Boulgaroktόnos - Epic Byzantine Music

Arrangements and vocals by Farya Faraji, based on traditional melodies from Thrace. Artwork by J.F Oliveras, do check out his excellent historical reconstructions. This composition is about emperor Basil II Porphyrogennetos, “the Purple-born”, nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer (Boulgaroktónos). This nickname was earned after his conflict and annhilitation of the First Bulgarian Empire, the principal European foe of the Eastern Romans during that era. A proficient statesman, the Empire flourished in many aspects during his reign, and his legacy is one of a national hero in Greece, whilst being despised among the Bulgarians.
Musically, I wanted this track to reflect both Bulgarian and Greek sensibilities, and the best place for that was Thracian music-a shared cultural style overlapping both Greek and Bulgarian music. This geographical style of music, defined among other things by the usage of the gaida bagpipe to provide dance tunes also fits the geographical area where many of the confrontations between the two empires occured, and also matches the regional origin of Basil’s dynasty, which originated from Thrace. The gaida bagpipe in this piece fulfills a dual Greek-Bulgarian role as it is used virtually identically on both sides of Thrace.
For the section where the Trisagion prayer in Old Church Slavonic is being sung to represent the Bulgarian Empire, I also performed throat singing as a nod to the Bulgar aspect of the empire, which was a steppe-based culture, possibly Turkic and originally Tengrist. The lyrics are in Greek and in Old Church Slavonic, the Slavic language spoken in the First Bulgarian Empire, and which is still used as a liturgical language.
Lyrics in Greek and Old Church Slavonic:
Πολλά τα έτη των βασιλέων,
Στο όνομα του βασιλιά,
Βασίλειος Πορφυρογέννητος,
Ό Βουλγαροκτόνος,
свѧтꙑи боже,
свѧтꙑи крѣпъкꙑи,
свѧтꙑи бесъмрьтьнꙑи,
помилоуи насъ,
Romanised lyrics:
Pollá ta éti ton vasiléon,
Sto ónoma tou vasiliá,
Vasíleios Porfyrogénitos,
O Boulgaroktónos,
Svjatyj Bozhe, Svjatyj Kryepkij, Svjatyj Byezsmyertnyj, Pomiluj nas
English translation:
Many years to the Kings!
In the name of the King,
Basil the Purpleborn,
The Bulgar Slayer.
Holy God, Holy Strong,
Holy Immortal,
Have mercy on us.
#epicbyzantinemusic #epicslavicmusic

[@faryafaraji]

NOTES ON THE PRONUNCIATION: Part of the lyrics are in Church Slavonic but the only audio reference I could find used modern Russian or Ukrainian pronunciation, which is neither representative of the current Bulgarian pronunciation of Old Slavonic or its reconstructed historical sound. Arrangement and vocals by Farya Faraji, based on traditional melodies from Thrace. Please note that this isn't reconstructed medieval music, only modern Thracian music. Artwork by J.F Oliveras-do check out his excellent historical reconstructions. This composition is about emperor Basil II Porphyrogennetos, “the Purple-born”, nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer (Boulgaroktónos). This nickname was earned after his conflict and annhilitation of the First Bulgarian Empire, the principal European foe of the Eastern Romans during that era. A proficient statesman, the Empire flourished in many aspects during his reign, and his legacy is one of a national hero in Greece, whilst being traditionally negative in Bulgaria. Musically, I wanted this track to reflect both Bulgarian and Greek sensibilities, and the best place for that was Thracian music-a shared cultural style overlapping both Greek and Bulgarian music. This geographical style of music, defined among other things by the usage of the gaida bagpipe to provide dance tunes also fits the geographical area where many of the confrontations between the two empires occured, and also matches the regional origin of Basil’s dynasty, which originated from Thrace. The gaida bagpipe in this piece fulfills a dual Greek-Bulgarian role as it is used virtually identically on both sides of Thrace. For the section where the Trisagion prayer in Slavonic is being sung to represent the Bulgarian Empire, I also performed throat singing as a nod to the Bulgar aspect of the empire, which was a steppe-based culture, possibly Turkic and originally Tengrist. The lyrics are in Greek and in Slavonic, the Slavic language spoken in the First Bulgarian Empire, and which is still used as a liturgical language. Lyrics in Greek and Church Slavonic: Πολλά τα έτη των βασιλέων, Στο όνομα του βασιλιά, Βασίλειος Πορφυρογέννητος, Ό Βουλγαροκτόνος, свѧтꙑи боже, свѧтꙑи крѣпъкꙑи, свѧтꙑи бесъмрьтьнꙑи, помилоуи насъ, Romanised lyrics: Pollá ta éti ton vasiléon, Sto ónoma tou vasiliá, Vasíleios Porfyrogénitos, O Boulgaroktónos, Svjatyj Bozhe, Svjatyj Kryepkij, Svjatyj Byezsmyertnyj, Pomiluj nas English translation: Many years to the Kings! In the name of the King, Basil the Purpleborn, The Bulgar Slayer. Holy God, Holy Strong, Holy Immortal, Have mercy on us.

[@sprc155]

The early Bulgarians were Turkic then they culture shifted to Slavic which culturally is a continuation to Roman/Greek.

[@pseudokanax2957]

Thanx god for someone like you Farya ❤️

[@shelbyvillemusica]

Thank you

[@mavsocc]

the slavonic is good enough. thank you for the song. :)

[@babasimana]

For Bulgarian pronounciations check Kalin Kirilov and Nikola Antonov on YT kzbin.info/door/AIsNhZJDT9eWiiJlpzbKEA kzbin.info

[@benmarley3086]

🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟨🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟨🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟨🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟨🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟨🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟨🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟨🟨🟥🟨🟥🟨🟨🟥🟥 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥🟨🟥🟥🟥🟥🟥

[@ThePanEthiopian]

Cool

[@marschshven]

🥸👋

[@ThePanEthiopian]

@@lalamla1879 finerbacha 😍

[@joseangelrodriguezpolanco634]

Based

[@fefoochoa3637]

goated

[@TheAtlarchy]

I know you are not Orthodox or Roman in any way, same with Indian and so on, but each time you post a song, you put your soul into it as if it was actually your own ancestry, faith, blood and life in the song... beautiful

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot!

