AN EARLY BYZANTINE BACKSWORD WITH A RING POMMEL FROM CARIČIN GRAD (IVSTINIANA PRIMA) IN SOUTHERN SERBIA AND ITS STEPPE PARALLELS Abstract. The article considers a sword with a ring pommel, discovered in the crypt of one of the churches of Caričin Grad in southern Serbia during excavations of 1947. It was concluded that the edged weapon with a ring pommel on the handle reflects the general military Eurasian fashion of the VI-VII centuries well represented in the culture of «princely» elites and imitated by ordinary warriors.