Svatopluk I of Moravia

Svatopluk I, also known as Svatopluk the Great, was a prominent ruler of Great Moravia, a realm that reached its zenith during his reign from eight hundred seventy to eight hundred ninety-four. His political journey began in the eight hundred sixties when he governed a principality within Moravia, under the influence of his uncle, Rastislav. In a dramatic turn of events in eight hundred seventy, Svatopluk dethroned Rastislav, who was then a vassal of Louis the German, and betrayed him to the Franks. However, Svatopluk's fortunes shifted when he was imprisoned by the Franks shortly thereafter.

Following a rebellion by the Moravians against their Frankish oppressors, Svatopluk was released and emerged as a leader, guiding his people to victory. Despite being required to pay tribute to East Francia as per the peace treaty established in Forchheim in eight hundred seventy-four, he managed to expand his territories beyond the Franks' control in the subsequent years, even launching an invasion into the March of Pannonia in eight hundred eighty-two.

Throughout his reign, Svatopluk fostered a strong relationship with the papacy, securing formal protection for his people from the Holy See in eight hundred eighty. Pope Stephen V recognized him as