This book was originally published in Greek, under the title: Το Βυζάντιο και οι Άβαροι (Στ’-Θ’ αι.). Πολιτικές, διπλωματικές και πολιτισμικές σχέσεις, by the National Hellenic Research Foundation – Institute for Byzantine Research (Athens, 2010).
In this book, Georgios Kardaras offers a global view of the contacts between the Byzantine Empire and the Avar Khaganate, emphasizing the reconstruction of these contacts after 626 (when, in contrast to archaeological evidence, written sources are very few) and the definition of the possible channels of communication between the two powers. The author scrutinizes the political and diplomatic framework, and critically examines issues such as mutual influence on material culture and on warfare, reaching the conclusion that significant contact between Byzantium and the Avars can be proved up until 775.
Author(s): Georgios Kardaras
Series: East Central and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 450-1450, 51
Publisher: Brill
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: 276
City: Leiden
Preface ix
List of Figures and Maps x
Abbreviations xi
A Note on Transliteration xxiv
Introduction 1
1. Avars and Byzantine-Avar Relations: The Current State of Research 1
2. The Image of the Avars in Byzantium 7
3. The Avars Come to Europe 13
1. Byzantium and the Avars from 558 to 582 20
1.1. Emperor Justinian I and the Avars 20
1.2. Justin II's Policy and the Establishment of the Avar Khaganate 25
1.3. The Conflicts of Justin II with the Avars 30
1.4. The Byzantine-Avar Cooperation against the Slavs and the Fall of Sirmium 37
2. Byzantium and the Avars from 582 until 626 43
2.1. Emperor Maurice and the Avars until 591 43
2.2. The Byzantine Counter-Attack in the Balkans. The First Phase of the Operations (592–594) 48
2.3. The Second Phase of the Operations (595–598) 54
2.4. The Third Phase of the Operations (599–602) 60
2.5. The Collapse of the Byzantine Frontier on the Danube and the Fall of the Balkan Provinces 69
2.6. The Revolt of Samo 79
2.7. The Last Phase of Avar Attacks (623–626) 82
3. The Byzantine-Avar Relations after 626 88
3.1. The Testimonies of the Sources 88
3.2. The Settlement of the Croats and the Serbs on the Balkans 90
3.3. The Revolt of Kubrat 98
4. The Archaeological Finds on the Byzantine-Avar Relations 103
4.1. Early Avar Period I (568–626/30) 103
4.2. Early Avar Period II (626/30–660) 111
4.3. Middle Avar Period (660–710) 112
4.4. Late Avar Period (710–810) 117
4.5. The Numismatic Finds 123
4.6. Christian Symbols in the Avar Khaganate 127
5. The Byzantine Finds and the Possible Channels of Communication between Byzantium and the Avars after 626 135
5.1. Early Avar Period II 135
5.2. Middle Avar Period 137
5.3. Late Avar Period 139
5.3.1. The Byzantine Possessions in Italy 140
5.3.2. The Bulgar Khaganate and the Byzantine-Bulgar Treaty of 716 145
5.3.3. The Byzantine Crimea 151
6. Byzantine-Avar Relations and Warfare 156
6.1. The Armament of Avar and Byzantine Horsemen 156
6.2. The Nomads as Mercenaries in the Byzantine Army 160
6.3. Sassanian Influences on the Byzantine Army 162
6.4. The "Manner of the Avars" in the Strategikon 166
6.5. Tactical Issues 170
6.6. Siegecraft 176
Conclusion 182
Figures 191
Maps 196
Bibliography 201
Index of Names 238
Index of Terms 243