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Farya is honorary Roman

[@danvlad7132]

@@faryafaraji I never got to write it, but your romanian pronunciation in "Lelita Saftita" is the best i ever heard from a foreigner tbh. Your attention to detail for every song is really amazing! Would you ever consider creating something aromanian or vlach? I don't know of any recent compositions and I think you could perhaps have a big emotional impact for them.

[@linagreenlyfe6705]

Putting one's heart and soul into art, especially music, makes it more authentic.

[@sticlavoda5632]

@@faryafaraji Hello brother. Love your stuff. On an unrelated note, planing on further exploring Romanian or Vlach music on this channel in the future? You have an amazing audience that could really bring foreign interest to some underrepresented cultures such as the Aromanians and the Timok Vlachs.

[@DemonicAthen]

Being Bulgarian and Greek and listening to this is the most authentic experience

[@narukami4959]

You should give a listen to his song about kaloyan

[@DemonicAthen]

@@narukami4959 already have, good stuff I love Farya's work, kinda need me some more of his Roman and Byzantine works in my life tbh

[@narukami4959]

@@DemonicAthen yea i would love songs about simeon and justinian

[@DemonicAthen]

@@narukami4959 TRUE! That would be amazing.

[@justforever96]

Authentically what? This is modern music.

[@sashimiPv]

Tzar Samuil was the last emperor of the First Bulgarian Empire. He had a long war of attrition with Basil 2. After the Bulgarians lost the battle at the village Klutch to the Romans, Basil captured 15 000 Bulgarian soldiers. He then blinded all of them. Then Basil send them home, for each hundred blind soldiers he put one with one eye left to lead them home. When Samuil saw what Basil had done to his men, his heart filled with sorrow and he had a heart attack and died. One of the most tragic moments of our Bulgarian past.

[@yazovgaming]

Actually there were two more emperors after him, but yeah he was The Last True Bulgarian Emperor of the First Bulgarian Empire.

[@JinnDante]

This is just astonishing. A Persian making Greek byzantine music with perfect transcription of Greek and defending Greek music. This means the world. Greetings from Greece and God guide your way.

[@emilhamidi6090]

Every great empire needs great enemies;) respect

[@cumoforspotify]

This is literally Bulgarian music. I can't even find greek music with this melody

[@cumoforspotify]

@@JinnDante I mean... Fraya himself calls it Thracian and Bulgarian in the description. And also this is literally how all the Bulgarian traditional dance music sounds like. I cannot even find modern day Greek music sounding similar if it isn't from the Thracian area or something. Which Byzantium isn't a descendant of ... the Bulgarians are

[@greoko]

​@@cumoforspotifybulgar aren't thracian lol Bulgars came from what's modern day Ukraine

[@ejoji4245]

@@cumoforspotify of course you can't find ''modern day'' greek music sounding like this cause you are searching in the wrong place, try searching for traditional greek music or ''laika'' you might find something also the thracians didn't intermingle only with the bulgarians but with the greeks as well so some of their traditions carry to us as well

[@darkryder13]

Much love to Bulgarians and others in the Balkans from this Greek. We shouldn't be enemies nowadays. The only way we'll get our interests attended to is by working together rather than letting outside powers come in and play games dividing us.

[@knyazvals4824]

I agree, history is history we shouldn't let it shape our world view today. Love to you from a Bulgarian!

[@kalata_8691]

Much respect αδερφέ from another Bulgarian!

[@lakrites6246]

🇬🇷🤝🇧🇬

[@papazataklaattiranimam]

I don’t even know what Greeks have to do with this Roman Emperor of Armenian origin :-D

[@stamatisvolanis8482]

@@papazataklaattiranimam I think we have to do with it because virtually every history scholar in the world agrees that byzantium was completely greekified. Byzantium was roman only by name. The language was greek, the religion is called greek orthodox and the land for most of its existence was greece and anatolia(western anatolia was of mixed greek and native population and was considered a greek colony since ancient times). The roman empire itself took influence from the greeks in a lot of things, if you can't see that then you're blind. And basil's mother was greek laconian. His father could have mixed heritage but calling him armenian when he is confirmed to be at least half greek is weird to me

[@sarantissporidis391]

It's remarkable how Greece and Bulgaria have manage to overcome 1400 years of onslaught and turn into friends and partners. If this is not the stuff for a Nobel peace prize, l wonder what is.

[@anthonykatsivalis224]

Ay a millennium and a half of murder and pillaging ain’t gonna stop brotherhood lmao

[@Raoxsttelle]

Bulgaria: Has rulers named Kaloyan "The Roman Slayer" and Krum "The Fearsome" - Krum drank from Nikephoros's skull(captured and killed him and made a cup out of his skull and later made byzantium's diplomats to drink from it when signing peace treaty) Greece: Has ruler named "Bulgar slayer" - captured and blindfolded bulgaria's army and left every 100th soldier with 1 eye to lead the rest back home resulting into giving bulgarias ruler at the time Samuil hearth attack and then falling under byzantium rule. Fast forward 1000 years and if u ask any bulgarian or greek ppl, who they hete the most, most of them would say either nobody or turks.

[@sarantissporidis391]

@@Raoxsttelle Turks are quite suitable to be despised by everyone and his brother l guess.

[@okkotsu4451]

To be fair, Bulgaria and Greece were not always enemies, and for most of the time they were in good relations pretty sure. It's just that when they were fighting, THEY WERE REALLY fighting

[@oakwhelie]

@@Raoxsttelle they suffered together under the turks

[@SimpleManSweden]

Very beautiful music. Respect from a Christian orthodox of Albania.

