Southeast European “Dark Ages” (c. 600–c. 800)
Florin Curta
Not much is known about the last decades of Roman (Byzantine) power in Balkans. After 620, occupation ceased on most urban or military sites central Balkans (Ohrid, Caricin Grad, Bargala, Bitola, Pernik, and Veliko Tarnovo-Carevec), whose existence may have continued one form another into early seventh century. In several cases, there are clear signs destruction by fire at some point after ad 600, which was often interpreted as archaeological trace widespread raids Avars Slavs. To be sure, little we know from historical sources first Emperor Heraclius' reign seems to confirm this picture devastation. Writing late 600s, author Book II Miracles St. Demetrius knew that before attacking Thessalonica, Slavs had devastated Thessaly its islands, islands Greece, Cyclades, Achaia, Epirus, part Illyricum, well parts Asia. However, no precise date can assigned Slavic attack Thessalonica recorded II. It only it must taken place a time John, I, still Archbishop Thessalonica. The list territories raided they turned against fits very difficult years, snapshots given Isidore Seville George Pisidia.
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