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Skomand(e), Skumand, Skomantas, or Komantas (in Jatvingian *Gomants or *Komants, in Ruthenian Komat, in Latin Koommat, in German Skomande, Skomant or Skumand; ca. 1225(?) - after 1285) was a powerful duke and pagan priest of the Prussian Sudovians/Yotvingians, one of the early Baltic tribes (according to historian S. C. Rowell and some other researchers, this duke of Sudovia seems to be identical to Skalmantas, the supposed progenitor of Gediminas' dynasty). He flourished in the 1260s and 1270s.

Skomand(e) or Skumand (Skomantas) is first mentioned by Peter von Dusburg during the Great Prussian Uprising (1260-1274) as a leader of the 1263 raid on Culm (now Chełmno), a stronghold founded by the Teutonic Order. He also led campaigns against Pinsk and other Slavic territories and therefore could not fully support the uprising. After the uprising Skomande, with help from Lithuanians, led 4,000 men against the Teutonic Knights. However, the Old Prussians and other Balts were losing their power. Skomand's (Skomantas') estate was devastated in 1280-1281 and he escaped with three sons, Rukals, Gedetes and Galms, to Black Ruthenia, controlled at that time by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. However, he soon returned, was baptized in the Roman Catholic rite, and accepted the rule of Prussia by the Teutonic Order. Skomand went on to lead armies on behalf of the Order and was awarded lands within Prussia. His tribe lost the fight against the Knights and did not survive as a seperate entity.

Skomand is believed to have been buried at Kirchdorf Kanditten

References

1. Skomand
2. Skumand
3. Skomantas 1 book from 1970
4. Skomand
5. Skumand
6. Skomantas 1 book from 1970
7. Die Prussen, Karl Baumann

• Simas Sužiedėlis, ed. (1970–1978). "Skomantas". Encyclopedia Lituanica. Vol. V. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. p. 210. LCCN 74--11427.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
• Rowell, S. C. (1994). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-Central Europe, 1295-1345. Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge University Press. pp. 52–55. ISBN 9780521450119.
• Urban, William L. (2000). The Prussian Crusade (2nd ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Lithuanian Research and Studies Center. pp. 315, 342, 366. ISBN 0-929700-28-7.

• 1220s births
• 13th century deaths
• Baltic peoples
• People from Prussia proper
• History of Prussia
• Rebels