Lithuania Ascending A Pagan Empire within East-Central Europe, 1295}}}1345 [Paperback]

This book, first published in 1994, studies the rise of a pagan state in late medieval Christendom against a background of crises in Europe.From 1250 to 1795 Lithuania covered a vast area of eastern and central Europe. Until 1387 the country was pagan. How this huge state came to expand, defend itself against western European crusaders and play a conspicuous part in European life are the main subjects of this book, first published in 1994.From 1250 to 1795 Lithuania covered a vast area of eastern and central Europe. Until 1387 the country was pagan. How this huge state came to expand, defend itself against western European crusaders and play a conspicuous part in European life are the main subjects of this book, first published in 1994.From 1250 to 1795 Lithuania covered a vast area of eastern and central Europe. Until 1387 the country was pagan. How this huge state came to expand, defend itself against western European crusaders and play a conspicuous part in European life are the main subjects of this book. Chapters are devoted to the types of sources used, to the religion of the ancient Balts (and the discovery of a pagan temple in Vilnius in the late 1980s), and to Lithuanian relations and wars with Poland and the Germans. Under Grand Duke Gediminas, Lithuania came to control more of Russia than the prince of Moscow.Introduction; 1. Central and eastern Europe, 12901320; 2. Sources; 3. An introduction to Lithuanian political and economic history before 1315; 4. The expansion of Lithuania; 5. Political ramifications of the pagan cult; 6. The Metropolitanate of Lithuania; 7. Pagans, peace, and the pope, 132284; 8. The harshest realpolitik; 9. 133945: endings and beginnings; 10. Factors contributing to the formation of the Grand Duchy; Appendices. ...[a] superb scholarly study....whose balanced narrative and analysis effectively portray the many vivid personalities and dramatic developments of this crucial period in the history of east central Europe. General andló8