Pages: 17-28

Archaeological evidence on the existence of the Slavic professional soldiers and military leaders in the 5th—7th centuries is considered in this article. Written sources of this time mention Slavic leaders and talk about Slavic mercenaries, that is, professional soldiers in the Byzantine army. Finds of prestigious armament and equestrian equipment, «professional» weapons, things of the “military” and “princely” culture, as well as the existence of individual burials with weapons and military belts support ancient authors’ accounts.

Keywords: Slavs, military organization, armament, military leaders, professional warriors

Information about author:

Michel Kazanski (Paris, France). Doctor Habilitat on Archaeology. Centre national de la recherche scientifique, UMR 8167: Centre d’Histoire et Civilisation de Byzance. Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 52, Paris, 75005, France
E-mail: [email protected]