Οι Άβαροι στα Βαλκάνια και την Παννονία (σημ. Ουγγαρία), η παρουσία των δυτικών Τούρκων στον Εύξεινο και τη Βαλκανική και η βυζαντινή διπλωματία
Part of : Βυζαντινά : επιστημονικόν όργανον Κέντρου Βυζαντινών Ερευνών Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου ; Vol.28, No.1, 2008, pages 97-113
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97-113
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The Avars in the Balkans and Pannonia (Hungary), the presence of the western Turks in the Black Sea and the Balkans and the byzantine diplomacy
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This paper suggests that the first delegation sent by the Turks took place in 563 and that the turco-byzantine alliance extended not only in Central Asia (against Persia) but also in the Balkans (against the Avars). According to Theophanes Confessor during that year (two years before the death of Justinian, in 565), a delegation sent by (K)Ermichions reached the court of the Byzantine Emperor. There is a lot of disagreement among scholars concerning the identity of the Ermichions. Theophanes Byzantius states that the Persians were naming the Turks as Ermichions, but places the visit of the delegation within Justin’s II reign (after 565). Moreover, according to Theophanes Byzantius, Justin denied the Avars access to Roman lands, in 565, because of his previous agreement with the Turks.The identity of the 563 delegation may be indirectly deducted from the study of the diplomatic activity and of the political developments in the years that followed it. In 565, as stated, Justin denied the Avars access to the roman lands in Pannonia. Two years later, Menander records the arrival of a Turkic delegation, in 567, with proposals for a Turco-byzantine alliance, against Persia. Up until 576 a series of delegations was exchanged between the Turks and Byzantines.In 571, or, more possibly in 574, the Byzantines are forced to sign a treaty with the Avars resulting in their being accepted within Roman lands and in the payment of an annual tribute to them by the Byzantines. It was after this treaty that the Turco-Byzantine relations worsened. Turxanthus’ accusations against the Byzantines during Wallentine’s last delegation in 576, that they failed to keep their promises and were deceitful against their allies, which are mentioned by Menander, together with his hostile actions (occupation of the city of Bosporus in Crimea) may originate in the acceptance of the Avars.One, though, has to ask why the Turks reacted like that, since, according to Menander, the aims of the Byzantino-turkic alliance were commercial and strategic only against Persia and were still honoured by the Romans (there was an ongoing war with Persia). It can only be understood if one accepts that the Byzantino-turkic alliance had two brunches. One regarding Persia (Central Asia and Caucasus) and the other the Avars (northern coasts of Black Sea, Eastern and Central Europe). The accord, regarding the Avars (War- Chunni), who were fleeing away from the Turkic yoke and towards the roman lands, is not recorded by Menander but has been saved by Theo- phanes Byzantius (although he places it in Justin’s II reign).Despite the deterioration of the turko-byzantine relations, which resulted in the occupation of the roman territories in Crimea by the Turks, the Byzantine diplomacy still had in mind the use of their presence in the Northern coasts of Black Sea against the Avar aggression in the Balkans. The fact that Constantinople tried to intimidate the Avar ambassador by telling him that the Turks were ready to launch a punitive raid against them from the north, following the coasts of the sea of Pontus into the northern Balkan peninsula, is indicative of this. Moreover, if, as John of Ephesus mentions, in 584 the Avars had to fall back to Sirmium due to Turkic raids in their territories, one may have to admit that the Byzantine diplomacy succeeded in its aim. This important piece of information, if accepted, may prove that the turko-byzantine alliance had practical results not only in Central Asia (against Persia) but also in the Balkans (against the Avars).
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Το άρθρο περιέχεται στο αφιέρωμα στη μνήμη του Γεωργίου Λάββα
