Demetrius Zvonimir

Demetrius Zvonimir
Portrayal of King Demetrius Zvonimir by Kristijan Kreković
King of Croatia and Dalmatia
Reign	1075–1089
Coronation	8 October 1076
Predecessor	Peter Krešimir IV
Successor	Stephen II
Ban of Slavonia
Reign	c. 1064–1075
Predecessor	Gojko
Successor	Peter
Died	20 April 1089 (?) Knin, Kingdom of Croatia
Burial	Church of St. Mary, Knin, Croatia
Spouse	Helen of Hungary
Issue	Radovan Claudia Vinica
Royal House	House of Trpimirović House of Svetoslavić (?)
Father	Stjepan Svetoslavić (?)
Religion	Roman Catholic

Demetrius Zvonimir (Serbo-Croatian: Dmitar Zvonimir, pronounced [dmîtar zʋônimiːr], Latin: Demetrius Suinnimir/Zuonimir/Sunimirio, died 20 April 1089) was King of Croatia and Dalmatia from 1075 until his death in 1089. He was crowned as king in Solin on 8 October 1076. Zvonimir also ruled as Ban of Slavonia (1064–1074), and was named Duke of Croatia in around 1075. His native name was Zvonimir; he adopted the forename Demetrius (Dmitar in Croatian) at his coronation.

He began as Ban of Slavonia in the service of King Peter Krešimir IV. Afterwards, he was appointed as Duke of Croatia by Peter Krešimir IV, who later declared him as his heir. In 1075, Demetrius Zvonimir succeeded to the Croatian throne through papal diplomacy. His reign is characterized as relatively peaceful, with no extensive war campaigns; he focused instead on Croatia's economic and cultural development. He was the last native king who exerted any real power over the entire Croatian state, which he inherited at its height and ruled from the city of Knin.

Medieval legends allege his assassination; his death and succession are subjects of controversy in Croatian historiography. His reign was followed by a period of anarchy. Most sources describe him as Croatia's last native king.

His exact origin and background are uncertain. It is known that he had a magister (Latin for "teacher") named "Šestak", who also contributed to building monasteries around Croatia; that his maternal uncle was named Streza; and that his family owned some estates near Biograd. Most sources confirm his descent from Svetoslav Suronja. He was the younger cousin of Peter Krešimir IV, who designated him as heir; he was also elected (or confirmed) as heir by an assembly of nobles (Bans).