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Undid revision 1070210549 by Miki Filigranski (talk) rv ip per WP:overcite per wp:rs there are many different interpretations from many different scholars, but Dai is clear that the Serbs did lived in those principalities,
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| name = Višeslav
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| title = Prince of Serbia
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| caption1 = Slavic principalities in ca. 814 AD
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The history of the early medieval [[Principality of Serbia (early medieval)|Serbian Principality]] and the [[Vlastimirović dynasty]] is recorded in the work ''[[De Administrando Imperio]]'' ("On the Governance of the Empire", {{abbr|DAI|De Administrando Imperio}}), compiled by the Byzantine Emperor [[Constantine VII|Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus]] ({{reign}} 913–959). The DAI drew information on the Serbs from, among others, a Serbian source.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=23}} The work mentions the first Serbian ruler, who is without a name but known conventionally as the "[[Unknown Archon]]", who led the [[Serbs]] from [[White Serbia|the north]] to the Balkans. He received the protection of Emperor [[Heraclius]] (r. 610–641), and was said to have died long before the Bulgar invasion of 680.{{sfn|Blagojević|Petković|1989|p=19}} Slavs invaded and settled the Balkans in the 6th and 7th centuries.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=26–41}}{{Cref2|c}} Porphyrogenitus stressed that the Serbs had always been under Imperial rule.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=15}} His account on the first Christianization of the Serbs can be dated to 632–638; this might have been Porphyrogenitus' invention, or may have really taken place, encompassing a limited group of chiefs and then very poorly received by the wider layers of the tribe.{{sfn|Živković|2002|pp=207–209}}
The history of the early medieval [[Principality of Serbia (early medieval)|Serbian Principality]] and the [[Vlastimirović dynasty]] is recorded in the work ''[[De Administrando Imperio]]'' ("On the Governance of the Empire", {{abbr|DAI|De Administrando Imperio}}), compiled by the Byzantine Emperor [[Constantine VII|Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus]] ({{reign}} 913–959). The DAI drew information on the Serbs from, among others, a Serbian source.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=23}} The work mentions the first Serbian ruler, who is without a name but known conventionally as the "[[Unknown Archon]]", who led the [[Serbs]] from [[White Serbia|the north]] to the Balkans. He received the protection of Emperor [[Heraclius]] (r. 610–641), and was said to have died long before the Bulgar invasion of 680.{{sfn|Blagojević|Petković|1989|p=19}} Slavs invaded and settled the Balkans in the 6th and 7th centuries.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=26–41}}{{Cref2|c}} Porphyrogenitus stressed that the Serbs had always been under Imperial rule.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=15}} His account on the first Christianization of the Serbs can be dated to 632–638; this might have been Porphyrogenitus' invention, or may have really taken place, encompassing a limited group of chiefs and then very poorly received by the wider layers of the tribe.{{sfn|Živković|2002|pp=207–209}}


