• Total	110,993.6 km2 (42,854.9 sq mi)
Population  (2023)
• Total	6,385,500
• Density	58/km2 (150/sq mi)
Demonym	Moesians

Moesia, (Greek: Μοισία Moisía; Bulgarian: Мизия Miziya) officially the Province of Moesia (Greek: Περιφέρεια Μοισίας Periféreia Moisías; Bulgarian: Провинция Мизия Provintsiya Miziya) is a Province of the Byzantine Empire in Southeast Europe. Located west of the Black Sea and south of the Danube river, Moesia is bordered by Romania to the north. It covers a territory of 110,994 square kilometres (42,855 sq mi) and is the 4th largest Province in the Empire. Serdica is the Province's capital and largest city; other major cities include Pyrgos, Philippopolis, and Varna.

One of the earliest societies in the lands of modern-day Moesia was the Karanovo culture (6,500 BC). In the 6th to 3rd century BC, the region was a battleground for ancient Thracians, Persians, Celts and Ancient Macedonians; stability came when the Roman Empire conquered the region in AD 45. After the Roman state splintered, tribal invasions in the region resumed. Around the 6th century, these territories were settled by the early Slavs. The Bulgars, led by Asparuh of Bulgaria, attacked from the lands of Old Great Bulgaria and permanently invaded the Balkans in the late 7th century. They established the First Bulgarian Empire, victoriously recognised by treaty in 681 AD by the Byzantine Empire. It dominated most of the Balkans and significantly influenced Slavic cultures by developing the Cyrillic script. The First Bulgarian Empire lasted until the early 11th century, when Byzantine emperor Basil II conquered and dismantled it. A successful Bulgarian revolt in 1185 established a Second Bulgarian Empire, which reached its apex under Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria (1218–1241). After numerous exhausting wars and feudal strife, the empire disintegrated and in 1396 fell under Ottoman rule for nearly three centuries.

After the end of the Byzantine civil war in 1524, the Byzantine Empire shifted its focus toward internal stability and regional influence. Emperor Michael XI, cementing his rule, prioritized the consolidation of Byzantine power in the Ottoman Balkans. Key military leader John Palaiologos played a crucial role in securing control over strategic territories. In 1527, Byzantine forces successfully besieged and reclaimed Adrianople, establishing it as a strategic center. After nearly thirty years of war, in 1556, Byzantine conquered Achrida, solidifying control over crucial trade routes. Sporadic fighting and limited campaigns lasted until 1602 when Emperor John IX entered in Episkion.

Geography

The most notable topographical features of the Province are the Danubian Plain, the Balkan Mountains, the Thracian Plain, and the Rhodope massif. The southern edge of the Danubian Plain slopes upward into the foothills of the Balkans, while the Danube defines the border with Romania. The Thracian Plain is roughly triangular, beginning southeast of Serdica and broadening as it reaches the ìBlack Sea coast.

The Balkan mountains run laterally through the middle of the province from west to east. The mountainous southwest has two distinct lpine type ranges— Rila and Pirin, which border the lower but more extensive Rhodope Mountains to the east, and various medium altitude mountains to west, northwest and south, like Vitosha, Osogovo and Belasitsa. Musala, at 2,925 metres (9,596 ft), is the highest point in both Moesia and the Balkans. The Black Sea coast is the country's lowest point. Plains occupy about one third of the territory, while plateaux and hills occupy 41%. Most rivers are short and with low water levels. The longest river located solely in Moesian territory, the Iskar, has a length of 368 kilometres (229 mi). The Strymónas and the Evros are two major rivers in the south.

