Principality of Minsk: Map & History
The Principality of Minsk was an appanage principality of the Principality of Polotsk and centered on the city of Minsk.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Principality of Minsk was an appanage principality of the Principality of Polotsk and centered on the city of Minsk. It existed from its founding in 1101 until it was nominally annexed by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1242, and then fell under de facto annexation in 1326.
Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Minsk
At its mapped extent, Principality of Minsk covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Principality of Minsk's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Principality of Minsk in Depth
History
The area around Minsk was controlled by the Principality of Polotsk beginning from the 10th century. Following the death of Vseslav of Polotsk in 1101, Polotsk was divided into six smaller principalities each to be inherited by one of his six surviving sons. Vseslav's second born son, Gleb Vseslavich inherited the lands surrounding Minsk and started the Minsk branch of the princes of Polotsk.
Almost immediately following his father's death, Gleb started a war against his brothers Davyd, prince of Polotsk and Roman, prince of Drutsk to expand his territory. In 1106, he had partaken in a raid against the Baltic tribes in Semigallia. In 1116, he started a war with Vladimir II Monomakh of the Principality of Kiev and sacked the town of Slutsk.
Geography
The principality originally occupied territories around the Drut, Svislach and Berezina river basins. Besides the capital city of Minsk, other population centers in the principality included Barysaw, Lahojsk, Zaslawye, Orsha and the historical town of Drutsk.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Principality of Minsk (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Principality of Minsk: Key Facts
| Capital | Minsk |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1101 |
| Dissolved | 1413 |
Succeeded by
- Minsk Voivodeship
Facts from Wikidata Q2662372 (CC0).
Principality of Minsk Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Principality of Minsk appears, with the other states of the time.
Principality of Minsk Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 98,908 km² in 1309 CE.
Principality of Minsk: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Principality of Minsk exist?
Principality of Minsk is dated to 1111 CE – 1313 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Principality of Minsk?
The capital of Principality of Minsk was Minsk (Mensk).
How large was Principality of Minsk at its peak?
At its peak in 1309 AD Principality of Minsk covered about 98,908 km².
How did the map of Principality of Minsk change over time?
Principality of Minsk appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1200 CE to 1300 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi