Nicholas II (1894 - 1917) Due to the stampede that occurred during his coronation, many people died. Thus, the name “Bloody” was attached to the kindest philanthropist Nikolai. In 1898, Nicholas II, caring for world peace, issued a manifesto calling on all countries in the world to completely disarm. After this, a special commission met in The Hague to develop a number of measures that could further prevent bloody clashes between countries and peoples. But the peace-loving emperor had to fight. First in the First World War, then the Bolshevik coup broke out, as a result of which the monarch was overthrown, and then he and his family were shot in Yekaterinburg. The Orthodox Church canonized Nikolai Romanov and his entire family as saints.
Rurik (862-879)
The Novgorod prince, nicknamed Varangian, as he was called to reign over the Novgorodians from across the Varangian Sea. is the founder of the Rurik dynasty. He was married to a woman named Efanda, with whom he had a son named Igor. He also raised Askold’s daughter and stepson. After his two brothers died, he became the sole ruler of the country. He gave all the surrounding villages and suburbs to the management of his confidants, where they had the right to independently conduct justice. Around this time, Askold and Dir, two brothers who were in no way related to Rurik by family ties, occupied the city of Kyiv and began to rule the glades.
Oleg (879 - 912)
Prince of Kyiv, nicknamed the Prophetic. Being a relative of Prince Rurik, he was the guardian of his son Igor. According to legend, he died after being bitten in the leg by a snake. Prince Oleg became famous for his intelligence and military valor. With a huge army at that time, the prince went along the Dnieper. On the way, he conquered Smolensk, then Lyubech, and then took Kyiv, making it the capital. Askold and Dir were killed, and Oleg showed the little son of Rurik, Igor, to the glades as their prince. He went on a military campaign to Greece and with a brilliant victory secured the Russians preferential rights to free trade in Constantinople.
Igor (912 - 945)
Following the example of Prince Oleg, Igor Rurikovich conquered all the neighboring tribes and forced them to pay tribute, successfully repelled the raids of the Pechenegs and also undertook a campaign in Greece, which, however, was not as successful as the campaign of Prince Oleg. As a result, Igor was killed by neighboring conquered tribes of the Drevlyans for his irrepressible greed in extortions.
Olga (945 - 957)
Olga was the wife of Prince Igor. She, according to the customs of that time, very cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder of her husband, and also conquered the main city of the Drevlyans - Korosten. Olga was distinguished by very good leadership abilities, as well as a brilliant, sharp mind. Already at the end of her life, she converted to Christianity in Constantinople, for which she was subsequently canonized and named Equal to the Apostles.
Svyatoslav Igorevich (after 964 - spring 972)
The son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga, who, after the death of her husband, took the reins of power into her own hands while her son grew up, learning the intricacies of the art of war. In 967, he managed to defeat the army of the Bulgarian king, which greatly alarmed the Byzantine emperor John, who, in cahoots with the Pechenegs, persuaded them to attack Kyiv. In 970, together with the Bulgarians and Hungarians, after the death of Princess Olga, Svyatoslav went on a campaign against Byzantium. The forces were not equal, and Svyatoslav was forced to sign a peace treaty with the empire. After his return to Kyiv, he was brutally killed by the Pechenegs, and then Svyatoslav’s skull was decorated with gold and made into a bowl for pies.
Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich (972 - 978 or 980)
After the death of his father, Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich, made an attempt to unite Rus' under his rule, defeating his brothers: Oleg Drevlyansky and Vladimir of Novgorod, forcing them to leave the country, and then annexed their lands to the Principality of Kyiv. He managed to conclude a new agreement with the Byzantine Empire, and also attract the horde of the Pecheneg Khan Ildea into his service. Tried to establish diplomatic relations with Rome. Under him, as the Joachim manuscript testifies, Christians were given a lot of freedom in Rus', which caused the displeasure of the pagans. Vladimir of Novgorod immediately took advantage of this displeasure and, having agreed with the Varangians, recaptured Novgorod, then Polotsk, and then besieged Kyiv. Yaropolk was forced to flee to Roden. He tried to make peace with his brother, for which he went to Kyiv, where he was a Varangian. Chronicles characterize this prince as a peace-loving and meek ruler.
Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (978 or 980 - 1015)
Vladimir was the youngest son of Prince Svyatoslav. He was the Prince of Novgorod from 968. Became Prince of Kyiv in 980. He was distinguished by a very warlike disposition, which allowed him to conquer the Radimichi, Vyatichi and Yatvingians. Vladimir also waged wars with the Pechenegs, with Volga Bulgaria, with the Byzantine Empire and Poland. It was during the reign of Prince Vladimir in Rus' that defensive structures were built on the boundaries of the rivers: Desna, Trubezh, Osetra, Sula and others. Vladimir also did not forget about his capital city. It was under him that Kyiv was rebuilt with stone buildings. But Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became famous and remained in history thanks to the fact that in 988 - 989. made Christianity the state religion of Kievan Rus, which immediately strengthened the country’s authority in the international arena. Under him, the state of Kievan Rus entered its period of greatest prosperity. Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became an epic character, in which he is referred to as “Vladimir the Red Sun.” Canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, named Prince Equal to the Apostles.
