Prince Rurik. (reign dates 862-879). The chronicle founder of the statehood of Rus', the Varangian, the Novgorod prince and the ancestor of the princely, which later became the royal, Rurik dynasty.
Rurik is sometimes identified with King Rorik from Jutland's Hedeby (Denmark). According to another version, Rurik is a representative of the princely family of Obodrites, and his name is a Slavic family nickname associated with the falcon, which Slavic languages also called rarog. There are also attempts to prove the legendary status of Rurik.
It was under this prince that tribal formations became part of the Ancient Rus'. The Ilmen Slovenes, the Pskov Krivichi, the Chud and all retained relations under the treaty with Rurik. The Smolensk Krivichi and Merya were annexed by Rurik, who established his “husbands” - governors - in their lands. The chronicle reports the annexation of the tribes of the Northerners, who had previously paid tribute to the Khazars, in 884, the Radimichi in 885, and the subjugation of the Drevlyans in 883. The Croats, Dulebs (Buzhans) and Tivertsy probably took part in the campaign against Byzantium in 906 as allies.
At the same time - in 862 (the date is approximate, according to the early chronology of the Chronicle) the Varangians, Rurik’s warriors Askold and Dir, sailing to Constantinople, seeking to establish complete control over the most important trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, established their power over Kiev. In the future, the center of the future will be formed Kievan Rus.
In 879 Rurik died in Novgorod. The reign was transferred to Oleg, regent for Rurik’s young son Igor.
Oleg (Prophetic Oleg) (reign: 879-912) - Prince of Novgorod (from 879) and Grand Duke Kyiv (from 882). Often seen as the founder Old Russian state. The chronicle gives his nickname Prophetic, that is, one who knows the future, who sees the future.
In 882, according to chronicle chronology, Prince Oleg, a relative of Rurik, set off on a campaign from Novgorod to the south. Actually, the beginning of education is uniform for all Eastern Slavs state is the unification by Prince Oleg in 882 of two centers of nascent statehood - northern and southern, with common center state power in Kyiv, the capture of Smolensk and Lyubech. It was not for nothing that the Old Russian chronicler described Prince Oleg as “prophetic.” He united in his hands the priestly functions of the most revered pagan cults of the Ilmen Slovenes and the Dnieper Rus. The names of Perun and Veles were sworn by Oleg's ambassadors when concluding a treaty with the Greeks in 911. Having seized power in Kiev, Oleg declared himself a prince from the Russian family, thereby confirming his continuity from the power that preceded him and establishing the legitimacy of his reign as a Russian and not a foreign prince .
Another important political step of Oleg was the campaign against Constantinople. According to the chronicle source, in 907, having equipped 2000 rooks with 40 warriors each, Oleg set out on a campaign against Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Philosopher ordered the gates of the city to be closed and the harbor blocked with chains, thus giving the Varangians the opportunity to rob and plunder the suburbs of Constantinople. However, Oleg launched an unusual assault: “And Oleg ordered his soldiers to make wheels and put ships on wheels. And when a fair wind blew, they raised sails in the field and went to the city.” The frightened Greeks offered Oleg peace and tribute. According to the agreement, Oleg received 12 hryvnia for each rowlock, and Byzantium promised to pay tribute to Russian cities. As a sign of victory, Oleg nailed his shield on the gates of Constantinople. The main result of the campaign was a trade agreement on duty-free trade between Rus' and Byzantium.
In 911, Oleg sent an embassy to Constantinople, which confirmed the “many years” of peace and concluded a new treaty. Compared to the “treaty” of 907, the mention of duty-free trade disappears from it. Oleg is referred to in the treaty as the “Grand Duke of Russia.”
As a result of the victorious campaign against Byzantium, the first written agreements were concluded in 907 and 911, which provided for preferential terms of trade for Russian merchants (trade duties were abolished, ship repairs and overnight accommodation were provided), and resolution of legal and military issues. The tribes of the Radimichi, Northerners, Drevlyans, and Krivichi were subject to tribute. According to the chronicle version, Oleg, who bore the title of Grand Duke, reigned for more than 30 years. Rurik's own son Igor took the throne after the death of Oleg (according to legend, Oleg died from a snake bite) around 912 and ruled until 945.
It was this man who was destined to begin the construction of a new state, which over more than a thousand years of history has grown into the largest state in the world. Let's briefly get acquainted with who the first prince of young Rus' was?
History of the Eastern Slavs before Rurik
The ancient Russian chronicle “The Tale of Bygone Years,” answering the question: “Where did the Russian land come from,” says that before the coming of the first Varangian prince Rurik, many disparate tribes lived on the territory of future Rus' - Krivichi, Slovenes and others. All these tribal unions had a common culture, language and religion. Each of them tried to unite the remaining tribes under its leadership, but the balance of power and constant wars did not reveal a winner. It was then that the tribal leaders decided that none of them would get power and it was decided that an invited prince would rule all the tribes. At that time, the most formidable warriors who were respected among the Slavic tribes, with whom they had close trade and cultural ties, were the Varangians - residents of Scandinavia. They easily served both the Byzantine emperors and joined mercenary squads in the west, and could also freely accept local beliefs, which forced the Slavic leader Gostomysl and his companions to go to Scandinavia and invite the Rus tribe and their king, Rurik, to rule.
Rice. 1. Prince Rurik.
