Prince Marko

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Contemporary frescoe of Marko, Marko's monastery, Skopje, Macedonia, 14th century

This article is about the epic Serbian prince. For the fictional character, see The Lecturer's Tale.

Prince Marko (Serbian: Краљевић Марко or Kraljević Marko; Macedonian: Крале Марко; Bulgarian Крали Марко; literally King Marko in English)(1335-1395) was a son of King Vukašin (Вукашин), of the medieval Serbian House of Mrnjavčević (Мрњавчевић), who ruled an area in what is today the central part of the Republic of Macedonia, his capital being Prilep. Macedonian sources sometimes refer to the dynasty as the "Mrnjavčevci" (Мрњавчевци). The dynasty originated from the area know today as Herzegovina. After his father died fighting against the Ottoman Empire in 1371, Marko became a Turkish vassal, who later died in the Battle of Karanovasa.

Marko was turned into a hero celebrated by many songs in Serbian, Bulgarian and Macedonian epic poetry. Folklore came to remember him as a respected protector and saviour of the local population during the Turkish yoke. It is unclear why he became such an important figure of epic poetry taking into account his relatively small historical role.

1 Marko in Serbian epic
2 Marko in Bulgarian and Macedonian epic
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Marko in Serbian epic

Coin minted by Marko, Belgrade museum of applied arts

Songs attribute to Marko superhuman strength: he is said to be able to squeeze water from cornel dried for nine years; his weapon of choice is said to be a mace of 66 oka (85 kilograms); it is said that he chose a horse in the only one he could not throw over his shoulder. More importantly, the poems assert his knightly valour - even though he is prone to short-tempered outbursts, he remains a protector of the poor and the helpless, a guardian of the law and order, even when to his disadvantage. In one song thus he mourns killing a hero who was better than himself; in another, he decides who the rightful ruler of Serbian Empire even though his dishonesty could have benefited his own father. It is believed that he chose to die when guns were invented and when he saw that "every coward can kill a hero", even from a distance. Even in death he only sleeps, waiting in a cave until he is needed again, a typical king in the mountain motif.

Marko's portrait, by Mina Karadžić

Marko's horse is named Šarac (Шарац, English Dappled). His horse is depicted as a perfect match for the prince's strength, so that he drinks Marko's wine too, a typical song begins with: "He drinks wine, oh prince Marko;/half he drinks, half he gives to Šarac". Marko's chosen woman-protector is a vila called Ravijojla (Равијојла). His mother Jevrosima (Јевросима) is historically unknown, although Marko and his brother Andrеja (Андреја, sometimes known as Andrija) both exist in the historical chronicles of King Vukašin. In Serbian epic poetry Mother Jevrosima she has become a symbol of justice, moral, and the Christian worldview.

[edit] Marko in Bulgarian and Macedonian epic

When Krale (Krali) Marko was born, three narecnitsi (fate-fairies) appeared and fortold that he will become a hero and replace his father, the king. When king Vukašin heard this he threw his son on a basket in the river to get rid of him. But a samodiva, called Vila or samovila, found Marko and brought him up as his foster mother. Because Marko suckled samovila's milk he acquired supernatural powers and started fighting against the Turks. He had a winged horse, called Sharkolia (meaning Dappled) and a step sister - the samovila Gyura.

When reading the Bulgarian legends of Krali Marko, one finds important fragments of pagan Slavic mythology and beliefs, even though Bulgarian folk epos was created as late as 14-18th century.