Catepanate of Ras

κατεπανίκιον Σερβλίας Рашка Rascia
Principality of Serbia (610–969) Catepanate of Serbia (fl. 969–976) Theme of Sirmium (1018–1043) Principality of Serbia (Duklja) (1043–1101) Grand Principality of Serbia (1101–1217) Byzantine Empire (960–1043) Administrative Unit of Serbia and Byzantine Empire
← 969–976 →   →   →
The Serb lands according to Constantine VII (945–959)
Capital		Stari Ras
Government		Catepanate
Historical era		Middle Ages
•	Annexation	969
•	Becomes Theme of Sirmium	976

The Catepanate of Ras (Rascia) or Serbia (Greek: κατεπανίκιον Σερβλίας) was a Byzantine province established between 971–976, during the rule of John Tzimiskes (r. 969–976).^[1] It comprised the Principality of Serbia; the Ras region; the seat of the Serbian bishopric (Bishopric of Ras) and state (Stari Ras, the capital).

Data on the katepano of Ras during Tzimiskes' reign is missing.^[2]

Tzimiskes conquered the area with vigorous resistance.

A seal of a strategos of Ras has been dated to Tzimiskes' reign, making it possible for Tzimiskes' predecessor Nikephoros II Phokas to have enjoyed recognition in Rascia.^[3][4] The protospatharios and katepano of Ras was a Byzantine governor named John.^[5]

Byzantine military presence ended soon thereafter with the wars with Bulgaria, and was re-established only ca. 1018 with the short-lived Theme of Sirmium, which however did not extend much into Rascia proper.^[3]

Notes

1. Dejan, Bulić (2007). "Gradina-Kazanoviće, results of archeological research". Istorijski časopis (55): 45–62. the establishment of catepanate in Ras between 971 and 976
2. The Byzantine province in change: on the threshold between the 10th and the 11th century. Institute for Byzantine Studies, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. 2008. p. 189.
3. Stephenson, Paul (2003). The Legend of Basil the Bulgar-slayer. Cambridge University Press. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-521-81530-7.
4. Byzantium in the year 1000. BRILL. 2003. p. 122. ISBN 978-90-04-12097-6.
5. Byzantinoslavica. 65–66. Academia. 2007. p. 132.

References

• "The Holy Virgin of Ljeviska, Bogdorica Ljeviska" (PDF). Cultural Corridors of South East Europe.
• Dejan, Bulić (2007). "Gradina-Kazanoviće, results of archeological research". Istorijski časopis (55): 45–62.
• Ćirković, Sima M (2004). The Serbs. John Wiley & Sons. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-631-20471-8.
• Vlasto, A. P. (1970). The entry of the Slavs into Christendom: an introduction to the medieval history of the Slavs. CUP Archive. ISBN 978-0-521-07459-9.