The Prussian people, or (old) Prussians, were Indo-European Balts inhabiting the area around the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons (i.e., Baltic Prussia). Their lands were later called East Prussia. They were a distinct ethnic group, neither Germanic nor Slavic, that spoke the Old Prussian language, which was a Baltic language. Like many other indigenous peoples, their language and culture were replaced by that of the dominant groups. Nevertheless one must be careful not to immediately identify these people with the states of Prussia and Kingdom of Prussia.

Currently, an interesting experiment in cultural and linguistic revival is underway in Lithuania, exploring the modern Lithuanians connections with the old ethnic Prussians from the same Baltic family.

History

Main article: Origins of Prussia.

The first mention of the Old Prussians in historical sources is in connection with Adalbert of Prague who was slain in 997 during a crusade to Christianise the Prussians. By the late 13th century, the German knights, especially the Teutonic Knights had converted them under arms to Christianity. Most of the native Prussians remaining after the bloody conquest were settled to Sambia. The Prussians organized frequent uprisings, the most famous in 1286 and the last in 1525. Before the end of 17th century, the Prussian language had become extinct. The culture of the Old Prussians was Germanicised, or Polonised, depending on the part of Prussia in which they lived. They converted either to Protestantism or to Catholicism (in Warmia).

External links

• Northeast Prussia (http://www.euronet.nl/~jlemmens/prussia.html)
• Milestones of Baltic Prussian History (http://www.alphalink.com.au/~wolf/prussia/)