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Pechenegs, also known as Patzinaks, were a nomadic people of Central Asia. They spoke Pecheng , a Turkic language. The Pechenegs controlled much of the southern Russian steppes and the Crimean Peninsula dunring the 9th century.The Pechenegs were kept as allies by the Byzantines who used them to fend off the more dangerous Russians and Magyars.
In 984 a Bulgarian army invading the Byzantine Empire had to contend with a Magyar army hired by the Byzantines to destroy the invading Bulgarian army. The Bulgars, in turn, hired Pechenegs to fend off the Magyars. The Pechenegs were so successful that the Magyars were permanently driven away into what was to become the Kingdom of Hungary.
After centuries of Balkan warfare involving the Byzantines, Bulgars, Russians and other local powers the Pechenegs were routed at Levounion by a combined Byzantine and Cuman army in 1061. The Pechenegs ceased to be a distinctive people and melted into neighboring tribes.
Turkic peoples