[@ahad1609]

ORTHODOX ALBANIANS ARE THE BLOOD BROTHERS OF SERBS AND GREEKS

[@kscempire7789]

How many of our Orthodox brothers are there in Albania? It seems that Albania is a Muslim country

[@SimpleManSweden]

@@kscempire7789 Today Muslims are not more than 60% in Albania. There are a lot living in Greece and Italy. Albanian Muslims use to drink alcohol and eat pork. I am not referring to Albanians in Kosovo and North Macedonia. I don't live in Albania too but when I visit my country, I see many.

[@kscempire7789]

@@SimpleManSweden Do the Albanian Albanians also have a bias towards the Serbs, like the Kosovo Albanians?

[@ahad1609]

@@kscempire7789 take it in your mouth

[@bengisu2760]

Put this music in one Turkish wedding, people will start dancing halay without question. So much resemblance gave me goosebumps

[@filippos1821]

No, they won't cause they are the cause Byzantium destroyed

[@Jitmz]

Avrupalı diye bir şey yok hepsi Türk onların melezleşmiş

[@Jitmz]

700 sene Avrupalıları yönettik yarı yarıya melezler Türk kültürünü almaları normal degilmi😂

[@mitrahispana4119]

The drums!!!! 💃🏻 the drums get me every time

[@REDinitial]

Probably same in Romania. Funny story, I attended a wedding in the UK as a guest of the bride, she was English but the groom was a Cypriotic Turk. By midnight it was me and the groom party all dancing to the beat of drums and flutes, it weirdly reminded me of Romanian weddings so I guess we bonded over that. The groom's family thought I was Turkish.

[@huguesdiceva]

I am blindly in love with this song.

[@finnilebo5067]

"blindly" 🌚

[@fransciscoeldrako8870]

I SEE what you did there! 😂

[@lulzer8500]

@@fransciscoeldrako8870 Im bulgarian, i dont see it :|

[@fransciscoeldrako8870]

@@lulzer8500 😉😂

[@nikolaivanov1373]

That’s song is like the perfect bridge between the Bulgarian and Byzantine empires. Love it.

[@seaguy8146]

meanwhile:song literaly talking about the dude that riped of the eyes of 15,000 bulgarians ......

[@LONGINVS_XXXIII]

@@seaguy8146 ROMA VICTOR

[@seaguy8146]

@@LONGINVS_XXXIII agreed hail byzantioum

[@selfimprovementspanish]

​@@seaguy8146 Fair enough, a Bulgarian khan ripped off the head of a basileus and drank a cup that is a humiliation for thousands of years, so let's say it's a draw

[@seaguy8146]

@@selfimprovementspanish true learned it 2 days ago

[@SaladMan199]

Honey wake up Farya uploaded

[@SaladMan199]

Ok this might be my favorite piece you’ve released this year! Any chance we ever get your newer songs on Spotify?

[@mariustitus4828]

Na man ima put it on full volume with cinema subwoofer she knows whats going on when she hear the drums😂😂

[@balkanmountains2103]

''ἄλλοι μὲν ἄλλῃ τῶν πάλαι βασιλέων αὑτοῖς προαφώρισαν εἰς ταφὴν τόπους, ἐγὼ δὲ Βασίλειος, πορφύρας γόνος, ἵστημι τύμβον ἐν τόπῳ γῆς Ἑβδόμου καὶ σαββατίζω τῶν ἀμετρήτων πόνων οὓς ἐν μάχαις ἔστεργον, οὓς ἐκαρτέρουν· οὐ γάρ τις εἶδεν ἠρεμοῦν ἐμὸν δόρυ, ἀφ’ οὗ βασιλεὺς οὐρανῶν κέκληκέ με αὐτοκράτορα γῆς, μέγαν βασιλέα· ἀλλ’ ἀγρυπνῶν ἅπαντα τὸν ζωῆς χρόνον Ῥώμης τὰ τέκνα τῆς Νέας ἐρυόμην ὁτὲ στρατεύων ἀνδρικῶς πρὸς ἑσπέραν, ὁτὲ πρὸς αὐτοὺς τοὺς ὅρους τοὺς τῆς ἕω, ἱστῶν τρόπαια πανταχοῦ γῆς μυρία· καὶ μαρτυροῦσι τοῦτο Πέρσαι καὶ Σκύθαι, σὺν οἷς Ἀβασγός, Ἰσμαήλ, Ἄραψ, Ἴβηρ· καὶ νῦν ὁρῶν, ἄνθρωπε, τόνδε τὸν τάφον εὐχαῖς ἀμείβου τὰς ἐμὰς στρατηγίας.'' ''Other kings of old, other burial places for themselves ordained, But I, Basil, born to the purple, place my tomb on the site of Hebdomon and I sabbatize from the endless toils which I accepted in battles, and which I endured. For nobody saw my spear at rest, from when the King of Heavens called me autokrator of the earth and senior emperor. but remaining vigilant through the whole span of my life guarding the children of New Rome when I marched bravely to the West, and as far as the very frontiers of the East, settling countless trophies all over the earth. The Persians and Scythians (Bulgars) bear witness to this, and along with them the Abasgian, Ishmael, the Arab, the Iberian. And now, man, looking upon this tomb reward my campaigns with prayers.'' Thank you Farya for this amazing song! And greetings to our Bulgarian neighbours, now our allies and friends!

[@knyazvals4824]

Greetings back friend! I am glad to see someone from the balkans who doesn't hold a grudge based on history. It does really get tiring with all those xenophobes.

[@glishev]

Ah, nice to see the epitaph of Basil.

[@sinansnn8016]

Where did you find these lyrics? Can you send me the source?

