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| According to DAI, Pagania bordered the lands of ] to the north and northeast and ] to the west (after river ]). Its coast encompassed the region of today's cities of ], ], ], ], and ]. It also included the islands of ], ], ] and ]. | According to DAI, Pagania bordered the lands of ] to the north and northeast and ] to the west (after river ]). Its coast encompassed the region of today's cities of ], ], ], ], and ]. It also included the islands of ], ], ] and ]. | ||
| The ], a 12th century document, does not mention Pagania, nor does it say that the Serb tribes inhabited the region; instead, it talks of ] inhabiting the region. | |||
| The Narentans or Paganians apparently consistently held a middle-ground between the two major Slavic states of their time, Croatia to the west and the Serbian states to the east. They often entered into alliances with the Serb states but later, majorly kept close relations with Croatia, at the same time keeping close relations with both. | The Narentans or Paganians apparently consistently held a middle-ground between the two major Slavic states of their time, Croatia to the west and the Serbian states to the east. They often entered into alliances with the Serb states but later, majorly kept close relations with Croatia, at the same time keeping close relations with both. | ||
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| It is unclear where the toponym disappeared in the present time, or even if it ever truly existed as such at all. There are very few remaining artifacts and monuments from these tribes. | It is unclear where the toponym disappeared in the present time, or even if it ever truly existed as such at all. There are very few remaining artifacts and monuments from these tribes. | ||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
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| * ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 20:52, 9 February 2006
Pagania is a term from De Administrando Imperio, a book written by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos in the 10th century. The book describes the Paganians in as a Serb tribe which settled in the area of today's central Dalmatia and western Herzegovina, west of the river Neretva (Narenta). Byzantines named the region Pagania because tribes in Pagania were pagan long after neighbouring Slav tribes adopted Christianity.
De Administrando Imperio states:
- "From the river Orontius begins Pagania and stretches along as far as the river Zentina; it has three 'zupanias', Rhastotza and Mokros and that of Dalen. Two of these 'zupanias', viz., Rhastotza and that of Mokros, lie on the sea, and possess galleys ; but that of Dalenos lies distant from the sea, and they live by agriculture.
- Neighbour to them are four islands, Meleta, Kourkoura, Bratza and Pharos, most fair and fertile, with deserted cities upon them and many olive-yards ; on these they dwell and keep their flocks, from which they live.
- " these same Serbs decided to depart to their own homes, and the emperor sent them off. And since what is now Serbia and Pagania and the so-called country of the Zachlumi and Terbounia and the country of the Kanalites were under the dominion of the emperor of the Romans, therefore the emperor settled these same Serbs in these countries"
According to DAI, Pagania bordered the lands of Zahumlje to the north and northeast and Croatia to the west (after river Cetina). Its coast encompassed the region of today's cities of Sinj, Imotski, Vrgorac, Omiš, and Makarska. It also included the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Vis.
The Narentans or Paganians apparently consistently held a middle-ground between the two major Slavic states of their time, Croatia to the west and the Serbian states to the east. They often entered into alliances with the Serb states but later, majorly kept close relations with Croatia, at the same time keeping close relations with both.
Prince Peter Gojniković is generally considered as a first unified Serb ruler. His realm included Pagania between 892 and 917. From 927 to 950, the Serbian Prince Časlav Klonimirović of the House of Vlastimirović had Pagania under heavy influence and a nominal rule. Later, prior to the growth of Croatian influence in the region, Stjepan I of Croatia had negotiated with the Narentines to join the Croatian realm around 1050.
They were known for their maritime piracy and were often decried and battled against by the Venetians.
By the time the Croatian influence faded (because it became part of the Kingdom of Hungary), Pagania proved to be too far west to enter into confederations with the Serb princes of Raška (Rascia) and Doclea which would later form a unified Serbian realm.
It is unclear where the toponym disappeared in the present time, or even if it ever truly existed as such at all. There are very few remaining artifacts and monuments from these tribes.