ABSTRACT
Krum sued for peace a second time and was again refused. So, he moved his army in secret, and early on Saturday 26 July, launched a surprise attack on the Byzantine camp. By this time, Krum's army included Avars. It is uncertain what role they played in the struggle against the Byzantines, and whether the Avars were recruited by order of Krum or were mercenaries. The vast majority of the participants were Christian and vassals of the Frankish ruler. When Charlemagne entrusted the two prefects with governing the eastern territories, he did not define their zones and internal borders precisely. This situation changed briefly in the 820s, when Baldric, successor to Cadolah as duke of Friuli, fought a war against Liudewit. This chapter suggests that the Avars remained influential players in an era usually viewed in terms of decline and disintegration.