[@divinesovereign5889]

Thank you for this

[@tsotrasanastasios6601]

@@sinansnn8016 it's the epitaph of Basil II

[@cvoudaskc1852]

Greece and Bulgaria Have been together since the ancient times! We are Brothers

[@narukami4959]

Calmest brotherhood

[@iceblu4713]

And romanians* First Bulgarian Empire Second Bugarian Empire Vidin Dobruja

[@coldpllay]

Han Krum und Basileos ii dont think so :D

[@ImperatorOfficial0]

In the Palace of Blachernae, hearing this hymn to our Emperor, we realized that the danger on the borders of the Empire is no more and all, from peasant to Varangian Guard began to dance, because our feet caught on fire!

[@haliho8827]

Is this a quote from a book or did you write it yourself?

[@ImperatorOfficial0]

I wrote it on the spot

[@haliho8827]

@@ImperatorOfficial0 Beautiful!

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

This could legit be a saying from that time,written by a general or a soldier.The phrasing is excellent!

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

@@ANASTASBULGARIA777 that's the most retarded comment i've ever read in my life.go start a hobby or something

[@redquoter]

Much love from a Russian Orthodox fan - prayin' for things to get better, peaceful, and for Greek Orthobros everywhere.

[@seaguy8146]

much love from Greece praying too

[@janstaniszewski536]

Much love and prayers from a polish Roman catholic,brothers❤

[@rfkwouldvebeenaok1008]

Time to take back Constantinople

[@denkapeneva2018]

The music is bulgarian

[@Heyurgirlistotallyrandom]

*greek orthobros* 😆

[@user-ul6mq1jd8f]

Respect Byzantine From Arabia

[@magistermilitumbelisarius5365]

Roman, you mean. In Arabic, "ar-Rum". Right?

[@user-ul6mq1jd8f]

@@magistermilitumbelisarius5365 yes in Arabic we could it “Al-Rum” its mean The Roman

[@nubnub3119]

Wow, after listening to it for the first time, I can gladly say that this is my favorite Byzantine piece done by you. Thank you Farya. -Your Mesopotamian Brother

[@Koli_ko-jw5ey]

The style with the bagpipe is typical bulgarian, inly the lyrics are greek

[@olegchromov3705]

My favourite is still Hikanatoi. Nothing was able to beat this masterpiece so far.

[@NIKOS_GEROSIDERIS]

@@Koli_ko-jw5ey Dude the bagpipe it is mentioned in Thrace by Xenophon in Cyrus Anabasis more than 2400 years ago...and it is still a traditional music instrument in that area unique to the whole hellenic world.What are you talking about?

[@goro2867]

@@Koli_ko-jw5ey Lol do you forget the thousands of Greeks that used to live in Thrace? Music is regional not ethnic.

[@free_helicopter_ride4250]

Did you have bagpipes when you were back in Volga-Bolgharia?

[@Khan-bm8ks]

As a Serb that just got back from his first trip to Constantinople, siting here, thinking about the journey and listening to this music is something different. Thank you brother, for giving your best to keep this culture alive.

[@Geckotr]

It's called Istanbul now in case you forgot

[@paulprochan8853]

Just a question, Constantinople was the name of the city even during the Ottoman period. Why Istanbul today? ​@@Geckotr

[@Svevladovich]

@@paulprochan8853 Interesting fact that name ''Instanbul'' is actually a Greek word which means ''to the city''. But yeah, Constantinople is more correct to say.

[@mnastic91]

"Children of New Rome", we don't know what we had. Praise to the great emperor Basil II. Our stupidy and divisions let us to our downfall. Just look what we had then, and what we have now. Hope we gonna learn from our mistakes. Best regards from Serbia.

[@user-rq2ly4bf1w]

From Greece. God bless you, my brother.

[@PRAEFECTVSMAGNVSXXXIII]

God bless all our Roman Orthodox Brothers

[@happinessisnotaduty1918]

The best comment here. Greetings from Greece.

[@avarent1888]

Viva Cristo Rey!

[@mnastic91]

@@avarent1888 ICXC NIKA !

[@cupkocupkovic5925]

Greetings from Serbs for Greek brothers.🇷🇸❤🇬🇷

[@seaguy8146]

Greetings brother wish the best for serbia and for russia

[@yura4474]

Сербский курац Булгария на три мурета курва тиси руска србска куче

[@Anti-Alban]

🇬🇷🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@user-ms6ue6bj4b]

​@@Anti-Albananti alban ?ta qidsha motren ngoj o Greek motren hiq mos u bo merak se ene shtetin de va morim qen bir qeni turk muti likur mut

[@longliveforfinland8357]

🇬🇷⚔️ long live for the greek culture, mother of the european culture

[@janstaniszewski536]

In fact, I think that the Greek Culture is a Mother to European culture together with the Roman one. Greetings to you from Poland!

[@longliveforfinland8357]

@@janstaniszewski536 yes its correct my Friends , hello from belgium 👋

[@sherlockholmes3308]

@@Deaabaldeabdeab German and Ispain mother of the european culture? 😆😆😆😆😆😆👍

[@longliveforfinland8357]

@@KohanKilletz assyria*

[@longliveforfinland8357]

@@KohanKilletz yeaaaaaaaah its more difficult toi explain , we Can Say the same for the sumerians from Uruk city or the elamite of elam , same for egyptian

[@nikolaoskouvatsos9222]

The greatest Byzantine emperor deserved this beautiful track. Make the next Byzantine song about Belisarius!

[@user-hx2xl2km2e]

Basil deserves respect but a song about Krum would also be nice. Imagine a quiet and peaceful scenery of nature that is suddenly broken by war drums....

[@mp6471]

He is indeed the greatest Roman emperor of the east!

[@Cabbage-Enjoyer]

@@user-hx2xl2km2e That fucking ambush was devastating to say the least and the Skull cup was iconic as hell, defo deserve a track of him as well as Tsar Simeon I

[@dand7763]

and he did the song about Belisarius!