Biography of the first Russian prince
We know very little about Rurik’s biography. The date and place of his birth are unknown, and the years of his reign are considered to be 862-879.
Rurik did not come to Rus' alone. He was accompanied by two brothers - Sineus and Truvor. Their squads landed in northeastern Rus' and came by invitation to Novgorod. There are often disputes about which city Rurik ruled. There is an opinion that this is Ladoga - the ancient capital of the northeastern Slavs. However, it was in Novgorod, having taken the reins of government, that Rurik went down in history as the first Russian prince.
Rice. 2. Calling of the Varangians.
He sent his brothers to reign in other strategically important cities. Sienus took power in Beloozero, and Truvor began to reign in Izborsk.
The prince's internal policy was aimed at strengthening the external borders of the state, as well as their expansion. During the period of his reign, Smolensk, Murom and Rostov became part of Rus'. Rurik made attempts to move south, but things did not go further than the robberies of local peoples. Rurik's squad advanced to the Kyiv lands. Rurik signs a peace treaty with the famous rulers of Kyiv Askold and Dir. And although Askold still tried to plunder the lands of Rurik, his squad was defeated.
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Rurik began the subjugation of the Finno-Ugric tribes. He was responsible for the preservation and protection of the Baltic-Volga river route, paving the way “From the Varangians to the Khazars”, establishing trade relations between Scandinavia and the Arabs who passed through his lands.
He died in 879 in the city of Ladoga, leaving behind a small son, the future Prince Igor.
Rice. 3. Prince Igor.
Igor was still a child when Rurik died. Before he grew up, the country was ruled by one of Rurik’s associates, Oleg. He annexed Kyiv to the young country, moved the capital there and was known for his campaigns against Byzantium. Igor Rurikovich began his reign already in the role of the Prince of Kyiv.
Rurik laid the foundation for the Russian monarchy. We learn about his closest descendants from the pedigree chart.
Table “Rurik’s closest descendants”
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Prince |
Who is Rurik related to? |
Years of reign |
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Igor Rurikovich |
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Daughter-in-law |
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|
Svyatoslav Warrior |
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Yaropolk Svyatoslavich |
Description of history in textbooks and multimillion-dollar works of fiction in last decades is, to put it mildly, questionable. The rulers of Russia in the study of ancient times are of great importance chronological order. People interested in their native history are beginning to understand that, in fact, the real history written on paper does not exist; there are versions from which everyone chooses their own, corresponding to their ideas. History from textbooks is only suitable as a starting point.
Rulers of Rus' during the period of the highest rise of the Ancient State
Much of what is known about the history of Rus' - Russia is gleaned from “lists” of chronicles, the originals of which have not survived. In addition, even copies often contradict themselves and the elementary logic of events. Often historians are forced to accept only their own opinion and claim it to be the only correct one.
The first legendary rulers of Rus', who date back to 2.5 thousand years BC, were brothers Slovenian and Rus. They descend from the son of Noah Japheth (hence Vandal, Obodrit, etc.). The people of Rus are the Russians, the Rus, the people of Slovenia are the Slovenes, the Slavs. On the lake The Ilmen brothers built the cities of Slovensk and Rusa (currently Staraya Rusa). Veliky Novgorod was later built on the site of the burned Slovensk.
Known descendants of Sloven - Burivoy and Gostomysl- the son of Burivoy, either the mayor, or the foreman of Novgorod, who, having lost all his sons in battles, called his grandson Rurik to Rus' from the related tribe Rus (specifically from the island of Rügen).
Next come the versions written by German “historiographers” (Bayer, Miller, Schletzer) in Russian service. In the German historiography of Rus', it is striking that it was written by people who did not know the Russian language, traditions and beliefs. Who collected and rewrote chronicles, without preserving, but often deliberately destroying, adjusting the facts to some ready-made version. It is interesting that for several hundred years, Russian historiographers, instead of refuting the German version of history, did their best to adapt new facts and research to it.
Rulers of Rus' according to historical tradition:
1. Rurik (862 – 879)- called by his grandfather to restore order and stop civil strife between Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes in the territory of modern Leningrad and Novgorod regions. Founded or restored the city of Ladoga (Old Ladoga). Ruled in Novgorod. After Novgorod uprising 864, under the leadership of governor Vadim the Brave, he united northwestern Rus' under his leadership.
According to legend, he sent (or they themselves left) the warriors of Askold and Dir to fight in Constantinople by water. They captured Kyiv on the way.
It is not known exactly how the founder of the Rurik dynasty died.
2. Oleg the Prophet (879 – 912)- a relative or successor of Rurik, who remained at the head of the Novgorod state, either as the guardian of Rurik’s son, Igor, or as a legitimate prince.
In 882 he goes to Kyiv. Along the way, he peacefully annexed to the principality many tribal Slavic lands along the Dnieper, including the lands of the Smolensk Krivichi. In Kyiv he kills Askold and Dir, makes Kyiv the capital.
In 907 he waged a victorious war with Byzantium - a trade agreement beneficial for Rus' was signed. He nails his shield to the gates of Constantinople. He made many successful and not so military campaigns (including defending the interests of the Khazar Khaganate), becoming the creator of the state of Kievan Rus. According to legend, he dies from a snake bite.