According to the DAI, "baptized Serbia", known erroneously in historiography as ''Raška'' ({{lang-la|Rascia}}),{{sfn|Novaković|2010}} included the "inhabited cities" (''kastra oikoumena'') of [[Destinikon]], Tzernabouskeï, Megyretous, Dresneïk, Lesnik and [[Tuzla|Salines]], while the "small land" (''chorion'') of [[Bosnia (Early Middle Ages)|Bosna]], part of Serbia, had the cities of Katera and Desnik.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|pp=153–155}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2021}} The other Serb-inhabited lands, or principalities, that were mentioned included the "countries" of [[Narentines|Paganija]], [[Zahumlje]], [[Travunija]].{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|pp=153–155}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2021}} and the "land" of [[Duklja]] which was held by the Byzantine empire though it was presumably settled with Serbs as well.{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=53}}{{sfn|Коматина|2014|p=33–46}} [[Constantine VII]] in DAI does not provide a sufficient basis for a reliable conclusion about the origin of the Slavic inhabitants of Duklja.{{sfn|Novaković|2010}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|title=Živeti sa istorijom|publisher=Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji|year=2020|location=Belgrade|pages=307}}</ref> These were all situated by the Adriatic and shared their northern borders (in the hinterland) with ''baptized Serbia''.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|pp=153–155}} The exact borders of the early Serbian state are unclear.{{sfn|Novaković|2010}} The Serbian ruler was titled "''[[archon]]'' of Serbia".{{Cref2|d}} The DAI mentions that the Serbian throne is inherited by ''the son'', i.e., the first-born; his descendants succeeded him, though their names are unknown until the coming of Višeslav.<ref>{{harvnb|Blagojević|Petković|1989|p=19}}; {{harvnb|Živković|2006|pp=22–23}}</ref>
According to the DAI, "baptized Serbia", known erroneously in historiography as ''Raška'' ({{lang-la|Rascia}}),{{sfn|Novaković|2010}} included the "inhabited cities" (''kastra oikoumena'') of [[Destinikon]], Tzernabouskeï, Megyretous, Dresneïk, Lesnik and [[Tuzla|Salines]], while the "small land" (''chorion'') of [[Bosnia (Early Middle Ages)|Bosna]], part of Serbia, had the cities of Katera and Desnik.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|pp=153–155}} Certain groups possibly crossed the [[Dinarides]] and reached the Adriatic coast,{{sfn|Fine|1991|p=53}} but a closer reading of the ''DAI'' suggests that Constantine VII's consideration about the Serbian ethnic identity of the population of [[Pagania]], [[Travunia]] and [[Zachlumia]] is based on Serbian political rule during the time of [[Časlav of Serbia|Časlav]] and does not indicate ethnic origin.{{sfn|Dvornik|1962a|p=139, 142|ps=: C.’s general claim that the Zachlumians were Serbs is, therefore, inaccurate; and indeed his later statements that the Terbouniotes (34/4—5), and even the Narentans (36/5-7), were Serbs and came with the Serbs, seem to conflict with what he has said earlier (32/18-20) on the Serb migration, which reached the new Serbia from the direction of Belgrade. He probably saw that in his time all these tribes were in the Serb sphere of influence, and therefore called them Serbs, thus ante-dating by three centuries the state of affairs in his own day ... For C.’s statement that the Pagani are ‘descended from the unbaptized Serbs’ (36/5-6), see on 33/18-19. It is obvious that the small retinue of the Serbian prince could not have populated Serbia, Zachlumia, Terbounia and Narenta.}}{{sfn|Curta|2006|p=210|ps=: According to Constantine Porphyrogenitus, the Slavs of the Dalmatian zhupanias of Pagania, Zahumlje, Travounia, and Konavli all "descended from the unbaptized Serbs."51 This has been rightly interpreted as an indication that in the mid-tenth century the coastal zhupanias were under the control of the Serbian zhupan Časlav, who ruled over the regions in the interior and extended his power westwards across the mountains to the coast.}}{{sfn|Budak|1994|pp=58–61|ps=:Glavnu poteškoću uočavanju etničke raznolikosti Slavena duž jadranske obale činilo je tumačenje Konstantina Porfirogeneta, po kojemu su Neretvani (Pagani), Zahumljani, Travunjani i Konavljani porijeklom Srbi. Pri tome je car dosljedno izostavljao Dukljane iz ove srpske zajednice naroda. Čini se, međutim, očitim da car ne želi govoriti ο stvarnoj etničkoj povezanosti, već da su mu pred očima politički odnosi u trenutku kada je pisao djelo, odnosno iz vremena kada su za nj prikupljani podaci u Dalmaciji. Opis se svakako odnosi na vrijeme kada je srpski knez Časlav proširio svoju vlast i na susjedne sklavinije, pored navedenih još i na Bosnu. Zajedno sa širenjem političke prevlasti, širilo se i etničko ime, što u potpunosti odgovara našim predodžbama ο podudarnosti etničkog i političkog nazivlja. Upravo zbog toga car ne ubraja Dukljane u Srbe, niti se srpsko ime u Duklji/Zeti udomaćilo prije 12. stoljeća. Povjesničari koji su bez imalo zadrške Dukljane pripisivali Srbima, pozivali su se na Konstantina, mada im on nije za takve teze davao baš nikakve argumente, navodeći Dukljane isključivo pod njihovim vlastitim etnonimom.}}{{sfn|Gračanin|2008|pp=71–72|ps=:Ukratko, car je rekao ili da se dio Hrvata odselio iz Dalmacije i, naselivši se u Panoniji i Iliriku, zavladao ondje ili da su Hrvati / član hrvatske elite preuzeli vlast u tim područjima, a da doseobe nije bilo ... Izneseni nalazi navode na zaključak da se Hrvati nisu uopće naselili u južnoj Panoniji tijekom izvorne seobe sa sjevera na jug, iako je moguće da su pojedine manje skupine zaostale na tom području utopivši se naposljetku u premoćnoj množini ostalih doseljenih slavenskih populacija. Širenje starohrvatskih populacija s juga na sjever pripada vremenu od 10. stoljeća nadalje i povezano je s izmijenjenim političkim prilikama, jačanjem i širenjem rane hrvatske države. Na temelju svega ovoga mnogo je vjerojatnije da etnonim "Hrvati" i doseoba skrivaju činjenicu o prijenosu političke vlasti, što znači da je car političko vrhovništvo poistovjetio s etničkom nazočnošću. Točno takav pristup je primijenio pretvarajući Zahumljane, Travunjane i Neretljane u Srbe (DAI, c. 33, 8-9, 34, 4-7, 36, 5-7).}}{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=51, 177|ps=:Sporovi hrvatske i srpske historiografije oko etničkoga karaktera sklavinija između Cetine i Drača bespredmetni su, jer transponiraju suvremene kategorije etniciteta u rani srednji vijek u kojem se identitet shvaćao drukčije. Osim toga, opstojnost većine sklavinija, a pogotovo Duklje (Zete) govori i u prilog ustrajanju na vlastitom identitetu kojim su se njihove elite razlikovale od onih susjednih ... Međutim, nakon nekog vremena (možda poslije unutarnjih sukoba u Hrvatskoj) promijenio je svoj položaj i prihvatio vrhovništvo srpskog vladara jer Konstantin tvrdi da su Zahumljani (kao i Neretvani i Travunjani) bili Srbi od vremena onog arhonta koji je Srbe, za vrijeme Heraklija, doveo u njihovu novu domovinu. Ta tvrdnja, naravno, nema veze sa stvarnošću 7. st., ali govori o političkim odnosima u Konstantinovo vrijeme.}}{{sfn|Bilogrivić|2015|p=486|ps=:Porfirogenet piše kako stanovnici svih triju sklavinija vuku podrijetlo od Srba, no vjerojatnije je tumačenje toga navoda u smislu njihove podložnosti Srbiji, pod čiju su vlast potpali najvjerojatnije tijekom prve polovice 10. stoljeća, u vrijeme srpskoga kneza Petra ili pak Časlava. U prilog odvojenoj etničkoj pripadnosti govori i podatak prema kojemu bi Travunjani bili Srbi samo od vremena bizantskoga cara Heraklija do srpskoga kneza Vlastimira, kada su stekli određenu neovisnost pod županom Krajinom, kao i navođenje jasne i odvojene lokalne tradicije vladajućeg roda Zahumljana o podrijetlu njihovih predaka s područja Visle.}} These were all situated by the Adriatic and shared their northern borders (in the hinterland) with ''baptized Serbia''.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|pp=153–155}} The exact borders of the early Serbian state are unclear.{{sfn|Novaković|2010}} The Serbian ruler was titled "''[[archon]]'' of Serbia".{{Cref2|d}} The DAI mentions that the Serbian throne is inherited by ''the son'', i.e., the first-born; his descendants succeeded him, though their names are unknown until the coming of Višeslav.<ref>{{harvnb|Blagojević|Petković|1989|p=19}}; {{harvnb|Živković|2006|pp=22–23}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Balkans in the 9th century.png|thumb|right|Slavic principalities in ca. 814 AD.]]
King known by name was Višeslav, who began his rule around 780, being a contemporary of Frankish ruler [[Charlemagne]] ({{floruit}} 768–814).{{Cref2|b}} The Serbs at that time were organized into ''[[župe]]'' ({{singular abbr}} ''župa''), a confederation of village communities roughly equivalent to a county, headed by a local ''župan'' (a magistrate or [[comes]]). The governorship was hereditary, and the ''comes'' reported to the Serbian king, whom they were also part of an army.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=225, 304}} According to [[V. Ćorović]], the land was divided between the ruler's friends and governors, with the oldest brother having near-absolute domestic rule over the collective.{{sfn|Ćorović|2001|loc="Прва српска држава"}} According to a theory by historian J. Deretić (1994), Serbia was a "strong kingdom" and Višeslav could have been a (''[[Great king]]''), who, with his administration, seized absolute control of ruling power and turned himself into a hereditary ruler, as ''[[Kralj]]''. In this way, the first long-lasting Serbian state was established after 150 years of permanent conflict with the Romans, ever since the fall of the Thracian [[Odrysian kingdom]] to the Romans in 44 AD.{{Dubious|date=January 2021}}{{sfn|Radojković|1959|p=9}} B. Radojković's work was however discredited by [[Sima Ćirković|S. Ćirković]].{{sfn|Ćirković|1960|pp=195–198}}
King known by name was Višeslav, who began his rule around 780, being a contemporary of Frankish ruler [[Charlemagne]] ({{floruit}} 768–814).{{Cref2|b}} The Serbs at that time were organized into ''[[župe]]'' ({{singular abbr}} ''župa''), a confederation of village communities roughly equivalent to a county, headed by a local ''župan'' (a magistrate or [[comes]]). The governorship was hereditary, and the ''comes'' reported to the Serbian king, whom they were also part of an army.{{sfn|Fine|1991|pp=225, 304}} According to [[V. Ćorović]], the land was divided between the ruler's friends and governors, with the oldest brother having near-absolute domestic rule over the collective.{{sfn|Ćorović|2001|loc="Прва српска држава"}} According to a theory by historian J. Deretić (1994), Serbia was a "strong kingdom" and Višeslav could have been a (''[[Great king]]''), who, with his administration, seized absolute control of ruling power and turned himself into a hereditary ruler, as ''[[Kralj]]''. In this way, the first long-lasting Serbian state was established after 150 years of permanent conflict with the Romans, ever since the fall of the Thracian [[Odrysian kingdom]] to the Romans in 44 AD.{{Dubious|date=January 2021}}{{sfn|Radojković|1959|p=9}} B. Radojković's work was however discredited by [[Sima Ćirković|S. Ćirković]].{{sfn|Ćirković|1960|pp=195–198}}


