Die politische Rolle der heidnischen Priester bei den Westslaven<br>Politična vloga poganskih duhovnikov pri zahodnih Slovanih</br>

Abstract

This article considers the scientific discussion about the origin and political role of the heathenish priests of the Slavic people, living on the southern rim of the Baltic sea during the Middle Ages. The author follows two approaches. The first approach introduces the existing opinions within current research with respect to the position of the priests within society. The common difficulties in interpretation on the basis of a few sources only result in different explanations for the great political influence of the priests. However, due to missing evidence the existence of a considerable influence cannot be proved. The second approach considers the ritual act itself. The author comes to the conclusion that the political influence of the priests by means of the oracle can be virtually excluded.