3. Igor (912 – 945)– fights for the unity of the state, constantly pacifying and annexing the surrounding Kyiv lands, Slavic tribes. It has been at war with the Pechenegs since 920. Makes two campaigns against Constantinople: in 941 - unsuccessful, in 944 - with the conclusion of an agreement on more favorable terms for Rus' than Oleg's. He dies at the hands of the Drevlyans, going for a second tribute.
4. Olga (945 – after 959)- regent for three-year-old Svyatoslav. The date of birth and origin are not precisely established - either an ordinary Varangian, or Oleg’s daughter. She took cruel and sophisticated revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder of her husband. She clearly established the size of the tribute. Divided Rus' into parts controlled by tiuns. Introduced a system of graveyards - places of trade and exchange. She built fortresses and cities. In 955 she was baptized in Constantinople.
The time of her reign is characterized by peace with the surrounding countries and the development of the state in all respects. The first Russian saint. She died in 969.
5. Svyatoslav Igorevich (959 – March 972)- the date of the beginning of the reign is relative - the country was ruled by the mother until her death, Svyatoslav himself preferred to fight and was in Kyiv rarely and not for long. Even the first Pecheneg raid and the siege of Kyiv was met by Olga.
As a result of two campaigns, Svyatoslav defeated the Khazar Khaganate, to which Rus' for a long time paid tribute with her soldiers. He conquered and imposed tribute on Volga Bulgaria. Supporting ancient traditions and in agreement with the squad, he despised Christians, Muslims and Jews. He conquered Tmutarakan and made the Vyatichi tributaries. In the period from 967 to 969 he successfully fought in Bulgaria under an agreement with the Byzantine Empire. In 969, he distributed Rus' among his sons into appanages: Yaropolk - Kyiv, Oleg - the Drevlyan lands, Vladimir (the bastard son of the housekeeper) - Novgorod. He himself went to the new capital of his state - Pereyaslavets on the Danube. In 970 - 971 he fought with the Byzantine Empire with varying success. Killed by Pechenegs, bribed by Constantinople, on the way to Kyiv, as he became too strong an enemy for Byzantium.
6. Yaropolk Svyatoslavich (972 – 06/11/978)– tried to establish relationships with the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope. Supported Christians in Kyiv. Minted his own coin.
In 978 he defeated the Pechenegs. In 977, at the instigation of the boyars, he began an internecine war with his brothers. Oleg died trampled by horses during the siege of the fortress, Vladimir fled “overseas” and returned with a mercenary army. As a result of the war, Yaropolk, who was invited to the negotiations, was killed, and Vladimir took the grand-ducal place.
7. Vladimir Svyatoslavich (06/11/978 – 07/15/1015)- made attempts to reform the Slavic Vedic cult, using human sacrifices. He conquered Cherven Rus and Przemysl from the Poles. He conquered the Yatvingians, which opened the way for Rus' to the Baltic Sea. He imposed tribute on the Vyatichi and Rodimich, while uniting the Novgorod and Kyiv lands. Concluded a profitable peace with Volga Bulgaria.
He captured Korsun in the Crimea in 988 and threatened to march on Constantinople if he did not get the sister of the Byzantine emperor as his wife. Having received a wife, he was baptized there in Korsun and began to spread Christianity in Rus' “with fire and sword.” During forced Christianization, the country was depopulated - out of 12 million, only 3 remained. Only Rostov-Suzdal land was able to avoid forced Christianization.
He paid a lot of attention to the recognition of Kievan Rus in the West. He built several fortresses to defend the principality from the Polovtsians. With military campaigns he reached the North Caucasus.
8. Svyatopolk Vladimirovich (1015 – 1016, 1018 – 1019)- Using the support of the people and boyars, he took the Kiev throne. Soon three brothers die - Boris, Gleb, Svyatoslav. An open struggle for the grand ducal throne begins brother, Novgorod prince Yaroslav. After the defeat from Yaroslav, Svyatopolk runs to his father-in-law, King of Poland Boleslav I the Brave. In 1018, he defeated Yaroslav with Polish troops. The Poles, who began to plunder Kyiv, caused popular indignation, and Svyatopolk was forced to disperse them, leaving him without troops.
Yaroslav, who returned with new troops, easily takes Kyiv. Svyatopolk, with the help of the Pechenegs, tries to regain power, but to no avail. He dies, deciding to go to the Pechenegs.
For the murders of his brothers attributed to him, he was nicknamed the Damned.
9. Yaroslav the Wise (1016 – 1018, 1019 – 02/20/1054)– first settled in Kyiv during the war with his brother Svyatopolk. He received support from the Novgorodians, and besides them he had a mercenary army.
The beginning of the second period of reign was marked by princely strife with his brother Mstislav, who defeated Yaroslav's troops and captured the left bank of the Dnieper with Chernigov. Peace was concluded between the brothers, they went on joint campaigns against Yasov and the Poles, but Grand Duke Yaroslav remained in Novgorod, and not in the capital Kyiv, until his brother’s death.
In 1030 he defeated Chud and founded the city of Yuryev. Immediately after Mstislav's death, fearing competition, he imprisons his last brother Sudislav and moves to Kyiv.
In 1036 he defeated the Pechenegs, freeing Rus' from raids. In subsequent years, he made campaigns against the Yatvingians, Lithuania and Mazovia. In 1043 - 1046 he fought with Byzantine Empire because of the murder of a noble Russian in Constantinople. Breaks the alliance with Poland and marries his daughter Anna to the French king.