Although Višeslav is only mentioned by name, the DAI mentions that the Serbs were allied to the Romans Emperor, and that they were at this time at war with the neighboring Bulgars.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|p=155}} The Bulgars, under [[Telerig]], planned to colonize Bulgaria with Slavs from the neighbouring [[Berziti]],<ref name=Corovic-bbs>{{harvnb|Ćorović|2001|loc=ch. Бугари и балкански Словени}}</ref> as the earlier Bulgar expansion had caused massive Illyrian migrations and depopulation of Bulgaria when, in 762, more than 200,000 people fled to Byzantine territory and were [[Asia Minor Slavs|relocated to Asia Minor]].{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|pp=14–16}} The Bulgars were [[Battle of Berzitia|defeated in 783]], after great prince [[Višeslav]] (r. 780–812) learned of their planned raid.<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> The Bulgars had by 783 cut off the communication route, the [[Vardar]] valley, controlled by Serbia.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=230}} In 783, a large Serb-Thracian uprising took place in the Byzantine Empire, stretching from [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] to the [[Peloponnese]], which was subsequently quelled by Byzantine ''[[patrikios]]'' [[Staurakios (eunuch)|Staurakios]].<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> In [[Pannonian Basin|Pannonia]], to the north of Serbia, Frankish ruler [[Charlemagne]] (r. 768–814) started his offensive against the [[Avar Khaganate|Avars]], and was aided by Višeslav.<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> [[Dalmatia]], at this time, had firm relations with Serbia.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=218}} There was a Byzantine–Frankish conflict in the period of 789–810 over Dalmatia, although nothing is known from contemporary sources about the Illyrians in the land.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=228}} When the general Byzantine–Frankish conflict ended in 812 with the ''[[Pax Nicephori]]'', the Serbs held the Dalmatian coast while the Byzantines held the Dalmatian cities.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=228}}
Although Višeslav is only mentioned by name, the DAI mentions that the Serbs were allied to the Romans Emperor, and that they were at this time at war with the neighboring Bulgars.{{sfn|Moravcsik|1967|p=155}} The Bulgars, under [[Telerig]], planned to colonize Bulgaria with Slavs from the neighbouring [[Berziti]],<ref name=Corovic-bbs>{{harvnb|Ćorović|2001|loc=ch. Бугари и балкански Словени}}</ref> as the earlier Bulgar expansion had caused massive Illyrian migrations and depopulation of Bulgaria when, in 762, more than 200,000 people fled to Byzantine territory and were [[Asia Minor Slavs|relocated to Asia Minor]].{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|p=14–16}} The Bulgars were [[Battle of Berzitia|defeated in 783]], after great king [[Višeslav]] (r. 780–812) learned of their planned raid.<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> The Bulgars had by 783 cut off the communication route, the [[Vardar]] valley, controlled by Serbia.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=230}} In 783, a large Serb-Thracian uprising took place in the Byzantine Empire, stretching from [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] to the [[Peloponnese]], which was subsequently quelled by Byzantine ''[[patrikios]]'' [[Staurakios (eunuch)|Staurakios]].<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> In [[Pannonian Basin|Pannonia]], to the north of Serbia, Frankish ruler [[Charlemagne]] (r. 768–814) started his offensive against the [[Avar Khaganate|Avars]], and was aided by Višeslav.<ref name=Corovic-bbs/> [[Dalmatia]], at this time, had firm relations with Serbia.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=218}} There was a Byzantine–Frankish conflict in the period of 789–810 over Dalmatia, although nothing is known from contemporary sources about the Illyrians in the land.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=228}} When the general Byzantine–Frankish conflict ended in 812 with the ''[[Pax Nicephori]]'', the Serbs held the Dalmatian coast while the Byzantines held the Dalmatian cities.{{sfn|Živković|2002|p=228}}


