Catepanate of Ras

The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (October 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (October 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Catepanate of Ras Κατεπανίκιον Ἄρσης
Province of Byzantine Empire
971–976
Capital	Ras
• Type	Catepanate
Historical era	Middle Ages
• Established	971
• Disestablished	976
Preceded by Succeeded by Principality of Serbia (early medieval) First Bulgarian Empire

The Catepanate of Ras (Byzantine Greek: Κατεπανίκιον Ἄρσης) was a province (catepanate) of the Byzantine Empire, established around 971 in central regions of early medieval Serbia, during the rule of Byzantine Emperor John Tzimiskes (969–976). The catepanate was named after the fortified town of Ras, eponymous for the historical region of Raška (Latin: Rascia). The province was short-lived, and collapsed soon after 976, following the Byzantine retreat from the region after the restoration of the Bulgarian Empire.^[1][2]