03-30-2006, 07:33 AM
You also have to remember that Hun armies would also contain many subject peoples which would also have an effect on their later appearance and tactics.
Later Hun armies contained more Germanics (Ostrogoths, Gepids) than Huns and actually relied less on cavalry tactics as a result.
Excavations of burial sites in Hungary can find little or no distinction between Gepid, Hun or later Avar culture.
One interesting thought is what role did the subject 'Mongoloid/Ugrian' peoples play. Later Avar hordes conquered most of the Balkans and pushed into central Europe but tended to stay within their stronghold of the central Balkan region once dominated by the Gepids. However recent excavations at Kernave in Lithuania show signs of nomadic aggression in the 6th century with heavy, three cornered arrow heads of 'Hunnic style' being found, some embedded within human remains.
It is doubtful if the Avars themselves ventured this far north although their empire certainly extended into this region. Perhaps these Baltic settlements were raided by subject peoples such as Ugrians and possibly the remnants of the Huns themselves, relocated to other regions, a method employed by the Romans with subdugated peoples.
Later Hun armies contained more Germanics (Ostrogoths, Gepids) than Huns and actually relied less on cavalry tactics as a result.
Excavations of burial sites in Hungary can find little or no distinction between Gepid, Hun or later Avar culture.
One interesting thought is what role did the subject 'Mongoloid/Ugrian' peoples play. Later Avar hordes conquered most of the Balkans and pushed into central Europe but tended to stay within their stronghold of the central Balkan region once dominated by the Gepids. However recent excavations at Kernave in Lithuania show signs of nomadic aggression in the 6th century with heavy, three cornered arrow heads of 'Hunnic style' being found, some embedded within human remains.
It is doubtful if the Avars themselves ventured this far north although their empire certainly extended into this region. Perhaps these Baltic settlements were raided by subject peoples such as Ugrians and possibly the remnants of the Huns themselves, relocated to other regions, a method employed by the Romans with subdugated peoples.
Kuura/Jools Sleap.
\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.
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\'\'\'\'Let us measure our swords, appraise our blades\'\'\'\' The Kalevala.
<a class="postlink" href="http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/">http://www.livinghistory.co.uk/homepages/palacecompany/