- Kutrigurs
The Kutrigurs (Kotrags/Kotzagerek/Kazarig) were a horde of equestrian nomads later known as part of the
Bulgars that inhabited the Eurasian plains during the dark ages. They came into existence when theEurasian Avars conquered half of the Hunno-Bulgars, whilst the remaining group, who were free (led bySandilch in the east) were calledUtigurs . The conquest of the Kutrigurs byGokturk arrivals led by three brothers from the Imaon Mountains in the6th century is mentioned byBar Hebraeus , as well as in the Chronicle of the late12th century Jacobitepatriarch ofAntioch Michael the Syrian "В.Златарски, Известието на Михаил Сирийски за преселението на българите. Том V: Избрани произведения, София, 1972,с.52." (The notice of Michael the Syrian of the migration of Bulgars. Selected works, Volume 5, Sofia, 1972, page 52)] . At this time they came to be dominated by clans related to theGöktürks .An interesting fact about the Kutrigurs is that, along with their counterpart the
Utigurs , they formed the striking forces ofAttila 's Hunnic armies. AfterAttila 's death, the larger part of the Kutrigurs returned to their homes in theScythian plains. A portion of them, however, offered their military services to the East Roman Empire in return for land in which they could settle. The East Roman Emperor allowed them to settle inThrace , where they were to serve as a buffer zone against the incursion of other tribes.In 632,
Kubrat united the Kutrigur and Utigur tribes who lived inScythia . Upon their unification, the state which East Roman scholars referred to asOld Great Bulgaria was established.When the
Khazar state expanded, it challenged the dominance ofOld Great Bulgaria . TheKhazars were able to obtain tribute fromBatbayan , Kubrat's eldst son, and so came the downfall of Great Bulgaria. In the mid7th century , a dissenting faction of Kutrigurs seems to have traveled to the upperVolga where, along with part of theUtigurs , they founded the state ofVolga Bulgaria withKotrag as its ruler.Under the leadership of
Kuber , another part of the Kutrigur tribe seems to have moved toSirmium (Pannonia ) and from there south to thePelagonia n plain. Thereafter they disappear from history as a separate Bulgar group.Kuber 's Kutrigur Bulgars displaced some of the populations that had already settled in the region of Macedonia, and intermingled with the populations that remained. In the 8th century, the Kuber Bulgars merged withAsparuh 's Bulgars who had already settled on both sides of theDanube River in the late 7th century.References
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