Vojihna Nemanjiàof Drama or simply Vojin of Drama ( ; ca 1298âÂÂ1360), was a Serbian feudal nobleman, member of the collateral branch of Nemanjiàdynasty, ruling family of the medieval Serbia, that rose through the ranks and became one of the most acclaimed military commanders (voivode) and princes of Stephen Uroà ¡ IV Duà ¡an of Serbia. During the Serbian Kingdom and Empire (1331âÂÂ71), he was titled Caesar (, sr. ÃÂõÃÂðÃÂ/úõÃÂðÃÂ), hence, he is mostly known as Caesar Vojihna (úõÃÂðàÃÂþÃÂøàýð). During this period, he was ruling the entire region of Drama (today in Northwestern Greece) as its Lord.
He was probably born around 1298.
In a Chilandar charter of Emperor Uroà ¡ IV Duà ¡an, Vojihna is mentioned as "nobleman and associate of my Empire, cousin Vojihna". This has been interpreted in several ways; ÃÂirkoviàunderstand this as the two are relatives, but the degree of kinship can not be determined. According to VojiÃÂiÃÂ, he is the son of Uroà ¡ica, however this would mean that they are second cousins, thus Purkoviàconnects the kinship through Stefan Konstantin, making the two cousins.
It is thought that he is the same as the à ½upan Vojihna, who is mentioned in 1323, as an ally of Stephen Vladislav II, during the war of the throne against Stephen Uroà ¡ III following the death of Stephen Milutin. With emphasis on Vladislav II being the son of Dragutin, and Duà ¡an calling Vojihna his cousin, this might be an evidence on Vojihna being the son of Uroà ¡ica, the brother of Vladislav II.
In 1341, Andronikos III Palaiologos died, which sparked a civil war in the Byzantine Empire. In 1342 Duà ¡an became an ally of John VI Kantakouzenos, but only a year after, switched to the side of John V Palaiologos. Kantakouzenos found new allies in the Emirate of Aydin. In 1344, Duà ¡an sent a small army led by Voivode Preljub to intercept the Aydin Turks. The Serbs were defeated in battle at Stephaniana, however it did not halt the Serbian conquest.
Stephen Uroà ¡ IV Duà ¡an, called "Duà ¡an the Mighty" was proclaimed Emperor at Serres in 1345. In this southeasternmost part of his Empire, Duà ¡an appointed Voihna as governor of Drama, not far from Serres, before November 1345. When Duà ¡an was crowned "Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks" at Skopje on 16 April 1346, he also crowned his son Uroà ¡ V as King. Among his royal members and nobility he appointed Simeon Uroà ¡, Jovan Asen, Jovan Oliver as Despots, and Dejan Dragaà ¡, Branko Mladenoviàas Sebastokrators, and Grgur GolubiÃÂ, Preljub and Voihna (before 1348) as Caesars. He was second in rank to Caesar Grgur.
In the end of 1347 or early 1348, he followed Duà ¡an to Mount Athos. He donated the village of Potolino in the lower Struma province to the Chilandar in 1348.
Immediately after Duà ¡an's death (20 December 1355), his wife Empress Helena was found in Serres. She started to exert her imperial control on the region. This surely was against the goals of Vojihna, which would later on trigger armed conflicts. How the Empress ended up in Serres and started to rule it is unknown, it exists sources saying she was in the region staying away from the harsh winter in the north, just when her husband died. As she was energetic and smart (although not so talented), she might have foreseen the crumbling of the Empire, and sought to rule this region. If this version is correct, Vojihna and his son-in-law Ugljeà ¡a MrnjavÃÂevià(brother of King Vukaà ¡in MrnjavÃÂeviÃÂ) were obliged to work for her as they had done to Duà ¡an, although as the future will tell; with less enthusiasm and fidelity. It is not known how much power Vojihna had in the Serres province, although he most likely had the ambitions of putting it under his control.
Matthew Kantakouzenos led another civil war against John V Palaiologos, and when Vojihna heard that Matthew was coming with his Turkish troops (the Emirate of Aydin) he immediately consulted the court. As allies of John V (a relative Uroà ¡), Uroà ¡ assembled an army for his mother that was led by Vojihna. Among the forces were also Serbs from the vicinity of Serres. In fall of 1356 he captured Matthew Kantakouzenos, the rival Byzantine Emperor and son of the former Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos (1347âÂÂ54). Vojihna planned to release Matthew for a ransom, but soon realized that Emperor John V Palaiologos was willing to offer a far greater sum. Matthew renounced his territory and imperial title in December 1357 and John V continued to rule as sole Emperor.
In 1358, his wife is recorded as making a donation to the Koutloumousiou monastery.
In 1359, Helena abdicated and took monastic vows, under the name Elisabeth.
He died in ca 1360, and his lands were inherited by his son-in-law Ugljeà ¡a. He was buried in Hilandar, alongside his grandson who died prematurely.
He was married to a noblewoman named Jelena (Elena), who, after his death also became an Orthodox nun under the name Jevpraksija (Eupraxia). They had at least one daughter: