Demetrius Zvonimir

Demetrius Zvonimir
11th century depiction of a king, suggested to be Peter Krešimir IV or Demetrius Zvonimir[1]
King of Croatia and Dalmatia
Reign	1075/1076–1089
Coronation	8/9 October 1075/1076
Predecessor	Peter Krešimir IV
Successor	Stephen II
Died	1089[2] Knin, Croatia
Burial	Church of St. Bartholomew, Knin, Croatia
Spouse	Helen of Hungary
Issue	Radovan Claudia Vinica
House	Trpimirović
Religion	Catholicism

Demetrius Zvonimir (Croatian: Dmitar Zvonimir, pronounced [dmîtar zʋônimiːr]; died 1089) was a King of Croatia and Dalmatia from 1075 or 1076 until his death in 1089. Zvonimir also served as Ban of Croatia (1064–1074), and was named Duke of Croatia in around 1075. His native name was Zvonimir, but adopted the forename Demetrius at his coronation.

He first served as ban in the service of King Peter Krešimir IV. Afterwards, Peter Krešimir IV appointed him duke and declared him as his heir. In 1075 or 1076, Demetrius Zvonimir succeeded to the Croatian throne through papal diplomacy. His reign is characterized as relatively peaceful, with no extensive war campaigns, focused instead on Croatia's economic and cultural development. He inherited the Croatian state at its height and ruled from the city of Knin. Medieval legends allege his assassination, but his death and succession are subjects of controversy in historiography. His reign was followed by a period of anarchy, which ended with the ascension of the Hungarian Árpád dynasty and the creation of a union with Hungary.