poland of the first piast dynasty

This project has been funded with support from the European

Commission. This presentation reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of

the information contained therein.

POLAND OF THE FIRSTPIAST DYNASTY

by Comenius team of Gimnazjum nr 10 in Kielce, Poland Crossing Bridges from Past to Present

based on presentations by Błażej Szczepanek, Maksym Chudzicki, Peweł Smoleń, Igor Wójciak supervised by

Michał Kucmin, history teacher & Beata Ciaś-Smutek, English teacher

While in our partner countries HISTORY was forming

…. in areas now called POLAND….

THE BEGINNINGS OF POLAND

But seriously…

let’s focus


PREHISTORIC TIMES OF OUR LAND / tribes, cultures,

THE FORMATION OF POLAND /conquests, Mieszko I, christianity, wars

POLAND OF KING BOLESLAV the BRAVE

THE CONTENTS

PREHISTORIC TIMESTH

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The first traces of human ancestors discovered in Poland go

back to 500 thousand years ago.

Later, about 120 thousand years ago Neandertals arrived at the

territory of Poland (the evidence was found in Ojców, near

Cracow in the Dark Cave).

PREHISTORIC TIMESTH

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40 thousand years ago, homo-sapiens settled here.

.

THE LEGENDTH

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THE

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DThere are some legends, telling stories of 3 Slavic brothers

Lech, Czech and Rus. Maybe here lies the truth!

According to one, there were 3 brothers, Slavic leaders: Lech,

Czech and Rus. Escaping from conflicts in the south of the

continent, in the time of formation of various nations, they

travelled north between two rivers the Oder in the west and the

Dniepr in the east.

„Polish” Lech settled in the

forests between 2 rivers : the

Oder and the River Vistula

where he got attracted by a

symbol of power

a white

eagle

OLD, OLD TIMES

In all those times, various cultures developed,

known at present only thanks to archaeological discoveries.

OLD

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•In Paleolit, most Europe, Salisia, Lesser Poland

•Venus statues, weapons , simple tools

ORYNIACKA

•IV i III c. B.C. Territories from today’s Netherlands as far as Ukraine

•Clay dishes, funnel (lejkowate)cups, stone to make tools was mined in Kielce

FUNNEL CUPSLEJKOWATYCH PUCHARÓW

•In tombs many battle hatchets (toporki) were found

STRING CERAMICS CERAMIKI SZNUROWANEJ

•Greater Poland and Salisia– ground barrows (kopce) kurhans (in the area of village Łęki Małe)

UNIETYCKA

•The start of iron age –total area of Poland•The settlement in Biskupin

SORBIANŁUŻYCKA

•The area of South Poland•Products of iron made in Poland were

brought/sold to Rome

PRZEWORSKA

CU

LTU

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Did you know that…?

The greatest archaeological discovery from the iron age on the territory of today’s Poland is a settlement of Sorbian (łużycka) culture in BISKUPIN of 2,5 thousand years old built on the island near Biskupin lake.

The amber route which led across the territory of Poland was used by ancient traders who delivered amber from the Baltic Sea to Rome. In exchange, they got weapons, fabric materials and coins.

THE BEGINNING OF POLAND

On the Polish territory the basic unit was a family along with

their relatives. The group of families from one territory created

a small group called „OPOLE” – ‘from the fields around”. Each

OPOLE was formed by natural borders, barriers such as: rivers,

mountains or forests. In the various OPOLEs lived many tribes:

Polans, Vistulans, Bobrzans, Goplans, etc.

Every day the OPOLE was governed by a tribal council which in

case of emergency selected a leader (prince or a voivod). In

time, they wanted to keep the power over bigger and bigger

family groups. The leaders’ ambitions led to unification of

whole tribes into communities.

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POLI

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IX-X century TH

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Over the centuries many „Slavic” tribes came to live here .


According to„Bavarian Geograph” *,

Many tribe leaders probably started the process of uniting in the 8th century but

POLANS were the most successful.

