Aleksander I of Roumelia (The Monarchies Map Game)

Aleksander I was the founder and first ruler of the Great Principality of Roumelia from 1680 to his death. Born as the son of a bulgarian marchand under the Ottoman Empire, he ascended to power by becoming at first mayor of Plovdiv.

He was however chased from power by the Ottoman autorities after he began to gain popularity from his nationalist politics. He was forced to go in exile with his family, and lived in the Austro-Hungarian Empire for the following two years, recruting mercenaries in order to reclaim his lands.

In 1677, he was asked to return by his brother-in-law, who was leading a war in Greece for the independance of the region. With the help of his brother-in-law, he returned in Bulgaria was able to convince the population to rise against the Ottoman. The war ended in 1680, with the help of Europe kingdoms pressuring the Ottoman Empire. As the leader of the Balkan rebels, Aleksander created the Great Principality of Roumelia, and was crowned the same day as his brother-in-law, who became King of Greece.

He ruled the Great Principality until his suddent death in 1687 at the age of 44. Roumelians concidered him the father of Roumelia, and both dates of his coronation and death are nationial holidays.