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The early medieval Western Balkans must have had multiple small Slavic ethnic tribes. In some cases the newly arrived Slavs lived amongst the population that was there prior to their arrival. It is my opinion that for whatever reason it appears that their history has not been recorded accurately ''or'' not recorded at all (it become a frontier country, 'borderland').  

The early medieval Western Balkans must have had multiple small Slavic ethnic tribes. In some cases the newly arrived Slavs lived amongst the population that was there prior to their arrival. It is my opinion that for whatever reason it appears that their history has not been recorded accurately ''or'' not recorded at all (it become a frontier country, 'borderland').  

From a Greco-Roman perspective they were all identified as Slavs. Most probably based on linguistic-language classification. The Slavs found themselves living in a '''medieval multi-ethnic''' region:  Roman Latin-Illyrian population as well as Liburnians, Greeks, Guduscani <ref>[http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/guduscani self.gutenberg.org:] ''"It has been assumed, that they were part of the Vandals, Goths or Lombards."'' </ref>, Ostrogoths and others. It has been mention that there were other ethnic groups within the Slavic tribes themselves. This could explain the Persian-Sarmatian connection.   

From a Greco-Roman perspective they were all identified as Slavs. Most probably based on linguistic-language classification. The Slavs found themselves living in a '''medieval multi-ethnic''' region:  Roman Latin-Illyrian population as well as Liburnians, Greeks, Guduscani <ref>[http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/guduscani self.gutenberg.org:] ''"It has been assumed, that they were part of the Vandals, Goths or Lombards."'' </ref>, Ostrogoths and others. It has been mention that there were other ethnic groups within the Slavic tribes themselves. This could explain the Persian (Sarmatian) connection.   

It was the most powerful chieftains (the main political players) who left a '''mark''' on history. Taking this into account, over a period of time in the middle ages we have new '''political identities''' of Southern Slavs emerging (regionally based or names brought with them). Among these were Croatians, Narentines, Bulgarians<ref>Bulgarians also have a strong historic association with Turkic semi-nomadic tribes. It has been written that in early medieval times the Bulgar elite spoke a language that was a member of the Turkic language group. </ref>, Bosnians, Serbs (Raška) etc.  

It was the most powerful chieftains (the main political players) who left a '''mark''' on history. Taking this into account, over a period of time in the middle ages we have new '''political identities''' of Southern Slavs emerging (regionally based or names brought with them). Among these were Croatians, Narentines, Bulgarians<ref>Bulgarians also have a strong historic association with Turkic semi-nomadic tribes. It has been written that in early medieval times the Bulgar elite spoke a language that was a member of the Turkic language group. </ref>, Bosnians, Serbs (Raška) etc.  

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Harvat, Horvat) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no real hard historic proof that these ethnic identities existed (i.e. Harvat, Horvat).  

It is true that some of the origins of some of these words denoting southern slavic groups (i.e. Harvat, Horvat) can be traced further back in history. Some have wrongly associated the etymology of these words to proclaim ethnicities or national identities back deep into the past. To my understanding there is no real hard historic proof that these ethnic identities existed (i.e. Harvat, Horvat).  

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna. The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its regions (i.e.,Eastern Croats, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic '''tribal''' borders, what was left of them, changed forever during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.  

When the Serbian forces were annihilated in the ''Battle of Kosovo'' by the [[Directory:Turkey|Ottoman Empire]] in '''1389''' very large groups of peoples started to migrate westward. The Ottomans caused huge instability in the area and actually managed to twice besiege Vienna (Austria). The Western Balkans from that period forward began to acquire new groups of people in its regions (i.e.,Eastern Croats, Serbs, Albanians, Greeks, Turks & others), thus creating new ethnic mixes. I believe that due to these events the old Slavic '''tribal''' borders, what was left of them, changed forever during the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.  

== Language and Identity - Politics of Language Standardisation ==

== Language and Identity - Politics of Language Standardisation ==

The old language groups which have become diluted over time and are slowly becoming extinct ('''now referred''' to as dialects) may reflect some of the many original Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.  

The old language groups which have become diluted over time and are slowly becoming extinct ('''now referred''' to as dialects) may reflect some of the many original Slavic tribes who invaded Roman Dalmatia.