Byzantine policy towards Paristrion in the mid-eleventh century: another interpretation

Archaeological and numismatic evidence for Byzantine activity in Paristrion , the lands beside the lower Danube, are surveyed and interpreted alongside the few pertinent written sources. It is suggested that the onset of Peche neg invasions across the lower Danube, shortly after the death of Basil II (d. 1025), provoked his successors to implement a policy which allowed the Pechenegs, and other northern peoples, controlled access to markets and mer chandise. This system allowed 'barbarians' to acquire the goods and trappin gs of distinction they desired, and was generally effective in promoting tr ading over raiding. An attempt to reform the system, and recoup bullion-per haps by the introduction of a phoundax-provoked a rebellion c. 1072.