As the oldest son, he succeeded as ruler of Duklja after the death of his father, Gradinja in c.
[1] Radoslav began his rule at a time when the Serbs of Raška (the Vukanovići) had ambitions towards Duklja.
1148, the political situation in the Balkans was divided by two sides, one being the alliance of the Byzantines and Venice, the other the Normans and Hungarians.
[5] The Serbs under brothers Uroš II and Desa revolted against the Byzantines, when Manuel was in Avlona planning an offensive across the Adriatic, and this revolt posed danger to the Emperor if he would attack Italy, as the Serbs could strike at the Adriatic bases.
[5] A major war was about to erupt in the Balkans; Uroš II and Desa, in light of Byzantine retaliation, sought aid from their brother Beloš, the count palatine of Hungary.