Vinekh

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Vinekh was Khan of Bulgaria between 756 and 762.

Vinekh became Khan after the defeat of Khan Kormisosh by Byzantine Emperor Constantine V Copronymus. He overthrew Kormisosh and was installed at his place in 756.

The same year the Emperor attacked the new Khan using the Byzantine army and navy. It is said that 500 ships entered the delta of the Danube and floating upstream looted, burned down towns and captured Bulgars on their way. Meanwhile the armies led by Vinekh and Constantine V met at the Markeli fortress (Karnobat). The Bulgars suffered a defeat and were forced to sign a peace treaty, as part of which Vinekh was to send his children to Constantinople.

In 759 Constantine V undertook another campaign against Bulgaria. This time the victory was on Vinekh’s side. His forces solidly defeated the enemy in a narrow gorge of the Balkan Mountain.

Khan Vinekh did not take advantage of the victory and his peaceful disposition towards Byzantium made the nobles rebel. He fell victim of a palace coup in which he and his whole family were slain.

Preceded by: Kormisosh

List of Bulgarian monarchs

Succeeded by: Telets