The Sermesians – a “Captive” People

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60053/TER.2026.11.321-333

Keywords:

Avar–Byzantine wars, Balkan Peninsula, Sirmium, Sermesians, Keramesian plain, Komani-Kruja culture, Vlachs

Abstract

The seventh century was a time of significant political, economic, cultural and
demographic changes in the Balkan Peninsula. Many of them have long-lasting consequences
and can be traced back to the contemporaneity. However, the topic of the demographic and
ethno-cultural development of the Balkans since that time remains less studied in a number of
scientific researches and publications, preferring political history instead. The main purpose of
the present article is to shed light on an understudied issue – the historical and cultural processes
that led to the emergence and development of the Sermesians. Also analysis was made of their
interaction with the new settlers in Southeast Europe – Avars, Slavs and Bulgarians, the
changing Roman identity, and the supposed cultural and ethnic heritage of this “captive”
people.

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Published

2026-03-22

Issue

Section

Articles