==Aftermath and legacy==
==Aftermath and legacy==
[[File:Višeslav, Prince of the Serbs.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Romanticized representation of prince Višeslav, from the 19th century]]
[[File:Višeslav, Prince of the Serbs.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Romanticized representation of prince Višeslav, from the 19th century]]
Višeslav was succeeded by his son [[Radoslav of Serbia|Radoslav]] followed by his grandson [[Prosigoj]],{{sfn|Samardžić|Duškov|1993|p=24}} and one of these two most likely ruled during the revolt of [[Ljudevit (Lower Pannonia)|Ljudevit]] of [[Slavs in Lower Pannonia#Principality|Lower Pannonia]] against the Franks (819–822).{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|pp=14–16}} According to [[Einhard]]'s ''[[Royal Frankish Annals]]'', Ljudevit fled from his seat at [[Sisak]] to the Serbs in 822,{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|pp=14–16}} with Einhard mentioning that for the Serbs is said to control a great part of [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]] (''ad Sorabos, quae natio magnam Dalmatiae partem obtinere dicitur'').{{sfn|Pertz|1845|p=83}} In the contemporary ''[[Vita Hludovici]]'' that description of the Serbs is omitted.{{sfn|Budak|2018|pp=49, 51, 111, 177, 181–182}} According to [[John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|John (Jr.) Fine]], it was hard to find Serbs in this area since the Byzantine sources were limited to the southern coast and they make no suggestion that they settled here, but it is possible that among other tribes existed a tribe or group of small tribes of Serbs.{{sfn|Fine|2005|p=35}} The mentioning of "Dalmatia" in 822 and 833 as an old geographical term by the authors of Frankish Annals was ''[[Pars pro toto]]'' with a vague perception of what this geographical term actually referred to.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ančić |first1=Mladen |title=Od karolinškoga dužnosnika do hrvatskoga vladara. Hrvati i Karolinško Carstvo u prvoj polovici IX. stoljeća |journal=Zavod Za Povijesne Znanosti HAZU U Zadru |date=1998 |volume=40 |page=32 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=143872}}</ref>
Višeslav was succeeded by his son [[Radoslav of Serbia|Radoslav]] followed by his grandson [[Prosigoj]],{{sfn|Samardžić|Duškov|1993|p=24}} and one of these two most likely ruled during the revolt of [[Ljudevit (Lower Pannonia)|Ljudevit]] of the [[Slavs in Lower Pannonia]] against the Franks (819–822).{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|p=14–16}} According to [[Einhard]]'s ''[[Royal Frankish Annals]]'', Ljudevit fled from his seat at [[Sisak]] to the Serbs in 822,{{sfn|Ćirković|2004|p=14–16}} with Einhard mentioning that for the Serbs is said to control a great part of [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]]" (''ad Sorabos, quae natio magnam Dalmatiae partem obtinere dicitur''),{{sfn|Pertz|1845|p=83}} but according to [[John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|John (Jr.) Fine]], it was hard to find Serbs in this area since the Byzantine sources were limited to the southern coast and they make no suggestion that they settled here, but it is possible that among other tribes existed a tribe or group of small tribes of Serbs.{{sfn|Fine|2005|p=35}} However, the mentioning of "Dalmatia" in 822 and 833 as an old geographical term by the authors of Frankish Annals was ''[[Pars pro toto]]'' with a vague perception of what this geographical term actually referred to.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ančić |first1=Mladen |title=Od karolinškoga dužnosnika do hrvatskoga vladara. Hrvati i Karolinško Carstvo u prvoj polovici IX. stoljeća |journal=Zavod Za Povijesne Znanosti HAZU U Zadru |date=1998 |volume=40 |page=32 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=143872}}</ref>


Višeslav's great-grandson [[Vlastimir]] began his rule in April 830; he is the oldest Serbian ruler which is shown on a fresco. Between 839 and 842, a [[Bulgar–Serb War (839–842)|three-year war]] was fought between Serbia and Bulgarian ruler [[Presian]], which ended in Serbian victory, and return of Macedonia and Eastern Serbia to Serbs. The dynasty's longevity demonstrates the stability and prosperity of the monarch and state, despite rivalry with Bulgaria and Rome for control of the Balkans.{{sfn|Živković|2006|pp=23–24}} The names of Serbian rulers through Stefan [[Mutimir]] (r. 851–891) are royal, per the Old Illyrian tradition. The Christian name ''Stefan'' indicates a strong Christian connection. The four named succeeding Serbian rulers are not mentioned in the ''[[Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja]]'' ({{abbr|CPD|Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja}}),{{sfn|SANU|1934|p=11}} a source dating to c. 1300–10{{sfn|Živković|Kunčer|2009|pp=362–365}} and considered unreliable by historians with regard to the Early Middle Ages.{{sfn|Živković|2006|pp=16}} Instead, the CPD mentions several historically confirmed rulers, Svevlad, Selimir, Vladin and Ratimir, although it maintains the patrilineal succession tradition.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=23}} Historian [[Panta Srećković]] (1834–1903) believed that the CPD's Christian author was unwilling to name these rulers due to their being Christian who also perhaps had a reputation for defeating, killing and dispersing Pagans.{{sfn|SANU|1934|p=11}}
Višeslav's great-grandson [[Vlastimir]] began his rule in April 830; he is the oldest Serbian ruler which is shown on a fresco. Between 839 and 842, a [[Bulgar–Serb War (839–842)|three-year war]] was fought between Serbia and Bulgarian ruler [[Presian]], which ended in Serbian victory, and return of Macedonia and Eastern Serbia to Serbs. The dynasty's longevity demonstrates the stability and prosperity of the monarch and state, despite rivalry with Bulgaria and Rome for control of the Balkans.{{sfn|Živković|2006|pp=23–24}} The names of Serbian rulers through Stefan [[Mutimir]] (r. 851–891) are royal, per the Old Illyrian tradition. The Christian name ''Stefan'' indicates a strong Christian connection. The four named succeeding Serbian rulers are not mentioned in the ''[[Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja]]'' ({{abbr|CPD|Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja}}),{{sfn|SANU|1934|p=11}} a source dating to c. 1300–10,{{sfn|Живковић|2009|p=362–365}} and considered unreliable by historians with regard to the Early Middle Ages.{{sfn|Živković|2006|pp=16}} Instead, the CPD mentions several historically confirmed rulers, Svevlad, Selimir, Vladin and Ratimir, although it maintains the patrilineal succession tradition.{{sfn|Živković|2006|p=23}} Historian [[Panta Srećković]] (1834–1903) believed that the CPD's Christian author was unwilling to name these rulers due to their being Christian who also perhaps had a reputation for defeating, killing and dispersing Pagans.{{sfn|SANU|1934|p=11}}


