Ibuzir Glavan Khazar Khagan Date of Birth: . Country: Operator

1. Khagan Ibuzir Glavan
2. Involvement in Byzantine Politics
3. Diplomatic Relations with Byzantium
4. Conflict over Chersonesos
5. Intervention in Constantinople
6. Later Reign and Successors

Khagan Ibuzir Glavan

Ibuzir Glavan was the Khagan of Khazaria in the early 8th century. His name (in Greek transliteration) is mentioned in the anonymous Byzantine work "Brief Historical Notes" from the 8th century.

Involvement in Byzantine Politics

Glavan is the only Khagan about whom relatively detailed information has survived. He became involved in the struggle for the Byzantine throne. When the deposed Byzantine Emperor Justinian II fled from Chersonesos, where he had been exiled, Glavan assisted him, marrying him to his sister Theodora (her baptismal name) and providing refuge in Khazaria, specifically Phanagoria.

However, under the persuasion of the reigning Byzantine Emperor Apsimar Tiberius, Glavan changed his mind and attempted to assassinate Justinian. Warned by his wife, Justinian sent his pregnant wife back to her brother and fled to the Danube Bulgars, with whose help he regained power in Constantinople in 705.

Diplomatic Relations with Byzantium

The subsequent relationship between Glavan and Justinian is unclear. Glavan returned Justinian's sister and their newborn son, for whom Justinian sent an entire fleet. Glavan later visited Constantinople, where he was received with honors and rewarded. During this time, he established a protectorate over Chersonesos, whose inhabitants feared Justinian's wrath. A Khazar official, the tudun, was installed in the city, but local self-government was maintained.

Conflict over Chersonesos

In 710, Justinian seized Chersonesos, executing the local nobility and sending the tudun to Constantinople. Fearing Justinian's further designs, the inhabitants of other Crimean cities appealed to Glavan for help. In 711, he halted the destruction of Chersonesos by the Byzantine army. Justinian's attempt to appease Glavan by returning the tudun failed, as the tudun was captured by rebels and killed en route, infuriating the Khazars.

Intervention in Constantinople

A Chersonesan exile named Bardanes, who proclaimed himself Emperor, fled to Khazaria. Glavan released him after receiving a large ransom, and Bardanes became Emperor in Constantinople. This episode marked the zenith of Khazaria's political influence, although no similar interventions occurred later. It is believed that the result was a strengthening of the Khazar-Byzantine alliance and a restoration of spheres of influence in Crimea (Khazar withdrawal from Chersonesos).

Later Reign and Successors

The end of Ibuzir Glavan's reign is unknown, but it may have lasted until around 730. Sources mention a regent named Parsbit in 732 and a Khagan named Virchor two years later.