The Balkans in the Seventh Century

The seventh century was a period of radical transformation in the Balkans in terms of political, social, and economic history. The decline in Byzantine power led to the collapse of ancient urban civilization, the arrival of new populations from eastern Europe and the steppes, and, subsequently, the establishment of new political structures and modes of economic relations. Given that the written sources provide relatively little information about these events, archaeology is required to fill in the gaps and improve our knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural and ethnic transitions that took place. New developments in archaeology in the Balkans have brought an enormous amount of information to light. The book’s eight contributors present research from different parts of the region, offering valuable new insights into the history, culture, and economy of the early medieval Balkans.

Panos Sophoulis is a specialist in the history of south-eastern Europe, with a particular interest in the Balkans during the Middle Ages. He is the author of Byzantium and Bulgaria (2011) and Banditry in the Medieval Balkans, 800–1500 (2020).

Georgios Kardaras’s research interests focus on the relations between Byzantium and its northern neighbours and the history and culture of the Slavs and the Eurasian nomads. He is author of three monographs including Byzantium and the Avars. Political, Diplomatic and Cultural Relations, 6th-9th c. AD (2018).