Founds monasteries and builds temples, incl. St. Sophia Cathedral, erects stone walls to Kyiv. By order of Yaroslav, many books are translated and rewritten. Opens the first school for children of priests and village elders in Novgorod. With him, the first metropolitan of Russian origin appears - Hilarion.
Publishes the Church Charter and the first known set of laws of Rus', “Russian Truth”.
10. Izyaslav Yaroslavich (02/20/1054 – 09/14/1068, 05/2/1069 – March 1073, 06/15/1077 – 10/3/1078)- a prince not loved by the people of Kiev, forced to periodically hide outside the principality. Together with his brothers, he creates a set of laws “Pravda Yaroslavichy”. The first reign is characterized by joint decision-making by all Yaroslavich brothers - the Triumvirate.
In 1055, the brothers defeated the Torks near Pereyaslavl and established borders with the Polovtsian Land. Izyaslav provides assistance to Byzantium in Armenia, seizes the lands of the Baltic people - golyad. In 1067, as a result of the war with the Principality of Polotsk, Prince Vseslav the Magician was captured by deception.
In 1068, Izyaslav refused to arm the people of Kiev against the Polovtsians, for which he was expelled from Kyiv. Returns with Polish troops.
In 1073, as a result of a conspiracy drawn up by his younger brothers, he left Kyiv and wandered around Europe for a long time in search of allies. The throne is returned after Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich dies.
He died in a battle with his nephews near Chernigov.
11. Vseslav Bryachislavich (09/14/1068 – April 1069)- Prince of Polotsk, released from arrest by the people of Kiev who rebelled against Izyaslav and elevated to the grand princely throne. Left Kyiv when Izyaslav approached with the Poles. He reigned in Polotsk for more than 30 years, without stopping the fight against the Yaroslavichs.
12.Svyatoslav Yaroslavich (03/22/1073 – 12/27/1076)- came to power in Kyiv as a result of a conspiracy against his older brother, with the support of the people of Kiev. He devoted a lot of attention and money to maintaining the clergy and the church. Died as a result of surgery.
13.Vsevolod Yaroslavich (01/1/1077 – July 1077, October 1078 – 04/13/1093)– the first period ended with the voluntary transfer of power to brother Izyaslav. For the second time he took the place of the Grand Duke after the death of the latter in an internecine war.
Almost the entire period of his reign was marked by fierce internecine struggle, especially with the Principality of Polotsk. Vladimir Monomakh, the son of Vsevolod, distinguished himself in this civil strife, who, with the help of the Polovtsians, carried out several devastating campaigns against the Polotsk lands.
Vsevolod and Monomakh conducted campaigns against the Vyatichi and Polovtsians.
Vsevolod married his daughter Eupraxia to the Emperor of the Roman Empire. The marriage, sanctified by the church, ended in scandal and accusations against the emperor of conducting satanic rituals.
14. Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (24.04.1093 – 16.04.1113) - the first thing he did, upon ascending the throne, was arrest the Polovtsian ambassadors, starting a war. As a result, together with V. Monomakh, he was defeated by the Polovtsians on Stugna and Zhelani, Torchesk was burned and three main Kyiv monasteries were plundered.
The princely feuds were not stopped by the congress of princes in Lyubech in 1097, which assigned possessions to the branches of the princely dynasties. Svyatopolk Izyaslavich remained the Grand Duke and ruler of Kyiv and Turov. Immediately after the congress, he slandered V. Monomakh and other princes. They responded with a siege of Kyiv, which ended in a truce.
In 1100, at the congress of princes in Uvetchytsy, Svyatopolk received Volyn.
In 1104, Svyatopolk organized a campaign against the Minsk prince Gleb.
In 1103–1111, a coalition of princes led by Svyatopolk and Vladimir Monomakh successfully waged a war against the Polovtsians.
The death of Svyatopolk was accompanied by an uprising in Kyiv against the boyars and moneylenders closest to him.
15. Vladimir Monomakh (04/20/1113 – 05/19/1125)- invited to reign during the uprising in Kyiv against the administration of Svyatopolk. He created the “Charter on Cuts,” which was included in “Russkaya Pravda,” which eased the situation of debtors while fully maintaining feudal relations.
The beginning of the reign was not without civil strife: Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, who claimed the throne of Kiev, had to be expelled from Volyn. The period of Monomakh's reign was the last period of strengthening of the grand ducal power in Kyiv. Together with his sons, the Grand Duke owned 75% of the territory of chronicle Rus'.
To strengthen the state, Monomakh often used dynastic marriages and his authority as a military leader - the conqueror of the Polovtsians. During his reign, his sons defeated the Chud and defeated the Volga Bulgars.
In 1116–1119, Vladimir Vsevolodovich successfully fought with Byzantium. As a result of the war, as a ransom, he received from the emperor the title “Tsar of All Rus'”, a scepter, an orb, and a royal crown (Monomakh’s cap). As a result of negotiations, Monomakh married his granddaughter to the emperor.
16. Mstislav the Great (05/20/1125 – 04/15/1132)- initially owned only the Kyiv land, but was recognized as the eldest among the princes. Gradually he began to control the cities of Novgorod, Chernigov, Kursk, Murom, Ryazan, Smolensk and Turov through dynastic marriages.
In 1129 he plundered the Polotsk lands. In 1131, he deprived of allotments and expelled the Polotsk princes, led by the son of Vseslav the Magician - Davyd.
