Piast the Wheelwright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piast the Wheelwright |
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Piast plate by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski (1841–1905)
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| Duke of the Polans | |
| Predecessor | Chościsko |
| Successor | Siemowit |
| Born | 740/1 |
| Died | 861 (aged 120) |
| Consort | Rzepicha |
| Issue | Siemowit |
| House | House of Piast (founder) |
| Father | Chościsko |
| Religion | Pagan |
Piast Kołodziej (pronounced: Pee-ast Koh-woh-jay) was a very important, almost legendary, person from medieval Poland. He lived around the 9th century (740/1 – 861 AD). Piast is known as the founder of the Piast dynasty, which later became the ruling family of the Kingdom of Poland. His name, "Kołodziej," means "the Wheelwright" in Polish, referring to someone who builds or repairs wheels.
Contents
The Legend of Piast
Piast's story appears in an old book called the Polish Chronicle. This book was written by a person known as Gallus Anonymus. The story also mentions Piast's father, Chościsko, and his wife, Rzepicha.
A Special Visit
The chronicle tells a tale about two strangers who unexpectedly visited Piast. They asked to join Piast's family in celebrating his son, Siemowit's, seventh birthday. This birthday was a special event for young boys in those times. It was a pagan rite of passage, meaning it was a traditional ceremony to mark a boy growing up.
A Magical Gift
In return for Piast's kindness and hospitality, the mysterious guests did something amazing. They cast a spell that made Piast's cellar always full of food and drink. It was like a magical cornucopia, never running out!
Becoming a Prince
When Piast's neighbors saw this incredible abundance, they were very impressed. They decided that Piast should be their new leader. He replaced the previous ruler, Prince Popiel. This is how Piast, the humble wheelwright, became a prince.
Piast's Family Tree
If Piast was a real person, he would have been the great-great-grandfather of Mieszko I. Mieszko I was born around 930 AD and was the first known ruler of Poland. Piast would also be the great-great-great-grandfather of Bolesław Chrobry. Bolesław was born in 967 AD and became the first Polish king.
Home of the Piasts
The legendary Piast family came from a place called Gniezno. Gniezno was a strong castle town built between the 8th and 9th centuries. It was located in the land of the Polanie tribe. According to the legend, Piast lived a very long life, dying in 861 AD at the age of 120.
The Name Piast
It's interesting to know that in over 1000 years of Polish history, no one else has been named Piast. There are two main ideas about where the name "Piast" came from.
Meaning of the Name
One idea is that "Piast" comes from the Polish word piasta, which means "hub." A hub is the center part of a wheel. This makes sense because Piast was known as a wheelwright.
The second idea connects "Piast" to the word piastun. This word means "custodian" or "keeper." This might suggest that Piast was a kind of manager or "steward of the house" for another ruler. Later, he might have taken over power himself. This is similar to how some early medieval Frankish dynasties developed. In those times, the "Mayors of the Palace" slowly took control from the Merovingian kings.
Images for kids
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Monument to Piast Kołodziej in Złotów
See also
In Spanish: Piast para niños
