Principality of Zeta 4373611 224442022 2008-07-08T21:22:11Z 77.78.142.249 {{Expand|date=April 2007}} {{Histinfo}} {{Infobox Former Country |native_name = Zeta/Зета |conventional_long_name = Zeta |common_name = Zeta/Zenta |continent = Europe |region = [[Balkans]] |country = Zeta |era = Medieval |year_start = 1356 |event_start = Independence from Rascia |date_start = |year_end = 1421 |event_end = Acceded into [[Serbian Despotate]] |date_end = |p1 = Duklja |flag_p1 = Flag_of_the_Byzantine_Empire.svg |s1 = Serbian Despotate |flag_s1 = Serbian Empire Flag.svg |image_flag = Serbian_Empire_Flag.svg |image_map = Central_balkans_1373_1395.png|200px |image_map_caption = Serbian lands |capital = Podgorica |government_type = Principality |common_languages = [[Serbian language|Serbian]] |religion = Christianity }} '''Zeta''' (Serbian Cyrillic: ''Зета'', Latin: ''Zenta'') was a principality whose territory was mostly [[Serbia]]n territories that approximately encompass present-day [[Montenegro|Republic of Montenegro]]. It was named after the [[Zeta River]]. Zeta was first noted as a vassalaged part of [[Rascia]], ruled by heirs to the Serbian throne from the [[Nemanjić]] dynasty. When the principal heir became ''Grand Župan of Rascia'' or ''King of Serbs'', the fief would be granted to second in line to the throne. Zeta gained independence from [[Rascia]] in [[1356]], under the leadership of [[Balša I]]. During the late 15th century, Zeta became better known as Montenegro, which means ''Black Mountain'' in [[Italian language|Italian]]. It was succeeded by theocratic Montenegro and Ottoman-ruled Montenegro. == History == === Serbian Rule === [[Image:Nemanja.jpg|thumb|right|[[Stefan Nemanja|Grand Župan Stefan I Nemanja]] of [[Rascia]] and [[Duklja]]/Zeta.]] After [[Constantin Bodin (Peter III)|Constantin Bodin]]'s death, fighting among his potential successors weakened the state of [[Duklja]] and the region succumbed to [[Rascia]]'s (Serbia's) reign. Between 1183 and 1186, the [[Grand Župan]] of Rascia/[[Serbia]], [[Stefan Nemanja]], conquered Zeta and ended the first period of the [[Montenegro|Montenegrin]] state. With the conquest of [[Duklja]]/Zeta, [[Stefan Nemanja|Nemanja]] is said to have devastated entire coastal towns which subsequently never recovered. During that tide of destruction, Nemanja also razed monuments of [[Latin literacy]] by burning local churches and manuscripts. It is claimed that he persecuted the [[Bogomil]]s, and expelled the [[Greeks]] from the area. Zeta's population was forced to convert to [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]], and archbishop Grgur's escape in 1185 formally ended the existence of the [[Archdiocese]] in Bar. In 1190, [[Stefan Nemanja]]'s son, [[Vukan Nemanjić|Vukan II]], asserted his right to the Dukljan crown. He converted to [[Catholicism]] to accommodate Zeta's feudal lords and restored the [[Archdiocese]] in [[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]] with the approval of [[Pope Innocent III]]. In 1219, the regent of Zeta and King Vukan's oldest son, [[Đorđe Nemanjić]], became king of Duklja/Zeta. He was succeeded by his second oldest son, [[Stefan Uroš I|Uroš I]], who built the 'Uspenje Bogorodice' monastery in Morača. Between 1276 and 1309, Zeta was ruled by Queen Jelena, a Catholic from the Kurtene family, and widow of [[Rascia]]'s/[[Serbia]]'s King [[Stefan Uroš I|Uroš I]]. She championed Zeta's autonomy and restored around 50 monasteries in the region--- most notably Saint Srđ and Vakh on the [[Bojana River]]. The name ''Crna Gora'' ([[Montenegro]]) was formally mentioned for the first time in 1296, in the charter of [[St. Nicholas]]' monastery in Vranjina. This charter was issued by Rascia's King [[Stefan Milutin|Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić]], who was the youngest son of [[Stefan Uroš I|Uroš I]] and [[Jelena Kurtene]]. Crna Gora (Montenegro) was to be understood as the highland region under [[Mount Lovćen]], within the confines of Zeta. By the beginning of the 14th century, during [[Stefan Milutin|King Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić]]'s reign, the [[Archdiocese]] in [[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]] was the strongest feudal lord in Zeta. From 1309 to 1321, in order to appease Zeta's lords, the state was co-ruled by the oldest son of [[Rascia]]'s/[[Serbia]]'s [[Stefan Milutin|Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić]], young King [[Stefan Dečanski|Stefan (Uroš III) Dečanski]]. Similarly, from 1321 to 1331, Stefan's young son [[Stefan Dušan|Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]], the future [[Serbia]]n king and [[tzar]], co-ruled Zeta with his father. After the [[Serbia]]n [[tzar]] [[Stefan Dušan|Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]]'s death in 1355, the [[Serbian Kingdom]] started to crumble and its holdings were divided among Prince (Knjaz) [[Lazar Hrebeljanović]], the short-lived Bosnian state of [[Tvrtko|Ban Tvrtko I]], which existed from 1353 to 1391, and a semi-independent chiefdom of Zeta under the [[House of Balšić|Balšić dynasty]], which increasingly asserted Zeta's sovereignty. Zeta thus, regained its independence under the second [[Montenegro|Montenegrin]] dynasty, the Balšić dynasty, whose founder [[Balša I]] came to power in 1356. === The Balšić Dynasty === [[Image:Central balkans 1373 1395.png|thumb|300px|Realm of Zeta of the House of Balšić in the 14th century]][[Image:THE STATE OF BALSIC.png|thumb|300px|The earliest State of Balsic]] [[Image:Grb balsici.jpg|right|thumb|[[House of Balšić]] Coat of Arms]] ==== Independence of Zeta ==== The most prosperous and mightiest era of [[Rascia]]'s history was brought to an end by the death of the first [[Serbia]]n [[Tzar]] [[Stefan Dušan|Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]] in 1355. Seizing the opportunity, the leading dynasty in Zeta, the [[House of Balšić|Balšić]]s, reasserted Zeta's independence in 1356. ==== Mention of the Balšić Family ==== The very first written document relating to the Balšić family is in the chart of Uroš issued to the [[Republic of Dubrovnik]] from 1360.Their origin was disputed to be either Albanian or Roman, which lead many historians to believe that they came from [[Naples]]. ==== Balša I ==== The founder of the family and the [[House of Balšić|Balšić dynasty]], [[Balša I]], originally controlled one village but with the help of his sons [[Stracimir of Zeta|Stracimir]], [[Đurađ I]] and [[Balša II]], he conquered Upper Zeta and the towns of [[Skadar]], [[Kotor]] and [[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]]. Đurađ I and Balša II ruled Zeta from 1362 to 1378 and 1378 to 1385, respectively. However, the most influential Balšić is considered to have been Đurađ I, who enlarged and consolidated Zeta's renewed power and conquered [[Prizren]] (a city in present-day [[Kosovo]]). ==== Đurađ I ==== Đurađ I's rule of Zeta extended from 1362 to 1378. During this time, he forged an alliance with King [[Vukašin Mrnjavčević]], but Vukašin Mrnjavčević was killed soon afterwards at the [[Battle of Maritsa|Battle of Marica]] in 1371. Đurađ I married Vukašin's daughter, Olivera. Đurađ I ran Zeta as a modern ruler of the time. Zeta's institutions were functioning well, while the coastal towns enjoyed considerable autonomy. Commerce was well developed and enhanced by the existence of Zeta's currency, the dinar. Đurađ I allied with his neighbors Prince [[Lazar Hrebeljanović]] of Serbia, [[Tvrtko|Ban Tvrtko I]] of [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]], Prince [[Nikola I Gorjanski]] and King [[Louis I of Hungary]], to defeat ambitious the Herzegovian ruler [[Nikola Altomanović]] in 1373. In spite of this, the defeated and blinded Nikola Altomanović found a refuge in Zeta until his death. While he was battling in the south of [[Kosovo]], Đurađ's younger brother Balša II, married Komnina, a close cousin of the mighty [[Stefan Dušan|Serbian Tzar Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]]'s wife, Jelena. By marrying [[Komnina]], Đurađ II received a generous dowry in land, including [[Avlona]], [[Berat]], [[Kanina]], and some additional strategically important regions. Upon the division of the conquered [[Herzegovina]], the [[House of Balšić|Balšić]]s took the towns of [[Trebinje]], [[Konavle]] and [[Dračevica]]. Subsequent dispute over these towns led to a conflict between Zeta and Bosnia, led by [[Tvrtko|Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić]]. The fight was eventually won by Bosnia, supported by [[Hungary]], after Đurađ's death in 1378. ==== Balša II ==== In 1378, following [[Đurađ I|Đurađ]]'s death, [[Balša II]] became king of Zeta. In 1382, [[Tvrtko|Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić]] of [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]] conquered [[Dračevica]], and built the town later known as [[Herceg-Novi]] (a city in present-day [[Montenegro]]). The [[Hungarians]] supported Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić because he, as well as [[Lazar Hrebeljanović|Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović]] of [[Serbia]] recognized Hungarian rule while Balša II refused to do so. Also, both Tvrtko I Kotromanić and Balša II had aspirations to ascend to the throne of the [[Nemanjić]] state of [[Rascia]]. During his rule, Balša II's could not maintain the control of the feudal lords as his predecessor did. His power was strong only in region around [[Shkodër|Skadar]], (a city in present-day [[Albania]]) and in the eastern part of Zeta. The most prominent feudal lords who did not recognize Balsa's rule was the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević family]], who were consistent encouraged by the [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]]s to rebel against Balša II. Balša II needed four attempts to conquer [[Durrës]], an important commercial and strategic center. Defeated, [[Karl Thopia]] appealed to the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]] for help. Turkish forces led by [[Hajrudin Pasha]] inflicted heavy damange to Balša II's forces and killed Balša II at a major battle at [[Saurian Field]] near [[Berat]], in 1385. ==== Đurađ II ==== [[Image:About 1400. on the coin.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Picture of coat of arm in silver coin Đurađ II, about 1400 AD]] The successor of Balša II, [[Đurađ II]] Stracimirović Balšić, ruled Zeta from 1385 to 1403, was Balša's nephew and son of [[Stracimir]]. He also had difficulties controlling the local feudal lords, with no control over the feudal lords in the entire Upper Zeta. In addition, the feudal lords around [[Nikšić|Onogošt]] (a city in present-day [[Montenegro]] now known as [[Nikšić]]) accepted [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] protection which controlled parts of the state. The most prominent of those lords was [[Radič Crnojević]], who controlled the area between [[Budva]] and [[Mount Lovćen]]. Moreover, a number of [[Arbanas]] feudal lords, particularly [[Lekë Dukagjini]] and [[Paul Dukagjini]] joined the conspiracy against Đurađ II. With this in mind as well as the constant danger from the Turks, Đurađ II maintained strong family ties with the Serbian ruler of the time, Prince [[Lazar Hrebeljanović]]. In order to help Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović defend his state from [[Ottoman empire|Ottoman]] invasion, Đurađ II sent his troops along with [[Tvrtko|Ban Tvrtko I Kotromanić]]'s forces (with whom he had a dispute over [[Kotor]]) to meet the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] army at [[Kosovo Polje]]. Despite [[Murad I|Sultan Murad I]]'s death, the Orthodox coalition suffered a defeat at the epic [[Battle of Kosovo]] in 1389. According to the sources, Đurađ II did not participate in the Battle of Kosovo but was in [[Ulcinj]] in Southern Zeta. In later years, Đurađ II played skillful diplomatic games to enhance the rivalry between the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]] and the [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]]. To that purpose, he offered [[Shkodër|Skadar]] to both hoping that eventually he would be able to keep it. After two years of fighting, Turks and Venetians agreed to leave Shkodër to Đurađ II, who was neutral in the conflict. Similarly, the rivalry between [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] and the [[Hungarians]] brought a benefit to Balša II. After the serious defeat of his forces by Turks near [[Nikopolje]], the Hungarian [[Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor|King Sigismund]] gave him the title of Prince of [[Arbania]] and the control over [[Hvar]] and [[Korčula]]. In the feud between [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] [[vassal]], [[Đurađ Branković]] and his uncle, [[Stefan Lazarević]] (son of Prince [[Lazar Hrebeljanović]]), who later received the title of Byzantine despot, [[Đurađ II]] sided with Stefan. Due to Đurađ's support, Stefan defeated Turkish forces led by Đurađ Branković in the [[Battle of Gračanica]] on Kosovo field in June 21, 1402 ==== Balša III ==== In 1403, Đurađ II's 17-year old son, [[Balša III]], inherited the throne of Zeta after his father died as a consequence of the injuries he suffered in the [[Battle of Gračanica]]. As he was young and unexperienced, his main advisor was his mother Jelena, a sister of the Serbian ruler, [[Stefan Lazarević]]. Under her influence, Balša III declared [[Serbian Orthodox Christianity]] as the official state religion; however, [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]] was tolerated. Balša III continued the policies of his father. In 1418, took [[Shkodër|Skadar]] from [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]], but lost the town of [[Budva]]. In the following year, 1419, he made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Budva. Afterwards went to [[Belgrade]] to ask for help from [[Stefan Lazarević]], but never returned to Zeta. === Zeta in the [[Serbian Despotate]] (1421-1451) === ==== Stefan Lazarević ==== In 1421, before his death and under the influence of his mother Jelena, Balša III passed the rule of Zeta to Stefan Lazarević. 'Despot' Stefan fought Venetians and regained [[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]] in mid-1423, and in the following year he sent his nephew Đurađ Branković, who regaining [[Drivast]] and Ulcinium ([[Ulcinj]]). ==== Đurađ Branković ==== In 1427, [[Stefan Lazarević]] died and Zeta was inherited by his nephew, the Serbian despot [[Đurađ Branković]] who, at the time, needed to confront the more serious threat of the [[Ottoman Empire]], and so could not pay particular attention to Zeta. Branković was in a hard position in his negotiations with Ottomans, and he had to meet the harsh demands made by [[Murad II|Sultan Murad II]] in order to retain the throne of Serbia. Because of these problems, and the rising power of the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević family]], Đurađ could not keep Zeta under his rule. === The Crnojević Dynasty === [[Image:Grb Crnojev.jpg|right|thumb|[[House of Crnojević]] Coat of Arms]] ==== Ascent to Power ==== The [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević dynasty]] began with two brothers Đurađ and Lješ (Aleksa) Đurašević-Crnojević, from the area around [[Mount Lovćen]]. But far more important roles in establishing this family's rule in Zeta were played by [[Stefan I Crnojević]] (1451-1465) and his son [[Ivan Crnojević]] (1465-1490). Ivan's son [[Đurađ Crnojević]] (1490-1496) was the last ruler from this dynasty. Beginning with the Crnojevic dynasty rule, Zeta began to be referred to commonly as ''Crna Gora'' or [[Montenegro]]. ==== Importance of rule ==== The Crnojević dynasty is important in Montenegrin history for at least three reasons. Firstly, this dynasty's rule is a historical link between the tradition of the independent states of [[Duklja]] and Zeta and the modern history of independent [[Montenegro]]. During their rule, the Crnojevićs witnessed the powerful [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] armies easily crush neighbouring countries. [[Serbia]] fell after the [[Battle of Kosovo]] in 1389, [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]] in 1463, and [[Herzegovina]] in 1483. To prevent a similar fate for Montenegro, [[Ivan Crnojević]] moved his capital from [[Žabljak Crnojevića]] on [[Lake Skadar]] into the highland valley of Lovćenski Dolac (precursor to the capital [[Cetinje]]) near [[Mount Lovćen]] in 1482. This event marks the beginning of history of Montenegro and its capital, Cetinje, which was built around the Cetinje