| Abstract [eng] |
Scientific work, which analizes aspects of the Curonian social elite formation and change in the 10th to 13th century. The paper discusses the characteristics of separate groups of the Curonian social elite - merchants and mostly professional soldiers, in the context of historical and archaeological sources. The influence of Scandinavian Viking culture on the formation of the Curonian social elite and the impact of Scandinavian Chistianization on the further development of the Curonian elite are analyzed. Eastern cultural influence on the Curonian elite (professional soldiers) is touched upon. The last part of the work analyzes the influence of German colonists on the cultural decline of the Curonians, the polarization of the Curonian society in the 13th century, the further development of the Curonian elite in the area of influence of the Order, others in Lithuania. The work relies heavily on data from written sources (Scandinavian sagas, chronicles, etc.), comparing the data with archaeological information;. |