In the period from 1130 to 1132 he made several campaigns with varying success against the Baltic tribes, including Chud and Lithuania.
The State of Mstislav is the last informal unification of the principalities of Kievan Rus. He controlled all major cities, the entire route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” accumulated military force gave him the right to be called Great in the chronicles.
Rulers of the Old Russian state during the period of fragmentation and decline of Kyiv
The princes on the Kiev throne during this period were replaced frequently and did not rule for long, most of them not showing themselves to be anything remarkable:
1. Yaropolk Vladimirovich (04/17/1132 – 02/18/1139)- the prince of Pereyaslavl was called to rule the people of Kiev, but his first decision to transfer Pereyaslavl to Izyaslav Mstislavich, who had previously ruled in Polotsk, caused indignation among the people of Kiev and the expulsion of Yaropolk. In the same year, the people of Kiev summoned Yaropolk again, but Polotsk, to which the dynasty of Vseslav the Sorcerer returned, broke away from Kievan Rus.
In the internecine struggle that began between the various branches of the Rurikovichs, the Grand Duke was unable to show firmness and by the time of his death he had lost control, in addition to Polotsk, over Novgorod and Chernigov. Nominally, only the Rostov-Suzdal land was subordinate to him.
2. Vyacheslav Vladimirovich (22.02 – 4.03.1139, April 1151 – 6.02.1154)- the first, one and a half week period of reign ended with the overthrow of Vsevolod Olgovich, the Chernigov prince.
In the second period it was only an official sign; real power belonged to Izyaslav Mstislavich.
3. Vsevolod Olgovich (03/05/1139 – 08/1/1146)- Chernigov prince, forcibly removed Vyacheslav Vladimirovich from the throne, interrupting the reign of the Monomashichs in Kyiv. He was not loved by the people of Kiev. The entire period of his reign skillfully maneuvered between the Mstislavovichs and the Monomashichs. He constantly fought with the latter, tried to keep his own relatives away from the grand-ducal power.
4. Igor Olgovich (1 – 08/13/1146)– received Kyiv according to his brother’s will, which outraged the city residents. The townspeople called Izyaslav Mstislavich to the throne from Pereslavl. After the battle between the contenders, Igor was put in a log, where he became seriously ill. Released from there, he became a monk, but in 1147, on suspicion of conspiracy against Izyaslav, he was executed by vengeful Kyivians only because Olgovich.
5. Izyaslav Mstislavich (08/13/1146 – 08/23/1149, 1151 – 11/13/1154)- in the first period, in addition to Kyiv, he directly ruled Pereyaslavl, Turov, and Volyn. In the internecine struggle with Yuri Dolgoruky and his allies, he enjoyed the support of the Novgorodians, Smolensk and Ryazan residents. He often attracted allied Cumans, Hungarians, Czechs, and Poles into his ranks.
For attempting to elect a Russian metropolitan without the approval of the patriarch of Constantinople, he was excommunicated from the church.
He had the support of the people of Kiev in the fight against the Suzdal princes.
6. Yuri Dolgoruky (08/28/1149 – summer 1150, summer 1150 – beginning 1151, 03/20/1155 – 05/15/1157)- Suzdal prince, son of V. Monomakh. He sat on the grand-ducal throne three times. The first two times he was expelled from Kyiv by Izyaslav and the people of Kiev. In his struggle for the rights of Monomashich, he relied on the support of Novgorod - the Seversk prince Svyatoslav (brother of Igor, executed in Kyiv), the Galicians and the Polovtsians. The decisive battle in the fight against Izyaslav was the Battle of Ruta in 1151. Having lost which, Yuri one by one lost all his allies in the south.
The third time he subjugated Kyiv after Izyaslav and his co-ruler Vyacheslav died. In 1157 he made an unsuccessful campaign against Volyn, where the sons of Izyaslav settled.
Presumably poisoned by the people of Kiev.
In the south, only one son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Gleb, was able to gain a foothold in the Pereyaslavl principality, which had separated from Kyiv.
7. Rostislav Mstislavich (1154 – 1155, 04/12/1159 – 02/8/1161, March 1161 – 03/14/1167)- Prince of Smolensk for 40 years. Founded the Grand Duchy of Smolensk. He first took the Kiev throne at the invitation of Vyacheslav Vladimirovich, who called him to be a co-ruler, but soon died. Rostislav Mstislavich was forced to come out to meet Yuri Dolgoruky. Having met with his uncle, the Smolensk prince ceded Kyiv to his older relative.
The second and third terms of rule in Kyiv were divided by the attack of Izyaslav Davydovich with the Polovtsy, which forced Rostislav Mstislavovich to hide in Belgorod, waiting for his allies.
The reign was distinguished by calmness, insignificance of civil strife and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The attempts of the Polovtsians to disturb the peace in Rus' were suppressed in every possible way.
With help dynastic marriage annexed Vitebsk to the Smolensk principality.
8. Izyaslav Davydovich (winter 1155, 05/19/1157 - December 1158, 02/12 - 03/6/1161)- became the Grand Duke for the first time, defeating the troops of Rostislav Mstislavich, but was forced to cede the throne to Yuri Dolgoruky.
He took the throne for the second time after the death of Dolgoruky, but was defeated near Kiev by the Volyn and Galich princes for refusing to hand over the pretender to the Galician throne.