monastery. Secondly, throughout the Crnojević rule, Montenegro remained independent, sustaining and extending what [[Montenegrins]] regard as a precious tradition of sovereignty. And while the territory of Montenegro became smaller relative to the earlier states of Duklja and Zeta, it solidified a national spirit of independence into an exceptional devotion to country and freedom. Also, the Crnojevićs are responsible for Montenegrins' claim of an unusual primacy in the cultural development of southern Europe, introducing the first printing press in southern Europe and printing the first books in the region. ==== Stefan I ==== [[Stefan I Crnojević]] consolidated his power in Zeta and ruled for 14 years, from 1451 until 1465. During his rule, he saw neighbouring Serbia completely subdued by Turkey soon after the death of [[Đurađ Branković]]. Under Stefan Crnojević, Montenegro comprised the Lovćen area around Cetinje, 51 municipalities which included Rijeka Crnojevića (Crnojević River), the valley of the [[Zeta River|River Zeta]] and the clans [[Bjelopavlići]], Pješivći, Malonsići, [[Piperi clan|Piperi]], [[Hoti]], [[Kelmendi|Klimenti (Kelmendi)]] and other tribes. The population of the territories controlled by Stefan Crnojević was about 30,000. Total population of Zeta/Montenegro including regions under the Venetian, Kosača's and Turkish rule, was about 80,000 people. Capitalising on the weak position of the despot [[Đurađ Branković|Đurađ]], the [[Venice|Venetians]] and [[Herzegovina|Herzegovian]], despot [[Stjepan Vukčić Kosača]], conquered parts of Đurađ's territory. Since Kosača was an [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[vassal]], [[Stefan I Crnojević]], who had already established himself as the head of [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević dynasty]] (around 1451) in Upper Zeta/[[Montenegro]] was forced to make territorial concessions. In addition, Kosača took Stefan's son, [[Ivan Crnojević|Ivan]] as a hostage hoping that this will force Stefan to side with him when needed. Stefan married Mara, a daughter of a prominent Albanian, [[Gjon Kastrioti]], whose son was Albanian national hero, [[Skanderbeg]]. In 1455, Stefan entered into an agreement with his ally, [[Venice]], stipulating that Montenegro would recognize the nominal supremacy of Venice while maintaining its factual independence in virtually every respect. The agreement also stipulated that Montenegro would assist [[Venice]] militarily on specific occasions in exchange for an annual provision. But in all other respects, Stefan's rule in Montenegro was undisputed. <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Statue Ivan Crnojevic.jpg|right|thumb|{{ifdc|Statue Ivan Crnojevic.jpg|log=2007 August 30}} The statue of [[Ivan Crnojević]] in [[Cetinje]]]] --> ==== Ivan ==== [[Image:NemanjicCrnojevic.svg|thumb|left|Legendary Stag of the Crnojevics]] [[Ivan Crnojević]] became ruler of Zeta/[[Montenegro]] in 1465. His rule lasted until 1490. Immediately after taking the throne, Ivan attacked [[Venice]] breaking the alliance his father had forged. He fought [[Venice]] in an attempt to capture the town of [[Kotor]]. He had some success, gaining increasing support from the local coastal tribes of [[Grbalj]] and [[Paštrovići]] in his quest to assert Montenegrin control over the [[Boka Kotorska|Bay of Kotor]]. But when the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] campaign in northern [[Albania]] and [[Bosnia (region)|Bosnia]] convinced him that the main source of danger to his country was to the East, he sought a compromise with Venice. Ivan fought numerous battles against the Turks in order to defend his country's freedom and sovereignty. [[Image:THE STATE OF CRNOJEVIC.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The State of Crnojević in XV century]] Zeta and [[Venice]] fought against the [[Ottoman Empire]] The war between these two countries ended with the successful defense of [[Skadar]], where the Venetian and Zetan defenders fought off forces of against Turkish Sultan [[Mehmed II]] and eventually won the war in [[1474]]. However, this victory was short-lived, since the Sultan's forces conquered Skadar in [[1479]] and signed a peace treaty with Venice. Ivan had aspirations to organise an anti-Turkish alliance consisting of [[France|Napolitan]], [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]], [[Hungary|Hungarian]], and Zetan forces. However, his dream could not be fulfilled since the Venetians did not dare to give help to Ivan after their peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire in [[1479]]. Left on his own, Ivan single-handedly managed to preserve sovereignty of Zeta/Montenegro from frequent Ottoman offensives. Knowing that the Ottomans would try to punish him for fighting on the Venetian side, and in order to preserve his country's independence, in 1482 he moved his capital from [[Žabljak]] on [[Lake Skadar]] to the mountainous area of Dolac, under [[Mount Lovćen]]. There he built the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christian]] monastery around which the capital, [[Cetinje]], would emerge. This event marks the end of the history of Zeta, since the country permanently changed its name to [[Montenegro]] during [[Đurađ Crnojević]]'s rise to power. ==== Đurađ IV ==== [[Đurađ IV Crnojević]] became ruler of Zeta in 1490. His rule lasted until 1496. Đurađ, [[Ivan Crnojević|Ivan]]'s oldest son, was an educated ruler. He is most famous for one historical act: he used the printing press brought to Cetinje by his father to print the first books in southeastern Europe, in 1493. The Crnojević printing press marked the beginning of the printed word among southern Slavs. The press operated from 1493 through 1496, turning out religious books, five of which have been preserved: ''[[Oktoih prvoglasnik]]'', ''[[Oktoih petoglasnik]]'', ''Psaltir'', ''Molitvenik'', and ''Četvorojevanđelje''. Đurađ managed the printing of the books, wrote prefaces and afterwords, and developed sophisticated tables of [[Psalms]] with the [[lunar calendar]]. The books from the [[Crnojević press]] were printed in two colors, red and black, and were richly ornamented. They served as models for many of the subsequent books printed in [[Cyrillic]] alphabet. After the rule of Zeta/Montenegro was handed to [[Đurađ Crnojević|Đurađ]], his youngest brother, [[Staniša Crnojević|Staniša]], with no chance to succeed his father, [[Ivan Crnojević|Ivan]], went to [[Istanbul]] and converted to [[Islam]]. As a loyal servant of the Sultan, Staniša later became the [[Shkodër|Shkodrian]] 'sandzak-beg' under the name of Skender. His brothers, Đurađ and [[Stefan II Crnojević|Stefan II]] continued the struggle against Ottomans. The historical facts are unclear and disputed, but it seems that Venetians, frustrated by their own inability to subdue the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević]] to their own interests, managed to kill [[Stefan Crnojević|Stefan]] and deceitfully sent Đurađ to [[Istanbul]]. Principally, Đurađ visited [[Venice]] in order to work on the "wide anti-Turkish campaign" but was kept in captivity for some time while his brother, Stefan II, was defending his country against [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] forces. It is likely that upon his returned to Zeta/Montenegro, Đurađ was kidnapped by the Venetian agents and sent to Istanbul via [[Shkodër]] (Skadar) under accusation that he had been organising a [[Holy War]] against [[Islam]]. There are some unreliable claims that Đurađ was given [[Anatolia]] to rule but in any case the reports about Đurađ's life ceased after 1503. === The End of the Principality === After the death of [[Đurađ Crnojević]], Zeta/Montenegro was ruled by his brother [[Stefan II Crnojević|Stefan II]], who was a [[Ottoman Empire|Turkish]] vassal. The end of the 15th century and of Stefan's rule marked the end of the Crnojević dynasty. In the new administrative division of the [[Balkans]], Zeta/[[Montenegro]] was a part of the [[Shkodër|Sanjak of İşkodra]] (Shkodër) from 1499 to 1514. During this period, while Brda and North-West of Montenegro were nominally independent, the part of Zeta/Montenegro under [[Mount Lovćen]] remained entirely independent. By the end of the 15th century, Upper Zeta/Montenegro comprised [[Katunska nahija|Katunska]], [[Riječka