Where does the name "Poland" come from? Medievalist explains surprising theory

Prof. Andrzej Pleszczyński, historian and medievalist, explains that the Latin name "Polonia" appeared shortly after 1000 and likely derives from the Polans—a people who inhabited Greater Poland. Historians emphasize that the concept of "Pole" as an ethnic identity became widespread only at the end of the 19th century—earlier, about 80% of inhabitants, namely peasants, called themselves "locals." The interview is from the book "The Beginnings of Poland."

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