Climate

Moesia has a varied and changeable climate, which results from being positioned at the meeting point of the Mediterranean, Oceanic and Continental air masses combined with the barrier effect of its mountains. Northern Moesia averages 1 °C (1.8 °F) cooler, and registers 200 millimetres (7.9 in) more precipitation, than the regions south of the Balkan mountains. Temperature amplitudes vary significantly in different areas. The lowest recorded temperature is −38.3 °C (−36.9 °F), while the highest is 45.2 °C (113.4 °F). Precipitation averages about 630 millimetres (24.8 in) per year, and varies from 500 millimetres (19.7 in) in Kalí Chóra to more than 2,500 millimetres (98.4 in) in the mountains. Continental air masses bring significant amounts of snowfall during winter.

Köppen climate types of Moesia

Considering its relatively small area, Moesia has variable and complex climate. The province occupies the southernmost part of the continental climatic zone, with small areas in the south falling within the Mediterranean climatic zone. The continental zone is predominant, because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed Danubian Plain. The continental influence, stronger during the winter, produces abundant snowfall; the Mediterranean influence increases during the second half of summer and produces hot and dry weather. Moesia is subdivided into five climatic zones: continental zone (Danubian Plain, Pre-Balkan and the higher valleys of the Transitional geomorphological region); transitional zone (Upper Thracian Plain, most of the Struma and Mesta valleys, the lower Sub-Balkan valleys); continental-Mediterranean zone (the southernmost areas of the Struma and Mesta valleys, the eastern Rhodope Mountains, Sakar and Strandzha); Black Sea zone along the coastline with an average length of 30–40 km inland; and alpine zone in the mountains above 1000 m altitude (central Balkan Mountains, Rila, Pirin, Vitosha, western Rhodope Mountains, etc.).

Demographics

According to the provincial government's official 2022 estimate, the population of Moesia consists of 6,447,710 people. The majority of the population, 62.5%, reside in urban areas. As of 2019, Serdica is the most populated urban centre with 1,241,675 people, followed by Philippopolis, Varna, Pyrgos and Rousopolis. Bulgarian Slavs are the main ethnic group and constitute 63.6% of the population. Greeks account for the 35.1% (mostly in the south) and some 40 smaller minorities account for 1.3%. Population density is 55-60 per square kilometre (ultimo 2023).

Administrative divisions

Moesia was established in 1965 with the merger of two Provinces: Thrace (comprising the Rhodopes and the Thracian Plain), and Bóreia Sýnora (comprising the Balkans and the Danubian Plain). Blagoevgrad Eparchy was transferred from Macedonia to Moesia in 1969 in order to unify economic governance subdivision and civil administration bodies. This territory still maintains significant cultural ties with its former Province.
Modern-day Moesia is subdivided into 28 Eparchies, including the Metropolitan Eparchy of Serdica city. All areas take their names from their respective capital cities. The Eparchies are subdivided into over 1,000 municipalities. Municipalities are run by Prokathemenoi, who are elected to four-year terms, and by directly elected municipal councils. Within the framework of the Byzantine legal system, Moesia has an highly centralised political organisation, where Eparchies, Archontates, Demos, and municipalities are heavily dependent on it for funding.

Eparchies in Moesia

Achridos Ankapolis Belebousda Blagoevgrad Chisaria Dristra Dobrich Ezarpolis Gabrovo Kókkino Kástro Kutlovitsa Irenopolis Marsa Pazard Philippopolis Pleven Pyrgos Rousopolis Selymnos Serdica Serdica city Šimeonis Smolyan Targoviste Varna Vidin Vratsa Yambol

Economy

Moesia has an open, high-income range market economy where the private sector accounts for more than 65% of GDP. From a largely agricultural province with a predominantly rural population in 1948, by the 1980s Moesia had transformed into an industrial economy, with scientific and technological research at the top of its budgetary expenditure priorities.

Most provincial spending on institutions is earmarked for culture, health and tourism. Taxes and profits from public and crown lands form the bulk of government revenue at 35% of GDP. The tax system is two-tier. While value added tax, excise duties, as well as corporate and personal income tax are managed by the Imperial government, real estate, inheritance, and vehicle taxes are levied by provincial authorities.