Pannonian avars

The Avars** were a tribe that migrated to Europe in 552 AD. There is a major misconception about their origins. It is often claimed that the Avars were descendants of the **Juan-Juan** (Rouran), a Mongol-origin people who dominated the Mongolian steppes. According to this view, after the Juan-Juan were defeated and destroyed by the Göktürks, their descendants, the Avars, migrated to Europe. However, this is entirely incorrect.  

The Avars were actually an **Ogur**-origin people, not Mongols. The confusion arose because the collapse of the Juan-Juan under Göktürk attacks coincided with the Avars' migration.  

In 552, the Avars migrated to the **north of the Black Sea** and established their first diplomatic contact by sending an envoy to the Byzantine Empire. By **567**, they founded their own state. In exchange for protecting Byzantine borders, the Avars demanded that the emperor grant them lands in **Bulgaria**. They subjugated various tribes, including the **Ogurs, Onogurs, Sabirs**, and some **Slavic tribes**, while also forming alliances with certain Slavic groups.  

Later, the Avars defeated the **Gepids**, and after the **Lombards** migrated to Northern Italy, they gained control over **Hungary and the Pannonian Plains**. The Avars' golden age began under **Khagan Bayan**, during which they subdued **Slavic and Germanic tribes** and raided Byzantine fortresses along the **Dalmatian coast**. The Byzantines were forced to pay tribute to keep the Avars at bay.  

Taking advantage of the Byzantine-Sassanid wars, the Avars launched a second campaign into the Balkans, capturing the city of **Sirmium**. However, a Byzantine counterattack in **590** forced them to retreat. In **599**, the Avars were defeated by the Byzantines at the **Battle of Viminacium**.  

After **Khagan Bayan's death in 602**, the **Bulgars rebelled and declared independence**. Meanwhile, the Sassanids resumed war with Byzantium, inflicting heavy defeats and even besieging **Constantinople**. Seizing the opportunity, the Avars launched another Balkan campaign and, alongside the Sassanids, laid siege to Constantinople. However, their **Slavic allies betrayed them and abandoned the siege**, leading to its failure. The Byzantines eventually repelled both the Persians and the Avars.  

From this point, the Avars entered a period of decline. The **Onogur Bulgars rebelled**, and Slavic tribes grew stronger, asserting their independence. In **716**, **Frankish King Charlemagne** launched a campaign against the Avars, dealing them a major blow. By **805**, the Avar state completely collapsed, losing its political unity. The remaining Avars **converted to Christianity** and were gradually assimilated among other peoples, fading from history.