Who were the Pechenegs?

The medieval Eurasian steppe is a rather confusing place, for several reasons. The first, is that it played host to an ever shifting patchwork of nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples, whose various wars precipitated large-scale migrations at various points. Another, is that these peoples, by and large, left very little (if anything) by way of written sources by which we can identify them. The Pechenegs are one such group, who emerge into the historical record, and in particular Byzantine Imperial documents, from the conveyor belt of the Eurasian steppe. With thanks to my Patreon patron, Bryce Carlyle! Music: The Long Dark - Scott Buckley Way, Way Down There - John Hayes Shadows and Dust - Scott Buckley Support the Channel: All materials are used under fair use for education and commentary. 0:00 Intro 1:43 The Rise of the Pechenegs 5:12 Language 6:06 Society 9:07 Byzantine Diplomacy 10:51 Origins 16:40 Decline and Fall