Petar Snačić

Petar Snačić
Monument to Petar Snačić in Miljevci by Kažimir Hraste
Ban of Croatia
Reign1075/1076–c.1089/1091
PredecessorDemetrius Zvonimir
SuccessorUgra
King of Croatia
Contested by Ladislaus I
Reign1093–1097
PredecessorStephen II
SuccessorColoman (in union with Hungary)
Died1097 (1098)
HouseSnačić
ReligionCatholicism

Petar, commonly called Petar Svačić or Petar Snačić, was a feudal lord, notable for being one of the claimants of the Croatian throne between c. 1093 and 1097. He came to power in turbulent times after the death of the last Trpimirović, Stephen II. It is assumed that he began as a ban serving under the king Demetrius Zvonimir of Croatia and later (self-)proclaimed as a new king, contesting Ladislaus I of Hungary claim to the throne. Petar's seat of power was in Knin. His rule was marked by a struggle for control of the country with Coloman of Hungary, dying at the Battle of Gvozd Mountain in 1097. Following his death, after Coloman's coronation in Croatia and signing of Pacta conventa (1102), the Árpád dynasty officially ruled over the whole Kingdom of Croatia and Dalmatia.