The history of which Slavic states contacts with Byzantium in the early Middle Ages occupies a special place and why.

First, this is Bulgaria. The Bulgarian kingdom was created by Khan Asparuh in 679-681. The Bulgarians were a nomadic city, but quickly mixed with the Slavs who had lived in Thrace since the time of Justinian.

Secondly, Serbia. In the VIII-X centuries, there was a Serbian principality in the former Byzantine lands, in 869 the Serbs were baptized, and after 100 years they were temporarily conquered by Byzantium.

Thirdly, this is Ancient Russia. Contacts with Byzantium among the Eastern Slavs began in the middle of the 9th century (“Fotiev’s baptism”). in 970, 911 and 943-944, princes Oleg and Igor fought with Byzantium, in 970 – Svyatoslav, and in 988 – Prince Vladimir besieged Chersonesos, married the sister of the Byzantine emperor and converted to Christianity. The influence of Byzantium on Russia was expressed in architecture and icon painting.