Dejan (magnate)
Dejan | |
---|---|
sevastokrator and despot of the Serbian Empire | |
![]() Dejan and his wife, fresco from the Zemen Monastery. | |
Serbian imperial magnate | |
Reign |
|
Spouse | Teodora Nemanjić |
Issue | |
Titles and styles
| |
Noble family | Dejanović |
Born | Serbian Kingdom |
Died |
between 1366 and 1371 Serbian Empire |
Dejan (Serbian Cyrillic: Дејан;[a] fl. 1346–ca. 1366) was a Serbian magnate who served Emperor Stefan DuÅ¡an (r. 1331–55) as sevastokrator, and Emperor UroÅ¡ V (r. 1355–71) as despot. He was married to Emperor DuÅ¡an's sister Teodora, and possessed a large province in the Kumanovo region, east of Skopska Crna Gora. It initially included the old župe (counties) of Žegligovo and PreÅ¡evo (modern Kumanovo region with Sredorek, KozjaÄija and the larger part of PÄinja). UroÅ¡ V later gave Dejan the Upper Struma river with Velbužd (Kyustendil). Dejan built the Zemen Monastery, among others, and reconstructed several church buildings throughout his province.
Dejan was one of the prominent figures of Dušan's reign and during the fall of the Serbian Empire after Dušan's death. Dejan is the progenitor of the Dejanović noble family, with his two sons, despot Jovan and gospodin Konstantin, also becoming powerful during the fall of the Serbian Empire and the ensuing Ottoman period.
Life
Origin
Dejan had married Teodora, the sister of King Stefan DuÅ¡an, and received the title of sevastokrator in 1346, upon Stefan DuÅ¡an's crowning as Emperor. Dejan's origin is deemed unknown.[1] Earlier scholars believed that Dejan was a relative of Jovan Oliver, another magnate in Macedonia, but this is no longer accepted.[2] K. J. JireÄek suggested that he was vojvoda Dejan Manjak (Дејан Мањак),[1] only found mentioned in a 1333 charter, in which Stefan DuÅ¡an officially sold Ston and Prevlaka to the Republic of Venice.[1][3]
Stefan Dušan's reign
On Easter, 16 April 1346, Stefan Dušan convoked a massive assembly at Skopje, attended by the Serbian Archbishop Joanikije II, the Archbishop of Ochrid Nikolaj I, the Bulgarian Patriarch Simeon and various religious leaders of Mount Athos. The autocephalous Serbian Archbishopric was raised to the status of a Patriarchate. The new Patriarch, Joanikije II, now solemnly crowned Dušan as "Emperor and autocrat of Serbs and Romans (Greeks)". Dušan had his son Uroš V crowned King, giving him nominal rule over the Serbian lands, and although Dušan ruled the whole state, he had special responsibility for the "Roman", i.e. Greek lands, in the south. There was a further increase in the Byzantinization of the Serbian court, especially in court ceremonies and titles.[4] From his new position, Dušan could grant titles only possible for an emperor to grant, such as despot, sevastokrator, and ćesar.[4][5][6] Among the Serbian magnates were:[7]
- despot Simeon Uroš, Dušan's half-brother, governor of Epirus and Acarnania
- despot Jovan Asen, Dušan's brother-in-law, governor in southern Albania
- despot Jovan Oliver, DuÅ¡an's close associate, vojvoda and governor in OvÄe Pole and left Vardar
- sevastokrator Dejan, DuÅ¡an's brother-in-law, governor of PÄinja
- sevastokrator Branko, Dušan's relative, governor of Ohrid
- ćesar Preljub, Dušan's son-in-law, vojvoda and governor of Thessaly
- ćesar Vojihna, Dušan's relative, vojvoda and governor of Drama
- ćesar Grgur, Dušan's relative (son of Branko), vojvoda and governor of Polog
The raising of the Serbian Patriarchate resulted in bishops becoming metropolitans.[4] The Serbian ruler had wide autocratic powers, but was surrounded and advised by a permanent council of magnates (velikaši or velmože) and prelates. The court, chancellery and administration were rough copies of those of Constantinople.[4]

In 1354, when Dejan had finished building the Arhiljevica Church of the Holy Mother of God, his endowment, he asked that some of the villages under his administration be granted to the church (as metochion).[8] According to Stefan DuÅ¡an's charter to Arhiljevica dated 10 August 1354,[8] sevastokrator Dejan, whom he called his brother ("брат царÑтва ми ÑеваÑтократор Дејан"),[9] possessed a large province east of Skopska Crna Gora. It included the old župe (counties) of Žegligovo and PreÅ¡evo (modern Kumanovo region with Sredorek, KozjaÄija and the larger part of PÄinja).