Before and after Great Moravia

Across the territory of Slovakia the stratification of society, characteristic of early feudal society in Western and Central Europe, began to take place shortly before the Great Moravian period, at the beginning of the ninth century. This process was connected with the evolution of Pribina's Duchy of Nitra, the first example of a demonstrable Slavic state north of the middle Danube. The predecessors of Duke Pribina utilised the defeat inflicted on the Avars by the Frankish king Charlemagne and his son Pipin in the final decade of the eighth century to further their political goals. With an armed retinue they quickly exploited the Avars' weakened position and, in a short time, created the territorial basis of the Duchy of Nitra in south-western Slovakia. The town of Nitra became its political and economic centre. Professional warriors of varied origin made up the duchy's armed retinue. The majority certainly descended from the former tribal aristocracy loyal to the ruling duke. Some could have come from the free strata of the mass of the people. The duke chose individuals who demonstrated above-average military abilities and loyalty to the ruling dynasty.

The creation of a territorial organisation, based on fortified hillforts and adjoining countryside, is also characteristic of the process of medieval state formation. Several members of the retinue were placed in these hillforts to secure the administration of the territory and collect the agreed tribute in the name of the duke.