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Stefan Nemanja

Type Figure Region Serbia Time c. 1113–1199 Also known as Founder of the Nemanjić dynasty

Stefan Nemanja (c. 1113–1199), Grand Prince of Rascia (Ras) in Serbia and founder of the Nemanjić dynasty, who unified Serbian lands and laid the gro…

Timeline

  1. 1113–1155Rascia · RasciaOf local noble birth, he gradually expanded his power in the 1150s amid rivalry with his brother Tihomir and others, gaining control of the Rascian heartland and consolidating his military and political base.
  2. 1155–1168Rascia · RasciaIn the 1160s he defeated rivals including his brother Tihomir, annexed neighboring lands such as Zeta and Duklja, and between 1166 and 1168 established grand princely authority over most of Serbia.
  3. 1168–1190Niš · SerbiaRepeatedly allied and went to war with Byzantine Emperor Manuel I and the Kingdom of Hungary; the 1189 Treaty of Kounovica recognized Byzantine suzerainty in exchange for Serbian autonomy, laying the foundation for the later kingdom.
  4. 1190–1199Mount Athos · Mount AthosIn 1196 he passed the grand princely throne to his second son Stefan Nemanjić, took monastic vows under the name Simeon, and went to Mount Athos with his third son Saint Sava; he died at the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon in 1199 and was venerated as a saint.

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