Svyatopolk Vladimirovich (1015 - 1019)
During his lifetime, Vladimir Svyatoslavovich divided his lands between his sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav, Boris and Gleb. After Prince Vladimir died, Svyatopolk Vladimirovich occupied Kyiv and decided to get rid of his rival brothers. He gave the order to kill Gleb, Boris and Svyatoslav. However, this did not help him establish himself on the throne. Soon he himself was expelled from Kyiv by Prince Yaroslav of Novgorod. Then Svyatopolk turned for help to his father-in-law, King Boleslav of Poland. With the support of the Polish king, Svyatopolk again took possession of Kiev, but soon circumstances developed such that he was again forced to flee the capital. On the way, Prince Svyatopolk committed suicide. This prince was popularly nicknamed the Damned because he took the lives of his brothers.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise (1019 - 1054)
Yaroslav Vladimirovich, after the death of Mstislav of Tmutarakansky and after the expulsion of the Holy Regiment, became the sole ruler of the Russian land. Yaroslav was distinguished by a sharp mind, for which, in fact, he received his nickname - the Wise. He tried to take care of the needs of his people, built the cities of Yaroslavl and Yuryev. He also built churches (St. Sophia in Kyiv and Novgorod), understanding the importance of spreading and establishing the new faith. It was he who published the first set of laws in Rus' called “Russian Truth”. He divided the plots of the Russian land between his sons: Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod, Igor and Vyacheslav, bequeathing them to live in peace among themselves.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich the First (1054 - 1078)
Izyaslav was the eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise. After the death of his father, the throne of Kievan Rus passed to him. But after his campaign against the Polovtsians, which ended in failure, the Kievans themselves drove him away. Then his brother Svyatoslav became the Grand Duke. Only after the death of Svyatoslav did Izyaslav return to the capital city of Kyiv. Vsevolod the First (1078 - 1093) It is likely that Prince Vsevolod could well have been a useful ruler, thanks to his peaceful disposition, piety and truthfulness. Being myself educated person Knowing five languages, he actively contributed to education in his principality. But, alas. Constant, incessant raids of the Polovtsians, pestilence, and famine did not favor the rule of this prince. He remained on the throne thanks to the efforts of his son Vladimir, who would later be called Monomakh.
Svyatopolk the Second (1093 - 1113)
Svyatopolk was the son of Izyaslav the First. It was he who inherited the Kiev throne after Vsevolod the First. This prince was distinguished by a rare lack of spine, which is why he was unable to calm the internecine friction between the princes for power in the cities. In 1097, a congress of princes took place in the city of Lyubich, at which each ruler, kissing the cross, pledged to own only his father’s land. But this fragile peace treaty was not allowed to come to fruition. Prince Davyd Igorevich blinded Prince Vasilko. Then the princes, at a new congress (1100), deprived Prince David of the right to own Volyn. Then, in 1103, the princes unanimously accepted Vladimir Monomakh’s proposal for a joint campaign against the Polovtsians, which was done. The campaign ended in Russian victory in 1111.
Vladimir Monomakh (1113 - 1125)
Despite the right of seniority of the Svyatoslavichs, when Prince Svyatopolk the Second died, Vladimir Monomakh was elected Prince of Kyiv, who wanted the unification of the Russian land. Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh was brave, tireless and stood out from the rest with his remarkable mental abilities. He managed to humble the princes with meekness, and he fought successfully with the Polovtsians. Vladimir Monoma is a vivid example of a prince serving not his personal ambitions, but his people, which he bequeathed to his children.
Mstislav the First (1125 - 1132)
The son of Vladimir Monomakh, Mstislav the First, was very similar to his legendary father, demonstrating the same remarkable qualities of a ruler. All the disobedient princes showed him respect, fearing to anger the Grand Duke and share the fate of the Polovtsian princes, whom Mstislav expelled to Greece for disobedience, and in their place he sent his son to reign.
Yaropolk (1132 - 1139)
Yaropolk was the son of Vladimir Monomakh and, accordingly, the brother of Mstislav the First. During his reign, he came up with the idea of transferring the throne not to his brother Vyacheslav, but to his nephew, which caused turmoil in the country. It was because of these strife that the Monomakhovichs lost the throne of Kiev, which was occupied by the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavovich, that is, the Olegovichs.
Vsevolod the Second (1139 - 1146)
Having become the Grand Duke, Vsevolod the Second wanted to secure the throne of Kiev for his family. For this reason, he handed over the throne to Igor Olegovich, his brother. But Igor was not accepted by the people as a prince. He was forced to take monastic vows, but even the monastic robe did not protect him from the wrath of the people. Igor was killed.
Izyaslav the Second (1146 - 1154)
Izyaslav the Second fell in love with the people of Kiev to a greater extent because with his intelligence, disposition, friendliness and courage he very much reminded them of Vladimir Monomakh, the grandfather of Izyaslav the Second. After Izyaslav ascended the Kiev throne, the concept of seniority, accepted for centuries, was violated in Rus', that is, for example, while his uncle was alive, his nephew could not be the Grand Duke. A stubborn struggle began between Izyaslav II and Rostov Prince Yuri Vladimirovich. Izyaslav was driven out of Kyiv twice during his life, but this prince still managed to retain the throne until his death.
Yuri Dolgoruky (1154 - 1157)
It was the death of Izyaslav the Second that paved the way to the throne of Kyiv Yuri, whom the people later nicknamed Dolgoruky. Yuri became the Grand Duke, but he did not reign for long, only three years later, after which he died.
Mstislav the Second (1157 - 1169)
After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky, as usual, internecine strife began between the princes for the Kiev throne, as a result of which Mstislav the Second Izyaslavovich became the Grand Duke. Mstislav was expelled from the Kyiv throne by Prince Andrei Yuryevich, nicknamed Bogolyubsky. Before the expulsion of Prince Mstislav, Bogolyubsky literally ruined Kyiv.
Andrey Bogolyubsky (1169 - 1174)
The first thing Andrei Bogolyubsky did when he became the Grand Duke was to move the capital from Kyiv to Vladimir. He ruled Russia autocratically, without squads or councils, persecuted everyone who was dissatisfied with this state of affairs, but in the end he was killed by them as a result of a conspiracy.
