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Pribina, also called Priwina or Privina by Frankish chronicles, was the lord of Nitra (before 833) and later of Salapiugin (c.840-861), who is referred by modern historians as the first known prince of the alleged Principality of Nitra and of the alleged Balaton Principality.
The main written source describing his life is Libellus de conversione Bagoariorum et Carantanorum (i.e. Conversio), created in Salzburg in the 870s. In addition, several buildings discovered by archaeologists in Slovakia and Hungary are dated to the period of his life. The Conversio proves that the building of several churches in the region of Transdanubia was connected to his activities.
Life
The Conversio mentions that he built a Christian church in his possession in Nitrava. Based on the source, some historians claim that Pribina originally ruled the Slavic (proto-Slovak). They also think that his alleged Principality of Nitra was located approximately in present-day Slovakia and parts of present-day Hungary. Historians are divided about the issue whether Pribina himself was still a pagan at that time. The church was consecrated by Bishop Adalram of Salzburg in cca. 828. It was the first known church building of all Western and Eastern Slavs. The church may have served to Christian merchants living in Nitra or to Pribina's Bavarian wife. In addition, the construction of several castles is attributed to the short period of his alleged rule by modern historians.
In 833, Pribina was expelled from Nitra by the Moravian (Maravi) prince Mojmír I. The destruction of the castles in Pobedim and Čingov are attributed to his fierce resistance. Modern historians claim that his "principality" was finally unified to the "principality" of Mojmír I, forming the core of his Great Moravian Empire. Pribina, with his family and retinue, went to count Ratbod who administered the Eastern March, and the count introduced him to king Louis the German. He was baptised on the order of the king.
Pribina left Eastern March after a dispute with count Ratbod. His attempts to gain allies in Bulgarian Empire and Croatia failed, so he returned to East Francia. He was baptized and reconciled with Ratbod. King Louis the German even granted him the Balaton Principality as a fief.
After Pribina's arrival to his new principality, he had numerous fortified settlements and churches built. The prince also founded a new capital, Blatnograd (or Blatnohrad, later called Mosapurc, Moosburg in present-day may call Zalavár). In 861, he supported East Francia in its struggle against Great Moravia and died in a battle against the Great Moravian prince Rastislav. He was succeeded by his son Koceľ.
Notes
- Libellus de conversione Bagoariorum et Carantanorum: "Cui quondam Adalrammus archiepiscopus ultra Danubium in sua proprietate loco vocato Nitrava consecravit ecclesiam." ("For him, Archbishop Adalrammus consecrated a church over the Danube in his own possession, in a place called Nitrava").
- Libellus de conversione Bagoariorum et Carantanorum: "In cuius spacio temporis quidam Priwina exulatus a Moimaro duce Maravorum supra Danubium venit ad Ratbodum. Qui statim illum præsentavit domno regi nostro Hludowico, et suo iussu fide instructus baptizatus est in ecclesia sancti Martini loco Treisma nuncupato, curte videlicet pertinenti ad sedem Iuvavensem." ("In his days, a certain Priwina, who had been expelled by Moimarus, duke of the Maravi living over the Danube, came to Ratbodus. He introduced him to our Lord the King Hludowicus; and, on the order of the king, he was educated and baptised in Saint Martin's Church in Treisma, i.e., in a grange attached to the See of Salzburg.").
See also
External links
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