[@hamedpoker9976]

As iranian...As your compatriot. I love the music you make from the ancient music and hymns of different countries, empires and kingdoms... بدون ما ایرانی ها هم موسیقی هایی که میسازی رو همه دوست داریم.. من و دوستانم همیشه منتظر کارهای جدید تو هستیم❤️

[@cornamenpython6760]

More Byzantine tracks!!! ☦️🦅 This is so relaxing yet exciting, i know, i can't describe it, its just so magical!

[@paulocidreiras7398]

Greetings from Brazil. Just fallen in love for such beauty through a musical intersection between West and East.

[@samsmith2635]

Emperor Basil II, may God keep and protect your soul.

[@alexbill1000]

A-MA-ZING. Not only the lyrics that tease Basil's rule in Byzantine Empire but also the structure of this song. The gaida bagpipe that reflects the Thracian music, that in the end overlaps both Bulgarian and Greek culture as both have been in the region for many centuries. This deserves a MILLION likes and views. Once again, thank you mr. Faraji. Love from Greece

[@alexandermartinov3588]

Shoutout from Bulgaria for this masterpiece

[@faryafaraji]

Much love to Bulgaria!

[@kristiangg4263]

I am Bulgarian and this son is a masterpiece! I have never heard something that beautiful!

[@miroschool1381]

Thats because the melody is Bulgarian

[@paulweber1570]

@@miroschool1381 the melody is greek-thrakian go back to kazastan where you came from bulgar-tatar!

[@EnderElohim]

@@miroschool1381 so you saying only bulgarians like bulgarian music XD How racist you are

[@seaguy8146]

@@miroschool1381 Arrangements and vocals by Farya Faraji, based on traditional melodies from Thrace. So stop the C A P

[@SimplyAdverse]

@@seaguy8146 Thrace is Bulgarian, all of it.

[@Ravenhun7er]

As a Bulgarian I must admit. This is miraculous!

[@rostdreadnorramus4936]

First comment, first like. I really love the Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Iranian songs that you guys make. Really look forward to seeing more like them.

[@miastupid7911]

just one man

[@rostdreadnorramus4936]

@@miastupid7911 Oh wow. I didn't know that.

[@miastupid7911]

@@ANASTASBULGARIA777 jealous much? It certainly seems it.

[@boyanbogdanov1854]

What about the Bulgarian songs? This song in particular has both Greek and Bulgarian motifs.

[@bordobereeet]

I have been sad all this time of my life until i heard the epic transition at 4:37, it sends shivers down my spine every time i hear it

[@pablito-oq4qp]

Respect 🇬🇷 from a true spaniard 🇪🇸👍

[@noeldanielakyurcek]

Respect For Both Greece And Spain All Day! Amen From A Greek Byzantine Spaniard! 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@pablito-oq4qp]

@@noeldanielakyurcek god bless you 🇪🇸✝️🇬🇷

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

Arriba España! Οι Έλληνες αγαπάμε τους Ισπανούς.

[@alejandroperez7359]

x2

[@QuantumBraced]

I'm Bulgarian and even I have to admit that "Bulgar slayer" is a pretty badass name. 😛

[@thePrahoable]

We have also Bulgarian tzar Kaloyan called the Roman slayer

[@Cyberi0nix597]

@@thePrahoable in Greece we have a Greek hero called Nikitaras, he was called "the turk eater" because he slayed so many Turks they called him that

[@norielgames4765]

I'm starting to gather so much respect for Persians man. From a Persian singing in Greek, Romaniand, Bulgarian.... To Bahador, a Persian holding linguistic connection videos. To a certain someone I know who's awesome at programming! 😉

[@paulyotzuar2788]

Being Cypriot ans listening to all the Byzantine music you've created has awakened my Roman blood

[@FearTheNorth]

ENOCIC and only ENOCIC 🇨🇾🇬🇷🇨🇾🇬🇷

[@VS-kf5qw]

Oh wow. I was enjoying this already and then 2:30 hit? That music just took off and soared. Straight up Ramin Djawadi levels of musical escalation.

[@dutchmapping1]

Normally I don't enjoy longer songs, but this? You're incredibly talented, keep up the good work

[@dutchmapping1]

The only problem with the song is that it ends

[@canaldamia8393]

​@@dutchmapping1Indeed

[@knyazvals4824]

Well, I think it's fair to do a track about the Bulgarian Empire now, right? :D

[@knyazvals4824]

By the way great song as always! Your talent is absolutely fantastic my friend! :)

[@hohenstaufen2345]

I have a suspection were you could be from😑

[@knyazvals4824]

@@hohenstaufen2345 is it really that obvious 😏

[@hohenstaufen2345]

@@knyazvals4824 i dont know but that request mixed with a south slav Name is a bit of a hint🤔

[@knyazvals4824]

@@hohenstaufen2345 lol you got me red handed

[@ortensiorusso4775]

I love ancient history especially Roman ,Greek égyptien, Persian and sumérien . Your music brings me back to those days Keep up your great work Farya 👍👊🏻🤗

[@catalinmarius3985]

His nickname, Boulgaroktόnos, is really undeserved. In spite of him destroying the Bulgarian Empire he treated his Bulgarian subjects well and kept the titles and privileges of the Bulgarian nobles, only relocating them, in fact Basil II integrated Bulgaria in the Byzantine Empire so well that it stayed as part of the empire until it feel. And on the internal spehere, it was a period of peace and wealth and prosperity for the average Byzantine citizen. He is one of the few who managed to find the perfect balance between a hand of iron and a hand of velvet. Blessed are those who can find the balance between righteous might and righteous peace.

