Throughout the centuries there have been plenty of people that are of nomadic origin that were settled in Byzantine Empire, while a good number of them are not exactly relevant to the start dates we currently have, there are at least two that are relevant to 1066 and 1178 start dates, Pechenegs and Cumans.
Pechenegs were first settled (or at least settled in large numbers) when Kegen (or perhaps Tegenes), a Pecheneg chieftain fled to Byzantine empire. Kegen who was of undistunguished family, successfuly fought of Uzes on several occasions when leader of the Pechenegs, Tyrach (Tirakh, Tirek), who was of an illustrious family among the nation, was cowering. Because of how popular Kegen was becoming, Tyrach intended to kill him but Kegen fled, and two tribes, Belemarnis (of which he is a member) and Pagoumanis chose to join him, Tyrach attacked them with 11 tribes that followed them, Kegen was defeated and fled with 20.000 survivors to Byzantine Empire and was settled in Paristrion (1044/1045) by Emperor Konstantinos Monomachos and baptised as Ioannes Kegen. After being settled, Ioannes Kegen continued to cross Danube and harass Tyrach's Pechenegs to which Tyrach eventually responded in winter 1047, crossing the frozen Danube with 800.000 Pechenegs but was routed in a sudden attack and surrendered, taken to emperor with 140 of his men and also settled in Byzantine territory. Some years later, when Konstantinos Monomachos wanted to move 15000 Pechenegs to east, a revolt started, Tyrach joined the revolt, was defeated and killed, Ioannes Kegen was sent to the revolting Pechenegs but was murdered by them, Pechenegs defeated Byzantines several times and after a serious plague hit them, asked for peace and possibly remained somewhat autonomous and were still nomads since they are said to be "allowed to retain their barbarous ways".
There are still prominent Pechenegs mentioned by name as late as 1080s and not all the Pechenegs seem to have settled south of Danube because Anna Komnene mentions two Pecheneg chieftains of Bitzina/Vicina, Sesthlav and Satzas that allowed Pechenegs from the north of Danube who were pressed by Uzes to cross south in 1083. These Pechenegs later ravaged Byzantine lands. Second wife of Traulos, a former "Manichean" (Paulician) who was a servant of Alexios Komnenos was the daughter of a Pecheneg chieftain and was possibly related to one of these two considering Traulos' involvement in this.
As for Cumans, I can't find any specific mention of when they first settled but it's possibly after battle of Leouvanion in 1091 when they aided Byzantines against the Pechenegs.
There are known Cuman Stratioi holding Pronoia at Chostiane(Moglane) in 1181.
Cumans were also settled in large numbers in Georgia on two seperate occasions and some prominent people who are alive in 1178 start such as Kubasar (Amirpasalar, or commander in chief, of Georgia 1177-1184) and Kutlu Arslan (Treasurer during the reign of Giorgi III of Georgia) are "Naqivchaqari", de-Kipchakized descendants of these Cumans.
Pechenegs were first settled (or at least settled in large numbers) when Kegen (or perhaps Tegenes), a Pecheneg chieftain fled to Byzantine empire. Kegen who was of undistunguished family, successfuly fought of Uzes on several occasions when leader of the Pechenegs, Tyrach (Tirakh, Tirek), who was of an illustrious family among the nation, was cowering. Because of how popular Kegen was becoming, Tyrach intended to kill him but Kegen fled, and two tribes, Belemarnis (of which he is a member) and Pagoumanis chose to join him, Tyrach attacked them with 11 tribes that followed them, Kegen was defeated and fled with 20.000 survivors to Byzantine Empire and was settled in Paristrion (1044/1045) by Emperor Konstantinos Monomachos and baptised as Ioannes Kegen. After being settled, Ioannes Kegen continued to cross Danube and harass Tyrach's Pechenegs to which Tyrach eventually responded in winter 1047, crossing the frozen Danube with 800.000 Pechenegs but was routed in a sudden attack and surrendered, taken to emperor with 140 of his men and also settled in Byzantine territory. Some years later, when Konstantinos Monomachos wanted to move 15000 Pechenegs to east, a revolt started, Tyrach joined the revolt, was defeated and killed, Ioannes Kegen was sent to the revolting Pechenegs but was murdered by them, Pechenegs defeated Byzantines several times and after a serious plague hit them, asked for peace and possibly remained somewhat autonomous and were still nomads since they are said to be "allowed to retain their barbarous ways".
There are still prominent Pechenegs mentioned by name as late as 1080s and not all the Pechenegs seem to have settled south of Danube because Anna Komnene mentions two Pecheneg chieftains of Bitzina/Vicina, Sesthlav and Satzas that allowed Pechenegs from the north of Danube who were pressed by Uzes to cross south in 1083. These Pechenegs later ravaged Byzantine lands. Second wife of Traulos, a former "Manichean" (Paulician) who was a servant of Alexios Komnenos was the daughter of a Pecheneg chieftain and was possibly related to one of these two considering Traulos' involvement in this.
As for Cumans, I can't find any specific mention of when they first settled but it's possibly after battle of Leouvanion in 1091 when they aided Byzantines against the Pechenegs.
There are known Cuman Stratioi holding Pronoia at Chostiane(Moglane) in 1181.
Cumans were also settled in large numbers in Georgia on two seperate occasions and some prominent people who are alive in 1178 start such as Kubasar (Amirpasalar, or commander in chief, of Georgia 1177-1184) and Kutlu Arslan (Treasurer during the reign of Giorgi III of Georgia) are "Naqivchaqari", de-Kipchakized descendants of these Cumans.
Last edited:
- 6
- 1
- 1
- 1
