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IMAGE AND INTERPRETATION OF SVATOPLUK IN THE EYES OF SLOVAK HISTORIANS OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS AND ONE SHORT REMARK AT THE END

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Homza M.

Konštantínove listy

2022

vol. 15

issue 2

16 - 34

This brief overview clearly shows that the image and position of Svatopluk in Slovak historiography is not at all ordinary or one-dimensional. Therefore, there is no point in trying to simplify and reduce it to the mere “ľudácky” or “nationalistic” concept from WWII Slovakia, or to one equestrian statue at Bratislava castle. This article aims to outline the rather obvious direct proportion between the national-emancipatory and state ambitions of Slovaks and the number of historical re-examinations and updates of Svatopluk’s interpretation. But more than that, it aims to highlight the universalistic character of Svatopluk. It definitely does not intend to question the internal coherence of the tradition of Slovaks as “the people of Svatopluk” Cosma of Prague writes metaphorically about in the first part of The Nitra Legend of Svatopluk known as Sicut vulgo dicitur, i.e. “As it is commonly said” at the beginning of the 12th century. After all, this legend clearly has Svatopluk not dying, but “disappearing amid his [Nitrian] folk.”

SVÄTOPLUK IN CZECH AND CZECH-WRITTEN HISTORIOGRAPHY. A FEW CRITICAL REMARKS PART ONE: UP TO THE 1960s

100%

Homza M.

Konštantínove listy

2024

vol. 17

issue 2

98 - 112

In the 19th-21th centuries, Czech historiography has set the main themes and trends in the research of Svätopluk. This article analyses in detail the first part of the development arc the interpretation of Svätopluk – from his glorification to his downgrading – has undergone within this Central European school of history in the period under review. The vast scope of this subject made it necessary to divide the article into several shorter periods. Among the initial and underlying themes included in the interpretation of Svätopluk up to 1918 is his legitimist perception as the predecessor of the later Bohemian kings, as well as understanding Svätopluk’s kingdom as the archetype of the Habsburg monarchy. With the development of Czech political thought around 1914 – 1918, Svätopluk was perceived as the unifier of the Czechs and Moravians and eventually, with the establishment of the first Czechoslovak Republic, of the Slovaks as well. The traditional Czech anti-papal stance has logically resulted in Czech historians failing to pay the necessary attention to the Roman dimension of Svätopluk’s politics. Likewise, scholarly perspectives often fall short in emphasising his prevailing pro-Empire policy. Up to the 1960s – with few exceptions (Václav Novotný and František Graus) – Czech historiography focused in just certain issues and topics connected with the person and reign of Svätopluk. In the same spirit, it is obvious that the Czech interpretation of the first of the Moymirids aimed at meeting the current political demands of the Czech elites.

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2 Konštantínove listy

2 Homza M.

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1 2022

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IMAGE AND INTERPRETATION OF SVATOPLUK IN THE EYES OF SLOVAK HISTORIANS OVER THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS AND ONE SHORT REMARK AT THE END

SVÄTOPLUK IN CZECH AND CZECH-WRITTEN HISTORIOGRAPHY. A FEW CRITICAL REMARKS PART ONE: UP TO THE 1960s