Early_accounts South_Slavs

little known slavs before 5th century. history prior can tentatively hypothesized via archeological , linguistic studies. of know history after 6th century works of byzantine historians. in work de bellis, procopius portrays sclavini (supposed slavs) unusually tall , strong, tan complexion , reddish-blonde hair, living rugged , primitive life. lived in huts, distant 1 , changed place of abode. not ruled single leader, long time lived in democracy . john of ephesus, in ecclesiastical history portrays slavs extremely violent people. believed in many gods, procopius suggests believed in one, perhaps supreme god. has been identified perun, creator of lightning. slavs went battle on foot, charging straight @ enemy, armed spears , small shields, did not wear armour.

this information supplanted pseudo-maurice s work strategikon, describing slavs numerous disorganised , leaderless people, resistant hardship , not allowing enslaved or conquered. lack of understanding may attributed matrilineal succession practiced among southern slavs.

polities in south-eastern europe c. 520 ad

they made homes in forests, rivers , wetlands. jordanes states slavs have homelands on danube, not far northern bank. subsequent information slavic states , slavs interaction greeks comes de administrando imperio emperor constantine vii porphyrogenitus, compilations of miracles of saint demetrius, history theophylact simocatta , royal frankish annals.