The third time he captured Kyiv, but was defeated by the allies of Rostislav Mstislavich.
9. Mstislav Izyaslavich (12/22/1158 – spring 1159, 05/19/1167 – 03/12/1169, February – 04/13/1170)- first time prince of Kyiv, expelling Izyaslav Davydovich, but ceded the great reign to Rostislav Mstislavich, as the eldest in the family.
The people of Kiev called him to rule for the second time after the death of Rostislav Mstislavich. Could not maintain his rule against the army of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
The third time he settled in Kyiv without a fight, using the love of the people of Kiev and expelling Gleb Yuryevich, who was imprisoned in Kyiv by Andrei Bogolyubsky. However, abandoned by the allies, he was forced to return to Volyn.
He became famous for his victory over the Cumans at the head of coalition troops in 1168.
He is considered the last great Kyiv prince who had real power over Russia.
With the rise of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, Kyiv is increasingly becoming an ordinary appanage, although it retains the name “great”. Problems, most likely, need to be looked for in what and how the rulers of Russia did, in the chronological order of their inheritance of power. Decades of civil strife bore fruit - the principality weakened and lost its importance for Rus'. Reign in Kyiv than the main thing. Often the Kyiv princes were appointed or replaced by the Grand Duke from Vladimir.
Who were the princes of Ancient Rus'?
In the ninth century in the territory of Eastern Europe the powerful state of Kievan Rus was created - a significant political and military force up to Mongol invasion in the thirteenth century. The rulers of Ancient Rus' were princes, and they soon began to call themselves grand princes.
Grand Duke is a title that was borne by monarchs, rulers of the Old Russian state, and then of Kievan Rus.
The prince united in himself as head of state following functions:
– judicial (he held court over the population, over his subordinates);
– military (the prince had to vigilantly defend the borders of his state, organize defense, gather troops and, of course, prepare for an attack when necessary; the Russian people especially appreciated the military courage of the princes);
– religious (in the pagan era of Rus', the Grand Duke was the organizer of sacrifices in favor of the pagan gods);
At first, the princely power was elective, but gradually began to gain hereditary status.
The Grand Duke was the main figure in the state; the appanage Russian princes were subordinate to him. The Grand Duke had the right to collect tribute from the princes subordinate to him.
The first prince of Ancient Rus'
Rurik is considered to be the first prince of Ancient Rus', who laid the foundation for the Rurik dynasty. By origin, Rurik was a Varangian, therefore, he could be a Norman or a Swede.
There is no information about the exact origin of the first Russian prince, just as there is little information about his activities. As the chronicles say, he became the sole ruler of Novgorod and Kyiv, then created a united Rus'.
Chronicles say that he had only one son, who was named Igor, who later became the Grand Duke. Rurik had several wives, but Igor himself was born to the Norwegian princess Efanda.
Russian princes of Ancient Rus'
Oleg
After the death of the first Russian prince Rurik, his close relative Oleg, called the Prophet, began to rule. Rurik's son Igor was not old enough to rule the state at the time of his father's death. Therefore, Oleg was the ruler and guardian of Igor until he came of age.Chronicles say that Oleg was a brave warrior and took part in many campaigns. After the death of Rurik, he went to Kyiv, where the brothers Askold and Dir had already established their power. Oleg managed to kill both brothers and take the Kiev throne. At the same time, Oleg called Kyiv “the mother of Russian cities.” It was he who made Kyiv the capital of Ancient Rus'.
Oleg became famous for his successful campaigns against Byzantium, where he won rich booty. He plundered Byzantine cities, and also concluded a trade agreement with Byzantium that was beneficial for Kievan Rus.
Oleg's death is still a mystery to historians. Chronicles claim that the prince was bitten by a snake that crawled out of the skull of his horse. Although most likely this may be nothing more than a legend.
Igor
After Oleg’s sudden death, Rurik’s son, Igor, began to rule the country. Igor took as his wife the legendary Princess Olga, whom he brought from Pskov. She was twelve years younger than Igor when they got engaged. Igor was 25 years old and she was only 13.
Like Oleg, Igor was active foreign policy, it is aimed at conquering nearby lands. Already in 914, after two years of his establishment on the throne, Igor subjugated the Drevlyans and imposed tribute on them. In 920, he first attacked the Pecheneg tribes. The next thing mentioned in the chronicles was his campaign against Constantinople in 941-944, which was crowned with success.
After the campaign against Byzantium, in 945, Prince Igor was killed by the Drevlyans while collecting tribute.
After his death, his wife Princess Olga began to rule. Igor left behind his young son Svyatoslav.
Svyatoslav
Until Igor’s son Svyatoslav came of age, Kievan Rus was ruled by his mother, Princess Olga, who was the regent. Svyatoslav began to rule independently only in 964.
Svyatoslav, unlike his mother, remained a pagan and was against conversion to Christianity.
Svyatoslav became famous primarily as a successful commander. Having ascended the throne, the prince immediately set off on a campaign against the Khazar Khaganate in 965. In the same year, he managed to completely conquer it and annex it to the territory of Ancient Rus'. He then defeated the Vyatichi and imposed tribute on them in 966.
The prince also waged an active struggle against the Bulgarian kingdom and Byzantium, where he was successful. After returning from the Byzantine campaign in 972, Prince Svyatoslav was ambushed by the Pechenegs on the rapids of the Dnieper. In this unequal battle he met his death.
