On the Origins of the Antae

THE ANTAR are considered the forefathers of the Eastern, or Russian, Slavs.' They are mentioned by the historian of the Goths Jordanis,2 as well as by the following Byzantine authors of the 6th and the 7th century A. D.: Procopius,3 Agathias,4 Menander,5 Mauricius,6 Theophilactus Simocattes; 7 and Theophanes of the 8th century.8 There is also a reference to The land of the (Anthaib) in the Origo gentis Langobardorum of the second half of the 7th century as well as in the History of the Langobards, by Paul Diaconus, of the 8th century.9 The Antae were likewise known to Syriac historiography. They probably were mentioned by John of Ephesus in Book VI, Chapter 48, of his Church history, but we know only the title of this

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