The Community of Slovenes and Their Learned Culture'in the Early Periods of the Middle Ages

Abstract

The Slovene learned culture is most excellently presented by: the ceremonial enthronings of the Carinthian dukes, Brižinski spomeniki (Freising Fragment — the oldest preserved writing in Slovene language), and the activity of Constantine the Philosopher and Metodius in Lower Pannonia. The Slovene language had in the Carinthian dukedom a completely irreplacable land-representative role, as well had special rights in the provincial judiciary. The Slavic literary culture of the holy brothers — including thier language — presented in their generation the culture of the Middle-European Slavs, among which the Slovenes — by mediation between their and the Caranthanian literary culture, of which successors are Brižinski spomeniki — had a special position. In the learned culture of the Middle Ages the community of Slovenes is known, although under various names.