[10] The granted villages included: village PodleÅ¡ane with hamlets, village Arhiljevica at the church with hamlets, village Izvor, village Ruginci (Ruǵince), seliÅ¡te (arable land) Mokra Poljana (Mokro Polje), village Maistorije, seliÅ¡te Maistorije Krupnici, seliÅ¡te Prusci (Rusce), seliÅ¡te Vrdun, seliÅ¡te Prvevo, seliÅ¡te Deikovo (Dejlovce), seliÅ¡te VraÄe (VraÄevce), seliÅ¡te Sedlar, seliÅ¡te MekÅ¡a and village Glaže (Glažnja). A total of 9 villages, 9 seliÅ¡te and a few hamlets.[8] Based on the charter, Arhiljevica was situated where the granted villages of PodleÅ¡ane, Izvor and Rućinci lay, on the slopes of Jezer (Kumanovska Crna Gora).[11] The fact that Dejan built Arhiljevica rather than renovated it is evidence of his economic strength.[12] Apart from Dejan's granted villages, DuÅ¡an also granted, on his behalf as a gift, the church and village of Gospoždino Polje (lost[8]), village Koznica KriÄanovska (Gorna- and Dolna Koznitsa) and village Strojkovo (lost[8]), situated in the Velbužd region.[8][12]
Dejan was one of the prominent figures of Dušan's reign and during the subsequent fall of the Serbian Empire, after Dušan's death.[12][13] Under Emperor Dušan, despot Jovan Oliver, with his brother Bogdan and sevastokrator Dejan, ruled over all of eastern Macedonia.[14] Dejan is not mentioned much in Dušan's military endeavors, although his reputation and that of his successors suggest that he was involved in most of Dušan's successes.[13] His prominence beyond Serbia is also evident from the fact that Pope Innocent VI addressed Dejan in 1355, asking him to support the creation of the union between the Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church (such letters were sent to the highest nobility and the church).[13][15]
Uroš V's reign

Dejan received the title of despot sometime after August 1355, either from Emperor DuÅ¡an, who died on 20 December 1355, or from his heir UroÅ¡ V,[16] most likely the latter.[12][13] During the rule of UroÅ¡ V, Dejan was entrusted with the administration of the territory between South Morava, PÄinja, Skopska Crna Gora (his hereditary lands) and in the east, Upper Struma river with Velbužd (Kyustendil), a province notably larger than he had possessed during DuÅ¡an's life.[13][17][18] This province was located in the very heart of the Balkans,[11] and the important Via de Zenta, a trade route connecting the Adriatic with the interior of the Balkans, crossed it. As the only despot, Dejan held the highest title in the Empire (this had earlier been the veliki vojvoda, Jovan Oliver).[19] Dejan's daughter Teodora married Žarko, the lord of Lower Zeta, in 1356.[20]
Serbian historian M. Blagojević supported the view in historiography that Dejan also served as logotet (fl. 1362–1365), mentioned as the envoy of Emperor Uroš alongside ćesar Grgur in the peace talks with the Republic of Ragusa, which had been at war with Vojislav Vojinović in southern Dalmatia.[21] The peace was concluded on 22 August 1362, in Onogošt (Nikšić), and the Emperor's charter confirmed the "old laws" and other laws regarding the Ragusans.[21][22][23] Dejan and Grgur each received 100 ducats.[23]
Until Vojislav's death in December 1363, the Serbian nobles in the Greek lands showed themselves more ambitious, as they held more titles and greater independence (deriving from their more extensive possessions, and therefore, wealth) in relation to the nobility of the old Serbian lands.[24] While Vojislav lived, his influence secured the preeminence of the old Serbian nobility.[24] After Vojislav's death, VukaÅ¡in MrnjavÄević, who had previously served Emperor DuÅ¡an as a župan (count, holder of a župa, a "county" or "district") of Prilep, quickly gained a decisive influence on Emperor UroÅ¡ V. The nobility in the old Serbian lands was not at first alarmed at this, but VukaÅ¡in's ambition and his subsequent power moves woke up the simmering antagonism between the two groups.[24] It was not only VukaÅ¡in's endless ambition that led to his success, as he had plenty of support from other nobles who benefited from him.[24]

