Tihomir of Rascia

Tihomir (Serbian Cyrillic: Тихомир)[A] was a Serbian nobleman, mentioned only in the Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja, who served as the Prince of Rascia from around 960 to 969.

For the Grand Prince of Serbia 1163–1166, see Tihomir of Serbia.
Tihomir of Rascia
Duke of Drina
Reigncirca 960–969
PredecessorTišemir, Duke of Bosnia (913)
SuccessorStephen, Duke of Bosnia (1080)
Prince of Rascia
Reign960–969
PredecessorČaslav
Spousedaughter of Časlav
ReligionChalcedonian Christian

Background

Tihomir's predecessor Časlav (r. 927–960) had united several Slavic tribes, expanding Serbia which then extended between the shores of the Adriatic Sea, the Sava river and the Morava valley. The Magyars led by Kisa invaded Bosnia. The Serbian army advanced and met them on the banks of river Drina, in the Drina župania, downstream from present-day Foča.[1][2] The Magyars were decisively defeated, and Kisa was killed by Tihomir.[2] Due to his heroism, Časlav appointed Tihomir Duke of Drina and gave him his daughter in marriage.[3]

Succession to Rascia

Kisa's widow asked the Magyar leaders to give her an army for revenge. With an "unknown number" of troops, the widow returned and surprised Časlav at Syrmia. The Magyars attack the Serbs in the night, capturing Časlav and all of his male relatives. On the command of Kisa's widow, all the prisoners were bound by their hands and feet and thrown into the Sava river.[2] This event is dated to around 960[2] or thereafter, as 'De Administrando Imperio' does not mention his death.

Through his marriage with Časlav's daughter, Tihomir inherited the crownland of Rascia.[4]

Later annexation of Rascia by Byzantium

Tihomir's reign ended around 969. The Catepanate of Ras was established between 971–976, during the rule of John Tzimiskes (r. 969–976).[5] A seal of a strategos of Ras has been dated to Tzimiskes' reign, making it possible for Tzimiskes' predecessor Nikephoros II Phokas to have enjoyed recognition in Rascia.[6][7] The protospatharios and katepano of Ras was a Byzantine governor named John.[8] Data on the katepano of Ras during Tzimiskes' reign is missing.[9] Byzantine military presence ended soon thereafter with the wars with Bulgaria, and was re-established only ca. 1018 with the short-lived Theme of Sirmium, which however did not extend much into Rascia proper.[6]

See also

Footnotes
  1. ^
    Name: He is sourced as Tihomir (Serbian Cyrillic: Тихомир) or Tihomil (Тихомил).

References
  1. Brkljača 1997, pp. 30.
  2. Ćorović - Istorija Srpskog Naroda.
  3. Живковић 2006, p. 53.
  4. Живковић 2006, p. 57.
  5. Bulić 2007.
  6. Stephenson 2003, pp. 42.
  7. Magdalino 2003, pp. 122.
  8. Slovanský 2007, pp. 132.
  9. Krsmanović 2008, pp. 189.

Sources
Primary
  • Moravcsik, Gyula, ed. (1967) [1949]. Constantine Porphyrogenitus: De Administrando Imperio (2nd revised ed.). Washington D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Center for Byzantine Studies.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Шишић, Фердо, ed. (1928). Летопис Попа Дукљанина (Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja). Београд-Загреб: Српска краљевска академија.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Кунчер, Драгана (2009). Gesta Regum Sclavorum. 1. Београд-Никшић: Историјски институт, Манастир Острог.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Живковић, Тибор (2009). Gesta Regum Sclavorum. 2. Београд-Никшић: Историјски институт, Манастир Острог.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Secondary
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