Back Bartā BAT-SMG Bartis Catalan Barten (Stamm) German Bartianos Spanish Barta Lithuanian Bārta (zeme) Latvian/Lettish Барты Russian Barti Slovenian
 Bartians (in red) and other Prussian clans during the 13th century | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct in the 17–18th century | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Old Prussian, later also German | |
| Religion | |
| Prussian mythology (Paganism) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Prussians and Balts |
The Bartians (also Barthi, Barthoni, Bartens, or Barti) were an Old Prussian tribe who were among the last natives following a pre-Christian religion before the Northern Crusades forced their conversion to Christianity at the cost of a high percentage of the native population. They lived in Bartia (also Bartenland or Barthonia), a territory that stretched from the middle and lower flow of Łyna river, by the Liwna river, and Lake Mamry, up to the Galindian woods. The territory is quite precisely known from description in Chronicon terrae Prussiae, dated 1326.[1]
The same description mentions two provinces, the Major Barta and the Minor Barta. The territory was quite densely populated, as confirmed by abundant archeological findings.[1] Before the wars with the Teutonic Knights, the population was estimated to be at 17,000.[2]
The Bartians, along with the other Prussians, were conquered by the Teutonic Knights, who Christianized them under duress, brought in settlers. The Prussians were forcibly assimilated by the invaders and the Old Prussian language became extinct by the end of the 17th century.
- ^ a b Salys, Antanas (1934). "Barta". In Vaclovas Biržiška (ed.). Lietuviškoji enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. 2. Kaunas: Spaudos Fondas. pp. 1367–1370.
- ^ Jasas, Rimantas (1985). "Bartai". In Jonas Zinkus; et al. (eds.). Tarybų Lietuvos enciklopedija (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Vilnius, Lithuania: Vyriausioji enciklopedijų redakcija. p. 214.