History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 02

The narrative opens with a vivid portrait of a wild, forest‑filled Baltic frontier, where early travelers like the Greek mariner Pytheas first glimpsed a land of lakes, marshes, and untamed wildlife. It sketches the rough‑hewn societies of the Suevic tribes, their fierce reputation, and the scant records that barely capture their existence. Against this backdrop, the author sets the stage for centuries of silence before the region’s peoples begin to stir.

Around the sixth century, waves of Slavic groups—often called Wends—moved in, reshaping the cultural landscape and sparking relentless clashes with lingering Germanic neighbors. Their struggle to tame the wilderness and defend their new holdings forms the core of the early Brandenburg story. The chapter culminates with Henry the Fowler’s 928 march across frozen bogs to seize the fortress of Brannibor, a decisive moment that signals the emergence of a fledgling state.