# Serbian Despotate > former country (1402-1459/1537) **Wikidata**: [Q878319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q878319) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Despotate) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/serbian-despotate ## Summary The Serbian Despotate was a medieval Serbian state that existed from 1402 to 1459/1537, succeeding the District of Branković and preceding the Principality of Serbia. It was a sovereign state with Belgrade as its capital, ruled by the Branković dynasty, and played a significant role in the political landscape of the Balkans during the Ottoman expansion. ## Key Facts - **Existed from 1402 to 1459/1537**, succeeding the District of Branković and preceding the Principality of Serbia. - **Capital**: Belgrade, which was under the rule of the Serbian Despotate from 1402 to 1521. - **Ruled by the Branković dynasty**, including notable figures like Đurađ Branković, Stefan Branković, and Lazar Branković. - **Located in the Balkans**, overlapping with modern-day Serbia, Kosovo, and parts of Montenegro. - **Preceded by the District of Branković (1371–1402)** and succeeded by the Principality of Serbia (1815–1882). - **Related to the Banate of Belgrade (1427–1521)**, a banate of the Kingdom of Hungary. - **Connected to the Kruševac sanjak (1455–1830)** and Niš sanjak (1448–1878), administrative units of the Ottoman Empire. - **Associated with the Serbian Patriarchate of Peć (1346–present)**, an eastern Orthodox ecclesiastical patriarchate. - **Influenced by the Crnojević and Jakšić noble families**, Serbian noble families with historical significance. - **Involved in the Siege of Belgrade (1440)** and the Battle of Kosovo (1448), key events in Balkan history. - **Used the Serbian perper as currency**, a historical Serbian currency. - **Spoke Serbian**, the standardized variety of Serbo-Croatian language used by Serbs. - **Classified as a sovereign state** and a historical country. ## FAQs **What was the Serbian Despotate?** The Serbian Despotate was a medieval Serbian state that existed from 1402 to 1459/1537, succeeding the District of Branković and preceding the Principality of Serbia. It was a sovereign state with Belgrade as its capital, ruled by the Branković dynasty. **Who ruled the Serbian Despotate?** The Serbian Despotate was ruled by the Branković dynasty, including notable figures like Đurađ Branković, Stefan Branković, and Lazar Branković. These rulers played a significant role in the political landscape of the Balkans during the Ottoman expansion. **What was the capital of the Serbian Despotate?** The capital of the Serbian Despotate was Belgrade, which was under its rule from 1402 to 1521. Belgrade was a key city in the region and served as the political and administrative center of the state. **What was the relationship between the Serbian Despotate and the Ottoman Empire?** The Serbian Despotate was located in the Balkans, a region that was heavily influenced by the Ottoman Empire. The state was eventually conquered by the Ottomans, leading to its dissolution in 1459/1537. The Despotate's existence was marked by its struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire. **What were the major events associated with the Serbian Despotate?** The Serbian Despotate was involved in several major events, including the Siege of Belgrade (1440) and the Battle of Kosovo (1448). These events were significant in the history of the Balkans and shaped the political landscape of the region. **What was the currency used in the Serbian Despotate?** The Serbian Despotate used the Serbian perper as its currency. This was a historical Serbian currency that was in use during the state's existence. **What language was spoken in the Serbian Despotate?** The Serbian language, a standardized variety of Serbo-Croatian, was spoken in the Serbian Despotate. This language was used by the Serbian people and played a significant role in the cultural identity of the state. ## Why It Matters The Serbian Despotate was a significant medieval Serbian state that played a crucial role in the political and cultural landscape of the Balkans. Its existence was marked by its struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire, which ultimately led to its dissolution. The Despotate was ruled by the Branković dynasty, which included notable figures like Đurađ Branković, Stefan Branković, and Lazar Branković. These rulers played a significant role in the political landscape of the Balkans during the Ottoman expansion. The Despotate's capital, Belgrade, was a key city in the region and served as the political and administrative center of the state. The Serbian Despotate was involved in several major events, including the Siege of Belgrade (1440) and the Battle of Kosovo (1448). These events were significant in the history of the Balkans and shaped the political landscape of the region. The Despotate used the Serbian perper as its currency, and the Serbian language was spoken in the state. The Serbian Despotate was a sovereign state and a historical country, classified as such in the source material. Its legacy continues to be studied and understood in the context of Balkan history and the broader history of the Ottoman Empire. ## Notable For - **Struggle against the Ottoman Empire**: The Serbian Despotate was marked by its struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire, which ultimately led to its dissolution. - **Notable rulers**: The Serbian Despotate was ruled by the Branković dynasty, including notable figures like Đurađ Branković, Stefan Branković, and Lazar Branković. - **Key events**: The Despotate was involved in several major events, including the Siege of Belgrade (1440) and the Battle of Kosovo (1448). - **Cultural significance**: The Despotate played a significant role in the cultural and political landscape of the Balkans, with the Serbian language and currency being used within its borders. - **Historical classification**: The Serbian Despotate was classified as a sovereign state and a historical country, with a significant impact on the region's history. ## Body ### History The Serbian Despotate existed from 1402 to 1459/1537, succeeding the District of Branković and preceding the Principality of Serbia. It was a sovereign state with Belgrade as its capital, ruled by the Branković dynasty. The Despotate was marked by its struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire, which ultimately led to its dissolution. The state was involved in several major events, including the Siege of Belgrade (1440) and the Battle of Kosovo (1448). ### Governance and Rulers The Serbian Despotate was ruled by the Branković dynasty, including notable figures like Đurađ Branković, Stefan Branković, and Lazar Branković. These rulers played a significant role in the political landscape of the Balkans during the Ottoman expansion. The Despotate's capital, Belgrade, was a key city in the region and served as the political and administrative center of the state. ### Geography and Location The Serbian Despotate was located in the Balkans, overlapping with modern-day Serbia, Kosovo, and parts of Montenegro. The state was connected to several administrative units of the Ottoman Empire, including the Kruševac sanjak (1455–1830) and Niš sanjak (1448–1878). The Despotate was also associated with the Serbian Patriarchate of Peć (1346–present), an eastern Orthodox ecclesiastical patriarchate. ### Culture and Language The Serbian language, a standardized variety of Serbo-Croatian, was spoken in the Serbian Despotate. This language was used by the Serbian people and played a significant role in the cultural identity of the state. The Despotate used the Serbian perper as its currency, a historical Serbian currency that was in use during the state's existence. ### Notable Events The Serbian Despotate was involved in several major events, including the Siege of Belgrade (1440) and the Battle of Kosovo (1448). These events were significant in the history of the Balkans and shaped the political landscape of the region. The Despotate's existence was marked by its struggle against the expanding Ottoman Empire, which ultimately led to its dissolution. ### Legacy and Significance The Serbian Despotate was a significant medieval Serbian state that played a crucial role in the political and cultural landscape of the Balkans. Its legacy continues to be studied and understood in the context of Balkan history and the broader history of the Ottoman Empire. The Despotate's impact on the region's history is significant, and its classification as a sovereign state and a historical country is well-documented in the source material. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013