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POLI

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Bavarian geograph–text from IX c. written by monks of Ratisbona including a detailed descriptions of lands of Europe of those times

THE

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Until the half of the X th century the state of POLANS

managed to conquer the lands between the Upper Varta

River and the Pilica and the Upper Bzura River. The next

lands added to POLANS was Masovia and territories

between the Vistula and the Bug Rivers. Duke Mieszko I who

ruled between 960-992 roku, took Pomoria and Lubuska

Land. After his long rein he took Salisia from Czechs and

Vistulans’ lands. His ancestors and Mieszko I joined all

those conquered lands with the land of POLANS’ finishing

the territorial formation of Poland.

Mieszko I’s portait recostructed on the basis of his descriptions in old

chronicles.

Wow! What a beard. !!

MIE

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ESTHE BEGINNINGS OF POLAND

MIE

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ESMIESZKO the I (info)

Mieszko I Piast dynasty, (born 945 – died 25 May 992) Siemomysł’s son, Lestek’s grandson.Mieszko I the first historical ruler of Polans, the creator or Poland, continued the policy of his ancestors who by alliances or by military power subordinated other lands.

He conducted clever diplomatic activities, having an alliance with Czechs, then with Sweden . In foreign policy he used reason of state sometimes cooperating with earlier enemies.

He left Poland to his sons twice as big as he started with and on a higher position in Europe.

Jan Matejko: Mieszko I

Polish lands at the reign of Mieszko I

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ESTHE BEGINNINGS OF POLAND

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Probably in 964 Mieszko began negotiations with the Bohemian (Czech) ruler Boleslav I the Cruel.

As a result, in 965 Mieszko I married his daughter Dobrawa .

The initiative of the Polish-Bohemian Alliance may have been the Polish Duke’s idea.


Wife of Mieszko I-Dobrawa

WOOOOW! What a hot girl

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DTHE BEGINNINGS OF POLAND

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In 966 there was the symbolic ceremony of baptism of Poland. It was a political decision.

In this clever way he eliminated the Germans’ wish to introduce christianity to Polish land by force.

Good

Strategist

In 968 the first bishop Jordan started his work.

Through christianity Mieszko I’s state became

one of the Christian countries open to various

cultures of the world.


Date of Baptism – 966 AD

Maybe the place was Gniezno the first Polish capital city..

Now, You’re gonna have a quick dive… in the holy water!

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ACCEPTING CHRISTIANITY BY POLANDas imagined by artist Jan Matejko

DID THEY PARTY HARD all weekend???

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MTHE BEGINNINGS OF POLAND

Cedynia

To gain more lands and control them Duke Mieszko I organised a regular permanent team of warriors.

The first quarters of Mieszko I (Ostrów Ledrdcki near Poznan)

In June 972 the warriors fought back German Margrave Odo's forces which moved in and on 24 June twice engaged Mieszko's army at the village of Cidini, (Cedynia).

Mieszko’s victory made Polish country stronger and his influence in Europe more stable .

*It is a very important date in Polish history.

MIE

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MTHE BATTLE OF CEDYNIA

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MTHE BATTLE OF CEDYNIA

• Mieszko died on 25 May 992. Sources give no

reasons to believe that his death occurred from causes other than natural, probably overcome by fever.

• According to Thietmar, Mieszko I who fought so hard to unite the Polish lands divided his state before his death among a number of princes, his sons: Boleslav I the Brave, Mieszko and Lambert.D

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LAST WILL OF MIESZKO I - 992 y.

His last will called Dagome iudex divided Poland: for Boleslav the Brave he gave Masovia and Salisia, for the other sons the rest of the lands. He defined the borders of Poland and gave POLAND in the care of the Pope, in exchange for the regular tribute paid to Rome.

