:
The Kursenieki are also known as Curonians.
Curonians in the context of the other Baltic tribes,
circa 1200
CE. The Eastern Balts are shown in brown hue while the Western Balts are shown in green. The boundaries are approximate.
The
Curonians or
Kurs (
Curonian:
Kursi; ; ; ; ; ) were a people living on the Eastern shores of the Baltic who were eventually absorbed by the expansion of the
Latvian and
Lithuanian nations. They gave their name to the region of
Courland (
Kurzeme). They spoke the
Curonian language. The Curonians lived in what is now
Latvia and parts of
Lithuania from the 5th to the 16th centuries.
The Curonians were known as fierce warriors, excellent sailors and pirates. They were involved in several wars and alliances with
Swedish,
Danish, and
Icelandic
Vikings.
Grobin was their main center during the
Vendel Age. Chapter 46 of
Egils Saga describes one Viking expedition by the Vikings Thorolf and
Egill Skallagrímsson in Courland. They took part with the Oeselians in attacking Sweden's main city
Sigtuna in 1187. Curonians established temporary settlements in overseas regions including eastern
Sweden and the islands of
Gotland and
Bornholm.
The Curonians were an especially religious people, worshipping pagan gods and their sacred animal, the horse. Some of the most important writing sources about the Curonians are the
Rimbert's Vita Ansgarii, the
Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, the
Livländische Reimchronik,
Egils Saga, and
Saxo Grammaticus's
Gesta Danorum.
The Curonians were conquered by the
Livonian Order in 1266 and eventually merged with other tribes. Descendents of the Curonians include the
Kursenieki of the
Curonian Spit and the so-called
Curonian Kings of Courland.
Administrative division
Map of Courland
Bishop
Rimbert of
Bremen (lived before 888 AD) in his life of
St. Ansgar,
Vita Ansgarii described the territory inhabited by the Curonians (
Cori) and gave the names of the administrative districts or lands (
civitates):
- Vredecuronia or Vanemane was the land in the northeast of Courland, today in the district of Talsi.
- Bandowe (Bandava) south of Vindava, is today in the district of Kuldīga.
- Bihavelanc or Piemare, also south of Bandava, is today in the district of Liepāja.
- Megowa or Megava (mentioned also as Negouwe in chronicles) 500 km², was in the environs of modern Palanga, Kretinga and Šventoji.
Sources
Category:Baltic peoplesCategory:Ethnic groups in EuropeCategory:History of Latviabe:Куршыbe-x-old:Куршы (народ)de:Kurenet:Kurelasedes:Curonioseo:Kuronojfr:Curoniensit:Curilv:Kuršilt:Kuršiaihu:Kurokpl:Kurowie (lud bałtycki)pt:Curôniosru:Курши (народ) 
