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Hetman (from Czech: hejtman, German: Hauptmann, Turkish: Ataman) was the title of the second highest military commander (after the monarch) used in 15th to 18th century Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania, known from 1568 to 1795 as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
This title (and its variant, ataman, otaman), was also used among Ukrainian and Russian Cossacks since the 16th century.
Hetmans of Poland and Lithuania
Main article: Hetmans of Poland and Lithuania
The first Polish title of Grand Crown Hetman was created in 1505. The tile of hetman was given to the leader of Polish Army and till 1581 hetman existed only during the specific campaigns and wars. After that, it became a permanent title, as were all the titles in Kingdom of Poland and Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It couldn't be taken away unless treachery was proven (from 1585). Hetmans were not paid for their job by the Royal Treasury. Hetmans were main commanders of the military forces, second only to the monarch in the army's chain of command.
The reform in 1776 limited the powers of the hetmans. Hetman office was abolished after the third partition of Poland in 1795.
Hetmans of Cossacks
Main article: Hetmans of Ukrainian Cossacks
At the end of 16th century commander of Ukrainian and Siberian Cossacks were also called Hetmans (or atamans). From 1648 Bohdan Khmelnytsky's Chmielnicki uprising, Hetman was the head of the Cossack state. Cossack hetmans had very broad powers and acted as heads of the Cossack state, their supreme military commanders, the top legislators (by issuing administrative decrees).
After the split of the Ukraine along the Dnieper River by the Polish-Russian Treaty of Andrusovo 1667, Ukrainian Cossacks (and Cossack Hetmans) are known as Left-bank Cossacks and Right-bank Cossacks.
In Russia, the office of Cossack Hetman was abolished by Catherine II of Russia in 1764.
See also
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