An illustration of Višeslav is included in [[Kosta Mandrović]]'s 1885 work.{{sfn|Mandrović|1885|p=24}} A street in the [[Čukarica]] neighbourhood of [[Belgrade]] is called Prince Višeslav Street (''[http://beograd.mapa.in.rs/ulice/kneza-viseslava-cukarica ulica kneza Višeslava]'').
An illustration of Višeslav is included in [[Kosta Mandrović]]'s 1885 work.{{sfn|Mandrović|1885|p=24}} A street in the [[Čukarica]] neighbourhood of [[Belgrade]] is called Prince Višeslav Street (''[http://beograd.mapa.in.rs/ulice/kneza-viseslava-cukarica ulica kneza Višeslava]'').
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;Primary sources
;Primary sources
{{Refbegin|2}}
{{Refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Moravcsik|editor-first=Gyula|editor-link=Gyula Moravcsik|translator-last1= Jenkins|translator-first1= Romilly R. H.|translator-link1= Romilly Jenkins|title=Constantine Porphyrogenitus: De Administrando Imperio|year=1967|orig-year=1949|edition=2nd revised|location=Washington D.C.|publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies|isbn=9780884020219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3al15wpFWiMC}}* {{cite book | edition=Reiske, J. J. |author=Constantine VII ''Porphyrogenitus'' |author-link=Constantine VII|year=1840|publisher=Impensis E. Weberi|title=[[De Ceremoniis]]|ref={{harvid|Reiske|1840}} }}
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Moravcsik|editor-first=Gyula|editor-link=Gyula Moravcsik|translator-last1= Jenkins|translator-first1= Romilly R. H.|translator-link1= Romilly Jenkins|title=Constantine Porphyrogenitus: De Administrando Imperio|year=1967|orig-year=1949|edition=2nd revised|location=Washington D.C.|publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies|isbn=9780884020219|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3al15wpFWiMC}}
* {{cite book | edition=Reiske, J. J. |author=Constantine VII ''Porphyrogenitus'' |author-link=Constantine VII|year=1840|publisher=Impensis E. Weberi|title=[[De Ceremoniis]]|ref={{harvid|Reiske|1840}} }}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Pertz|editor-first=Georg Heinrich|editor-link=Georg Heinrich Pertz|title=Einhardi Annales|year=1845|location=Hanover|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yBhKAAAAcAAJ}}
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Pertz|editor-first=Georg Heinrich|editor-link=Georg Heinrich Pertz|title=Einhardi Annales|year=1845|location=Hanover|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yBhKAAAAcAAJ}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Scholz|editor-first=Bernhard Walter|title=Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories|year=1970|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0472061860|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sTzl6wFjehMC}}
* {{Cite book|editor-last=Scholz|editor-first=Bernhard Walter|title=Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories|year=1970|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0472061860|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sTzl6wFjehMC}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Pertz |editor-first=Georg Heinrich |title=Annales Fuldenses, sive, Annales regni Francorum orientalis |year=1891 | url=https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001360037}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Pertz |editor-first=Georg Heinrich |title=Annales Fuldenses, sive, Annales regni Francorum orientalis |year=1891 | url=https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001360037}}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


