Prosigoj

Prosigoj was a Knyaz (Prince) of Serbia, believed to have ruled in the early 9th century. He is generally considered to be among the first rulers of the Vlastimirović dynasty, which established a semi-independent Serbian principality.

Historical sources regarding Prosigoj are scarce and often conflicting. Information about him primarily comes from the De Administrando Imperio (DAI), a work written by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus in the mid-10th century. The DAI mentions Prosigoj as the grandfather of Prince Mutimir, placing him a few generations before Mutimir's reign, which is generally dated to the mid-9th century.

Because of the limited and late sources, little is definitively known about Prosigoj's reign. Historians debate the extent of his authority, the territorial boundaries of his principality, and the precise chronology of early Serbian rulers. Some scholars suggest he ruled over a relatively small territory centered around modern-day southwestern Serbia, while others believe his influence may have extended further. The nature of Serbia's relationship with the Byzantine Empire and the Frankish Kingdom during Prosigoj's time is also a matter of scholarly debate.

Despite the uncertainties, Prosigoj holds an important place in Serbian history as one of the earliest identifiable rulers in the lineage that would eventually lead to the establishment of the Serbian kingdom. He is considered a key figure in the consolidation of Serbian tribes and the foundation of a distinct Serbian political identity.