Vsevolod the Third (1176 - 1212)
The death of Andrei Bogolyubsky caused strife between ancient cities (Suzdal, Rostov) and new ones (Pereslavl, Vladimir). As a result of these confrontations, Andrei Bogolyubsky’s brother Vsevolod the Third, nicknamed the Big Nest, became king in Vladimir. Despite the fact that this prince did not rule and did not live in Kyiv, nevertheless, he was called the Grand Duke and was the first to force an oath of allegiance not only to himself, but also to his children.
Constantine the First (1212 - 1219)
The title of Grand Duke Vsevolod the Third, contrary to expectations, was transferred not to his eldest son Constantine, but to Yuri, as a result of which strife arose. The father’s decision to approve Yuri as Grand Duke was also supported by Vsevolod the Big Nest’s third son, Yaroslav. And Konstantin was supported in his claims to the throne by Mstislav Udaloy. Together they won the Battle of Lipetsk (1216) and Constantine nevertheless became the Grand Duke. Only after his death did the throne pass to Yuri.
Yuri the Second (1219 - 1238)
Yuri successfully fought with the Volga Bulgarians and Mordovians. On the Volga, on the very border of Russian possessions, Prince Yuri built Nizhny Novgorod. It was during his reign that the Mongol-Tatars appeared in Rus', who in 1224, at the Battle of Kalka, defeated first the Polovtsians, and then the troops of the Russian princes who came to support the Polovtsians. After this battle, the Mongols left, but thirteen years later they returned under the leadership of Batu Khan. Hordes of Mongols devastated the Suzdal and Ryazan principalities, and also defeated the army of Grand Duke Yuri II in the Battle of the City. Yuri died in this battle. Two years after his death, hordes of Mongols plundered the south of Rus' and Kyiv, after which all Russian princes were forced to admit that from now on they and their lands were under the rule of Tatar yoke. The Mongols on the Volga made the city of Sarai the capital of the horde.
Yaroslav II (1238 - 1252)
The Khan of the Golden Horde appointed Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Novgorod as Grand Duke. During his reign, this prince was engaged in restoring Rus', devastated by the Mongol army.
Alexander Nevsky (1252 - 1263)
Being at first the Prince of Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavovich defeated the Swedes on the Neva River in 1240, for which, in fact, he was named Nevsky. Then, two years later, he defeated the Germans in the famous Battle on the Ice. Among other things, Alexander fought very successfully against Chud and Lithuania. From the Horde he received a label for the Great Reign and became a great intercessor for the entire Russian people, since he traveled to Golden Horde with rich gifts and bows. was subsequently canonized.
Yaroslav the Third (1264 - 1272)
After Alexander Nevsky died, his two brothers began to fight for the title of Grand Duke: Vasily and Yaroslav, but the Khan of the Golden Horde decided to give the label to reign to Yaroslav. However, Yaroslav failed to get along with the Novgorodians; he treacherously called even the Tatars against his own people. The Metropolitan reconciled Prince Yaroslav III with the people, after which the prince again swore an oath on the cross to rule honestly and fairly.
Vasily the First (1272 - 1276)
Vasily the First was the prince of Kostroma, but laid claim to the throne of Novgorod, where the son of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry, reigned. And soon Vasily the First achieved his goal, thereby strengthening his principality, previously weakened by division into appanages.
Dmitry the First (1276 - 1294)
The entire reign of Dmitry the First took place in a continuous struggle for the rights of the grand duke with his brother Andrei Alexandrovich. Andrei Alexandrovich was supported by Tatar regiments, from which Dmitry managed to escape three times. After his third escape, Dmitry nevertheless decided to ask Andrei for peace and, thus, received the right to reign in Pereslavl.
Andrew the Second (1294 - 1304)
Andrew the Second pursued a policy of expanding his principality through the armed seizure of other principalities. In particular, he laid claim to the principality in Pereslavl, which led to civil strife with Tver and Moscow, which, even after the death of Andrei II, was not stopped.
Saint Michael (1304 - 1319)
The Tver prince Mikhail Yaroslavovich, having paid a large tribute to the khan, received from the Horde a label for the grand reign, bypassing the Moscow prince Yuri Danilovich. But then, while Mikhail was waging war with Novgorod, Yuri, conspiring with the Horde ambassador Kavgady, slandered Mikhail in front of the khan. As a result, the khan summoned Mikhail to the Horde, where he was brutally killed.
Yuri the Third (1320 - 1326)
Yuri the Third married the khan's daughter Konchaka, who in Orthodoxy took the name Agafya. It was for her premature death that Yuri insidiously accused Mikhail Yaroslavovich Tverskoy, for which he suffered an unjust and cruel death at the hands of the Horde Khan. So Yuri received a label to reign, but the son of the murdered Mikhail, Dmitry, also laid claim to the throne. As a result, Dmitry killed Yuri at the first meeting, avenging his father's death.
Dmitry the Second (1326)
For the murder of Yuri the Third, he was sentenced to death by the Horde Khan for arbitrariness.
Alexander Tverskoy (1326 - 1338)
The brother of Dmitry II - Alexander - received from the khan a label for the Grand Duke's throne. Prince Alexander of Tverskoy was distinguished by justice and kindness, but he literally ruined himself by allowing the Tver people to kill Shchelkan, the Khan’s ambassador, hated by everyone. Khan sent a 50,000-strong army against Alexander. The prince was forced to flee first to Pskov and then to Lithuania. Only 10 years later, Alexander received the khan's forgiveness and was able to return, but at the same time, he did not get along with the Prince of Moscow - Ivan Kalita - after which Kalita slandered Alexander Tverskoy in front of the khan. Khan urgently summoned A. Tverskoy to his Horde, where he executed him.
