Great+Moravia

Great Moravia The Great Moravian Empire existed from around 830 AD to around 906 AD. Even though the Great Moravian empire only lasted about 70 years it is considered the most important historical development of the the Slovaks. Great Moravia was located along the Morava River and included the land of modern Slovakia, Moravia, and parts of Hungary, Austria, Poland and Germany. The Great Moravian Empire was established around 830 AD by the Slavic leader Mojmir who reigned from 830 to 846. It was his successor Rostislav who reigned from 846 to 870 that may have had the most historical influence. Rostislav sent a couple of missionaries, Cyril (Constantine) and Methodius (Method) to spread christianity in the Great Moravian Empire. Cyril and Methodius created the oldest Slavic script based on the small Greek alphabet. (The Cyrillic alphabet is still used by Russia and Bulgaria) They translated religious texts from Greek and Latin to educate the Slavs. This had a major cultural impact at the time. After Methodius' died in 885 Great Moravia adopted the Roman catholic religion, and Cyrillic script was replaced by Latin. Rastislav was replaced by Svatopluk who ruled until he died in 894. Under Svatopluk Great Moravia reached its largest territorial expansion. After Svatopluk died his sons Mojmir II and Svatopluk II took over rule. This weakened Great Moravia because of conflicts between the brothers. Eventually the Great Moravian Empire collapsed in 907 due to a Hungarian invasion.

By Brandon Driscoll