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Pecheneg Wars with Byzantium
In the 10th century Pecheneg nomads held the steppe from the northern Black Sea to the lower Danube, clashing repeatedly with Byzantium and Kievan Ru…
Timeline
- 901–920northern Black Sea steppe · northern Black Sea coastPecheneg tribes migrated west and controlled the steppe from the lower Dnieper to the Danube delta, becoming a buffer and threat between Byzantium and Rus' and cutting off traditional trade routes.
- 934–971Balkan Peninsula · BalkansPecheneg cavalry repeatedly crossed the Danube to invade Byzantine Balkan provinces, burning and plundering towns; Byzantium defended with fortress lines, diplomatic tribute and mercenaries, while frontier populations suffered greatly from the warfare.
- 972Dnieper rapids · UkraineByzantium and the Pechenegs cooperated to ambush Sviatoslav's army as it withdrew north at the Dnieper rapids; the grand prince was killed in battle, demonstrating the key role of steppe tribes in Byzantine diplomatic maneuvering.
Sources
- Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, De Administrando Imperio — Constantine VII
- The Making of Byzantium, 600-1025 — Mark Whittow (1996)