John the First Kalita (1320 - 1341)
John Danilovich, nicknamed “Kalita” (Kalita - wallet) for his stinginess, was very careful and cunning. With the support of the Tatars, he devastated the Tver Principality. It was he who took upon himself the responsibility of accepting tribute for the Tatars from all over Rus', which also contributed to his personal enrichment. With this money, John bought entire cities from appanage princes. Through the efforts of Kalita, the metropolis was also transferred from Vladimir to Moscow in 1326. He founded the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. Since the time of John Kalita, Moscow has become the permanent residence of the Metropolitan of All Rus' and becomes the Russian center.
Simeon the Proud (1341 - 1353)
The Khan gave Simeon Ioannovich not only the label for the Grand Duchy, but also ordered all the other princes to obey only him, so Simeon began to call himself the Prince of All Rus'. The prince died without leaving an heir from a pestilence.
John the Second (1353 - 1359)
Brother of Simeon the Proud. He had a meek and peace-loving disposition, he obeyed the advice of Metropolitan Alexei in all matters, and Metropolitan Alexei, in turn, enjoyed great respect in the Horde. During the reign of this prince, relations between the Tatars and Moscow improved significantly.
Dmitry the Third Donskoy (1363 - 1389)
After the death of John the Second, his son Dmitry was still small, so the khan gave the label for the grand reign to the Suzdal prince Dmitry Konstantinovich (1359 - 1363). However, the Moscow boyars benefited from the policy of strengthening the Moscow prince, and they managed to achieve grand reign for Dmitry Ioannovich. The Suzdal prince was forced to submit and, together with the rest of the princes of northeastern Rus', swore allegiance to Dmitry Ioannovich. The relationship between Rus' and the Tatars also changed. Due to civil strife within the horde itself, Dmitry and the rest of the princes took the opportunity not to pay the already familiar quitrent. Then Khan Mamai entered into an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Jagiell and moved with a large army to Rus'. Dmitry and other princes met Mamai’s army on the Kulikovo field (next to the Don River) and at the cost of huge losses on September 8, 1380, Rus' defeated the army of Mamai and Jagiell. For this victory they nicknamed Dmitry Ioannovich Donskoy. Until the end of his life, he cared about strengthening Moscow.
Vasily the First (1389 - 1425)
Vasily ascended the princely throne, already having experience of rule, since even during his father’s life he shared the reign with him. Expanded Muscovy. Refused to pay tribute to the Tatars. In 1395, Khan Timur threatened Rus' with invasion, but it was not he who attacked Moscow, but Edigei, the Tatar Murza (1408). But he lifted the siege from Moscow, receiving a ransom of 3,000 rubles. Under Vasily the First, the Ugra River was designated as the border with the Lithuanian principality.
Vasily the Second (Dark) (1425 - 1462)
Yuri Dmitrievich Galitsky decided to take advantage of Prince Vasily’s minority and declared his rights to the grand ducal throne, but the khan decided the dispute in favor of the young Vasily II, which was greatly facilitated by the Moscow boyar Vasily Vsevolozhsky, hoping in the future to marry his daughter to Vasily, but these expectations were not destined to come true . Then he left Moscow and assisted Yuri Dmitrievich, and he soon took possession of the throne, on which he died in 1434. His son Vasily Kosoy began to lay claim to the throne, but all the princes of Rus' rebelled against this. Vasily the Second captured Vasily Kosoy and blinded him. Then Vasily Kosoy’s brother Dmitry Shemyaka captured Vasily the Second and also blinded him, after which he took the throne of Moscow. But soon he was forced to give the throne to Vasily the Second. Under Vasily the Second, all metropolitans in Rus' began to be recruited from Russians, and not from Greeks, as before. The reason for this was the acceptance of the Florentine Union in 1439 by Metropolitan Isidore, who was from the Greeks. For this, Vasily the Second gave the order to take Metropolitan Isidore into custody and appointed Ryazan Bishop John in his place.
John the Third (1462 -1505)
Under him, the nucleus began its formation state apparatus and, as a consequence, the states of Rus'. He annexed Yaroslavl, Perm, Vyatka, Tver, and Novgorod to the Moscow principality. In 1480 he overthrew Tatar-Mongol yoke(Standing on the Ugra). In 1497, the Code of Laws was compiled. John the Third deployed in Moscow big construction, strengthened the international position of Rus'. It was under him that the title “Prince of All Rus'” was born.
Vasily the Third (1505 - 1533)
“The last collector of Russian lands” Vasily the Third was the son of John the Third and Sophia Paleologus. He was distinguished by a very unapproachable and proud disposition. Having annexed Pskov, he destroyed specific system. He fought with Lithuania twice on the advice of Mikhail Glinsky, a Lithuanian nobleman whom he kept in his service. In 1514, he finally took Smolensk from the Lithuanians. He fought with Crimea and Kazan. In the end, he managed to punish Kazan. He recalled all trade from the city, ordering from now on to trade at the Makaryevskaya fair, which was then moved to Nizhny Novgorod. Vasily the Third, wishing to marry Elena Glinskaya, divorced his wife Solomonia, which further turned the boyars against themselves. From his marriage to Elena, Vasily the Third had a son, John.
Elena Glinskaya (1533 - 1538)
She was appointed to rule by Vasily the Third himself until their son John came of age. Elena Glinskaya, as soon as she ascended the throne, dealt very harshly with all the rebellious and dissatisfied boyars, after which she made peace with Lithuania. Then she decided to repel the Crimean Tatars, who were boldly attacking Russian lands, however, these plans were not allowed to come true, since Elena died suddenly.
