Roman the Great
Roman Mstislavich (Russian and Ukrainian: Роман Мстиславич c. 4 April 1152 – 19 June 1205), also known as Roman the Great, was a Rus’ prince and a member of Izyaslavichi of Volhynia clan. He founded the Romanovichi dynasty, which would rule Volhynia and Halych until 1340.
| Roman the Great | |
|---|---|
Roman the Great | |
| Prince of Novgorod | |
| Reign | 1168–1170 |
| Predecessor | Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich |
| Successor | Rurik Rostislavich |
| Prince of Volhynia | |
| Reign | 1170–1189 1189–1205 |
| Predecessor | Mstislav III Izyaslavich Vsevolod II Mstislavich |
| Successor | Vsevolod II Mstislavich Daniel Romanovich |
| Prince of Halych | |
| Reign | 1189 1198/1199–1205 |
| Predecessor | (?) Oleg Yaroslavich Vladimir II Yaroslavich |
| Successor | Andrew II Daniel Romanovich |
| Born | c. 4 April 1152 |
| Died | 19 June 1205 (52-53) Zawichost, Kingdom of Poland |
| Spouse | Predslava Ryurikovna Anna-Euphrosyne |
| Issue | Fedora Romanovna Olena Romanovna Daniel Romanovich Vasylko Romanovich |
| House | Izyaslavichi of Volhynia Romanovichi (founder) |
| Father | Mstislav II of Kiev (Kyiv) |
| Mother | Agnes of Poland |
He was Prince of Novgorod (1168–1170), Volhynia (1170–1189, 1189–1205), and of Halych (Galicia; 1189, 1198/99–1205). By seizing the throne of Halych, he became the master of all Western Rus’. In the early 13th century, Byzantine chroniclers applied the imperial title "autocrate" (αύτοκράτωρ) to him, but there is no evidence that he assumed it officially.
He waged two successful campaigns against the Cumans, from which he returned with many rescued captives. The effect of Roman's victory was, however, undermined by new divisions among the princes of Rus’.
Roman died in a battle with the Poles at the Battle of Zawichost.