Stefan Nemanja

or Stephen Nemanja

died 1200

Founder of the Serbian state.

He was grand župan (clan leader) under Byzantine rule in 1169. He allied himself with Venice and was defeated by the avenging Byzantines, though he was later pardoned. After expanding Serbian territory, he abdicated in 1196 and entered a monastery.

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▪ Serbian ruler

died 1200

      founder of the Serbian state.

      Nemanja became grand župan (clan leader) of Raška (Novi Pazar) under Byzantine suzerainty in 1169. He subsequently sided with the Venetians and was eventually defeated by the avenging Byzantines, but he was pardoned. Nemanja later conquered Skopje, Prizren, and Tetovo. Though again defeated, he retained Kosovo, Peć, Prizren, Bar, Skadar (Shkodër), and Kotor. He abdicated in 1196 and joined his son, Sava, in a monastery.

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