Macedonian Empire. Dimitri Obolensky, another Byzantinologist, refers to Samuil's state as an "independent empire of Western Bulgaria" that originated in Macedonia. Some other authors also distinguish it as a Western Bulgarian Empire, but most of the scholars see the dynasty as a direct continuation of the First Bulgarian Empire. However, in North Macedonia the official historiography refers to it as "Slavic Macedonian" Empire, but this view is an instance for backdated modern nationalism. Notes References Literature Lang, David M. The Bulgarians, London, 1976. Lang, David M. The Armenians. A People in Exile. London, 1981. Ostrogorsky, George, History of the Byzantine State. tr. (from the German) by Joan Hussey, rev. ed., Rutgers Univ. Press, 1969. Dimitry Obolensky, "The Bogomils: A study in Balkan Neo-Manicheism", Cambridge University Press 1948 See also Samuil of Bulgaria Bitola Inscription Samuil's Inscription History of Bulgaria Armenians in Bulgaria