Cosmas of Prague facts for kids
Cosmas of Prague (who was also known as Kosmas Pražský in Czech) was a very important priest, writer, and historian who lived a long time ago. He was born around 1045 and passed away on October 21, 1125.
Contents
Who Was Cosmas of Prague?
Cosmas traveled to Liège (which is now in Belgium) to study between the years 1075 and 1081. When he came back to Bohemia, he got married to a woman named Božetěcha. They had a son together, who was named Hermann or Zdic. His son later became a very important church leader, the Bishop of Olomouc.
Cosmas himself became a deacon (a type of church official) in 1094. A few years later, in 1099, he became a full priest in Esztergom, Hungary.
Cosmas's Big Book: Chronica Boemorum
Cosmas is most famous for his amazing book called Chronica Boemorum. This title means "Chronicle of the Bohemians" in Latin. It was his biggest and most important work, and it tells the story of the land of Bohemia (which is now part of the Czech Republic). The book is split into three main parts:
Book One: From the Beginning to 1038
The first part of the Chronica Boemorum was finished in 1119. It starts way back at the very beginning, with the creation of the world! Then, it tells the legendary stories of how the Bohemian state was founded around the year 600.
This book talks about:
- Early leaders like Duke Czech and Duke Krok.
- Duke Krok's three daughters, including the wise Duchess Libuše.
- How the Přemyslid dynasty (a famous ruling family) began when Libuše married Přemysl.
- Important events like the introduction of Christianity to Bohemia by Duke Bořivoj.
- Stories about famous saints like Saint Wenceslaus and his grandmother Saint Ludmila.
- The reigns of three rulers named Boleslav.
- The life of Saint Adalbert.
- And finally, it covers some big wars that happened after the year 1000, ending in 1038.
Book Two: The Years 1038 to 1092
The second book of Cosmas's Chronica focuses on Bohemian history from 1038 to 1092. It starts by describing the brave actions of Duke Břetislav. He was so heroic that people called him the "Bohemian Achilles" (like the famous Greek hero!). For example, it tells about his victory over Poland.
This part of the book also describes the long and important rule of King Vratislav. He was known as a strong leader, but also a brave and good person. Cosmas even writes about Vratislav's wars in Italy. This second book finishes with King Vratislav's death.
Book Three: From 1092 to 1125
The third and final book of the Chronica Boemorum covers the years from 1092 to 1125. It begins by describing a time when Bohemia was not very stable, with many civil wars happening between 1092 and 1109.
The Chronica then ends with the rule of Vladislav, who was Duke from 1109 to 1125. Cosmas himself passed away in the very same year, 1125.
After Cosmas died, other writers continued his history, adding more events up to the year 1283. This shows how important and influential his work was!
