= Roman = '''Roman''' (''Роман''), known as '''Roman the Great''', was [[Ukraine/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Ruthenia|king of Ruthenia]]. <> ---- == History == Roman was the eldest son of '''Mstislav II''' (''Мстислав''), prince of '''Volhynia'''. His father sent him to rule over the '''principality of Novgorod''' in 1168. ---- == Reign == === Volhynia === Mstislav died in 1170, leaving Roman to inherit the '''principality of Volhynia'''. There was a succession crisis in the '''principality of Halych''' following the death of '''Yaroslav''' (''Ярослав'') in 1187. One son, '''Oleg''', was appointed the principality by [[Poland/CasimirII|Casimir II]], but he was shortly assassinated. the local nobility favored Roman as prince. Another son, '''Vladimir II''' (''Володимир''), fled to [[Hungary/BelaIII|Hungary]] seeking military support for his claims. Bela III instead invaded and established his son [[Hungary/AndrewII|Andrew]] as prince. Vladimir would escape in 1190, flee to Poland, and finally return with military support for his claims. === Halych === Vladimir II died in 1198 without an heir, so the principality of Halych finally passed to Roman. ---- == Legacy == Roman established the principality that would soon develop into the [[Ukraine/Monarchs#Kingdom_of_Ruthenia|kingdom of Ruthenia]], the most direct predecessor state to the modern state of Ukraine. ---- CategoryRicottone