!!!Awaren

Avars, early medieval equestrian people; occupied the Carpathian Basin 
in 568 and also ruled over vast regions of Central and Eastern Europe 
until the beginning of the 7th century. Their rich archaeological 
legacy is found in the Carpathian basin on and its periphery, in 
Austria mainly in the Vienna basin and in northern Burgenland. The 
archaeological finds point to very strong equestrian nomadic 
traditions as well as Germanic and Byzantine influences. Against the 
backdrop of this formidable Avar power, the Slavs settled in what is 
now Carinthia, Styria and Lower Austria. After their unsuccessful 
siege of Constantinople in 626, the Avars lost their position of 
supreme power. During this period of weakness, the Frankish 
businessman  Samo established a Slavic realm in Bohemia and Moravia, 
possibly also reaching what is now Austria. The Alpine Slavs, called  
Karantanians in the 8th century, probably also freed themselves of 
Avar rule at this time.

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In the 8th century, the Avars apparently attempted to regain their 
supremacy in the Alpine region. The Carantanians therefore submitted 
to the Duke of Bavaria and accepted Christianisation.

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Duke Tassilo III sought support from the Avars against 
Charlemagne. His defeat was followed by the Avar Wars (791-796), which 
ended with the destruction of the Avar kingdom. Established by the 
Carolingians, a dependent principality of Avars existed until at least 
728 "between Steinamanger and Carnuntum" under Christian Khagans.

!Further reading
F. Daim, Das awarische Graeberfeld von Leobersdorf, 
1987; W. Pohl, Die Awaren, 1988; Reitervoelker aus dem Osten. Hunnen 
und Awaren, exhibition catalogue, Halbthurn Castle, 1996.


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