Serbia is a landlocked country located in the Balkan Peninsula of Southeast Europe.
In Wirnt von Grafenberg’s Wigalois, Serbians ally with Prince Lion of Namur against King Wigalois of Korntin, son of Gawain.
Serbia | 0 to 9th century AD
Roman Period | 1st century BC – 5th century AD
The region that is now Serbia was part of the Roman province of Moesia during the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. The Romans built fortifications and roads in the area, and cities such as Singidunum (modern-day Belgrade) became important centers. The region experienced Romanization, and Latin became a prominent language.
Migration Period | 4th – 6th centuries
During the Migration Period, various tribes and peoples moved through the region, including Huns, Goths, and Gepids. The arrival of the Slavs in the sixth and seventh centuries had a lasting impact on the ethnic composition of the region.
Slavic Settlement | 6th – 9th centuries
Slavic tribes, including the Serbs, settled in the area during the sixth and seventh centuries. The Serbs are traditionally associated with the White Serbia region, which is believed to be in the vicinity of modern-day Serbia. The Byzantine Empire had a considerable influence on the Slavic tribes in the region.
Christianization and State Formation
The process of Christianization of the Serbs began in the ninth century, influenced by the Byzantine Empire. The first Serbian state is traditionally associated with the early medieval principality of Raška, and the ruling dynasty, the Vlastimirović, played a role in the Christianization of the Serbs.
Baptism of Serbia | Late 9th century
The traditional date for the Christianization of the Serbs is linked to the baptism of Prince Mutimir of Raška and his people in 867. This event had political and religious implications.
Formation of Early Medieval States
The ninth century saw the emergence of early medieval Serbian states, including Duklja and Raška, as political entities. These states laid the foundation for the medieval Serbian statehood that would develop further in the following centuries.
Source
Wigalois | Wirnt von Grafenberg, early 13th century