Branimir Inscription
Encyclopedia
The Branimir Inscription is the oldest preserved monument containing an inscription defining a Croatian medieval ruler as a duke of Croats - Dux Cruatorvm. The inscription was originally a part of templon
of a church built by Duke Branimir
, who ruled Croatia in 879–892.
, as a duke of Croats. The inscribed beam
and gable
fragments contain a Latin language reference to Branimir as BRANIMIRO COM[MES] ... DUX CRUATORVM COGIT[AVIT].... The first two words are inscribed on the 67 centimetres (26.4 in) by 21 centimetres (8.3 in) beam fragment, and the rest on the 74 centimetre wide and 65 centimetres (25.6 in) tall gable fragment. Both of the fragments have matching ornamentation along the top edge, with a cross executed in Croatian wattle
on the gable and a pair of birds, one to either side of the cross. The fragments were originally parts of a templon
in a church completed in the 9th century and consecrated to Saint Jerome
. The church was built by Branimir, who reigned in 879–892. The inscription is kept in Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split.
The inscription is very significant for History of Croatia
as it represents the oldest surviving reference to a Croatian ruler described as a ruler of a nation and the earliest recorded use of the particular name for Croats
. There are four other preserved stone inscriptions mentioning Branimir, found in Nin
, Ždrapanj near Skradin
, Otres near Bribir
and in Muć Gornji
near Split. The one found in Muć contains the consecration year, dating the inscription to year 888.
A possibly older reference to the Croatian ethnonym
is attributed to a charter of duke Trpimir I of Croatia
from the year 852. However, its original is lost, and just a 1568 copy is preserved—leading to doubts on the authenticity of the claim.
Templon
A templon is a feature of Byzantine churches consisting of a barrier separating the nave from the sacraments at the altar....
of a church built by Duke Branimir
Branimir of Croatia
Branimir was a ruler of Dalmatian Croatia who reigned as Knez from 879 to 892. He was recognized by Pope John VIII as the Duke of the Croats...
, who ruled Croatia in 879–892.
Description
The Branimir Inscription represents the oldest preserved inscription containing a record of a Croatian medieval ruler, Branimir of CroatiaBranimir of Croatia
Branimir was a ruler of Dalmatian Croatia who reigned as Knez from 879 to 892. He was recognized by Pope John VIII as the Duke of the Croats...
, as a duke of Croats. The inscribed beam
Beam (structure)
A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending. The bending force induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external loads, own weight, span and external reactions to these loads is called a bending moment.- Overview...
and gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
fragments contain a Latin language reference to Branimir as BRANIMIRO COM[MES] ... DUX CRUATORVM COGIT[AVIT].... The first two words are inscribed on the 67 centimetres (26.4 in) by 21 centimetres (8.3 in) beam fragment, and the rest on the 74 centimetre wide and 65 centimetres (25.6 in) tall gable fragment. Both of the fragments have matching ornamentation along the top edge, with a cross executed in Croatian wattle
Croatian wattle
The Croatian wattle, known as the pleter or troplet in Croatian, is a type of interlace, most characteristic for its three-ribbon pattern. It is one of the most often used patterns of pre-romanesque Croatian art...
on the gable and a pair of birds, one to either side of the cross. The fragments were originally parts of a templon
Templon
A templon is a feature of Byzantine churches consisting of a barrier separating the nave from the sacraments at the altar....
in a church completed in the 9th century and consecrated to Saint Jerome
Jerome
Saint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
. The church was built by Branimir, who reigned in 879–892. The inscription is kept in Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split.
The inscription is very significant for History of Croatia
History of Croatia
Croatia first appeared as a duchy in the 7th century and then as a kingdom in the 10th century. From the 12th century it remained a distinct state with its ruler and parliament, but it obeyed the kings and emperors of various neighboring powers, primarily Hungary and Austria. The period from the...
as it represents the oldest surviving reference to a Croatian ruler described as a ruler of a nation and the earliest recorded use of the particular name for Croats
Croats
Croats are a South Slavic ethnic group mostly living in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and nearby countries. There are around 4 million Croats living inside Croatia and up to 4.5 million throughout the rest of the world. Responding to political, social and economic pressure, many Croats have...
. There are four other preserved stone inscriptions mentioning Branimir, found in Nin
Nin, Croatia
Nin is a town in the Zadar county of Croatia, population 1,256 , total municipality population 4,603 .Nin was historically important as a centre of a Christian Bishopric in the Middle Ages. Up to the abolition and Latinization imposed by King Tomislav in the first half of the 10th century, Nin was...
, Ždrapanj near Skradin
Skradin
Skradin is a small town in the Šibenik-Knin county of Croatia it has a population about 3,986 . It is located near the Krka river and at the entrance to the Krka National Park, from Šibenik and from Split...
, Otres near Bribir
Bribir, Šibenik-Knin County
Bribir is a village in Šibenik-Knin County, near the town of Skradin, southern Croatia. It has 105 inhabitants and its post code is HR-22223...
and in Muć Gornji
MUC
The abbreviation MUC can stand for* The IATA airport code for Munich Airport* Mazharul Uloom College Ambur * Mindanao Undercurrent * Le Mans Union Club 72 * Minzu University of China* Montreal Urban Community...
near Split. The one found in Muć contains the consecration year, dating the inscription to year 888.
A possibly older reference to the Croatian ethnonym
Ethnonym
An ethnonym is the name applied to a given ethnic group. Ethnonyms can be divided into two categories: exonyms and autonyms or endonyms .As an example, the ethnonym for...
is attributed to a charter of duke Trpimir I of Croatia
Trpimir I of Croatia
Trpimir I was a duke of Croatia in 845–864, and the founder of the Croatian House of Trpimirović. Although he was formally vassal of the Frankish Emperor Lothair I, Trpimir used Frankish-Byzantine conflicts to rule on his own.-Reign:...
from the year 852. However, its original is lost, and just a 1568 copy is preserved—leading to doubts on the authenticity of the claim.