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Stefan Dusan IV

1308 – 1355

About

Serbian Monarch. He reigned as King from 1331 to 1346, and as Tsar from 1346 to 1355. His full name is Stefan Uros IV Dusan Silni ("The Mighty"). He was first born son of King Stefan Decanski and Theodora, daughter of Bulgarian Tsar Smilac. His early life was spent in Constantinople, where as a youngster he spent around seven years (1314 to 1320). There he learned Greek, comprehended Greek life and culture and got clear view of inner value of Greek empire. He himself was more soldier then diplomat, as young man he excelled in two battles, defeating Bosnian ban Stefan II Kotromanic in 1329 and in 1330 Bulgarian Tsar Mihailo. He overthrew his father and then crowned himself as king on September 8, 1331. In 1332 he married Jelena, sister of Bulgarian Tsar Aleksandar, a woman of strong will, who had large influence on him and born him son Uros and one daughter. Dusan was the only real Tsar of Serbia, creating the Serbian Empire. Under his rule Serbia reached it territorial peak and was one of the largest states in Europe. Apart from territorial gains, in 1349 and 1354 he made and enforced Dusan's code. He is the only ruler from the house of Nemanjic who is not canonized as a saint.