THE INITIAL FORMS OF STATEHOOD IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES (9TH – 11TH CENTURIES)

Abstract

The narrative and other sources to identify the early forms of statehood in Central and Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Croatia) in the early Middle Ages has been analysed in the article. The information from sources from the 11th to 13th centuries, in particular the Apocry-phal Bulgarian Chronicle, the Czech Chronicle by Cosmas of Prague (Latin: “Chronica Boemorum”), Gallus Anonymus’ “Chronicle and Deeds of the Polish Princes or Rulers” (Latin: Chronica et gestaducumsive prin- cipum Polonorum), etc. has been used. The research methodology. A number of social institutions and cults that contributed to and accompanied the process of state formation in these countries have been considered. This concerns the emergence and use of the institution of hereditary princely power. Accordingly, in order to legitimize the new political phenomenon, there was a need to justify it in society. Legends, or hagiographies,became such a tool, confirming in the public consciousness the origin of the princely family from ancestorswho, in turn, received power from God. At the same time, in Slavic agrarian society, there was a connection between the institution of princely power and the practice of worship, which ensured the fertility of the land for the tribe through the ritual of “sacred plowing”. Conclusions. Another important factor in the forma- tion of states was the introduction of Christianity and the establishment of certain traditions that legitimized princely power. Rulers established churches in their countries and ensured the ecclesiastical independence of their domains by creating ecclesiastical dioceses. The adoption of Christianity brought the societies of these countries into the group of Christian nations, and their princes into the ranks of Christian rulers, granting them formally equal status in the Roman world. The institution of coronation, which transformed the ruler into“God’s anointed” through a special ceremony, also contributed to the strengthening of princely power. The recognition of the ruler’s royal title was one of the ways of recognizing the independent place of the Slavicstates in the structure of Christian Europe.