[@narukami4959]

I don't think he would like the nickname either

[@AmirSatt]

Maybe, but gouging bulgarians' eyes was certainly unnecesserary after already defeating them, lol

[@greoko]

He didn't treat them well what? The sole reason he treated em "well" Is cause the Bulgars submitted to him and kneeled Those who didn't get their eyes popped out if not worse

[@greoko]

​@@narukami4959you really are delusional god damn

[@greoko]

@@catalinmarius3985 your point just doesn't make sense sorry to say While My point still stands Just cause he didn't blind em doesn't mean they were well treated "oh what's that? He didn't blind the ones that were afraid for their lives and surrendered?? Omg he must be such a nice guy!!!!" That's what you sound like And the tittle fits him just fine Cause as his tittle implies He was very good at killing bulgars Your delusion is my amusement so if you want to keep yapping I'll be pleased to see what other nonsense you have to say

[@amirmohammadrezaei8074]

As an Iranian whose country was at war with Byzantium for 700 years, I have heard this song many times and every time I hear it, my hair stands on end. IT `S SO Beautiful💙

[@amirmohammadrezaei8074]

@@adammamdani3501 cruelty never lasts, my friend

[@tarhancihanyand2506]

It's a pleasure to listen to your music while reading something from Byzantine history, Farya. The fact that you approach the history of every nation with such respect has made me respect you as well. I'm looking forward to their music!

[@faryafaraji]

I’m honoured, thanks alot!

[@HistorywithCy]

Nice one, never heard Thracian music, really appreciate you posting this!

[@thkarape]

Thrace and the Aegean islands rank among my favorite musical regions in Greece because of the bagpipes. For some reason there seems to be a lot of bagpipe hate online and I don't get. It's a great instrument.

[@Epicurus941]

Και οι Πόντιοι την χρησιμοποιούμε όπως και οι Κρητικοί 💪🏻🇬🇷

[@ahad1609]

Thrace is not Greek. Thracians spit on the Hellens.

[@user-we2on3nj4o]

@@ahad1609 uhh Thracian haven't been a thing for centuries. Thrace is now inhabited by Greeks, Turcks and Bulgarians. So your comment is both idiotic and wrong.

[@ahad1609]

@@user-we2on3nj4o Says the LOW IQ person. The land is still named Thrace and people of Thracan origin still live there.

[@bloodangel19]

@@user-we2on3nj4o my man out here speaking for a dead nation and a long gone tribe lmao.

[@theshadowsagas3617]

The perfect music to blindly stumble over the Balkan Mountains to!

[@knyazvals4824]

Can confirm I triped 10 times and I am not even half way to Preslav, having my Wallachian friend type for me.

[@orthochristos]

@@knyazvals4824 LOL

[@fransciscoeldrako8870]

😂

[@cloudftw113]

I was hoping to find a reference to Basil II memeing on Bulgaria in comments, can safely say I'm satisfied lol

[@waIdemar44]

@@knyazvals4824 I assume he is a lucky one in a hundred

[@ariya.ku4]

The Kurds love and understand the Greek people very well. Long live Greek culture and greetings from the children of the mountains to the children of the seas ❤❤❤

[@somerandomrpgenthusiast8451]

I like how in this song the Greek lyrics are celebrating Basil, while the Bulgarian ones are literally ''God, save us''. The song reflects how up to the present day many Greeks and Bulgarians would have heavily contrasting views on Basil

[@PointBlank-nl5pf]

Whatever their difference of opinion is on this one man, Greeks and Bulgarians are siblings in the True Faith. We need to stand United against our enemies, the Turks to our East and the Germans to our West.

[@Leonard_Euler]

@@PointBlank-nl5pf Bro no one cares about your countries, stop being paranoid.

[@jokester3076]

Basil II did not order the deaths or cruel mistreatment of Bulgarian civilians, he worked to peacefully integrate Bulgarians into the empire after Samuel was defeated. Collectively punishing Samuel’s whole army with eye gouging was cruel and excessive, would’ve been considered a war crime in todays age, but that’s not why Basil II is celebrated in present day by Greeks . He brought the Byzantine empire to its final apex, it’s last golden age before everything spiralled downward in the following centuries, his contemporaries said he was a popular ruler who lived a very ascetic life much like the saint he was named after.

[@charlesc.9012]

It is also ridiculous. The Bulgarians were the foreign invaders in every sense of the word, and the Eastern Roman emperors also tried to make peace with and integrate the Bulgars. It is not Basil's fault for being cruel, but the Bulgars were far too aggressive and ambitious, so they could not be treated reasonably.

[@somerandomrpgenthusiast8451]

@@charlesc.9012 According to the Oxford Dictionary on the Byzantines, Basil got his cruel reputation for blinding around 30000 captured Bulgarian troops, due to it being a common method of punishing traitors in the empire (which Basil viewed the Bulgars as).

[@user-gx3tx7nw1y]

One of the most important and glorious Emperors of Byzantium.Although it was cruel on what happened to the Bulgarian prisoners,we must not forget that the times were far different from nowadays.And a fact that only two Emperors carried the name Vasilios throughout 1130 years of the Byzantine Empire.Vasilios II Boulgaroktonos reigned for 49 years, (976-1025).

[@_F_C_]

The transition at 4:35 is just magnificent

[@giannisch95]

You are listening to a very ancient greek instrument, the ancient name of this instrument is "askavlos", and it was commonly used during festivals or even worships. When this instrument and these rythms were played in Greece there were no slavs, no tatars, no mongols etc, its a very ancient instrument.

[@stirpsromanica]

The most beautiful Byzantine song you make, one of my favs so far!!!

[@user-zw6lx7gv2u]

Византијско-бугарска!

[@Constantine235]

“Born in the purple”. Epic composition Farya 👏👏

[@lentamintal]

I have to write my thought somewere. And here I find it apropiate. I am very disapointed that in cinematography the history of the bizantine empire or eastern roman empire is inexistent. It is almost completly ignored. Very infuriating. But I am happy to see its history persist in music❤❤❤

[@lustinlis413]

I like how you mixed Bulgarian pipes and Greek chant!

[@giasifman9050]

thats actually not a bulgarian pipe

[@rustamtuyakov1789]

@@giasifman9050 what is this then?

[@giasifman9050]

@@rustamtuyakov1789 its called tsabouna

[@chethnik]

I guess all balkans have this Instrument, serbs call it "gajda"

[@giasifman9050]

@@chethnik Yea gadja from the Scottish instrument, but this is a different thing...

