The Eurasian Avars or Ancient Avars ( /ˈævɑrz/) were a militarized equestrian group which established an empire spanning considerable areas of Central and Eastern Europe. Although data is scarce, it is generally hypothesized that they might have spoken an Oghuric dialect. Their state was the Avar Khaganate. The rule of their country over much of the Pannonian Plain persisted until the early 9th century. They were ruled by a khagan, who was surrounded by a tight-knit entourage of nomad warriors. Although the name Avar first appeared in the mid-fifth century, the Avars of Europe enter the historical scene in the mid-sixth century AD.
Their formation was one of social and military processes which took shape in the Pontic-Caspian steppe during the late 6th century.
Famous quotes containing the word eurasian:
“In economics, we borrowed from the Bourbons; in foreign policy, we drew on themes fashioned by the nomad warriors of the Eurasian steppes. In spiritual matters, we emulated the braying intolerance of our archenemies, the Shi’ite fundamentalists.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)