Tihomir's predecessor
Časlav (r. 934–943/960).
The
Magyars led by Kisa invaded Bosnia. The Serbian army advanced and met them on the banks of river
Drina, in the Drina župania, downstream from present-day
Foča.[1][2] The Magyars were decisively defeated, and Kisa was killed by Tihomir.[2] Due to his heroism, Časlav appointed Tihomir Duke of Drina and gave him his daughter in marriage.[3]
Succession to Raška
Kisa's widow asked the Magyar leaders to give her an army for revenge. With an "unknown number" of troops, the widow returned and surprised Časlav at
Syrmia. The Magyars attack the Serbs in the night, capturing Časlav and all of his male relatives. On the command of Kisa's widow, all the prisoners were bound by their hands and feet and thrown into the
Sava river.[2]
This event is dated to around 960[2] or thereafter, as 'De Administrando Imperio' does not mention his death.
Through his marriage with Časlav's daughter, Tihomir inherited the crownland of Raška.[4]
Later annexation of Serbia by Byzantium
Tihomir's reign ended around 969. The
Catepanate of Ras was established between 971–976, during the rule of
John Tzimiskes (r. 969–976).[5] A seal of a strategos of
Stari Ras has been dated to Tzimiskes' reign, making it possible for Tzimiskes' predecessor
Nikephoros II Phokas to have established rule over Raška.[6][7] The protospatharios and katepano of Ras was a Byzantine governor named John.[8] Data on the katepano of Ras during Tzimiskes' reign is missing.[9] Byzantine military presence ended soon thereafter with the
wars with Bulgaria, and was re-established only ca. 1018 with the short-lived
Theme of Sirmium, which however did not extend much into Serbia.[6]