It is not known for certain when Dejan died, as no Serbian or foreign sources have been found with information that could give historians clues to which year he died.[25] S. Mandić said it may have been as early as 1358, and that VukaÅ¡in, who until then was veliki vojvoda, took Dejan's place as despot, and in turn Jovan UgljeÅ¡a became veliki vojvoda.[26] V. Ćorović believed it to have been sometime after the death of Vojislav (1363).[20] M. RajiÄić concluded that it was between 1366 and 1371,[11] as he believed Jovan Oliver to have held his lands at least to 1366, and based on that the PÄinja pomenik (memorial book) said that Dejan had died after Jovan Oliver (this is refuted by S. Mandić).[27] S. Mandić also believed that it was unlikely that Dejan took monastic vows before his death, as his children were still young.[27] His wife Teodora took monastic vows as Evdokija and lived in Strumica and Velbužd, and she would until her death sign as basilissa (Empress), as did: Ana-Marija, the wife of Jovan Oliver; Marija, wife of despot Toma Preljubović; and Jefimija, the wife of UgljeÅ¡a.[28]
Dejan built and reconstructed several churches and monasteries throughout his province,[29] including the Zemen Monastery and the lost Arhiljevica Church. His two sons Jovan and Konstantin later became rulers of his domain.
Aftermath
After the death of Dejan, his province, except for the župe of Žegligovo and Upper Struma, was appropriated to nobleman Vlatko PaskaÄić, whose hereditary land was SlaviÅ¡te directly to the south.[24] VukaÅ¡in MrnjavÄević, of whom there are no notable mentions until 1365, became more powerful (ultimately the most powerful nobleman in Macedonia) after the deaths of Vojislav Vojinović,[24] Dejan and despot Jovan Oliver (whose status in Macedonia was very high), as VukaÅ¡in's rise would have been unlikely during the lifetime of these men.[20] VukaÅ¡in's younger brother Jovan UgljeÅ¡a is also thought to have participated in the dismemberment of Dejan's province, as he used this chance to take the provinces which bordered on the oblast (province) of Ser (Serres).[24] No one looked to the young sons of Dejan who would later become very important.[24] Dejan's death benefited VukaÅ¡in and Jovan UgljeÅ¡a, not so much in territorial expansion (which is not so sure), but because Dejan's disappearance ended any stronger candidate to counter the MrnjavÄević family.[24]
Like his father before, Dejan's eldest son Jovan received the title of despot from Emperor UroÅ¡.[30] He and his brother later received most of Jovan Oliver's lands.[2] It is not known why Jovan Oliver's sons did not inherit his lands. Serbian historian V. Ćorović attributed this to turmoil and disorder, though it is not known what extent it developed to and what the consequences were.[20] Earlier scholars believed that the Dejanović were relatives of Jovan Oliver, although this is no longer accepted.[2] The Dejanović brothers ruled a spacious province in eastern Macedonia,[30] in the southern lands of the Empire, and remained loyal to UroÅ¡ V until his death.[2] Emperor UroÅ¡ V died childless on December 2/4, 1371, after many of the Serbian nobility had been killed in the Battle of Maritsa against the Ottomans earlier that year. This marked an end to the once powerful Serbian Empire. VukaÅ¡in's son Marko, who had earlier been crowned Young King, was to inherit his father's royal title, and thus became one in the line of successors to the Serbian throne. Meanwhile, the nobles pursued their own interests, sometimes quarreling with each other. Serbia, without an Emperor, became "a conglomerate of aristocratic territories", and the Empire was thus divided between the provincial lords: Marko MrnjavÄević, the Dejanović brothers, ÄuraÄ‘ I BalÅ¡ić, Vuk Branković, Nikola Altomanović, and Lazar Hrebeljanović.[31] In the new redistribution of feudal power, after 1371, the brothers despot Jovan and gospodin (lord) Konstantin greatly expanded their province, not only recreating their father's province, but also at least doubling the territory, on all sides, but chiefly to the south.[32][33] The brothers ruled on the left riverside of the Vardar, from Kumanovo to Strumica.[31] In 1373, two years after Maritsa, the first mentions are made on the events in the province of the Dejanović brothers, as well as their mutual relation.[34] As Marko had done, also the Dejanović brothers recognized Ottoman sovereignty.[31] Although vassals, they had their own government.[33] Their state symbol was the white double-headed eagle and they minted coins according to the Nemanjić style.[35]
Family
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dejanović noble family. |
Dejan and Teodora had three children:
- Jovan (ca. 1343 – ca. 1378), despot under Emperor Uroš; vassal of the Ottoman Empire since 1373 until his death in 1378.
