Yotvingians
Yotvingians (Jotvingiai, Polish Jaćwingowie) is one of the extinct Baltic tribes.
Yotvingian culture and language (called Yotvingian or Sudovian) is closest to Prussian. They lived in the areas of Sudovia and Jaćwież (in Polish language; Sūduva, Jotva in Lithuanian) to the left of Neman river, between Hrodna and western turn of Neman. Today this area corresponds to the southwest territory of Lithuania with Marijampolė and the northeast Poland with Suwalki and Augustow. Ptolemy, 2nd Century A.D. called the people Soudinoi.
From history, they are known for their invasions into areas of Masovia and Lublin which were fought back. In the 13th century they were partially assimilated by the Lithuanians and partially conquered and dispersed by the Teutonic Knights. The last Sudovian kunigaikštis Skomantas fought the Teutonic Knights for over 30 years.
After the Collapse of the Soviet Union, research in ancient history of the territories was resumed.
Related article
Yotvingian language
