Polans (western)
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The Polans (also known as Polanes, Polanians; Polish: Polanie, derived from Old Slavic pole, "field" or "plain") were a West Slavic tribe[unreliable source?], part of the Lechitic group, inhabiting the Warta River basin of the historic Greater Poland region in the 8th century.
In the 9th century the Polans united several West Slavic groups to the north of Great Moravia. The union led by the Piast dynasty developed into the Kingdom of Poland, whose name derives from that of the Polans. The earliest Polan rulers mentioned by name are the legendary figures of Piast the Wheelwright and Popiel (8-9th cent.) The first historical ruler was Mieszko I (960–92), who enlarged the Polish territory by incorporating Masovia and conquering Silesia and the Vistulan lands of Lesser Poland. The Dagome iudex document refers to Poland during Mieszko's reign as Civitas Schinesghe. The document describes the country as stretching between the Oder and Rus and between Lesser Poland ("Craccoa"/"Alemure") and the Baltic Sea. For more information, see Prehistory of Poland and History of Poland during the Piast dynasty.
Archeological findings reveal four major strongholds or gords (Polish gród) in the early Polans' state:
- Giecz - the place from where the Piasts gained control over other groups of Polans
- Poznań - the largest and probably the main stronghold in the state
- Gniezno - probably the religious centre of the state, although archeological findings that should prove this have not excavated so far
- Ostrów Lednicki - smaller stronghold halfway between Poznań and Gniezno
The Western Polans are not to be confused with Eastern Polans, a similarly named Slavic tribe. The latter lived near modern-day Kiev and played a key role in the creation of Rus.
[edit] Notable persons named Polani
- Naomi Polani (born 1927), Israeli musical director, theater director, singer, producer, actress, and dancer
- Pietro Polani (died 1148), the 36th Doge of Venice
