When we say Turks, we mean a variety of nomadic tribes that, through their migrations, covered large parts of Central Asia and mainly the vast plateau of Turkestan, whether peacefully or through warfare. In Byzantine historical sources, they are referred to by many names; however, Byzantine writers often call them Turks, even when they were not always of Turkish origin or entirely Turkish, such as the Huns of Attila. The first official record of Turks appearing in regions where Greek influence once thrived dates back to 568/9, during the reign of Justinian II (565-578) in Constantinople. As we mention in our book 'History from the Perspective of the Turks,' this first record is provided by Menander the Protector, possibly because he was a member of the imperial bodyguard (Protector = Προστάτης), in his work 'Historical Treatise,' of which only fragments have survived. From such a fragment, we learn that the Turkish chieftain Dizabulus sent an embassy with someone named Maniah to Constantinople to negotiate with the Byzantines for the transportation of silk from China through their lands, after the Persians hindered caravan passages through their territory.

The Byzantines were cautious, but to better understand this people, they sent their own envoy, Zeimarhos from Cilicia, who signed a trade agreement with Dizabulus, though it was not enforced. Shortly after, in 575, another Byzantine embassy, this time under Valentinus, was sent to the Turkish khan Turgantho to deliver various information and to sign a new trade agreement. Valentinus was accompanied on his return by 106 Turkish merchants, who initiated trade relations with Byzantium. Therefore, the first contacts between Turks and Constantinople residents were commercial.