 After Avar rule weakened around 610, a relatively independent March of the Slavs ("marca Vinedorum"), governed by a duke, emerged in southern Carinthia in the early 7th century.Historical sources mention Valuk as the duke of Slavs ("Wallux dux Winedorum").In 623 Slavs of the Eastern Alps probably joined Samo's Tribal Union, a Slavic tribal alliance governed by the Frankish merchant Samo.