Europe is a continent rich in history, and Serbia is no exception. From its earliest days as an independent kingdom to its modern-day status as a member of the European Union, Serbia has had a long, complex, and varied history. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Serbia’s history, from its earliest days to its present-day status.
Early History of Serbia
The earliest known inhabitants of Serbia were the Illyrians, a people who lived in the region during the Bronze and Iron Ages. They were eventually replaced by the Celts, who arrived in the 4th century BC. The Celts were followed by the Romans, who conquered the region in the 2nd century BC.
The Roman Empire was replaced by the Byzantine Empire in the 4th century AD. During this period, Serbia was divided into two principalities: the Principality of Serbia and the Principality of Duklja. In the 11th century, Serbia was unified by Stefan Nemanja, who established the Nemanjić dynasty.
The Nemanjić dynasty ruled Serbia until the 14th century, when it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Serbia remained under Ottoman rule until the 19th century, when it declared independence in 1878.
Modern History of Serbia
In the early 20th century, Serbia was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During World War II, Yugoslavia was occupied by the Axis powers and Serbia was divided between Germany and Italy.
After the war, Serbia became part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. During this period, Serbia was the most populous and economically powerful republic in the federation.
In the 1990s, Yugoslavia began to break apart and Serbia declared independence in 2006. Since then, Serbia has become a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Union.
Conclusion
Serbia has had a long and varied history, from its earliest days as an independent kingdom to its modern-day status as a member of the European Union. This article has provided a comprehensive overview of Serbia’s history, from its earliest days to its present-day status.