Despite the fact that Thessaloniki proved to be impregnable for the Slavs more than once, Slavs did not give up their intentions. The next story brought to us by the Miracles of St. Demetrius relates to the fate of Prince Prvud (Predab) and the new attack of the Slavs on the city. Prince Prvud, the leader of the Rhynchinoi tribe, was captured by the Byzantines and his tribesmen were demanding that the city of Thessaloniki free him. It is interesting that the Slavic-Thessalonician delegation was asking for freedom of Prvud, which can lead us to think about whether the Macedonian Slavs somehow “legalized” their presence? Or maybe they had some kind of agreement with the city of Thessaloniki? In any case, the emperor promised to release the prince when the war with the Arabs in the East ends. However, a prominent interpreter persuades Prvud to escape from prison in disguise. Prvud manages to escape and hide on the interpreter’s property, but then a serious search for him begins. The search was successful and the interpreter and his family were sentenced to death, and Prvud was imprisoned again. He tried to escape again, but failed and his life ended tragically – he was executed in 674. It is believed that this gave the Slavs an additional reason to launch a new attack. During these years, Thessaloniki was in a difficult position, suffering from shortages and hunger. The situation was so bad that part of the population fled to live with the barbarians outside the walls. In these conditions, a new attack takes place, and the emperor sent 10 ships to help. Now the less populated and less defended city found itself in a very difficult situation, but as before, help comes in the most difficult moments. The holy warrior and miracle Demetrius appears on the city walls, whose strength drives the Slavs away. The Slavs left their positions so quickly that they even left behind their equipment. The inhabitants of Thessaloniki brought these instruments of war into the city.
SLAVIC SIEGE OF THESSALONIKI (THIRD PART)