[@mp6471]

This one could be your best work about Byzantine music, I cannot decide between this and psalm 135. The Thracian/Bulgarian bigpipe is so joyful and really gives the impression of the happiness filling Romaioi's hearts knowing that their mortal enemies the Bulgars have been slayed. Also the part in old Bulgarian asking for mercy to Emperor Basil II is great.

[@KILLLEEERA]

As usual, Farya has outdone himself yet again ! Love your work and all the passionate effort that goes in it. Привет от България 🇧🇬

[@sprc155]

You say privet in Bulgaria like Russian?

[@KILLLEEERA]

@@sprc155 Yes, but we mostly use Здравей (inf./sin.) or Здравейте (for./pl.)

[@petarm27]

hi Farya, love your work.. I find this what you make quite amazing and impressive! greetings from Serbia 🇷🇸

[@M3atheadGaming]

That rush of enthusiasm at 2:31 is addictive

[@jaimemartin222]

Same 🔥🔥

[@patrick9876]

Listening to this, I started dancing. And I’m not one to dance for any reason. Many thanks for sharing this, I appreciate it!

[@IchBinSylvester]

I've said it multiple times and I will say it again, Farya Faraji is a rare gem.

[@martinbryaskov7709]

as a bulgarian this beat hits hard its just amazing and i love it as well as how you merged both countrie's culture into 1 song

[@leas699]

Boulgaroktonos is the most badass nickname in human hystory

[@Neversa]

They also had Nikephoros II Phokas, nicknamed The White Death of the Saracens

[@yazovgaming]

Imagine a Tourkoktonos

[@BashkirAstronaut]

It came out cool! I especially liked the part with the Old Church Slavonic language! I would like a song with this language : D

[@theshadowsagas3617]

Honey wake up, Farya Faraji just uploaded!

[@pseudomonas03]

Stunning song for the greatest Basileus of all, Basil the II! I can hear this song playing while Basil charging with his battle cry "Όστις πολεμιστής ακολουθείτω μοι", i.e. "each warrior follow me!" Excellent job!

[@justinianthegreat1444]

How insulting!

[@magistermilitumbelisarius5365]

@@justinianthegreat1444 Justinian's reign was when the eastern Roman Empire was at the height of its power. Ave, Imperator IVSTINIANE!

[@enigmachinasclass8153]

@@magistermilitumbelisarius5365 I love Justinian, but it could be argued that the extent of his conquests overextended the empire which led to issues later on, that said he's still a GOAT.

[@prodigalsonofsuns]

@@enigmachinasclass8153 I mean, no one can ever be prepared for a plague when it hits. Sadly, for Justinian, that soured stability following his reconquests.

[@magistermilitumbelisarius5365]

@@enigmachinasclass8153 To be fair, this is just my laymen historical opinion, while I agree with you at the core of things, Justinian could not have known about the looming plague, nor about the Arabic armies which would soon gather 100 years later to overrun the Mediterranean basin. If the plague did not strike when it had, it is possible that Belisarius would have kept marching onwards. Justinian's biggest blunder was not taking into account the very real threat of the Sassanid Empire. This oversight would have big repercussions in the following century.

[@riscatur]

I respect Byzantium a lot, it was a beautiful empire. from Turkiye

[@PRAEFECTVSMAGNVSXXXIII]

Its Roman Empire not byzantium RUM

[@riscatur]

@@PRAEFECTVSMAGNVSXXXIII true, they never called themselves Byzantium. Sorry, i meant Roman Empire...

[@maassrddd]

@@PRAEFECTVSMAGNVSXXXIII but roman empire was no more

[@alondon6950]

Its Greek and soon will be Greek again.

[@its_arhann]

@@alondon6950 Wake up dude, wake up! Istanbul is never gonna be yours again, NEVER, neither Thessaloniki gonna be ours. Look, I can still go Greece and visit there and do my vacation and come back to my country, a piece of land doesn’t needs to be mine anymore, just wake up we’re in 2022 we’re not gonna kill eachother like our ancestors did. It’s over, it’s time for peace now.

[@dionisisgeorgiadis6742]

As a Greek Orthodox Christian and being from Smyrna, I love Byzantine Empire and even if God let them to fall we will have Hagia Sophia in our hands soon. One year more.

[@alikmirza4953]

Мне очень нравится ваше творчество! Я из России, но ваши песни близки мне по духу. Спасибо большое за ваш труд! ☺️

[@user-gu3oo5no2n]

Да, мне тоже нравятся национальные турецкие песни

[@HB013b]

​@@user-gu3oo5no2n турецкие xdd

[@metamorphosa9838]

@@user-gu3oo5no2n Причем здесь турецкие песни?? Вы хоть описания к видео читаете?

[@ShahanshahShahin]

Basil II was a Chad just like you Farya bro 😊

[@gerardomolina8826]

Gracias por brindarnos esta hermosa obra musical. Saludos de Argentina.

[@Alexander-oq3gc]

It is a good day! Another masterpiece by Farya!

[@holodomor1835]

As a latin and an orthodox i can fell my heart full of pride

[@lightspectator]

Basil II is sitting at a bar and talking to himself. - I baptised Rus, but for some reason nobody calls me "Basil the Baptist"! *takes a sip * -Under me the empire reached the highest dawn since Justinian. They call me "Basil the Great"? No! *(takes another drink) - But you just ONCE blind 15,000 Bulgarians, and...

[@user-zw6lx7gv2u]

😂

[@wisdm1998]

this sound awakes worriors in every balkan soul . this is pure high octane fuel for me i'm from Dobrogea Ro🇷🇴

[@user-hx2xl2km2e]

You are extremely precise in everything you make. I read the description below I am amazed how careful is every word of yours. Thank you for your wonderful work!

