Gediminas (c.1275 – December 1341), was
Grand Duke of
Lithuania from 1315 or 1316 until his death. He is credited with founding this political entity and expanding its territory which, at the time of his death, spanned the area ranging from the
Baltic Sea to the
Black Sea. Also seen as one of the most significant individuals in early
Lithuanian history, he was responsible for both building
Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and establishing a dynasty that can be traced to other European monarchies such as
Poland,
Hungary and
Bohemia.