Prussian people Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The Prussian people, or (old) Prussians, were indo-European Balts inhabiting the area around the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons (i.e., Baltic Prussia). Their lands were later called East Prussia. Etymologically, the name may be cognate to Rus or may mean fair-haired. They were a distinct ethnic group, neither Germanic nor Slavic, that spoke the Old Prussian language, which was a Baltic language. Like with many other indigenous peoples, their language and culture were replaced by that of dominant groups. Nevertheless one must be careful not to immediately identify these people with the states of Prussia and Kingdom of Prussia.Currently, there is interesting experiment in cultural and linguistic revival performed in Lithuania, seeking their identity with the old ethnic Prussians from the same Baltic family.
Their first mention in historical sources is in connection with Adalbert of Prague who was slain in 997 during a crusade to Christianize the Prussians. By the late 13th century, the German knights, especially the Teutonic Knights had converted them under arms to Christianity. Most of the native Prussians remaining after the bloody conquest were settled to Sambia. The prussians organized frequent uprisings, the most famous in 1286 and the last in 1525. Before end of 17th century, the Prussian language eventually became extinct. Their culture was Germanized, or Polonised, depending on the part of Prussia. Their religion became Protestant Christian or Catholic (in Warmia).History
Main article: Origins of Prussia.