European Kingdoms

Slovenia

Now an independent state, Slovenia is situated in the upper northwest of the Balkans, bordering Hungary. The Slovenes are Slavs, closely related to the Croatians. After the collapse of the Roman empire, Slovenia followed the same path as its neighbours, being controlled successively by the Huns (circa 400-460), and the Ostrogoths (circa 460-488), before undergoing Slav incursions during the sixth century and falling to the Avars until circa 745. Then the Bavarii ruled (circa 745-788), followed by the Carolingian Franks (788-843), Germany (843-907), Hungary (907-955), and then back to Germany as part of Carinthia until the territory was established as a margraviate.

Margraves of Slovenia

1054 - 1070

Ulrich I

1070 - 1090

Poppo I

Some uncertainty about the rule of Poppo I & II.

1090 - 1093

Poppo II

1093 - 1108

Poppo III

1108 - 1269

The margraviate passes to the Patriarchate of Aquileia.

1269

With the accession of Ottokar the Great, king of Bohemia-Moravia, Slovenia is effectively merged back into Carinthia.

1918

On 6 October, a 'Southern-Slav' kingdom is declared by the Serb, Croat, and Slovene subjects of the Austro-Hungarian empire. This includes the Kosovo region (liberated in 1913), Bosnia, Herzegovina & Monte Negro. Serbia is the dominant member of the new Yugoslavia and views much of the territory as being part of a traditional 'Greater Serbia'.

1991

On 25 June, Croatia, Istria, and Slovenia leave Yugoslavia and declares themselves independent republics. The Serbs begin a war which lasts until 4 August 1995. Croatian and Slovenian independence is secured and recognised by Europe.