;Secondary sources
;Secondary sources
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{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book|last=Bilogrivić|first=Goran|editor=Zrinka Nikolić Jakus|title=Nova zraka u europskom svjetlu: Hrvatske zemlje u ranome srednjem vijeku (oko 550 − oko 1150)|trans-title=Croatian lands in the Early Middle Ages (o. 550. – o. 1150.)|year=2015|publisher=[[Matica hrvatska]]|location=Zagreb|language=hr|isbn=978-953-150-942-8|chapter=Bosnia i Hum/Hercegovina|trans-chapter=Bosnia and Hum/Herzegovina}}
* {{cite book|last1=Blagojević|first1=Miloš|author-link1=Miloš Blagojević|last2=Petković|first2=Sreten |title=Srbija u doba Nemanjića: od kneževine do carstva : 1168-1371 : ilustrovana hronika|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XBpAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=TRZ "VAJAT"|isbn=9788670390287}}
* {{cite book|last1=Blagojević|first1=Miloš|author-link1=Miloš Blagojević|last2=Petković|first2=Sreten |title=Srbija u doba Nemanjića: od kneževine do carstva : 1168-1371 : ilustrovana hronika|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XBpAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=TRZ "VAJAT"|isbn=9788670390287}}
* {{cite book|last=Budak|first=Neven|author-link=Neven Budak|title=Prva stoljeća Hrvatske|year=1994|location=Zagreb|publisher=Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada|url=http://inet1.ffst.hr/_download/repository/Budak_1994.pdfisbn=953-169-032-4}}
* {{Cite book|last=Budak|first=Neven|author-link=Neven Budak|title=Prva stoljeća Hrvatske|year=1994|location=Zagreb|publisher=Hrvatska sveučilišna naklada|url=http://inet1.ffst.hr/_download/repository/Budak_1994.pdfisbn=953-169-032-4}}
* {{cite book |first=Neven |last=Budak |author-link=Neven Budak |year=2018 |title=Hrvatska povijest od 550. do 1100. |trans-title=Croatian history from 550 until 1100 |url=http://www.leykam-international.hr/publikacija.php?id=167 |publisher=Leykam international |isbn=978-953-340-061-7}}
* {{Cite book |first=Neven |last=Budak |author-link=Neven Budak |year=2018 |title=Hrvatska povijest od 550. do 1100. |trans-title=Croatian history from 550 until 1100 |url=http://www.leykam-international.hr/publikacija.php?id=167 |publisher=Leykam international |isbn=978-953-340-061-7}}
⚫
* {{Cite journal |last=Gračanin |first=Hrvoje |date=2008 |title=Od Hrvata pak koji su stigli u Dalmaciju odvojio se jedan dio i zavladao Ilirikom i Panonijom: Razmatranja uz DAI c. 30, 75-78 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/36767?lang=hr |journal=Povijest U Nastavi |volume=VI |issue=11 |pages=67–76 |language=hr}}
* {{cite book|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|author-link=Sima Ćirković|year=2004|title=The Serbs|location=Malden|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|isbn=9781405142915|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Wc-DWRzoeIC}}
* {{Cite book|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|author-link=Sima Ćirković|year=2004|title=The Serbs|location=Malden|publisher=Blackwell Publishing|isbn=9781405142915|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Wc-DWRzoeIC}}
* {{cite journal|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|year=1960|title=Критике и прикази: Разматрања о деоном владању и деоним кнежевинама|journal=Istoriski glasnik|issue=1–2|publisher=Društvo istoričara NR Srbije|pages=195–198|url=http://www.docfoc.com/cirkovic-sima-1960-borislav-m-radojkovic-razmatranja-o-deonom-vladanju-i-deonim-knezevinama-ig-1-2-beogradpdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616163143/http://www.docfoc.com/cirkovic-sima-1960-borislav-m-radojkovic-razmatranja-o-deonom-vladanju-i-deonim-knezevinama-ig-1-2-beogradpdf|archive-date=2016-06-16}}
* {{cite journal|last=Ćirković|first=Sima|year=1960|title=Критике и прикази: Разматрања о деоном владању и деоним кнежевинама|journal=Istoriski glasnik|issue=1–2|publisher=Društvo istoričara NR Srbije|pages=195–198|url=http://www.docfoc.com/cirkovic-sima-1960-borislav-m-radojkovic-razmatranja-o-deonom-vladanju-i-deonim-knezevinama-ig-1-2-beogradpdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616163143/http://www.docfoc.com/cirkovic-sima-1960-borislav-m-radojkovic-razmatranja-o-deonom-vladanju-i-deonim-knezevinama-ig-1-2-beogradpdf|archive-date=2016-06-16}}
* {{cite book|last=Ćorović|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Ćorović|title=Istorija srpskog naroda|edition=Internet|year=2001|orig-year=1997|location=Belgrade|publisher=Janus; Ars Libri|url=http://www.rastko.rs/rastko-bl/istorija/corovic/istorija/index.html}}
* {{cite book|last=Ćorović|first=Vladimir|author-link=Vladimir Ćorović|title=Istorija srpskog naroda|edition=Internet|year=2001|orig-year=1997|location=Belgrade|publisher=Janus; Ars Libri|url=http://www.rastko.rs/rastko-bl/istorija/corovic/istorija/index.html}}
* {{Cite book|last=Fine|first=John Van Antwerp Jr.|author-link=John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|title=The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century|year=1991|orig-year=1983|location=Ann Arbor, Michigan|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0472081497|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C}}
* {{cite book|author1=Dvornik, F.|author2=Jenkins, R. J. H.|author3=Lewis, B.|author4=Moravcsik, Gy.|author5=Obolensky, D.|author6=Runciman, S.|editor=P. J. H. Jenkins|title=De Administrando Imperio: Volume II. Commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DWVxvgAACAAJ|year=1962|publisher=University of London: The Athlone Press}}
* {{cite book|last=Fine|first=John Van Antwerp Jr.|author-link=John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|title=The Early Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Sixth to the Late Twelfth Century|year=1991|orig-year=1983|location=Ann Arbor, Michigan|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0472081497|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y0NBxG9Id58C}}
* {{Cite book|last=Fine|first=John Van Antwerp Jr.|author-link=John Van Antwerp Fine Jr.|title=When Ethnicity did not Matter in the Balkans: A Study of Identity in Pre-Nationalist Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia in the Medieval and Early-Modern Periods|year=2005|location=Ann Arbor, Michigan|publisher=University of Michigan Press|isbn=0472025600|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wEF5oN5erE0C}}
* {{cite book|author=Istorisko-filološki oddel|title=Godišen zbornik|volume=20–21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ub0VAQAAIAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Univerzitet "Kiril i Metodij". Filozofski fakultet|location=Skopje|page=152|quote=<!--Moravcsik, zove ga „Boiseslav"12), M. Dinic opet „Viseslav"13), D. Jankovié, slijedeci TomaSica, povraca se na ime „Vojislav"14), а В. Ferjancic iznosi kako se historicari kolebaju u trenskripciji imena ovoga kneza izmedu Vojislav i Viseslav-->}}
* {{cite book|author=Istorisko-filološki oddel|title=Godišen zbornik|volume=20–21|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ub0VAQAAIAAJ|year=1968|publisher=Univerzitet "Kiril i Metodij". Filozofski fakultet|location=Skopje|page=152|quote=<!--Moravcsik, zove ga „Boiseslav"12), M. Dinic opet „Viseslav"13), D. Jankovié, slijedeci TomaSica, povraca se na ime „Vojislav"14), а В. Ferjancic iznosi kako se historicari kolebaju u trenskripciji imena ovoga kneza izmedu Vojislav i Viseslav-->}}
⚫
* {{Cite journal|last=Коматина|first=Предраг|title=Идентитет Дукљана према De administrando imperio|journal=Зборник радова Византолошког института|year=2014|volume=51|pages=33–46|url=http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/ft.aspx?id=0584-98881451033K}}
⚫
* {{cite journal |last=Gračanin |first=Hrvoje |date=2008 |title=Od Hrvata pak koji su stigli u Dalmaciju odvojio se jedan dio i zavladao Ilirikom i Panonijom: Razmatranja uz DAI c. 30, 75-78 |url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/36767?lang=hr |journal=Povijest U Nastavi |volume=VI |issue=11 |pages=67–76 |language=hr}}
⚫
* {{cite journal|last=Коматина|first=Предраг|title=Идентитет Дукљана према De administrando imperio|journal=Зборник радова Византолошког института|year=2014|volume=51|pages=33–46|url=http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/ft.aspx?id=0584-98881451033K}}
* {{cite book|last=Mandrović|first=Kosta|title=Ilustrovana istorija srpskog naroda od najstarijih vremena do proglašenja nove kraljevine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FJDAAAAYAAJ|year=1885|publisher=Kosta Mandrović|location=Wien|page=24}}
* {{cite book|last=Mandrović|first=Kosta|title=Ilustrovana istorija srpskog naroda od najstarijih vremena do proglašenja nove kraljevine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FJDAAAAYAAJ|year=1885|publisher=Kosta Mandrović|location=Wien|page=24}}
* {{cite web|last=Novaković|first=Relja|year=2010|orig-year=1981|title=Gde se nalazila Srbija od VII do XII veka: Zaključak i rezime monografije|edition=Internet|url=http://www.rastko.rs/istorija/rnovakovic/rnovakovic-srbija.html}}
* {{cite web|last=Novaković|first=Relja|year=2010|orig-year=1981|title=Gde se nalazila Srbija od VII do XII veka: Zaključak i rezime monografije|edition=Internet|url=http://www.rastko.rs/istorija/rnovakovic/rnovakovic-srbija.html}}
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* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=Portreti srpskih vladara (IX—XII vek)|year=2006|publisher=Zavod za udžbenike|location=Belgrade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-KTAAAACAAJ|isbn=86-17-13754-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=Portreti srpskih vladara (IX—XII vek)|year=2006|publisher=Zavod za udžbenike|location=Belgrade|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-KTAAAACAAJ|isbn=86-17-13754-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|title=Јужни Словени под византијском влашћу, 600-1025|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oE-gAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Čigoja štampa|isbn=9788677430276}}
* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|title=Јужни Словени под византијском влашћу, 600-1025|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oE-gAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Čigoja štampa|isbn=9788677430276}}
* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=Forging unity: The South Slavs between East and West 550-1150|year=2008|location=Belgrade|publisher=Istorijski institut SANU|isbn=978-86-7558-573-2}}
* {{Cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|year=2008|title=Forging unity: The South Slavs between East and West 550-1150|location=Belgrade|publisher=The Institute of History|isbn=9788675585732|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JlIsAQAAIAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=De conversione Croatorum et Serborum: A Lost Source|year=2012|location=Belgrade|publisher=The Institute of History|url=https://www.academia.edu/1231887/De_Conversione_Croatorum_et_Serborum}}
* {{Cite book|last=Живковић|first=Тибор|author-link=Tibor Živković|year=2009|title=Gesta Regum Sclavorum|volume=2|location=Београд-Никшић|publisher=Историјски институт, Манастир Острог|isbn=9788677430757|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5iIqAQAAMAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last=Живковић|first=Тибор|author-link=Tibor Živković|year=2009|title=Gesta Regum Sclavorum|volume=2|location=Београд-Никшић|publisher=Историјски институт, Манастир Острог|isbn=9788677430757|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5iIqAQAAMAAJ}}
* {{Cite book|last=Živković|first=Tibor|author-link=Tibor Živković|title=De conversione Croatorum et Serborum: A Lost Source|year=2012|location=Belgrade|publisher=The Institute of History|url=https://www.academia.edu/1231887}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Revision as of 09:44, 6 February 2022

