It is a historical fact that the two armies – Turkish and Serbian – clashed near the village Černomen (Chirmen, Chernomen, Chermanon) at the River Marica (Mariç, Ebros, Hebros) on Friday the 26th, September 1371, and that a slaughter beyond description took place. The Serbian army suffered a true massacre in which both brothers King Vlkašin and Despot Uglješa were slain. The battle is today commonly called the Battle of Marica (after the river Marica in today’s Bulgaria) or the Battle of Chernomen (after a nearby small village on the lower Marica River). In trying to accurately convey the course of the battle one has to be contented with the contradictory assertions of the chronicles. What we can say with certainty is that Sultan Mūrad "did not participate in the clash, as he was not yet in Rumili. It seems that he was occupied with matters concerning Anatolia." Elizabeth Zachariadou points out that the battle was not fought by the regular Ottoman army but by the army of the gazis. Vlkašin was surprised by the greatly outnumbered Ottomans. Namely, led by Sultan Murad I’s Lieutenant Lala-Şâhin-Bey – Beylerbeyi (governor) of Rumeli – the Osmanlis attacked the Serbian camps in a night raid and managed to achieve victory against all odds. After this defeat, the Mrnjavčevićs virtually vanished from the political scene. Not the Ottomans, but Manuel Palaeologus made use of this defeat of the Serbs to add Serres (Despot Uglješa’s land) to his appanage at Thessalonica.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Origins of Vlkašin and His Younger Brother
- Vlkašin's Rise to Power
- Vlkašin's Coronation as King
- Vlkašin's Rule and Expansion
- Vlkašin's Personality and Character
- Vlkašin's Relations with Other Balkan Rulers
- Vlkašin's Legacy
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the life and reign of King Vlkašin, a significant figure in Serbian history during the 14th century. The text delves into his rise to power, his relationship with the Nemanjić dynasty, his expansionist ambitions, and his impact on the political landscape of the Balkans.
- The fragmentation of the Serbian Empire following the death of Tsar Stefan Dušan
- Vlkašin's ascent to power and his ambition to establish an independent dynasty
- The political and social context of 14th-century Serbia, including the struggles of feudal lords and the growing Ottoman threat
- The impact of Vlkašin's reign on the future of Serbia and the wider Balkan region
- The historical and legendary aspects of Vlkašin's life and his role in Serbian folklore
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Origins of Vlkašin and His Younger Brother: This chapter introduces Vlkašin and his brother John Uglješa, detailing their origins and early careers. It discusses their relationship with Tsar Stefan Dušan and their rise within the Serbian court.
- Vlkašin's Rise to Power: This chapter examines Vlkašin's rise through the ranks of the Serbian imperial hierarchy, his acquisition of power and influence in Macedonia, and the support he received from Empress Jelena.
- Vlkašin's Coronation as King: This chapter narrates the events surrounding Vlkašin's coronation as king alongside Tsar Uroš V. It discusses the reasons for his elevation, the reaction of other Serbian nobles, and the consequences of his new status.
- Vlkašin's Rule and Expansion: This chapter describes Vlkašin's reign, his territorial expansion, his conflicts with other Serbian rulers, and his attempts to consolidate his power in Macedonia. It explores the nature of his conquests and his motivations.
- Vlkašin's Personality and Character: This chapter offers insights into Vlkašin's personality and character, based on historical records and contemporary accounts. It discusses his appearance, his relationships with others, and his political maneuvering.
- Vlkašin's Relations with Other Balkan Rulers: This chapter analyzes Vlkašin's relationships with other Balkan rulers, including his interactions with Tsar Uroš, his conflicts with powerful Serbian lords, and his encounters with the expanding Ottoman Empire.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The text centers around the key themes of Serbian history, the fragmentation of the Serbian Empire, the rise of powerful feudal lords, the Ottoman expansion, and the clash between ambition and tradition. It examines the life and reign of King Vlkašin, his rise to power, his territorial conquests, his relationship with Tsar Uroš V, and his impact on the political landscape of the Balkans.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Vladislav Boskovic (Author), 2007, King Vukasin and the disastrous Battle of Marica, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139232
