Dragovit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Dragovit (Latin: Drogoviz; German: Dragowit; Polish: Drogowit; died in 810;[1]) was a pagan ruler (prince or chief) of the Veleti (Latin: rex Wiltorum; "king of the Wiltzes"). It is thought that Dragovit began his rule c. 740.[2]

Because of their constant hatred and hostility toward the Franks,[3] in the late 8th century, Frankish king Charlemagne organised campaigns against the Veleti, and fellow Slavic tribe of the Linonen. With the aid of Frisian, Obodrite,[a] Saxon and Sorbian[b] reinforcements, Charlemagne managed to cross the Elbe River, advancing toward the Havel River into Veleti territory. Outnumbered, Dragovit, in 789, was forced to pledge loyalty to the Franks and surrender hostages.[4] Among others, Dragovit was also forced to pay a tribute and accept the influence of Christian missionaries among his people.[5]

His capital was a fortification known as civitas Dragowiti (City of Dragovit). Its location is hypothesised to be either at Brandenburg an der Havel[6] or Demmin.[2]

Explanatory notes

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Obodrites are also of Slavic stock
  2. ^ Sorbs are also of Slavic stock

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Kazimierz Wachowski, Gerard Labuda: Słowiańszczyzna zachodnia. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskiego Towarzystwa Przyjaciól Nauk, 2000, p. 67. ISBN 9788370632717. (in Polish)
  2. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).

Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).