Editing 598 (section)

==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[March 30]] &ndash; [[Maurice's Balkan campaigns#Renewed campaigns, 597–602|Balkan Campaign]]: The [[Avars (Carpathians)|Avars]] lift the [[siege]] of the fortress city of [[Constanța|Tomis]] (modern [[Romania]]). A [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] army under [[Comentiolus]] crosses the [[Balkan Mountains]], and marches along the [[Danube|Danube River]] to [[Medgidia|Zikidiba]].<ref name="WPCleanerAuto1">Whitby (1998), p. 162</ref>
* The Avars rout the Byzantine forces of Comentiolus (south of [[Haemus Mons]]), and capture [[Drusipara|Drizipera]] ([[Diocese of Thrace|Thrace]]). A large part of their troops are killed by the [[Plague (disease)|plague]], after many cities are devastated in the [[Balkans|Balkan Peninsula]].<ref name="WPCleanerAuto1" />
* Emperor [[Maurice (emperor)|Maurice]] pays [[tribute]] to the Avars and concludes a [[Peace treaty|treaty]] with their leader [[Bayan I]], allowing Byzantine expeditions in [[Wallachia]].<ref>Pohl (2002), p. 154</ref> He reorganises his army and strengthens the [[Anastasian Wall|Long Walls]] (west of [[Constantinople]]).<ref>Whitby (1998), p. 163</ref>