Alusian of Bulgaria

In the Byzantine Empire Alusian joined the ranks of the court aristocracy and was appointed governor (stratēgos) of the theme of Theodosioupolis.

Alusian increased his wealth by marrying a wealthy member of the Armenian nobility, but in the later 1030s, he lost the favor of Emperor Michael IV the Paphlagonian (r. 1034–1041) and his brother, the powerful parakoimomenos John the Orphanotrophos.

Since Alusian was of the blood of Tsar Samuel (r. 997–1014), he was quickly proclaimed emperor in Peter's place by his troops but conspired to desert to the Byzantines.

As the Bulgarian and Byzantine troops were preparing for battle, Alusian deserted to the enemy, surrendering the blinded Peter Delyan to the emperor.

Alusian's subsequent fate is unknown, but his descendants, the Alousianoi, continued to prosper in the ranks of the Byzantine aristocracy until the 14th century.

Alusian (centre) appears before Peter Delyan and the Bulgarian camp. Miniature from the Skylitzes Chronicle .
After its unsuccessful attack on Thessalonica, the Bulgarian army under Alusian flees. Miniature from the Skylitzes Chronicle .
Alusian invites Peter Delyan to a banquet and has him blinded. Miniature from the Skylitzes Chronicle .