Σλάβων refers to the Slavs, a group of ethnolinguistic peoples primarily found in Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and Northern Asia. They are known for their shared linguistic and cultural heritage, which includes various languages belonging to the Slavic language family. The Slavs are divided into three main branches: West Slavs, East Slavs, and South Slavs, each with distinct languages and traditions. Historically, the Slavs began to emerge as a distinct group around the 6th century AD. They played a significant role in the formation of several states and empires, such as Kievan Rus and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Today, Slavic nations include Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, among others.