Semigallians

The Semgallen ( Latvian: Zemgali ) were one of the Baltic tribes, in the south-central Latvia in Semgallen ( Latvian: Zemgale ) lived. They were known for their long resistance against the German crusaders of the Livonian Order. Later they united with the surrounding nations, and were part of the Latvian nation.

The Semgallen were one of the first tribes who established a monarchy, but which was only weakly because of the strong claims to power of the nobles semgallischen. The most notable of semgallischen leader was Viestards ( Viesturs ), who succeeded in the 13th century to unite the mutually hostile semgallischen tribes to a state and to respond to the German crusaders an alliance to defend itself against external enemies. After the Crusaders broke the contract and in turn invaded his territories, he joined himself to them with the Lithuanians, which earned him his greatest success, the destruction of the Brothers of the Sword in the Battle of Siauliai in 1236.

Another famous Zemgale leader was Nameitis ( Namejs, Nameisis ), an almost mythical figure in Latvian literature. He is credited to have tried the largest campaign of the Balts. The goal of this campaign it was supposed to unite the Baltic tribes for a retaliatory attack on German territory. Because the only documentary evidence about him is the account of his death during the siege of Krist Castle in East Prussia, the historians argue whether he even existed. But it is certain that after 1270 came forward a new and powerful leaders and the German crusaders inflicted several severe defeats in Semgallen and East Prussia.

• Baltic tribe
• Historical European ethnicity
• Lower Lithuania
• History ( Baltics )