[@CICmars]

this is one of the best prices I've heard so far, thank you again for making something beautiful 🙏🏽

[@boris8515]

Legendary piece for a legendary emperor. I cant name even a single historian who wont put Basil II in top 3 Eastern Roman emperors of all time, and for a very good reason. He managed to conquer Bulgaria, after a few unsuccessful attempts, he totally defeated them at Kleidion. As Bulgarians were considered usurpers by the Romans, the entire army was blinded, as that was the usual punishment for usurpers. The Bulgarian emperor died from heart attack once he saw his blinded army return. However, after that, Basil ruled over Bulgaria quite peacefully, letting them all tend to their own matters and limiting taxes to avoid the nobility (who all remained the same, despite the conquest) to take too much from the peasants. He also formed the Varangian guard, an elite unit from Vikings and Rus, who would serve the Roman emperor for centuries to follow. He recieved the initial Varangian army from the Rus king, who sent them in return for marrying Basil's sister. According to some sources, he as well had plans to reconquer parts of Italy... but death came first, and he wasnt able to do so. Like many other great Roman emperors, he had a succession issue, as he left no heir. In fact, he was so busy conquering and reorganizing the state, that he never even married, which was rare for these times. He is also the longest reigning Roman emperor, and ranks quite high on the global longest reign list as well.

[@nicostheocharous1990]

I think it's time for a 'Boulgaroktonos' 2nd edition. 💪🏻😎

[@ervismehillaj6883]

Wonderful voice

[@hasancanakcam8973]

Yet another banger from Farya! Loving your work and how historically touching it is, much love from the Netherlands and Turkey!

[@daspotato895]

I realise this came out a while ago. But this has become probably my favourite track by you, Farya. The sudden change at 2:32 is absolutely incredible. I wish I could re-hear that for the first time because it's just so good. It makes me think of a grand adventure on horseback over highlands and mountains (which is quite fitting given Bulgaria's landscape, and Basil's frequent journeys across it). I also love the way the Gaida drops away to be replaced by the throat singing for the Slavonic bits. Wish this was on Spotify so I could jam to it without KZbin premium.

[@badlieutenant536]

Dear Farya, this is an absolutely stunning work of art. Basil II is my favourite Emperor. A fantastic general and administrator who took the Byzantine Empire to its zenith in military and diplomatic power whilst leaving the imperial coffers overflowing in addition to helping the poor. You made a composition that truly honours his legacy. Unbelievable job.

[@TheZdencos]

Amazing!! Dear Farya, this is yet another banger. Goes straight to my favourite "Epic Byzantine playlist". I wish you all the joy creating music can provide and I look forward hearing more of these amazingly beautiful Byzantine songs. Pax pax pax

[@user-kw7xr8vt4i]

This song touched my soul. Thank you from albania

[@teodorak7573]

This is just gorgeous. Especially at 4:40 when the music soars like an eagle.

[@_spectre_1589]

In my opinion, this is the best byzantine music that you've ever made! I listen to your songs almost every single day. They're so beautiful! You're incredible, Farya!

[@semsem3083]

This is awesome!!! I was listening to your musics while I was in Istanbul (especially Polychronion)walking where Constantine, Justinian and Alexis walk

[@user-zm3pp7ls6v]

Превосходная композиция, достойная.

[@davidbalogun7569]

Flavius Belisarius definitely deserves one as well. Great music!

[@greygamertales1293]

I get happy whenever Farya posts a new video. I like beauty of Bulgarian music and some of the Bulgarian music traditions today might have a remaining aspect of the music from the Bulgars even though it has been more than a thousand years ago.

[@mihailvs90]

Bulgaroktnos means bulgarian killer

[@NagySzentAntal]

Love you so much Farya, this feels like my ancestors speaking to me. Thank you for this blessed experience you gave us all through your music.

[@BryanHernandez-jn2cv]

Im not greek or orthodox but this music is amazing 👍

[@begemod1743]

As Bulgarian, I totally understood the old church Slavonic lyrics, in fact even today Bulgarians sing in old church Slavonic mostly in the folk songs

[@Jitmz]

Bulgar diye bir ırk yok😂

[@marthsmask5798]

​@@Jitmz🐖🇹🇷

[@user-eu2rp5dk6j]

As Ukrainian I totally understood the old church Slavonic lyrics too. We don't use old church Slavonic in our folk songs, but use it in prayers

[@arshiaarjomandi6279]

Great as always man!!! Cant believe I managed to catch this so early

[@krwnik8419]

Basil II Porphyrogenitus (Greek: Βασίλειος Πορφυρογέννητος Basileios Porphyrogennetos; 958 - 15 December 1025), nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer (Greek: ὁ Βουλγαροκτόνος, ho Boulgaroktónos), was the senior Byzantine emperor from 976 to 1025. He and his brother Constantine VIII were crowned before their father Romanos II died in 963, but they were too young to rule. The throne thus went to two generals, Nikephoros Phokas (r. 963-969) and John Tzimiskes (r. 969-976) before Basil became senior emperor, though his influential great-uncle Basil Lekapenos remained as the de facto ruler until 985. His reign of 49 years and 11 months was the longest of any Roman emperor. It's funny NorthMacedonians think Basil II Boulgaroktónos was a NorthMacedonian. Why isn't he called Basil II VóreiaMakedonoktónos? Maybe because NorthMacedonians didn't exist back then and being Macedonian is just a geographical identity, like Thracian, Moesian, Carpathian, Moldovian, Ukrainian, Bosnian etc.

[@laosbazinga9683]

Oof, the Bulgarian bagpipes 😍

[@mitrahispana4119]

I can’t stop dancing with my hands in the air! I like to imagine ancient Romaioi/Byzantines jamming to this in headphones. If they had headphones 😂 😉 another absolute gem from Farya

[@Hoi4o]

They had it far better than just headphones - dark-haired sun-tanned musicians and dancers :D

[@mitrahispana4119]

@@Hoi4o makes me imagine Belisarius charging at the Vandals outside Carthage