tribal confederation · Germany and Central Europe

Sorbs

631 CE – 932 CE (approx.)

West Slavic tribes between the Saale and the Bóbr whose descendants, the Sorbs of Lusatia, are still a recognised minority in Germany.

Origins

Slavic groups settled the lands east of the Saale and Elbe in the 6th and 7th centuries. The Chronicle of Fredegar records that in 631 the Sorb prince Dervan left Frankish allegiance and joined Samo's Empire. Their territory included the regions later called Daleminzia, Milzenland (Upper Lusatia) and Lusatia.

Rule and society

The Sorbs were organised in small tribal territories, each centred on fortified strongholds (gords) such as those at Tornow and Raddusch, with no lasting central ruler. They farmed, raised livestock and worshipped Slavic gods. Frankish sources record frequent wars and tribute payments, and Charlemagne's Limes Sorabicus marked the boundary with them.

Decline and legacy

East Francia's king Henry the Fowler took the Daleminzian stronghold of Gana in 929 and founded Meissen. By 932 the Sorbian tribes were tributary, and the Marca Geronis and later the Margraviate of Meissen and Lusatia absorbed them. Sorbs survive today in Lusatia, keeping their language.

Connections (2)

More states of Germany and Central Europe →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Sorbs. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sorbs
MLA
“Sorbs.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sorbs. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Sorbs.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sorbs.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Sorbs’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sorbs (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