On Chapters 30 and 31 of De Administrando Imperio by Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus and the Identity of the Croatian Rulers Porin and Porga

Authors:

Pages: 23-41
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/JVYI2207

Abstract:

This paper presents some aspects of the treatise De Administrando Imperio by Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, more specifically of Chapters 30 and 31. Attention is drawn to some disputable points, such as the different stories about the arrival of the Croats on the Balkan Peninsula and their resettlement to the Roman territories, told in the two chapters. The differences concern the enemies of the Croats – in Chapter 30, they fought against the Franks, while in Chapter 31, they fought against the Avars; in Chapter 31, their resettlement and Christianization are strongly connected with the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, but in Chapter 30 he is not mentioned. The most interesting controversial point is about Porin from the 30th and Porga from the 31st chapter and whether they are one and the same person or not. Also, the paper discusses the different theories about identifying Porga and Porin with other Croatian rulers like Borna, Pribina, etc., known from various sources.

Keywords:

De Administrando Imperio; Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus; Croats; Porga; Porin; Borna.

Download

NA