Der Ohrider Zupan Andrea Gropa

Abstract

This paper focuses on the late fourteenth century Balkan noble named in the tittle. After a brief introduction the text is divided into the following subsections: 1. The earliest data on the noble family of Gropa; 2. His arrival in Ohrid and the beginning of the rise; 3. Gaining independence; 4. The territory; 5. Title, mints and office; 6. End of his rule; and 7. Origin and ethnicity. It is important to emphasise that the sovereign Andrea Gropa was definitely part of the Serbian feudal hierarchy before he came to Ohrid. Evidence of his presence in Ohrid begins in the 1370s. At first he was a vassal of the Prilep kings Volkashin and Marko. He later bacame an independent lord of the town. The issues regarding his origin and ethnicity are specially treated here. The paper also makes a scientific contribution to the broader understanding/perception of late medieval Balkan ethnicity.