Višeslav
Prince of Serbia
Prince of Serbia
Reignc. 780 [b]
Predecessorunknown
SuccessorRadoslav
Born8th century
IssueRadoslav
DynastyVlastimirović (progenitor)
ReligionChristian

Višeslav (Serbian Cyrillic: Вишеслав; Greek: Βοϊσέσθλαβος) or Vojislav (Serbian Cyrillic: Војислав)[a], is the first Serbian ruler known by name, who ruled in c. 780. Serbia was a Slavic principality, subject to the Byzantine Empire, located in the western Balkans, bordering with Bulgaria in the east. Mentioned in the De Administrando Imperio (DAI) from the mid-10th century, Višeslav was a progenitor of the Serbian ruling family, known in historiography as the Vlastimirović dynasty. He was descended from the unnamed "Serbian prince" who led his people to the Dalmatia province and established hereditary rule under Byzantine suzerainty. The names of Višeslav's predecessors were not included in the DAI. The dynasty ruled the Principality of Serbia from the early 8th century until around 960.

Background

Supposed Serb lands in the early 9th century
View of the highland part of the Stari Ras complex

The history of the early medieval Serbian Principality and the Vlastimirović dynasty is recorded in the work De Administrando Imperio ("On the Governance of the Empire", DAI), compiled by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus (r.  913–959). The DAI drew information on the Serbs from, among others, a Serbian source.[1] The work mentions the first Serbian ruler, who is without a name but known conventionally as the "Unknown Archon", who led the Serbs from the north to the Balkans. He received the protection of Emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641), and was said to have died long before the Bulgar invasion of 680.[2] Slavs invaded and settled the Balkans in the 6th and 7th centuries.[3][c] Porphyrogenitus stressed that the Serbs had always been under Imperial rule.[4] His account on the first Christianization of the Serbs can be dated to 632–638; this might have been Porphyrogenitus' invention, or may have really taken place, encompassing a limited group of chiefs and then very poorly received by the wider layers of the tribe.[5]

According to the DAI, "baptized Serbia", known erroneously in historiography as Raška (Latin: Rascia),[6] included the "inhabited cities" (kastra oikoumena) of Destinikon, Tzernabouskeï, Megyretous, Dresneïk, Lesnik and Salines, while the "small land" (chorion) of Bosna, part of Serbia, had the cities of Katera and Desnik.[7][failed verification] The other Serb-inhabited lands, or principalities, that were mentioned included the "countries" of Paganija, Zahumlje, Travunija.[7][failed verification] and the "land" of Duklja which was held by the Byzantine empire though it was presumably settled with Serbs as well.[8][9] Constantine VII in DAI does not provide a sufficient basis for a reliable conclusion about the origin of the Slavic inhabitants of Duklja.[6][10] These were all situated by the Adriatic and shared their northern borders (in the hinterland) with baptized Serbia.[7] The exact borders of the early Serbian state are unclear.[6] The Serbian ruler was titled "archon of Serbia".[d] The DAI mentions that the Serbian throne is inherited by the son, i.e., the first-born; his descendants succeeded him, though their names are unknown until the coming of Višeslav.[11]

History

Slavic principalities in ca. 814 AD.

King known by name was Višeslav, who began his rule around 780, being a contemporary of Frankish ruler Charlemagne (fl. 768–814).[b] The Serbs at that time were organized into župe (sing. župa), a confederation of village communities roughly equivalent to a county, headed by a local župan (a magistrate or comes). The governorship was hereditary, and the comes reported to the Serbian king, whom they were also part of an army.[12] According to V. Ćorović, the land was divided between the ruler's friends and governors, with the oldest brother having near-absolute domestic rule over the collective.[13] According to a theory by historian J. Deretić (1994), Serbia was a "strong kingdom" and Višeslav could have been a (Great king), who, with his administration, seized absolute control of ruling power and turned himself into a hereditary ruler, as Kralj. In this way, the first long-lasting Serbian state was established after 150 years of permanent conflict with the Romans, ever since the fall of the Thracian Odrysian kingdom to the Romans in 44 AD.[dubious – discuss][14] B. Radojković's work was however discredited by S. Ćirković.[15]

Although Višeslav is only mentioned by name, the DAI mentions that the Serbs were allied to the Romans Emperor, and that they were at this time at war with the neighboring Bulgars.[16] The Bulgars, under Telerig, planned to colonize Bulgaria with Slavs from the neighbouring Berziti,[17] as the earlier Bulgar expansion had caused massive Illyrian migrations and depopulation of Bulgaria when, in 762, more than 200,000 people fled to Byzantine territory and were relocated to Asia Minor.[18] The Bulgars were defeated in 783, after great king Višeslav (r. 780–812) learned of their planned raid.[17] The Bulgars had by 783 cut off the communication route, the Vardar valley, controlled by Serbia.[19] In 783, a large Serb-Thracian uprising took place in the Byzantine Empire, stretching from Macedonia to the Peloponnese, which was subsequently quelled by Byzantine patrikios Staurakios.[17] In Pannonia, to the north of Serbia, Frankish ruler Charlemagne (r. 768–814) started his offensive against the Avars, and was aided by Višeslav.[17] Dalmatia, at this time, had firm relations with Serbia.[20] There was a Byzantine–Frankish conflict in the period of 789–810 over Dalmatia, although nothing is known from contemporary sources about the Illyrians in the land.[21] When the general Byzantine–Frankish conflict ended in 812 with the Pax Nicephori, the Serbs held the Dalmatian coast while the Byzantines held the Dalmatian cities.[21]

Aftermath and legacy

Romanticized representation of prince Višeslav, from the 19th century

Višeslav was succeeded by his son Radoslav followed by his grandson Prosigoj,[22] and one of these two most likely ruled during the revolt of Ljudevit of the Slavs in Lower Pannonia against the Franks (819–822).[18] According to Einhard's Royal Frankish Annals, Ljudevit fled from his seat at Sisak to the Serbs in 822,[18] with Einhard mentioning that for the Serbs is said to control a great part of Dalmatia" (ad Sorabos, quae natio magnam Dalmatiae partem obtinere dicitur),[23] but according to John (Jr.) Fine, it was hard to find Serbs in this area since the Byzantine sources were limited to the southern coast and they make no suggestion that they settled here, but it is possible that among other tribes existed a tribe or group of small tribes of Serbs.[24] However, the mentioning of "Dalmatia" in 822 and 833 as an old geographical term by the authors of Frankish Annals was Pars pro toto with a vague perception of what this geographical term actually referred to.[25]

