Tomislav of Croatia

Tomislav
Equestrian statue of King Tomislav by Robert Frangeš-Mihanović, Zagreb, Croatia
King of Croatia
Reign	c. 925–928
Successor	Trpimir II
Duke of Croatia
Reign	c. 910–925
Predecessor	Muncimir
Dynasty	Trpimirović
Father	Muncimir (suspected)
Religion	Christianity

Tomislav (pronounced [tǒmislaʋ], Latin: Tamisclaus) was the first king of Croatia. He became Duke of Croatia c. 910 and was crowned king in 925, reigning until 928. During Tomislav's rule, Croatia forged an alliance with the Byzantine Empire against Bulgaria. Croatia's struggles with the First Bulgarian Empire eventually led to war, which culminated in the decisive Battle of the Bosnian Highlands in 926. In the north, Croatia often clashed with the Principality of Hungary; the state retained its borders and, to some extent, expanded with the disintegrated Lower Pannonia.

Tomislav attended the 925 Council of Split, convened by Pope John X, to discuss the use of Slavic languages in liturgy, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction over both Croatia and the Byzantine Theme of Dalmatia. Although the Pope sought to prohibit Slavic liturgy, the council did not agree. Jurisdiction over the region was given to the Archbishop of Split instead of Bishop Gregory of Nin. Since historical information on Tomislav is scarce, the exact years of his accession and death are unknown. The reigns of his successors were marked by a series of civil wars in Croatia and a gradual weakening of the country.