Ancient Moravia History of Moravia

territory of great moravia in 9th century: area ruled rastislav (846–870) in green; green line marks greatest territorial extent during reign of svatopluk (871–894)

around 60 bc celtic volcae people withdrew region , succeeded in turn germanic quadi. several hundred years later, in 6th century ad slavic tribes arrived in territory crossed during migration period successive germanic , major slavic tribes. @ end of 8th century moravian principality came being in present-day south-eastern moravia, záhorie in south-western slovakia , parts of lower austria. in 833 ad, became state of great moravia conquest of principality of nitra (present-day slovakia). first king mojmír (ruled 830-846). louis german invaded moravia , replaced mojmír nephew rastiz became st. rastislav. st. rastislav (846-870) tried emancipate land carolingian influence, sent envoys rome missionaries come. when rome refused turned constantinople byzantine emperor michael. result mission of saints cyril , methodius translated liturgical books slavonic, had lately been elevated pope same level latin , greek. methodius became first moravian archbishop, after death german influence again prevailed , disciples of methodius forced flee. unique situation anticipated ii vatican council several centuries destroyed. great moravia reached greatest territorial extent in 890s under svatopluk i. @ time, empire encompassed territory of present-day czech republic , slovakia, western part of present hungary (pannonia), lusatia in present-day germany , silesia , upper vistula basin in southern poland. after svatopluk s death in 895, bohemian princes defected become vassals of east frankish ruler arnulf of carinthia, , moravian state ceased exist after being overrun invading magyars in 906/7.