John the Fourth (Grozny) (1538 - 1584)
John the Fourth, Prince of All Rus', became the first Russian Tsar in 1547. Since the late forties, he ruled the country with the participation of the Elected Rada. During his reign, the convening of all Zemsky Sobors began. In 1550, a new Code of Law was drawn up, and reforms of the court and administration were carried out (Zemskaya and Gubnaya reforms). conquered the Kazan Khanate in 1552, and the Astrakhan Khanate in 1556. In 1565, the oprichnina was introduced to strengthen the autocracy. Under John the Fourth, trade relations with England were established in 1553, and the first printing house in Moscow was opened. Lasted from 1558 to 1583 Livonian War for going to Baltic Sea. In 1581, the annexation of Siberia began. The entire internal policy of the country under Tsar John was accompanied by disgraces and executions, for which the people called him the Terrible. The enslavement of peasants increased significantly.
Fyodor Ioannovich (1584 - 1598)
He was the second son of John the Fourth. He was very sickly and weak, and lacked mental acuity. That is why very quickly the actual control of the state passed into the hands of the boyar Boris Godunov, the tsar’s brother-in-law. Boris Godunov, surrounding himself with exclusively devoted people, became a sovereign ruler. He built cities, strengthened relations with the countries of Western Europe, and built the Arkhangelsk harbor on the White Sea. By order and instigation of Godunov, an all-Russian independent patriarchate was approved, and the peasants were finally attached to the land. It was he who in 1591 ordered the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry, who was the brother of the childless Tsar Feodor and was his direct heir. 6 years after this murder, Tsar Fedor himself died.
Boris Godunov (1598 - 1605)
The sister of Boris Godunov and the wife of the late Tsar Fyodor abdicated the throne. Patriarch Job recommended that Godunov’s supporters convene a Zemsky Sobor, at which Boris was elected tsar. Godunov, having become king, was afraid of conspiracies on the part of the boyars and, in general, was distinguished by excessive suspicion, which naturally caused disgrace and exile. At the same time, boyar Fyodor Nikitich Romanov was forced to take monastic vows, and he became the monk Filaret, and his young son Mikhail was sent into exile to Beloozero. But it was not only the boyars who were angry with Boris Godunov. A three-year crop failure and the ensuing pestilence that struck the Muscovite kingdom forced the people to see this as the fault of Tsar B. Godunov. The king tried as best he could to ease the lot of the starving people. He increased the earnings of people working on government buildings (for example, during the construction of the bell tower of Ivan the Great), generously distributed alms, but people still grumbled and willingly believed rumors that the legitimate Tsar Dmitry had not been killed at all and would soon take the throne. In the midst of preparations for the fight against False Dmitry, Boris Godunov suddenly died, and at the same time managed to bequeath the throne to his son Fedor.
False Dmitry (1605 - 1606)
The fugitive monk Grigory Otrepiev, who was supported by the Poles, declared himself Tsar Dmitry, who miraculously managed to escape from the murderers in Uglich. He entered Russia with several thousand people. An army came out to meet him, but it also went over to the side of False Dmitry, recognizing him as the rightful king, after which Fyodor Godunov was killed. False Dmitry was a very good-natured man, but with a sharp mind; he diligently dealt with all state affairs, but caused the displeasure of the clergy and boyars because, in their opinion, he did not sufficiently respect the old Russian customs, and completely neglected many. Together with Vasily Shuisky, the boyars entered into a conspiracy against False Dmitry, spread a rumor that he was an impostor, and then, without hesitation, they killed the fake tsar.
Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610)
The boyars and townspeople elected the old and inexperienced Shuisky as king, while limiting his power. In Russia, rumors about the salvation of False Dmitry again arose, in connection with which new unrest began in the state, intensified by the rebellion of a serf named Ivan Bolotnikov and the appearance of False Dmitry II in Tushino (“Tushino thief”). Poland went to war against Moscow and defeated Russian troops. After this, Tsar Vasily was forcibly tonsured a monk, and it came to Russia Time of Troubles an interregnum lasting three years.
Mikhail Fedorovich (1613 - 1645)
Certificates of the Trinity Lavra, sent throughout Russia and calling for protection Orthodox faith and the fatherland, did their job: Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, with the participation of the Zemstvo head of Nizhny Novgorod, Kozma Minin (Sukhorokiy), gathered a large militia and moved towards Moscow in order to clear the capital of rebels and Poles, which was done after painful efforts. On February 21, 1613, the Great Zemstvo Duma met, at which Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected Tsar, who, after much denial, nevertheless ascended the throne, where the first thing he did was to pacify both external and internal enemies.
He concluded the so-called pillar agreement with the Kingdom of Sweden, and in 1618 he signed the Treaty of Deulin with Poland, according to which Filaret, who was the Tsar’s parent, was returned to Russia after a long captivity. Upon his return, he was immediately elevated to the rank of patriarch. Patriarch Filaret was an adviser to his son and a reliable co-ruler. Thanks to them, by the end of the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, Russia began to enter into friendly relations with various Western states, having practically recovered from the horror of the troubled times.
Alexey Mikhailovich (Quiet) (1645 - 1676)
Tsar Alexei is considered one of the the best people ancient Russia. He had a meek, humble disposition and was very pious. He absolutely could not stand quarrels, and if they happened, he suffered greatly and tried in every possible way to reconcile with his enemy. In the first years of his reign, his closest adviser was his uncle, boyar Morozov. In the fifties, Patriarch Nikon became his adviser, who decided to unite Rus' with everything else Orthodox world and commanded everyone from now on to be baptized in the Greek manner - with three fingers, which caused a split among the Orthodox in Rus'. (The most famous schismatics are the Old Believers, who do not want to deviate from the true faith and be baptized with a “cookie”, as the Patriarch - Boyarina Morozova and Archpriest Avvakum ordered).
