The Avars, a nomadic people from Central Asia of undetermined, but probably mixed Mongol and Turkish, origin and language, may be the remnants of the Rouran Khaganate, whose empire was destroyed in 552 by Turkish tribes living within the empire and allied to northern China’s Wei dynasty.

Forced to migrate south from the steppe in 555, they currently inhabit the North Caucasus region, the lands of which are unsuitable for cattle breeding.

Their ambassadors reach Constantinople in 557, and, although they do not receive the lands they demand, they are loaded with precious gifts and allied by treaty with the empire.