BOOK PRESENTED ON NINTH CENTURY CROATIAN PRINCE BRANIMIR

ZAGREB, June 6 (Hina) - A book on Croatia in the early Middle Ages, specifically the time of Prince Branimir's rule, was presented in Zagreb last week as part of the Croatian Studies Days manifestation. Entitled "Hrvatska i Nin u doba kneza Branimira" (Croatia and Nin at the Time of Prince Branimir), the book, written by Mirjana Matijevic-Sokol, uses sources in history, archaeology, and art history to give an integral insight into the time of Prince Branimir's rule. Over a hundred pages, the book also brings valuable visual material. According to book critic Tomislav Raukar, Prince Branimir succeeded Trpimir and was in the ninth century the leader of Croatia's national and social development. Prince Branimir left behind him a plethora of monuments and written material which shed light on Croatia in the early Middle Ages, Raukar said at the presentation. The book's introduction gives an integral view of Branimir's role in Croatia's national history. A chapter on written testimonies on the prince brings five letters written by Pope John VIII and two by Pope Stephen VI. A separate chapter puts emphasis on valuable jewellery made in Branimir's time. The book was published by Milan-based Hefti. (hina) ha