In the mid-seventh century, an empire once existed that has been labeled the “first Slavic State.” This empire controlled the lands of Moravia, Bohemia, Silesia, Lusatia, and Nitra, which includes the modern-day Czech Republic and parts of Austria, Slovakia, and Slovenia. It was ruled by one man, Samo, who was both its first and its last leader. But who is Samo and what exactly was Samo’s Empire?

Much of the knowledge we have of Samo and his empire comes from the Chronicles of Fredegar, a document that details the history of the world up to 642 AD according to an unknown author who was later named “Fredegar” in the 16th century. In the chronicle, Fredegar claims that a Frankish merchant by the name of Samo traveled to the Slavs and aided them in their revolt against the Avars in 623 AD, winning a series of victories and liberating the Slavs.

After successfully defeating the Avars, Samo was chosen as the leader of the liberated people, where he formed a personal realm known as “Samo’s Empire”. One reason put forth as to why Samo was chosen as a leader is the tribes wanted to ensure that no one tribe would dominate the confederation that was being formed.

The extent of the territory that made up Samo’s Empire is not known for certain, as there is inadequate information provided as to what lands he controlled. During the course of the empire’s existence, the borders most likely changed due to shifts in the political climate of Central Europe.

Samo’s war with Dagobert I, the King of the Franks, is considered the most important and famous event of Samo’s rule. After the Avars were defeated by Samo’s rebellion and his realm established, Dagobert laid claim to the territory and initiated a war to conquer it for himself.

Leading three armies, Dagobert engaged Samo and his army beneath the castle at Wogastisburg. After three days of fighting, Samo repelled the invading Franks and forced them to retreat. With the defeat of the Franks, the Sorbs to the north —led by a man named Dervan— joined Samo’s Empire and together they invaded and raided the Frankish lands of Thuringia over the course of several years.

Samo died in 658 AD and with his death, his empire and the Slavic confederation fell apart with the tribes becoming independent once more. Details of what transpired during his 35-year rule are generally unknown or speculative. However, many years later a new nation would arise where Samo’s once stood: Great Moravia.

Written by James Travis

Citations:

Agnew, Hugh. 2004. The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Stanford, CA: Hoover Institution Press.

Panek, Jaroslave and Oldrich Tuma. 2020. A History of the Czech Lands. 2nd ed. Prague: Charles University Karolinum Press.

“Samo’s Empire.” Wikipedia, last modified May 29, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samo%27s_Empire.

“The Chronicle of Fredegar.” Wikipedia, last modified November 3, 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronicle_of_Fredegar.