# Roman the Great

> Ruthenian prince

**Wikidata**: [Q497773](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q497773)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_the_Great)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/roman-the-great

## Summary
Roman the Great was a Ruthenian prince and a key figure in Eastern European medieval history, ruling Galicia-Volhynia in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He is best known for consolidating princely power in the region and founding the Saint Pantaleon Church in Shevchenkove, Ukraine. His reign marked significant developments in the political and cultural landscape of Ruthenia.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 1150  
- **Nationality**: Ruthenian  
- **Known for**: Ruling as Prince of Galicia-Volhynia and founding the Saint Pantaleon Church  
- **Employer(s)**: Principality of Galicia-Volhynia  
- **Field(s)**: Governance, Military Leadership  

## Contributions
- **Founded the Saint Pantaleon Church** (inception: 1200) in Shevchenkove, Ukraine, a landmark religious structure.  
- **Consolidated Power in Galicia-Volhynia**: Strengthened princely authority during his reign, laying foundations for regional stability.  

## FAQs
**Q: When did Roman the Great live?**  
A: He was born on January 1, 1150, and died on June 19, 1205.  

**Q: What is Roman the Great best known for?**  
A: He is renowned as a Ruthenian prince who ruled Galicia-Volhynia and founded the historic Saint Pantaleon Church.  

**Q: How is Roman the Great connected to modern Ukraine?**  
A: A 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade, established in 2014, is listed among related entities, though no direct historical link is specified.  

## Why They Matter
Roman the Great’s reign was pivotal in shaping the political structure of medieval Ruthenia. His military campaigns and governance strategies influenced the region’s trajectory, while his patronage of the Saint Pantaleon Church underscored the interplay of religion and state power. Without his leadership, the consolidation of Galicia-Volhynia’s territories and cultural identity might have followed a different path, impacting subsequent Ukrainian and Eastern European history.

## Notable For
- Ruled as Prince of Galicia-Volhynia from 1188 to 1205.  
- Founded the Saint Pantaleon Church, a surviving medieval architectural landmark.  
- Known by aliases *Roman Mstyslavych* and *Romanko*.  
- Documented through historical seals (e.g., *Печать Романа II Великого.png*) and manuscripts.  

## Body
### Early Life and Reign  
Roman the Great was born on January 1, 1150, into the Rurikid dynasty, a lineage of Kievan Rus’ princes. He ascended to the throne of Galicia-Volhynia in 1188, a principality that encompassed parts of modern Ukraine and Poland. His rule focused on centralizing authority amid regional fragmentation.  

### Military and Political Achievements  
Roman led military campaigns to assert dominance over neighboring principalities, notably clashing with Novgorod in 1170. His strategic alliances and conquests expanded Galicia-Volhynia’s influence, though conflicts with Hungarian and Polish forces persisted.  

### Cultural Legacy  
A devout patron of the church, Roman commissioned the Saint Pantaleon Church in Shevchenkove (founded c. 1200), which remains a testament to medieval Ruthenian architecture. His reign also saw the issuance of princely charters, evidenced by surviving seals like *Печать Романа II Великого.png*.  

### Death and Succession  
Roman died on June 19, 1205, during a battle against Hungarian invaders. His death triggered succession disputes, but his legacy endured through descendants who continued to shape the region’s politics.  

### Documentation and Identifiers  
Roman the Great is cataloged in multiple academic and archival systems, including VIAF ID *1018166742* and ISNI *0000000114612832*. His life is documented in chronicles such as the *Hypatian Codex*, referenced in the *R\O\RomanMstyslavych* identifier.  

### Related Entities  
- **14th Separate Mechanized Brigade**: A modern Ukrainian military unit (established 2014) listed as a related entity, though no historical connection to Roman is specified.  
- **Portrayals**: Depicted in historical illustrations such as *Роман II Великий.png* and *Встреча Романа Великого Мстислава Андреевича перед осадой Новгорода 1170-го г.jpg*.  

### Historical Context  
As a Ruthenian prince, Roman navigated the complex web of medieval Eastern European politics, balancing alliances with Kiev, Hungary, and Poland. His title *Рюрикович-22* (Rurikid-22) reflects his lineage from the foundational dynasty of Kievan Rus’. Despite his achievements, his life was cut short in battle, a common fate for medieval rulers.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Sejm-Wielki.pl