During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, riots broke out every now and then in different cities, which were suppressed, and the decision of Little Russia to voluntarily join the Moscow state provoked two wars with Poland. But the state survived thanks to the unity and concentration of power. After the death of his first wife, Maria Miloslavskaya, in whose marriage the tsar had two sons (Fedor and John) and many daughters, he married a second time to the girl Natalya Naryshkina, who bore him a son, Peter.
Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682)
During the reign of this tsar, the issue of Little Russia was finally resolved: its western part went to Turkey, and the East and Zaporozhye to Moscow. Patriarch Nikon was returned from exile. They also abolished localism - the ancient boyar custom of taking into account the service of their ancestors when occupying government and military positions. Tsar Fedor died without leaving an heir.
Ivan Alekseevich (1682 - 1689)
Ivan Alekseevich, together with his brother Pyotr Alekseevich, was elected tsar thanks to the Streltsy revolt. But Tsarevich Alexei, suffering from dementia, did not take any part in state affairs. He died in 1689 during the reign of Princess Sophia.
Sophia (1682 - 1689)
Sophia remained in history as a ruler extraordinary mind and had everyone necessary qualities a real queen. She managed to calm the unrest of the schismatics, curb the archers, and conclude “ eternal peace"with Poland, very beneficial for Russia, as well as the Nerchinsk Treaty with distant China. The princess undertook campaigns against the Crimean Tatars, but fell victim to her own lust for power. Tsarevich Peter, however, having guessed her plans, imprisoned his half-sister in the Novodevichy Convent, where Sophia died in 1704.
Peter the Great (1682 - 1725)
The greatest king, and since 1721 the first Russian Emperor, statesman, cultural and military figure. He carried out revolutionary reforms in the country: collegiums, the Senate, bodies of political investigation and state control were created. He made divisions in Russia into provinces, and also subordinated the church to the state. Built a new capital - St. Petersburg. Peter's main dream was to eliminate Russia's backwardness in development compared to European countries. Taking advantage of Western experience, he tirelessly created manufactories, factories, and shipyards.
To facilitate trade and for access to the Baltic Sea, he won the Northern War against Sweden, which lasted 21 years, thereby “cutting through” a “window to Europe.” Built a huge fleet for Russia. Thanks to his efforts, the Academy of Sciences was opened in Russia and the civil alphabet was adopted. All reforms were carried out using the most brutal methods and caused multiple uprisings in the country (Streletskoye in 1698, Astrakhan from 1705 to 1706, Bulavinsky from 1707 to 1709), which, however, were also mercilessly suppressed.
Catherine the First (1725 - 1727)
Peter the Great died without leaving a will. So, the throne passed to his wife Catherine. Catherine became famous for equipping Bering on a trip around the world, and also established the Supreme Privy Council at the instigation of the friend and comrade-in-arms of her late husband Peter the Great, Prince Menshikov. Thus, Menshikov concentrated in his hands virtually all state power. He persuaded Catherine to appoint as heir to the throne the son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, to whom his father, Peter the Great, had sentenced Peter Alekseevich to death for his aversion to reforms, and also to agree to his marriage with Menshikov’s daughter Maria. Before Peter Alekseevich came of age, Prince Menshikov was appointed ruler of Russia.
Peter the Second (1727 - 1730)
Peter the Second did not rule for long. Having barely gotten rid of the imperious Menshikov, he immediately fell under the influence of the Dolgorukys, who, by distracting the emperors in every possible way with amusements from state affairs, actually ruled the country. They wanted to marry the emperor to Princess E. A. Dolgoruky, but Peter Alekseevich suddenly died of smallpox and the wedding did not take place.
Anna Ioannovna (1730 - 1740)
The Supreme Privy Council decided to somewhat limit the autocracy, so they chose Anna Ioannovna, the Dowager Duchess of Courland, daughter of Ivan Alekseevich, as empress. But she was crowned Russian throne autocratic empress and, first of all, having assumed her rights, she destroyed the Supreme Privy Council. She replaced it with the Cabinet and instead of the Russian nobles, she distributed positions to the Germans Ostern and Minich, as well as the Courlander Biron. The cruel and unjust rule was subsequently called “Bironism.”
Russia's intervention in the internal affairs of Poland in 1733 cost the country dearly: the lands conquered by Peter the Great had to be returned to Persia. Before her death, the empress appointed the son of her niece Anna Leopoldovna as her heir, and appointed Biron as regent for the baby. However, Biron was soon overthrown, and Anna Leopoldovna became the empress, whose reign cannot be called long and glorious. The guards staged a coup and proclaimed Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great.
Elizaveta Petrovna (1741 - 1761)
Elizabeth destroyed the Cabinet established by Anna Ioannovna and returned the Senate. Issued a decree to cancel death penalty in 1744. She established the first loan banks in Russia in 1954, which became a great boon for merchants and nobles. At Lomonosov's request, she opened the first university in Moscow and in 1756 opened the first theater. During her reign, Russia fought two wars: with Sweden and the so-called “seven years”, in which Prussia, Austria and France took part. Thanks to the peace concluded with Sweden, part of Finland was ceded to Russia. The “Seven Years” War was brought to an end by the death of Empress Elizabeth.
Peter the Third (1761 - 1762)
He was absolutely unsuited to governing the state, but he was of a complacent disposition. But this young emperor managed to turn absolutely all layers of Russian society against himself, since, to the detriment of Russian interests, he showed a craving for everything German. Peter the Third, not only made a lot of concessions in relation to the Prussian Emperor Frederick the Second, but also reformed the army according to the same Prussian model, dear to his heart. He issued decrees on the destruction of the secret chancellery and the free nobility, which, however, were not distinguished by certainty. As a result of the coup, because of his attitude towards the empress, he quickly signed an abdication of the throne and soon died.
