Sinnion
Sinnion (Greek: Σιννίων or Σισίννιος; undetermined origin, perhaps Iranian[1]) was the chieftain of the Kutrigurs, a Turkic nomadic tribe of the Pontic–Caspian steppe.
Sinnion was a veteran of the Vandalic War.[2][3] Noted for their strength and bravery,[3] Sinnion and Balas led a group of 600 auxiliaries (all mounted archers),[1] at the Battle of Ad Decimum (September 13, 533).
After the Utigurs led by Sandilch had attacked the Kutrigurs, Sinnion succeeded Chinialon as leader of the Kutrigurs between 551 and 558.[4] Having suffered great losses, the Kutrigurs made a peace treaty with Byzantine Empire, and 2000 Kutrigurs with their wives and children were led by Sinnion into the Empire's service and were settled in Thrace.[4][2] The shelter provided to the Kutrigurs was not well received by Sandilch.[4]
Sinnion was succeeded by Zabergan.
References
- ^ a b Maenchen-Helfen, Otto J. (1973). "Chapter IX. Language: 7. Names of undetermined origin". The World of the Huns: Studies in Their History and Culture. University of California Press. pp. 390, 420. ISBN 9780520015968.
- ^ a b Curta 2015, p. 76–77.
- ^ a b Martindale, John Robert (1971). The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire, Volume 3. Cambridge University Press. p. 169. ISBN 9780521201605.
- ^ a b c Golden 2011, p. 140.
Sources
- Curta, Florin (2015). "Avar Blitzkrieg, Slavic and Bulgar raiders, and Roman special ops: mobile warriors in the 6th-century Balkans". In Zimonyi István; Osman Karatay (eds.). Eurasia in the Middle Ages. Studies in Honour of Peter B. Golden. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. pp. 69–89.
- Golden, Peter B. (2011). Studies on the Peoples and Cultures of the Eurasian Steppes. Editura Academiei Române; Editura Istros a Muzeului Brăilei. ISBN 9789732721520.
Preceded by Chinialon | Leader of the Kutrigurs fl. after 551–558 | Succeeded by Zabergan |