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First Serbian Principality

Principality of Serbia
Кнежевина Србија
Kneževina Srbija
8th century–969
Serbia, during the rule of Časlav (927–960)
Capital Ras
Languages Serbian (Old Serbian)
Religion Eastern Christianity
Government Monarchy
Prince
 •  c. 780 Višeslav (first known by name)
 •  831–850 Vlastimir (notable)
 •  850–891 Mutimir (first Christian)
 •  927–960 Časlav (last)
Historical era Medieval
 •  Unification 8th century
 •  Byzantine annexation 969
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Simple Labarum.svg Byzantine Empire
Catepanate of Serbia Simple Labarum.svg
Duklja
Serbian Grand Principality
Today part of  Serbia
 Montenegro
 Bosnia
 Croatia
 Albania
Vlastimirović dynasty

The Principality of Serbia (Serbian: Кнежевина Србија/Kneževina Srbija) or Serbian Principality (Serbian: Cрпска кнежевина/Srpska kneževina), also known as Raška (Serbian Cyrillic: Рашка, Latin: Rascia), was an early medieval state of the Serbs ruled by the Vlastimirović dynasty, that existed from 7th century to 969 in Southeastern Europe. Its first ruler known by name was Višeslav. In 822, the Serbs were said to rule the "greater part of Dalmatia", and at the same time the Bulgars had taken the lands to the east, preparing to conquer Serbia. Vlastimir defeated the Bulgar army in a three-year-war (839–842), and the two powers lived in peace for some decades. Vlastimir's three sons succeeded in ruling Serbia together, although not for long; Serbia became a key part in the power struggle between the Byzantines and Bulgars (in predominantly Byzantine alliance), which also resulted in major dynastic civil wars for a period of three decades. Serbia was annexed by the Bulgars for three years (924–927), until the return of the political hostage Prince Časlav, who united several provinces, becoming the most powerful of the Vlastimirović. An important event was the establishment of Christianity as state-religion in 869 AD, and the founding of the first Serbian eparchy, the Eparchy of Ras. The information of the Vlastimirović dynasty ends with De Administrando Imperio (fl. 950–960). Serbia was annexed by the Byzantines in 969 and ruled as the Catepanate of Ras.


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