Samo's rebellion

The Samo's rebellion was a major Slavic revolt led by Samo against the Avar Khaganate. The revolt lead to unification of several Slavic tribes, particularly Wends, into a polity later referred to as the Samo's Empire on the Slavic lands freed from Avar rule. The rebellion occurred in c. 626.^[1]

Samo's rebellion
Part of the Revolutions and rebellions
Avar settlement area in the Carpathian Basin from the 7th to the 9th century by to Éva Garam
Date c. 626 Location Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, eastern Austria Result Slavic victory Territorial changes Establishment of Samo's Empire Decline of the Avar Khaganate
Belligerents
Slavic tribes	Avar Khaganate
Commanders and leaders
Samo	Bayan III
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Very heavy

Prelude

The Avars settled themselves in the heart of Europe, compromising much of Central Europe and a large portion of the Balkans. Their presence made them a great danger for all their neighbours, including for the Byzantine Empire, Francia and the Slavic tribes. In 562, the Avars, together with Slavs attacked Francia. In 567, King Sigebert I was defeated and captured by Avars. However, he eventually managed to conclude non-aggression agreement with them. Although this didn't fully prevent clashes, with one such confrontation occurring in 595 when Avars and possibly also Slavs raided Thuringia.^[2] In early 600s, the Romans organised several unsuccessful expeditions against Avars and Slavs.^[1]

Avar Khaganate continued to remain a dominant power in Europe until 623, when several Slavic tribes unified and raised an uprising against the Avar rule.^[3] Modern researchers place the date of the rebellion on 626.^[1]

Rebellion

According to Chronicle of Fredegar, the Wendish rebellion against Avars took place in 623/624.^[1][2] This was two years before the Siege of Constantinople by Avars which was supported by Slavs. However, modern researchers reject this version and believe the revolt took place around 626, after Avar failure under the walls of Constantinople which provoked the Slavic revolt, combined with long history of unfriendly Slav-Avar relations.^[1]

The revolt is believed to have begun in Moravia. The Slavic rebels were allegedly supported by Franks and Samo was supposedly sent from Francia to ensure Frankish support.^[4] The revolt allegedly also been supported by the Byzantine Empire.^[5] Samo realised that the rebels lacked a strong leadership, which he used as an opportunity to establish his authority and demonstrate his command skills.^[4] Under Samo's leadership, Slavic rebels successfully fought and defeated Avars in multiple engagements. Samo earned respect among the Slavic tribes for his skilled leadership.^[1] Samo's victory over Avars in the final engagement secured the success of the rebellion and establishment of his state on the freed Slavic lands.^[4]

Aftermath

According to Chronicle of Fredegar, "A great number of the Huns [Avars] were killed by Vinidian [Slavic] swords." during the rebellion.^[6] The success of the Slavic uprising caused irrecoverable damage to the Avar Khaganate and Samo was proclaimed Rex Sclavorum ("King of the Slavs") for his outstanding leadership in the uprising.^[7] Despite the desire of Franks to establish their control over the recently freed Slavic lands and Samo's connection to the Frankish lands, Samo refused to bring these lands under Frankish control and retained independence of his newly-established state from both the Avar Khaganate and Francia.^[4]

Samo signed a peace agreement with King Dagobert I to ensure stability for his state.^[1] It was believed to have encompassed Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia, eastern Austria and later White Serbia.^[1][4] However, in 630, the Franks invaded Slavic lands after Samo's refusal to turn in Slavs who engaged in rampant banditry against the Frankish merchants. The conflict cumulated at the Battle of Wogastisburg in 631, which ended in Frankish defeat.^[1]