Prince Marko
|
|
Missing image Marko_-_frescoe.jpg Contemporary frescoe of Marko, Marko's monastery, 14th century |
Missing image Marko_-_Mina.jpg Marko's portrait, by Mina Karadzic |
Missing image Marko_-_money.jpg Coin minted by Marko, Belgrade museum of applied arts |
Prince Marko (also rendered King Marko in English; Serbian Kraljević Marko, Bulgarian Krali Marko) (around 1335 — 1395) was son of king Vukašin, who ruled in modern day central Macedonia, with capital in Prilep. After his father died fighting against the Turks in 1371, Marko became Turkish vassal. He died in Battle of Rovine.
Marko turned into a hero of many songs of Serbian, Bulgarian and Macedonian epic poetry. Folklore remembers him as a respected protector and saviour of the local population during the Turkish yoke. It is unclear why did he became such an important figure of epic poetry, contrary to his relatively small historical role.
Marko in Serbian epos
Songs attribute to Marko superhuman strength: he can squeeze water from cornel dried for nine years; his favourite weapon is mace of 66 oka (85 kilograms); he chose his horse because it was the only horse he could not throw over his shoulder. More importantly, they assert his knightly valour. Even while he could be short-tempered, he is protector of poor and helpless, guardian of law and order, even when that is to his disadvantage. In one song he mourns because he killed a hero better than him; in another, he says who by right should inherit the throne of Serbian Empire even while he was offered to become the ruler himself if he lies. It is said that he decided to die when guns were invented and when he saw that "every coward can kill a hero" easily, from distance.
Marko's horse is named Šarac (meaning "Dappled"). The horse is depicted as a match for prince's strength, and also that he drinks wine with him. Folk songs often begin with: "He drinks wine, oh prince Marko;/half he drinks, half he gives to Šarac". Marko's chosen sister is a vila called Raviojla.
His mother Jevrosima is unknown to history, although Marko Kraljević has been recorded (along with his brother Andrija) in the historical chronicles of King Vukašin. In Serbian epic poetry Mother Jevrosima is a symbol of justice, moral, and Christian view of the world.
Marko in Bulgarian and Macedonian epos
When Krali Marko was born, three narecnitsi (fate-fairies) appeared and fortold him he will become a hero and will replace his father - the king. King Vukašin heard this and threw his son on a basket in the river to get rid of him. But a samodiva, called Villa, found him and brought him up as his foster mother. Because Marko suckled samodiva's milk he acquired supernatural powers and started fighting against the Turks. He had a winged horse, called Sharkolia (means Dappled) and a step sister - the samodiva Gyura.
When reading the Bulgarian legends of Krali Marko, one would find important fragments of pagan Slavic mythology and beliefs, although Bulgarian folk epos was created as late as 14-18th century.
External Links
- The book on Marko Kraljevic - Marko, The King's Son - Hero of The Serbs (http://markokraljevic.uzice.net) by Clarence A. Manning, O. Muiriel Fuller, illustrated by Alexander Key
- Heroic Ballads of Servia (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/hbs/) translated by George Rapall Noyes and Leonard Bacon, 1913
- Web comic strip (http://www.crsn.com/studiostrip/markokraljevic)