Editing Samo (section)

{{Short description|Unifier of Slavic tribes (c. 600–c. 658)}}
{{About|the Slavic king|other uses}}
{{Expand German|topic=bio|Samo|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Samo
| title        = [[Rex Sclavorum]] ("King of the Slavs")
| image        = King Samo.jpg
| caption      = Alleged mural of Samo in a [[Znojmo Rotunda|Moravian rotunda]]
| succession   = 
| reign        = 623–658
| coronation   = 
| predecessor  = Title established
| successor    = Title dismantled
| spouse       = At least twelve [[Wends|Wendish]] noblewomen
| birth_date   = {{circa}} 600
| birth_place  = "Senonian country" (''Senonago''), probably modern [[Soignies]] or [[Sens]]
| death_date   = {{circa}} 658
| death_place  = 
| date of burial = 
| place of burial = |
}}

'''Samo''' ({{circa|600}}–{{circa|658}}) was the founder and sole ruler of the first recorded political union of [[Slavs|Slavic tribes]], known as [[Samo's Empire]] ("realm", "kingdom", or "tribal union"), ruling from 623 until his death in 658. According to [[Fredegarius]], the only contemporary source, Samo was a [[Franks|Frankish]] merchant from Sens<ref>''Lexikon des Mittelalters''. Verlag J.B. Metzler, Vol. 7, cols 1342-1343</ref> who unified several Slavic tribes against robber raids and violence by nearby settled [[Pannonian Avars|Avars]], showing such bravery and command skills in battle that he was elected "King of the Slavs" ({{langx|la|[[rex Sclavorum]]}}). In 631, Samo successfully defended his realm against the [[Frankish Kingdom]] in the three-day [[Battle of Wogastisburg]].