THE BEGINNINGS OF POLANDM

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A cenotaph was built for Mieszko I and his successor Bolesław I the Brave in the Golden Chapel at the Poznań Cathedral, where the damaged remains found in the 14th century tomb of Boleslav were placed.

Boleslaw the Brave the oldest and only son of Mieszko and Dobrava took over the authority after Mieszko.

He banished his step-brothers and step-mother Oda from Poland.

Not very nice but good for the unity of POLAND.

Impressive moustache

THE

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BOLESLAV I THE BRAVE (info)TH

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E Boleslav I the Brave (born 967 AD in Poznan, died 17 June 1025 ) – Duke of Poland from 992, the first crowned Polish king in 1025) from Piast dynasty, between 1003-1004 was also Czech Duke.

Poland of Piasts under his reign became the main power of Central Europe.

Churches, monasteries and towns established by him made ruling of the country easier and more effective. In Gniezno, Poznan, Giecz and Włocławek teams of warriors were based. Thanks to them, Boleslav controlled the whole country and regular tributes were paid straight to Polish treasury.

POLAND OF BOLESLAV I THE BRAVEC

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At the turn of 996 & 997 bishop Adalbert from Prague came to Gniezno invited by Boleslav. Boleslav helped him organise crusades to pagan tribes in Pruss to convert them to christianity. However, Bishop Adalbert broke local rules and got killed by the pagans. Adalbert’s body was so precious to the Polish ruler that he agreed to buy it from the Pruses. His remains are in the Gniezno cathedral.

Św. Wojciech –Saint Adalbert


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Martyrological death of Saint Adalbert (św. Wojciech) and his quick canonization had a great meaning for further history of Poland, because the country which had its own Saint patron had a better, stronger position in Europe.

The emperror Otto and the Pope agreed to establish a bishop’s metropoly in Gniezno, which was our first capital city.


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The meeting of the emperror Otto with Boleslav at Gniezno Congress in 1000 after the death of Adalbert is one of the most important events in Polish history in the Middle Ages. The emperor Otto III recognized Poland as an independent country. As the symbol of royal power he gave Boleslav the spear of St. Mauricius and a special tiara. It happened 25 years before the actual coronation.

Saint Mauricius’s spear - the symbol of royal power of German emperors

IMPORTANT !!!

POLAND OF BOLESLAV the BRAVEC

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in 1025 Bolesław was crowned. A few months later

Boleslav died but this coronation act had a very

important value for Poland. As the kingdom it became

independent from the emperor. Boleslav the Brave left

to his sons a larger country but surrounded by enemy

neighbours.

Artist Jan Matejko: THE CORONATION OF

Boleslav the Brave by Otto III

POLA

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E THE BORDERS OF POLAND about 1020 year. The shadow is Poland at present times.


THAT WAS AN OUTLINE OF THE FORMATION OF

POLAND

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Y THE FAMILY TREE OF PIAST DYNASTY

Mieszko I on banknotes of 10 zł

The original money from his times

Boleslav I the Brave on banknotes of 20 zł

The original money from his times

Do you know that….?

The town of Gniezno was built on a hill called „Lech’s Mountain” and covered the area of 6 hectars. Over 1000 people lived there.

The trip of Otto II from Rome to Gniezno to the meeting with Boleslav the Brave took 4 months. Today the distance can be covered in just about 15 hours by train.

The first Polish money which appeared at the times of Boleslav the Brave were coins called denars. According to chronicles people could buy 10 hens for 1 denar.

POLAND WAS ALWAYS THE LAND PULLED & TORN BY MANY OTHER

STATES AND OCCUPANTS.

WE HAD A HARD HISTORY OF FORMING OUR COUNTRY TWO

MORE TIMES!!!

Thanks for your attention

This project has been funded with support from the European

Commission. This presentation reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of

the information contained therein.

poland of the first piast dynasty

Documents

territory of poland

beginnings of poland

territory of todays

polish territory

poland crossing bridges

polish lech

years old

land of later polandover