Ivan Asen I of Bulgaria

Ivan Asen I (died 1196), a founder of the Second Bulgarian Empire, ruled as tsar from 1187 or 1188, at first with his elder brother Peter II. In 1185, after Emperor Isaac II Angelos refused and humiliated their demand for Balkan lands, Asen and Peter roused the Bulgarians and Vlachs to revolt, and Peter was crowned that year.

Defeated in 1186, they fled across the Danube and returned with Cuman allies, taking Paristrion. Asen received Tarnovo when the realm was divided around 1192 and extended Bulgarian rule to the Struma valley. The boyar Ivanko stabbed him to death in 1196.