Gero

Gero I (c. 900 – 20 May 965), sometimes called the Great (Latin: magnus),[1] was a nobleman from East Francia who ruled an initially modest march centred on Merseburg in the south of the present German state of Saxony-Anhalt, which he expanded into a vast territory named after him: the marca Geronis.

He was appointed by King Otto of Saxony to succeed his brother, Siegfried, as count and margrave in the district fronting the Wends on the lower Saale in 937.

As an important marcher lord, Gero's command included milites ad manum Geronis presidis conscripti, that is, a "military following," "warband of vassals or companions," or "specially chosen group of fighters" differentiated from the rest of the army (exercitus).

Gero in revenge invited thirty Slav chieftains to a banquet whereat he killed all but one, who managed to escape by accident.

He subsequently bribed Tugumir, a baptised Slav prince, to betray his countrymen and make his people subject to Germany.

They found refuge in Swetlastrana, a Slav town, location unknown (maybe current Berlin-Lichtenberg), where the Obodrite chiefs Nakon and Stoinegin (or Stojgnev) resided.

The Obodrites, Wilzes, Chrepienyani, Redarii and Dolenzi then banded together to oppose the coming army of Gero, the king, and Liudolf, Duke of Swabia.

[9] Gero was responsible for subjecting the Liutizi and Milzini (or Milciani) and extending German suzerainty over the whole territory between the Elbe and the Bober.