- Konstantin (fl. 1365–95), gospodin under Emperor Uroš; succeeded his brother as vassal of the Ottoman Empire from 1378 until his death in 1395.
- Teodora (fl. 1356–71), married firstly gospodin Žarko (in 1356), then ÄuraÄ‘ I BalÅ¡ić (after 1371). She had a son with Žarko, MrkÅ¡a (born 1363).
Annotations
- ^ His name was Dejan (Дејан). He is usually referred to with his titles despot Dejan (деÑпот Дејан) and sevastokrator Dejan (ÑеваÑтократор Дејан) in Serbian sources. His son Jovan usually signed himself "despot Jovan DragaÅ¡", or simply "despot DragaÅ¡", while only one document mention Konstantin by this name. The DragaÅ¡ name was thus used by Jovan and Konstantin, and Jelena's son Constantine XI. There is possibility that Dejan also used this name, though he is never mentioned with it.[36]
References
- 1 2 3 MihaljÄić 1989, p. 67
- 1 2 3 4 Fine 1994, p. 358
- ↑ Istorisko Društvo NR Srbije 1953, p. 16
Војвода Дејан Мањак је поменут у повељи краља СтеÑрана Душана којом је овај уÑтупио Дубровчанима СтонÑки Рат и Превлаку
- 1 2 3 4 Fine 1994, pp. 309–310
- ↑ Ćorović 2001, ch. 3, VII.
- ↑ Fajfrić 2000, 39.
- ↑ Ćorović 2001, ch. 3, VII.; Fajfrić 2000, 39.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Blagojević 2007, pp. 448–449
- ↑ Mandić 1986, p. 161
У повељи манаÑтиру Ðрхиљевици, издатој ав- гуÑта 1355. године, Душан на три меÑта каже: „Брат царÑтва ми ÑеваÑтократор Дејан". Именица брат има вишеÑтруко значење. Ðајодређеније је оно примарно: рођени брат.
- ↑ Istorisko Društvo NR Srbije 1951, pp. 20–21
према повељи манаÑтиру богоро- дичимог ваведења у Ðрхиљевици,50 држао као Ñвоју баштину проÑтрану облаÑÑ‚ иеточно од СкопÑке Црне Горе. Она је обухватала Ñтаре жупе Прешево и Жеглигово (Ð´Ð°Ð½Ð°Ñ ÐºÑƒÐ¼Ð°Ð½Ð¾Ð²Ñки крај Ñа Средореком, Козјачијом...
- 1 2 3 Narodni muzej u Vranju 1986, p. 169
СеваÑтократор Дејан, зет цара Душана по ÑеÑтри Теодори (у калуђерÑтву Евдокији), држао је кумановÑко-прешевÑку удолину, а то је део Ñамог језгра Балкана. [...] „Брат царÑтва ми ÑеваÑтократор Дејан"\ Судећи према овој повељи, Ðрхиљевица Ñе налазила тамо где Ñу дарована Ñела Подлешане, Извор и Рућинци, а то је Куманов- Ñка Црна гора, одноÑно падине ЈезерÑке планине. [...] оÑнивачу државе Дејановића, напиÑао је Миодраг Рајичић и навео Ñву важнију литературу и изворе.1 Он закључује да је Дејан умро измећу 1366. и 1371. године.2 Дејан је Ñаградио цркву Ñвете Богородице „у Ñвојој баштини, ...