Yaropolk
After the murder of Svyatoslav, his son Yaropolk began to rule. It should be said that Yaropolk ruled only in Kyiv, his brothers ruled Novgorod and the Drevlyans. Yaropolk began a war for power and defeated his brother Oleg in 977. The very next year he was killed by his brother Vladimir.
Yaropolk was not remembered as great commander, but had some success in politics. Thus, under him, negotiations were conducted with Emperor Otto II. Chronicles indicate that ambassadors from the Pope came to his court. Yaropolk was an obvious admirer christian church, however, he did not manage to make this religion state.
Ancient Rus': Prince Vladimir
Vladimir was the son of Svyatoslav and seized power in Rus' by killing his brother Yaropolk in 978, becoming the sole prince of Ancient Rus'.
Vladimir became famous primarily for making Rus' a Christian state in 988. However, Vladimir is also known as an excellent commander.
Already in 981-982. Vladimir went on a campaign against the Vyatichi, already subject to tribute, and seized their land, making it Russian. In 983, he opened the way to the Baltic for Rus', conquering the Yatvingian tribe. Later he managed to conquer the Radimichi and, for the first time, the White Croats, and he annexed their lands to Rus'.
In addition to military successes, Vladimir managed to conclude profitable agreements with many European states(Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Byzantium and Papal States).
Under him, coinage began to be minted, which strengthened the Russian economy. These were the first coins issued on the territory of Kievan Rus. The reason for minting the coin was the desire to prove the sovereignty of the young Christian state. There were no economic reasons; Rus' got along just fine with Byzantine coins.
Prince Vladimir the Great died in 1015. After his death, the throne was seized by his son Svyatopolk, but he was soon overthrown by Yaroslav the Wise.
Princes Rurikovich ( short biographies) Tvorogov Oleg Viktorovich
RUSSIAN PRINCES IX-XI centuries.
RUSSIAN PRINCES IX-XI centuries.
The 9th and 10th centuries are the most difficult period to study in the history of Ancient Rus'. Chroniclers, working 100-150 years after the events they described, relied mainly on oral traditions and legends; the annual grid, which distinguishes the Russian chronicle from the Byzantine chronicles and gives it its name (chronicle - a description of events by year, “year”), as established by researchers, was “superimposed” on the narration of the most ancient events of the 10th-11th centuries. only when created at the beginning of the 12th century. chronicle code, called “The Tale of Bygone Years.” Therefore, the dating of many ancient events, as well as the calculation of the years of life and reign of the first Rurikovichs, can be accepted with a certain degree of convention.
Rurik(d. 879). According to the chronicle legend, Rurik and his brothers Sineus and Truvor were called to Rus' by representatives of the tribes: the Novgorod Slavs, the Polotsk Krivichs, the Vepsians and the Chuds (the ancestors of the Estonians) and began to reign in Novgorod or Ladoga. The question of who Rurik and his fellow tribesmen were, where they came from to Rus', whether Rurik was called to reign or invited as the leader of a military squad remains controversial to this day.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Lovmyansky X. Rus' and the Normans. Translation from Polish. M., 1985; Avdusin D. A. Modern anti-Normanism // VI. 1988. No. 7. pp. 23-34.
Oleg(d. 912). According to PVL, after Rurik’s death, Rurik’s relative, Oleg, became regent for the young Igor. However, in another chronicle (Initial Code) Oleg is referred to only as the governor of Rurik. Considering that at the beginning of his independent reign, Igor was at least 33 years old, Oleg’s regency seems to be an absolute historical myth: both Oleg and the actual founder of the Rurik dynasty, Igor, were probably independent princes.
In 882, Oleg and his retinue went south along the waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” He captured Smolensk, and then Kiev, killing the local princes Askold and Dir. They were apparently Varangians; as the chronicle reports, having received permission from Rurik to go to Constantinople, Askold and Dir remained to reign in Kyiv. But there is indirect evidence against the fact that Askold and Dir were co-rulers. After Oleg reigned in Kyiv, which he declared “matter as a Russian city,” the entire territory of Rus', stretched out in a relatively narrow strip along the river routes leading from Ladoga to the Black Sea, came under his rule. Oleg expanded his possessions to the east, subjugating the northerners and Radimichi - tribes living in the Desna and Sozh basin. Oleg made two successful campaigns against the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople (in 907 and 911). According to the legend reflected in the PVL, he died from a snake bite and was buried in Kyiv.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Sakharov. We are from the Russian family*. pp. 84-159.
Igor(d. 945). As stated above, it is unlikely that Igor was the son of Rurik. It is characteristic that the chronicler knows nothing about the details of Igor’s reign for a quarter of a century, mentioning only his campaigns against Constantinople in 941 and 944. The second campaign led to the conclusion of an agreement with Byzantium that was beneficial for Rus'. In 945, Igor was killed by the Drevlyans (a tribe living in the Pripyat basin) when he tried to collect tribute from them a second time.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Sakharov. We are from the Russian family. pp. 179-225.
Olga(d. 969). Igor's wife. According to some legends, she is the daughter of a boatman from Pskov. It is difficult to separate reality from poetic fiction in PVL’s story about how Olga took revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband. Twice (in 946 and 955) Olga visited Constantinople, where she was received with honor by Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus. During the second trip, Olga was baptized and received christian name Elena.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Litavrin G. G. On the question of the circumstances, place and time of the baptism of Princess Olga // The most ancient states on the territory of the USSR. 1985. M., 1986. S. 49-57; Sakharov. We are from the Russian family. pp. 226-250.