nahija|Riječka]], [[Crmnica|Crmnička]], and [[Lezhë|Lješanska]] nahijas, and the name of Montenegro was widely in use. In 1514, Zeta/[[Montenegro]] was proclaimed as the separate [[Sanjak of Montenegro]], by the order of [[Beyazid II|Sultan Beyazid II]]. [[Ivan Crnojević]]'s son Staniša (Skenderbeg), who converted to [[Islam]] was chosen ad the first Sanjak-beg and governed until 1528. Despite Skenderbeg's emphasized cruelty, [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] did not have real power in Zeta/Montenegro. The real power was in the hands of tribal heads. From 1534 onwards, there is no more mention of the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević]]s in Zeta/Montenegro. The [[Principality]] of Zeta officially ended when it was turned into a theocratic state by the [[Bishop|Vladikas]] (Prince-Bishops or Prince-Episcotes) when they took over in 1516. Zeta became known as [[Montenegro]]. The Ottomans controlled a part of Zeta since 1498, that was known as the [[Montenegro Province, Ottoman Empire|Sanjak of Montenegro]], the [[Republic of Venice|Venice]] controlled [[Kotor]] and the theocracy controlled the rest of Montenegro (Upper Zeta). In the year 1516, there was a shift in the constitution of Zeta/Montenegro that many historians regard as having ensured its survival as an independent state. The last person of the [[House of Crnojević|Crnojević dynasty]] retired to [[Venice]] and he had married a Venetian. This conferred the succession upon the bishops of Cetinje. In Zeta/Montenegro, the position of [[vladika]], as the [[prince-bishop]] was known, brought stability to that country's leadership. The link between church and state elevated it in the eyes of the peasantry, gave it an institutionalised form of succession that prevented its becoming a matter of contest between minor chieftains, and excluded the possibility of compromising alliances with the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]]. == List of rulers == {{History of Montenegro}} <!-- Note: previous rulers have ruled Duklja (Latin: Doclea), next already Montenegro --> ==== House of Nemanjić ==== * Grand Župan [[Stefan Nemanja]] of [[Rascia]] and Duklja/Zeta 1186 - 1196 * King [[Vukan Nemanjić|Vukan II Nemanjić]] of Duklja/Zeta and Dalmatia 1196 - 1208 * King [[Đorđe Nemanjić]] (1208-1243) * King [[Stefan Uroš I]] (1243-1276) * Queen [[Helene d'Anjou]] (Widow of King Stefan Uroš I of Rascia/[[Serbia]] and [[Duklja]]/Zeta) 1276 - 1309 * King [[Stefan Milutin|Stefan Milutin (Uroš II) Nemanjić]] of Rascia/Serbia and Zeta (1309 - 1321; ** King [[Stefan Dečanski|Stefan (Uroš III) Nemanjić (Stefan Dečanski)]] of Rascia/Serbia and Duklja/Zeta (1309 - 1321) * King [[Stefan Dečanski|Stefan (Uroš III) Nemanjić (Stefan Dečanski)]] of Rascia/Serbia and Duklja/Zeta (1321 - 1331) ** King [[Stefan Dušan|Stefan Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]] of Rascia/Serbia and Duklja/Zeta (1321 - 1331) * King/Tsar [[Stefan Dušan|Stefan Dušan (Uroš IV) Nemanjić]] of Rascia/Serbia and Duklja/Zeta 1331 - 1355 ==== House of Balšić (Balšić Dynasty) ==== * [[Balša I]] (1356-1362) * [[Đurađ I]] (1362-1378) * [[Balša II]] (1378-1385) * [[Đurađ II]] (1385-1403) * [[Balša III]] (1403-1421) ==== Rule under Serbian despots ==== * Serbian Despot [[Stefan Lazarević]] (1421-1427) * Serbian Despot [[Đurađ Branković]] (1427-1435) ==== House of Crnojević (Crnojević Dynasty) ==== * [[Stefan I Crnojević]] (1451-1465) * [[Ivan Crnojević]] (1465-1490) * [[Đurađ Crnojević]] (1490-1496) * [[Stefan II Crnojević]] (1496-1498) == References == <references/> * J. Jovanović, ''Stvaranje Crnogorske Države i Razvoj Crnogorske Nacionalnosti'', 1947, Cetinje pages 18, 28, 36, 43, and 54-55 * D. Živković, ''Istorija Crnogorskog Naroda'', 1989, Cetinje == See also == * [[History of Serbia]] * [[History of Montenegro]] * [[Duklja]] [[Category:History of Montenegro]] [[Category:History of the Serbs]] [[Category:1516 disestablishments]] [[Category:Former countries in the Balkans]] [[Category:Former Slavic countries]] [[bg:Зета (държава)]] [[de:Zeta (Südosteuropa)]] [[nl:Zeta (land)]] [[pl:Zeta (księstwo)]] [[sr:Зета (држава)]] [[sh:Zeta]] [[sv:Zeta (furstendöme)]]