The following year it was the turn of the northern tribes.
Its main role was to protect the region from advancing northern tribes.
Nor had anyone else, except the northern tribes, who clearly knew very well it existed,and provided easy access to the south.
Only after the northern tribes had finally capitulated in 691, did success start.
The next few years saw a considerable loss of revenue and influence for the northern tribes.
He was able to stir up most of the northern tribes against the Turkish officials and troops.
And almost immediately another northern tribe, the Maeatae, again went to war.
Indeed, until colonial times, the northern and southern tribes seemed unaware of each other's existence.
"I doubt the northern tribes will last ten years, if they last that long."
This varied greatly from the custom among the northern tribes.