The Madara Horseman

This carving was made near the beginning of the 8th century AD and corresponds to 705AD with the events of that year when Khan Tervel came to power. The scene is on the Madara Plateau which lies near the Ancient Bulgar Capital Pliska. The size of this relief cut into the Madara rock is 40 square meters with it about 23 meters off the ground making it truly monumental in scale. Inscriptions were placed below it at its creation in 705AD as well as in 756AD and finally during Kana Subigi Omurtag's time (sometime after 814AD). The rider is seated in a saddle with a back which is typical of Eastern styles at the time and he has metal stirrups to help him maneuver in battle. He carries a bow, a quiver by his right leg, and holds a spear which is piercing the neck of a lion (typical symbol of the Byzantine Empire). It is notable that the rider has a greyhound below as his dog of war (noted for their endurance comparative to the rider). Such scenes were familiar throughout the Eurasian continent and the whole of it has withstood the test of time.