Batbayan
Batbayan (d.
690) was the eldest son of
Bulgarian
Kubrat Khan, also known as Bezmer, Bezmes Bayan, Bayan, Boyan, Bat-Boyan, Batbai, Batpai, Batboyan, Batvian.
After the death of his father, he ruled the land north of the
Black and the
Azov Seas. After three years, he engaged into wars with his relatives and was temporarily driven into
Crimea. Meanwhile, the
Khazars attacked and eventually took the steppes between Don and the
Urals, according to the treaty of
668 between Batbayan and the Khazar
Kaban Khagan.
Batbayan was left with the
Kara Bulgar and
Bulyar princedom, Batbayan had to renounce the title Khagan and left with the
Baltavar title, effectively becoming subdued to Khazars and further splitting the lands with his uncle
Shambat. The Bulgarian Legend of the Silver Stag describes his attempt to flee to Balkan
Bulgaria with his sister Houba which resulted in his eventual death.