Polish-Lithuanian Empire
Andrzej Nowak
Abstract The Polish–Lithuanian state was formed through a series of unions from 1385 culminating with the Lublin Union 1569 which created Commonwealth. It lasted until final partition in 1795, and played an imperial role interstate system Eastern Central Europe, Muscovy‐Russia, Ottoman Empire, Habsburgs, Sweden as its main rivals throughout 16th 17th centuries. unique example legal mechanisms regulating religious‐cultural ethnic differences great realm, is now considered cradle, or “kindergarten,” at least four modern nations: Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania. A notable aspect initial success decline (after mid‐17th century crisis) internal political structure nobiliary republic, without any “emperor” central authority other than Seym (parliament) “Sarmatian” ideology common origins Commonwealth's nobility, irrespective their ethnicity religion. paradox Early Modern “republican empire” makes interpretation Commonwealth‐Empire both attractive difficult same time.
The Encyclopedia of Empire