Roman the Great

Roman the Great
Roman of Halych receives an ambassador from Pope Innocent III (painting by Nikolai Nevrev)
Prince of Novgorod
Reign	1168–1170
Predecessor	Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich
Successor	Rurik II Rostislavich
Prince of Vladimir-in-Volhynia
Reign	1170–1189 1189–1205
Predecessor	Mstislav III Izyaslavich Vsevolod II Mstislavich
Successor	Vsevolod II Mstislavich Daniel Romanovich
Prince of Halych
Reign	1189 1198/1199–1205
Predecessor	(?) Oleg Yaroslavich Vladimir II Yaroslavich
Successor	Andrew I Daniel Romanovich
Born	c. 1152 (unknown)
Died	June 19, 1205 Zawichost (Poland)
Burial	(unknown)
Spouse	Predslava Ryurikovna Anna
Issue	Fedora Romanovna Olena Romanovna Daniel Romanovich Vasylko Romanovich
House	Rurik
Father	Mstislav II Izyaslavich
Mother	Agnes of Poland

Roman Mstislavich (Russian: Роман Мстиславич; Ukrainian: Роман Мстиславич/Roman Mstyslavych), known as Roman the Great (c. 1152 – Zawichost, June 19, 1205) was a Rus’ prince, Grand Prince of Kiev (a member of the Rurik dynasty).

He was prince of Novgorod (1168–1170), of Vladimir-in-Volhynia (1170–1189, 1189–1205), and of Halych (1189, 1198/99–1205). By seizing the throne of Halych, he became the master of all western Rus’. In the early 13th century, the , "autocrate" (αύτοκράτωρ) was applied by the chroniclers to him, but there is no evidence that he assumed it officially.

He waged two successful campaigns against the Cumans, from which he returned with many rescued captives. The effect of Roman’s victory was, however, undermined by new dissensions among the princes of Rus’.

Roman died in a battle with the Poles at the Battle of Zawichost. He founded the Romanovich dynasty that would rule Vladimir-in-Volhynia and Halych until 1340.

He was the eldest son of Mstislav Izyaslavich (who was prince of Vladimir-in-Volhynia at that time), and Agnes, a daughter of Duke Bolesław III of Poland.

After the Novgorodians had expelled their prince, Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich, Roman was sent to Novgorod on April 14, 1168 by his father (who had earlier occupied Kiev). However, the princes of Smolensk (Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s brothers) and Prince Andrey Yuryevich of Vladimir (who had supported Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s rule in Novgorod) spent the rest of the year conspiring and forming alliances against Mstislav Izyaslavich.