Catherine the Second (1762 - 1796)
Her reign was one of the greatest after the reign of Peter the Great. Empress Catherine ruled harshly, suppressed Pugachev's peasant uprising, won two Turkish wars, the result of which was the recognition of the independence of Crimea by Turkey, as well as the withdrawal of the coast from Russia Sea of Azov. Russia acquired the Black Sea Fleet, and active construction of cities began in Novorossiya. Catherine the Second established the colleges of education and medicine. Cadet corps were opened, and the Smolny Institute was opened to train girls. Catherine the Second, herself possessing literary abilities, patronized literature.
Paul the First (1796 - 1801)
He did not support the changes that his mother, Empress Catherine, started in the state system. Among the achievements of his reign, one should note a very significant improvement in the life of serfs (only a three-day corvee was introduced), the opening of a university in Dorpat, as well as the emergence of new women's institutions.
Alexander the First (Blessed) (1801 - 1825)
The grandson of Catherine the Second, upon ascending the throne, vowed to rule the country “according to the law and heart” of his crowned grandmother, who, in fact, was involved in his upbringing. At the very beginning, he took a number of different liberation measures aimed at different sections of society, which aroused the undoubted respect and love of people. But external political problems distracted Alexander from internal reforms. Russia, in alliance with Austria, was forced to fight against Napoleon; Russian troops were defeated at Austerlitz.
Napoleon forced Russia to abandon trade with England. As a result, in 1812, Napoleon nevertheless, violating the treaty with Russia, went to war against the country. And in the same year, 1812 Russian troops defeated Napoleon's army. Alexander the First established the State Council in 1800, ministries and the cabinet of ministers. He opened universities in St. Petersburg, Kazan and Kharkov, as well as many institutes and gymnasiums, and the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. Made the life of the peasants much easier.
Nicholas the First (1825 - 1855)
He continued the policy of improving peasant life. Founded the Institute of St. Vladimir in Kyiv. Published a 45-volume complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire. Under Nicholas the First in 1839, the Uniates were reunited with Orthodoxy. This reunification was a consequence of the suppression of the uprising in Poland and the complete destruction of the Polish constitution. There was a war with the Turks, who oppressed Greece, and as a result of Russia's victory, Greece gained independence. After the break in relations with Turkey, which was sided with England, Sardinia and France, Russia had to join a new struggle.
The emperor died suddenly during the defense of Sevastopol. During the reign of Nicholas the First, Nikolaevskaya and Tsarskoye Selo railways, great Russian writers and poets lived and worked: Lermontov, Pushkin, Krylov, Griboyedov, Belinsky, Zhukovsky, Gogol, Karamzin.
Alexander II (Liberator) (1855 - 1881)
Alexander II had to end the Turkish war. The Paris Peace Treaty was concluded on very unfavorable terms for Russia. In 1858, according to an agreement with China, Russia acquired the Amur region, and later Usuriysk. In 1864, the Caucasus finally became part of Russia. The most important state transformation of Alexander II was the decision to free the peasants. He died at the hands of an assassin in 1881.
Description of history in textbooks and multimillion-dollar circulations works of art V 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 the Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes on the territory of modern Leningrad and Novgorod regions. Founded or restored the city of Ladoga ( Staraya Ladoga). Ruled in Novgorod. After the Novgorod uprising of 864, under the leadership of the 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.
B 882 year goes by 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 holds 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 and 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' had been paying tribute with its soldiers for a long time. 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 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 Rodimichs, 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 Polish troops breaks Yaroslav. 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, erecting stone walls 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 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 (04/24/1093 – 04/16/1113)- 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 everything big cities, the entire path “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 the help of a dynastic marriage, he 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)- for the first time he became the 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.
Considered to be the last great Kyiv prince who possessed 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.
Rurik(?-879) - the founder of the Rurik dynasty, the first Russian prince. Chronicle sources claim that Rurik was called from the Varangian lands by Novgorod citizens to reign together with his brothers Sineus and Truvor in 862. After the death of the brothers, he ruled all the Novgorod lands. Before his death, he transferred power to his relative, Oleg.
Oleg(?-912) - the second ruler of Rus'. He reigned from 879 to 912, first in Novgorod, and then in Kyiv. He is the founder of a single ancient Russian power, created by him in 882 with the capture of Kyiv and the subjugation of Smolensk, Lyubech and other cities. After moving the capital to Kyiv, he also subjugated the Drevlyans, Northerners, and Radimichi. One of the first Russian princes undertook a successful campaign against Constantinople and concluded the first trade agreement with Byzantium. He enjoyed great respect and authority among his subjects, who began to call him “prophetic,” that is, wise.
Igor(?-945) - third Russian prince (912-945), son of Rurik. The main focus of his activities was protecting the country from Pecheneg raids and preserving the unity of the state. He undertook numerous campaigns to expand the possessions of the Kyiv state, in particular against the Uglich people. He continued his campaigns against Byzantium. During one of them (941) he failed, during the other (944) he received a ransom from Byzantium and concluded a peace treaty that consolidated the military-political victories of Rus'. Undertook the first successful campaigns of the Russians into the North Caucasus (Khazaria) and Transcaucasia. In 945 he tried to collect tribute from the Drevlyans twice (the procedure for collecting it was not legally established), for which he was killed by them.
