Apsich or Aspik (fl. 580) was a Hun military leader in the Byzantine Empire.[1]

Apsich was a professional soldier who gained high command in the Byzantine Empire.[2][1] He fought in the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 572–591. When Philippicus fell ill in 585, he entrusted his army to him and another commander.[3] He commanded a contingent of horse-archers at the Battle of Solachon.[4]

Etymology

His name could be an Alan-Turkic hybrid. *Apsïq, formed by Alanic *apsa, "horse" and Turkish -°k, -°q, "little horse."[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Haldon, John F. (1979). Recruitment and Conscription in the Byzantine Army c.550-950. A Study on the Origins of the Stratiotika Ktemata. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. p. 82. ISBN 9783700103141. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  2. ^ Finlay, George; Tozer, Henry Fanshawe (1877). Greece under the Romans, B.C. 146-A.D. 716. Clarendon Press. p. 304. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  3. ^ Greatrex, Geoffrey; Lieu, Samuel N. C. (2005). The Roman Eastern Frontier and the Persian Wars AD 363-628. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781134756469. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  4. ^ Haldon, John (2008). The Byzantine Wars. History Press. ISBN 9780752496528. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  5. ^ Maenchen-Helfen, Otto J. "The World of the Huns. Chapter IX. Language". Retrieved 28 October 2022.
Categories