- 1 2 3 4 MihaljÄić 1989, pp. 79–81
- 1 2 3 4 5 Fajfrić 2000, 42.
- ↑ Soulis 1984, p. 101
- ↑ Soulis 1984, p. 53
- ↑ Soulis 1984, p. 190
- ↑ MihaljÄić 1989, p. 81
Дејанова баштина — жупе Жеглигово и Прешево — проÑтиру Ñе између Пчиње, Јужне Мораве и СкопÑке Црне горе. ИÑточно од Жеглигова и Прешева, око горњег тока Струме Ñа Велбуждом, проÑтирала Ñе „држава" ÑеваÑтократора Дејана
- ↑ Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti 1952, p. 240
каÑније државе Дејановића Ñигурно је обухватало 1355 године Ñтаре жупе Жеглигово (Ñа данашњом Козјачијом, Средореком и највећим делом Пчиње) на иÑтоку и Прешево Ñа једним делом ГњиланÑког Карадага на западу. Оно Ñе није ограничавало Ñамо на кумановÑки крај — Жеглигово —, а допирало Ñве до Штипа и Кратова, као што је веровао Стојан Ðоваковић, нити Ñе проÑтирало Ñамо до виÑоравни Рујена, као што је пиÑао КонÑтантин Јиречек, ...
- ↑ Mandić 1986, p. 143
То је био дота- дашњи ÑеваÑтократор Дејан. ПоÑтавши деÑпот Ñве ÑрпÑке, поморÑке и грчке земље (али не велики деÑпот, јер је поÑле Оливера у Урошевој држави увек био Ñамо један деÑпот, па није ни било уÑло- ва за великог), ...
- 1 2 3 4 Ćorović 2001, ch. 3, IX.
- 1 2 Blagojević 2001, p. 178
Логотет Дејан је по Ñвој прилици иÑта личноÑÑ‚ позната као Душанов ÑеваÑтокра- тор Дејан и деÑпот Дејан. Приликом преговора о миру измећу цара Уроша и Дубровника, као цареви поÑланици помињу Ñе логотет Дејан и Гргур.
- ↑ Ćirković & MihaljÄić 1999, p. ?
За време цара Уроша његов логотет Дејан преговарао је Ñа Дубровчанима о поштовању закона и Ñвега другог што је поÑтало Ñпорно поÑле рата Ñа кнезом Воји- Ñлавом Војиновићем.
- 1 2 Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti (1976). Istorijski Äasopis. 23–24. p. 16.
кеÑар Гргур Голубић и логотет Дејан добили Ñу по Ñто дуката, али они Ñу — то морамо да наглаÑимо — директно учеÑтвовали у прего- ворима. Одређен углед Лазара потврђује његов помен у функцији милоÑника. Податак је ...
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fajfrić 2000, 45.
- ↑ Istorisko Društvo NR Srbije 1953, p. 26
... ни у Ñтраиим изворима није Ñе Ñачувао никакав пода- тек који нам омогућава да одредимо које је године Дејан умро
- ↑ Mandić 1990, p. 154
Тако би 1358. година била прекрет- ничка за неке великаше: те године деÑпот Дејан је умро,13 на његово меÑто дошао је вероватни дота- дашњи велики војвода Вукашин, а на меÑто вели- ког војводе дошао је Јован Угл>еша.
- 1 2 Mandić 1990, pp. 154–155
- ↑ Istorisko Društvo NR Srbije 1953, p. 20
Дејаиова жена ТеÑдÑра-Евдокија, као и Ðна-Марија, Ñупруга деÑпота Оливера, и Марија, жена деÑпота Тохе Прељубовића, па и велгокоÑхимкица ЕвпракÑија (више позната под мало- Ñхимничким именом Јефимија), жена деÑпота ...
- ↑ Petković 1924
- 1 2 Samardžić 1892, p. 22
Синови деÑпота Дејана заједнички Ñу управљали проÑтраном облашћу у иÑточној Македонији, мада је иÑправе чешће потпиÑивао Ñтарији, Јован Драгаш. Као и његов отац, Јован Драгаш је ноÑио знаке деÑпотÑког доÑтојанÑтва. Иако Ñе као деÑпот помиње први пут 1373, ÑаÑвим је извеÑно да је Јован Драгаш ову титулу добио од цара Уроша. ВиÑоко доÑтојанÑтво убрајало Ñе, како је ...