Olga(c. 890-969) - wife of Prince Igor, the first female ruler of the Russian state (regent for her son Svyatoslav). Established in 945-946. the first legislative procedure for collecting tribute from the population of the Kyiv state. In 955 (according to other sources, 957) she made a trip to Constantinople, where she secretly converted to Christianity under the name of Helen. In 959, the first of the Russian rulers sent an embassy to Western Europe, to Emperor Otto I. His response was to send it in 961-962. with missionary purposes to Kyiv, Archbishop Adalbert, who tried to bring Western Christianity to Rus'. However, Svyatoslav and his entourage refused Christianization and Olga was forced to transfer power to her son. IN last years life from political activity was actually removed. Nevertheless, she retained significant influence on her grandson, the future Prince Vladimir the Saint, whom she was able to convince of the need to accept Christianity.
Svyatoslav(?-972) - son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga. Ruler of the Old Russian state in 962-972. He was distinguished by his warlike character. He was the initiator and leader of many aggressive campaigns: against the Oka Vyatichi (964-966), the Khazars (964-965), the North Caucasus (965), Danube Bulgaria (968, 969-971), Byzantium (971). He also fought against the Pechenegs (968-969, 972). Under him, Rus' turned into the largest power on the Black Sea. Neither the Byzantine rulers nor the Pechenegs, who agreed on joint actions against Svyatoslav, could come to terms with this. During his return from Bulgaria in 972, his army, bloodless in the war with Byzantium, was attacked on the Dnieper by the Pechenegs. Svyatoslav was killed.
Vladimir I Saint(?-1015) - the youngest son of Svyatoslav, who defeated his brothers Yaropolk and Oleg in an internecine struggle after the death of his father. Prince of Novgorod (from 969) and Kiev (from 980). He conquered the Vyatichi, Radimichi and Yatvingians. He continued his father's fight against the Pechenegs. Volga Bulgaria, Poland, Byzantium. Under him, defensive lines were built along the rivers Desna, Osetr, Trubezh, Sula, etc. Kyiv was re-fortified and built up with stone buildings for the first time. In 988-990 introduced Eastern Christianity as the state religion. Under Vladimir I Old Russian state entered a period of prosperity and power. The international authority of the new Christian power grew. Vladimir was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church and is referred to as a Saint. In Russian folklore it is called Vladimir the Red Sun. He was married to the Byzantine princess Anna.
Svyatoslav II Yaroslavich(1027-1076) - son of Yaroslav the Wise, Prince of Chernigov (from 1054), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1073). Together with his brother Vsevolod, he defended the southern borders of the country from the Polovtsians. In the year of his death, he adopted a new set of laws - “Izbornik”.
Vsevolod I Yaroslavich(1030-1093) - Prince of Pereyaslavl (from 1054), Chernigov (from 1077), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1078). Together with the brothers Izyaslav and Svyatoslav, he fought against the Polovtsians and took part in the compilation of the Yaroslavich Truth.
Svyatopolk II Izyaslavich(1050-1113) - grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. Prince of Polotsk (1069-1071), Novgorod (1078-1088), Turov (1088-1093), Grand Duke of Kiev (1093-1113). He was distinguished by hypocrisy and cruelty both towards his subjects and his close circle.
Vladimir II Vsevolodovich Monomakh(1053-1125) - Prince of Smolensk (from 1067), Chernigov (from 1078), Pereyaslavl (from 1093), Grand Duke of Kiev (1113-1125). . Son of Vsevolod I and daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomakh. He was called to reign in Kyiv during the popular uprising of 1113, which followed the death of Svyatopolk P. He took measures to limit the arbitrariness of moneylenders and the administrative apparatus. He managed to achieve the relative unity of Rus' and an end to strife. He supplemented the codes of laws that existed before him with new articles. He left a “Teaching” to his children, in which he called for strengthening the unity of the Russian state, living in peace and harmony, and avoiding blood feud
Mstislav I Vladimirovich(1076-1132) - son of Vladimir Monomakh. Grand Duke of Kiev (1125-1132). From 1088 he ruled in Novgorod, Rostov, Smolensk, etc. He took part in the work of the Lyubech, Vitichev and Dolob congresses of Russian princes. He took part in campaigns against the Polovtsians. He led the defense of Rus' from its western neighbors.
Vsevolod P Olgovich(?-1146) - Prince of Chernigov (1127-1139). Grand Duke of Kiev (1139-1146).
Izyaslav II Mstislavich(c. 1097-1154) - Prince of Vladimir-Volyn (from 1134), Pereyaslavl (from 1143), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1146). Grandson of Vladimir Monomakh. Participant in feudal strife. Supporter of the independence of the Russian Orthodox Church from the Byzantine Patriarchate.
Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky (90s of the 11th century - 1157) - Prince of Suzdal and Grand Duke of Kiev. Son of Vladimir Monomakh. In 1125 he moved the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality from Rostov to Suzdal. Since the beginning of the 30s. fought for southern Pereyaslavl and Kyiv. Considered the founder of Moscow (1147). In 1155 captured Kyiv for the second time. Poisoned by the Kyiv boyars.
Andrey Yurievich Bogolyubsky (ca. 1111-1174) - son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Prince of Vladimir-Suzdal (from 1157). He moved the capital of the principality to Vladimir. In 1169 he conquered Kyiv. Killed by boyars at his residence in the village of Bogolyubovo.
Vsevolod III Yurievich Big Nest(1154-1212) - son of Yuri Dolgoruky. Grand Duke of Vladimir (from 1176). He severely suppressed the boyar opposition that participated in the conspiracy against Andrei Bogolyubsky. Subjugated Kyiv, Chernigov, Ryazan, Novgorod. During his reign, Vladimir-Suzdal Rus' reached its heyday. Got his nickname for a large number of children (12 people).
Roman Mstislavich(?-1205) - Prince of Novgorod (1168-1169), Vladimir-Volyn (from 1170), Galician (from 1199). