Considérations concernant la fin du pouvoir des Petchénègues du Bas-Danube

Abstract

Considerations on the end of the Pechenegs’ power at the Lower Danube. This study addresses the political and military context of the last great invasions of the North-Danube Pechenegs in the Byzantium Empire, from 1091 and 1122-1123 and their political and military consequences. Basic information was provided by a series of Byzantine chronicles such as those of Ioannes (John) Skylitzes, Ioannes (John) Zonaras, Ioannes (John) Kynnamos, Anna Comnena, Niketas Choniates and others, or Heimskringla of the Icelandic chronicler Snorri Sturluson. The Pechengs of Turanian race entered the Lower Danube in the 10th century, laid the bases of a large “steppe empire” – Patzinakia – bounded by the lower course of the Danube and Volga. Their invasions in Byzantium, started in the third decade of the 11th century, led to some gaps of the Byzantine rule on Thema Paristrion or Paradounavon, in 1046/ 1047-1053, 1059, 1072-1091. Defeated by a categorical manner by the Emperor Alexios I Comnenos, allied with the Cumans, at Lebunion, on April 29, 1091, the Pechenegs gave them the main place of military factor in the Lower Danube. Three decades later, with their military potential restored they take their last great invasion in the Byzantine Empire, advancing to Thracia (fall 1122). In the spring of 1123 they take are, however, crouched by the Byzantine forces commanded by Emperor Ioannes (John) II Comnenos, close to Berroe. The suffered military disaster caused the permanent end of their power at the Lower Danube.