STEPHEN NEMANJA

died 1200 founder of the Serbian state. Nemanja became grand zupan (clan leader) of Raka under Byzantine suzerainty in 1169. He subsequently sided with the Venetians and was eventually defeated by the avenging Byzantines, but he was pardoned. Nemanja later conquered Skopje, Prizren, and Tetovo. Though again defeated, he retained Kosovo, Pec, Prizren, Bar, Skadar (Shkodr), and Kotor. He abdicated in 1196 and joined his son, Sava, in a monastery.