Svyatoslav Igorevich(d. 972). A brave warrior, according to the chronicler, who openly challenged his enemies: “I’m coming to you!”, Svyatoslav made a number of successful campaigns. He freed the Vyatichi tribe, who lived in the Oka basin, from paying tribute to the Khazars, defeated the Volga Bulgarians and the powerful Khazar Khaganate, making a victorious campaign in 965 on the Lower Volga, the Northern Caucasus and the Azov region.
IN last years reign, Svyatoslav actively intervened in the war of Byzantium with the Danube Bulgarians who rebelled against its rule and won a victory over them. The Byzantine Emperor John Tzimiskes, alarmed that Svyatoslav was seeking to gain a foothold in the Danube cities, attacked the Russian squads, besieged them in Dorostol and forced them to accept battle. The Greeks were defeated, and Svyatoslav moved towards Constantinople. The emperor had to pay off with generous gifts. Having made peace, the prince decided to return to Kyiv for new soldiers. But at the Dnieper rapids Svyatoslav was waylaid and killed by the Pechenegs. The Pecheneg prince ordered a cup to be made from his skull.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Gadlo A.V. Eastern campaign of Svyatoslav (On the question of the beginning of the Tmutarakan principality) // Problems of the history of feudal Russia. L., 1971. S. 59-67; Sakharov A. N. Balkan campaigns of Svyatoslav and the diplomacy of Ancient Rus' // VI. 1982. No. 2. P. 81-107; Sakharov. We are from the Russian family. pp. 261-340.
Vladimir Svyatoslavich(d. 1015). The son of Svyatoslav from the housekeeper Olga - Malusha. As a youth, Vladimir was sent to reign in Novgorod, accompanied by his uncle, the governor of Dobrynya. In 976 (date tentative) Vladimir wooed the daughter of the Polotsk prince Rogneda. But she refuses him, derogatingly referring to the prince as a “robichich” (i.e., the son of a slave). Vladimir kills Rogneda's father and makes her his concubine. In 980, having cunningly dealt with his brother Yaropolk (who had previously killed Svyatoslav’s third son, Oleg), Vladimir became the sole ruler of Rus'. He made several successful campaigns against the Poles, the Vyatichi and Radimichi, the Volga Bulgarians, expanded the borders of Rus' in the southwest, built a number of fortified cities around Kyiv and on the borders with the hostile Pecheneg steppe. Having provided military assistance to the Byzantine Emperor Vasily II, Vladimir received his sister Anna as his wife. In 988, Vladimir was baptized, and then (in 988 or 990) proclaimed Christianity the state religion of Rus'. The process of complete Christianization of the country lasted almost two centuries, but the new faith quickly strengthened in largest cities. For the functioning of the church, liturgical books and competent clergy were required. Therefore, the adoption of Christianity contributed to the emergence and intensive development of literature (writing was known earlier). Stone architecture is becoming widespread. The international authority of Rus' has increased immeasurably. Vladimir becomes one of the most popular figures in Russian history. Many legends are associated with his name (some of them were reflected in PVL), he becomes a permanent character in epics. The church canonized Vladimir as a saint.
Source: PVL.
Lit.: Rapov. Princely possessions. pp. 32-35; Rybakov. World of history. pp. 131-147.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise(c. 978-1054). Son of Vladimir from Rogneda. After the death of Vladimir, power in Kyiv was seized by Yaropolk's son, Svyatopolk. He killed his half-brothers - Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav, seeking autocratic rule. Yaroslav, who reigned in Novgorod, opposed Svyatopolk and expelled him from Kyiv. But Svyatopolk, relying on the support of his father-in-law, the Polish king Boleslav the Brave, inflicted defeat on Yaroslav in 1018 in the battle on the banks of the Bug. Yaroslav, having gathered a new squad, defeated Svyatopolk in a bloody battle on Alta in 1019. He fled and, according to legend, died somewhere in unknown places between the Czech Republic and Poland. Yaroslav became the prince of Kyiv and remained on the Kiev table until the end of his life. After the death of his brother Mstislav (in 1036), Yaroslav became the sole ruler in Rus', only his brother Izyaslav ruled in Polotsk. The time of Yaroslav is a time of internal stabilization, which contributed to the growth of the international authority of Rus', as evidenced by the fact that Yaroslav’s daughters became queens: Anna - French, Elizabeth - Norwegian, and then Danish, Anastasia - Hungarian. The chronicle states that it was during the reign of Yaroslav that translation and book-writing activities began to develop intensively. The first Russian monasteries appeared, including the famous Kiev-Pechersk, which played a large role in the development of Russian books and chronicles. In 1054, Yaroslav installed the first Russian metropolitan, Hilarion (before that, the metropolitans were Greeks), who created the church-political treatise “The Sermon on Law and Grace.”
Before his death, Yaroslav divided his state between his sons, thereby marking the beginning of feudal fragmentation. Yaroslav was married to Ingigerda, daughter of the Swedish king Olaf.
Source: PVL; The Legend of Boris and Gleb // PLDR: XI - early XII centuries. pp. 278-303.
Lit.: Rapov. Princely possessions. pp. 36-37.
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