- 1 2 3 Ćorović 2001, ch. 3, XIII
- ↑ MihaljÄić 1989, p. 174
- 1 2 DruÅ¡tvo istoriÄara SR Srbije (1994). Istorijski glasnik. Belgrade. p. 31.
- ↑ Vizantološki institut, SANU (1982). Zbornik radova Vizantološkog instituta. Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti. p. 198.
- ↑ Godišnjica Nikole Čupića 33, Belgrade: Štampa Državne štamparije Kraljevine Jugoslavije, 1914, p. 228
- ↑ Ostrogorsky 1970, pp. 273–274
Sources
- Blagojević, Miloš (2001), Državna uprava u srpskim srednjovekovnim zemljama (in Serbian) (2nd ed.), Belgrade: Službeni list SRJ, ISBN 86-355-0497-6
- Blagojević, Miloš (2007), "Zakon gospodina Konstantina i carice Jevdokije" (PDF), Recueil des travaux de l’Institut d’etudes byzantines (Belgrade: Institute for Byzantine Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts) 44 (Serbian)
- Ćirković, Sima; MihaljÄić, Rade (1999), Leksikon srpskog srednjeg veka (in Serbian), Belgrade: Knowledge, ISBN 86-83233-01-4
- Ćorović, Vladimir (2001), Istorija srpskog naroda (in Serbian) (Internet ed.), Belgrade: Ars Libri
- Fajfrić, Željko (2000) [1998], Sveta loza Stefana Nemanje (in Serbian), Belgrade: "Tehnologije, izdavastvo, agencija Janus", "Rastko".
- Fine, John Van Antwerp (1994), The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, ISBN 978-0-472-08260-5
- Istorisko DruÅ¡tvo NR Srbije (1951), Istoriski glasnik (in Serbian), NauÄna knjiga
- Istorisko DruÅ¡tvo NR Srbije (1953), Istorijski glasnik (in Serbian) 1–2, NauÄna knjiga
- Mandić, Svetislav (1986), Velika gospoda sve srpske zemlje i drugi prosopografski prilozi (in Serbian), Belgrade: Srpska književna zadruga
- Mandić, Svetislav (1990), Carski Äin Stefana Nemanje: Äinjenice i pretpostavke o srpskom srednjovekovlju (in Serbian), Belgrade: Srpska književna zadruga
- MihaljÄić, Rade (1989) [1975], Kraj srpskog carstva (in Serbian), Belgrade: Beogradski izdavaÄko-grafiÄki zavod
- Narodni muzej u Vranju (1986), Vranjski glasnik (in Serbian), 19-20, Vranje: Narodni muzej u Vranju
- Ostrogorsky, George (1970), Vizantija i Sloveni (in Serbian), Belgrade: Prosveta, pp. 43, 271–276, 457–459
- Petković, Vladimir R. (1924), Stari srpski spomenici u Južnoj Srbiji (in Serbian), Projekat Rastko
- RajiÄić, Miodrag (1953). Sevastokrator Dejan. Jugoslovenski Glasnik 3-4. (Serbian)
- Samardžić, Radovan (1892), Istorija srpskog naroda: Doba borbi za oÄuvanje i obnovu države 1371-1537 (in Serbian), Belgrade: Srpska knjiiževna zadruga, ISBN 86-379-0476-9
- Soulis, George Christos (1984), The Serbs and Byzantium during the reign of Tsar Stephen Dušan (1331-1355) and his successors, Dumbarton Oaks Library and Collection, ISBN 978-0-88402-137-7
- Srpska akademija nauka i umetnosti (1952), Istoriski Äasopis (in Serbian) 4, NauÄna knjiga
Court offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Jovan Oliver as of the Serbian Kingdom |
sevastokrator of Stefan Dušan 1346–1355 Served alongside: Branko (1346–?) |
Succeeded by Vlatko |
Preceded by Jovan Oliver, Jovan Asen and Simeon Uroš |
despot of Uroš V after Aug 1356 |
Succeeded by Vukašin |