Az avar hadsereg ostromtechnikája a Bizánci birodalom ellenében

Abstract

The Avar tribes appeared in the Eastern part of Europe in the middle of the sixth century and they brought a decisive change in the history of the Carpathian Basin. Their presence led to the end of the domination of German tribes, while their intensive attacks against the Byzantine Empire made way for the penetration of Slavic peoples to the Balkans. The Avars possessed a well-equipped cavalry, but they needed also up-todate siege machines in order to be able to fight effectively against the fortified towns of Byzantium along the Danube limes and in the Balkans. In this paper the siege technique of the Avars is being analyzed on the basis of terms referring to siege machines, or explicit descriptions of their structure in written sources. Furthermore, I compare the data available through this approach with pieces of information about the use of siege devices by different contemporary tribes and nations. On the basis of written sources, it can be discerned that the Avars used various types of siege devices, such as catapults, scaling ladders, battering-rams, hut-like shelter to protect themselves and siege towers. The analysis shows that Byzantine sources mention the use of siege devices by the Avars only in the first part of the early Avar period, thus only in their attacks against Byzantium. No reference to the use of such devices in later periods can be found in the written sources available, however, it can be discerned that only supporting and/or secondary units and squadrons used them.