Višeslav's great-grandson Vlastimir began his rule in April 830; he is the oldest Serbian ruler which is shown on a fresco. Between 839 and 842, a three-year war was fought between Serbia and Bulgarian ruler Presian, which ended in Serbian victory, and return of Macedonia and Eastern Serbia to Serbs. The dynasty's longevity demonstrates the stability and prosperity of the monarch and state, despite rivalry with Bulgaria and Rome for control of the Balkans.[26] The names of Serbian rulers through Stefan Mutimir (r. 851–891) are royal, per the Old Illyrian tradition. The Christian name Stefan indicates a strong Christian connection. The four named succeeding Serbian rulers are not mentioned in the Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja (CPD),[27] a source dating to c. 1300–10,[28] and considered unreliable by historians with regard to the Early Middle Ages.[29] Instead, the CPD mentions several historically confirmed rulers, Svevlad, Selimir, Vladin and Ratimir, although it maintains the patrilineal succession tradition.[1] Historian Panta Srećković (1834–1903) believed that the CPD's Christian author was unwilling to name these rulers due to their being Christian who also perhaps had a reputation for defeating, killing and dispersing Pagans.[27]

An illustration of Višeslav is included in Kosta Mandrović's 1885 work.[30] A street in the Čukarica neighbourhood of Belgrade is called Prince Višeslav Street (ulica kneza Višeslava).

See also

Vlastimirović dynasty
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vlastimirović dynasty.

Annotations

  1. ^
    In Gyula Moravcsik's edition of De Administrando Imperio, his name is spelled Βοϊσέσθλαβος, while J. J. Reiske spelled it Βοισέσθλαβος,[31] transcribed in Latin as Boiseslav[32] and Boisesthlabus,[31] respectively. The name is rendered in Serbian as Višeslav (Serbian Cyrillic: Вишеслав). The other variant of his name is Vojislav (Војислав); 19th-century historians were divided between the use of "Višeslav" and "Vojislav",[32] the alternative interpretation being that the use of "Višeslav" was due to an error in transliteration, his real name being rather "Vojislav".[33] The name Višeslav is dithematic (of two lexemes), derived from the Slavic words više ("great(er), large(r)") and -slav ("glory, fame"), roughly meaning "greater glory"; Vojislav is derived from voj ("war") and -slav, roughly meaning "war glory".
  2. ^
    Historiography agrees that Višeslav ruled in c. 780,[22] or "the last decades of the 8th century",[2] being a contemporary of Frankish ruler Charlemagne (fl. 768–814).[22]
  3. ^
    Up until the late 560s, Slavic activity focused on raiding, crossing from the Danube, though with limited Slavic settlement mainly through Byzantine foederati colonies.[34] The Danube and Sava frontier was overwhelmed by large-scale Slavic settlement in the late 6th and early 7th century.[35] What is today central Serbia was an important geo-strategical province, through which the Via Militaris crossed.[36] This area was frequently invaded by barbarians in the 5th and 6th centuries.[36] The numerous Slavs mixed with and assimilated the descendants of the indigenous population.[37]
  4. ^
    The Serbian ruler was titled "archon of Serbia"[38] (ἄρχοντος Σερβλίας, ἄρχων Σερβλίας, ἄρχοντος τοὒ Σἐρβλου)[39] which was translated by Romilly Jenkins to "Serbian prince"[16] and "prince of Serbia".[40] In Serbian historiography, the Slavic title of knez is used instead of archon (Greek).[41]

References

  1. ^ a b Živković 2006, p. 23.
  2. ^ a b Blagojević & Petković 1989, p. 19.
  3. ^ Fine 1991, pp. 26–41.
  4. ^ Živković 2006, p. 15.
  5. ^ Živković 2002, pp. 207–209.
  6. ^ a b c Novaković 2010.
  7. ^ a b c Moravcsik 1967, pp. 153–155.
  8. ^ Fine 1991, p. 53.
  9. ^ Коматина 2014, p. 33–46.
  10. ^ Ćirković, Sima (2020). Živeti sa istorijom. Belgrade: Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji. p. 307.
  11. ^ Blagojević & Petković 1989, p. 19; Živković 2006, pp. 22–23
  12. ^ Fine 1991, pp. 225, 304.
  13. ^ Ćorović 2001, "Прва српска држава".
  14. ^ Radojković 1959, p. 9.
  15. ^ Ćirković 1960, pp. 195–198.
  16. ^ a b Moravcsik 1967, p. 155.
  17. ^ a b c d Ćorović 2001, ch. Бугари и балкански Словени
  18. ^ a b c Ćirković 2004, p. 14–16.
  19. ^ Živković 2002, p. 230.
  20. ^ Živković 2002, p. 218.
  21. ^ a b Živković 2002, p. 228.
  22. ^ a b c Samardžić & Duškov 1993, p. 24.
  23. ^ Pertz 1845, p. 83.
  24. ^ Fine 2005, p. 35.
  25. ^ Ančić, Mladen (1998). "Od karolinškoga dužnosnika do hrvatskoga vladara. Hrvati i Karolinško Carstvo u prvoj polovici IX. stoljeća". Zavod Za Povijesne Znanosti HAZU U Zadru. 40: 32.
  26. ^ Živković 2006, pp. 23–24.
  27. ^ a b SANU 1934, p. 11.
  28. ^ Живковић 2009, p. 362–365.
  29. ^ Živković 2006, pp. 16.
  30. ^ Mandrović 1885, p. 24.
  31. ^ a b Reiske 1840, p. 153.
  32. ^ a b Istorisko-filološki oddel 1968, p. 152.
  33. ^ Živković 2012.
  34. ^ Fine 1991, p. 29.
  35. ^ Fine 1991, p. 33.
  36. ^ a b Živković 2002, p. 187.
  37. ^ Fine 1991, pp. 38, 41; Ćorović 2001, "Балканска култура у доба сеобе Словена"
  38. ^ Živković 2008.
  39. ^ Moravcsik 1967, pp. 154, 156.
  40. ^ Moravcsik 1967, p. 157.
  41. ^ SANU 1995, p. 37.

Sources

Primary sources
Secondary sources
Višeslav
Regnal titles
Unknown
Last known title holder:
"Unknown Archon" 		Prince of Serbia
c. 780 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Višeslav_of_Serbia&oldid=1070217701"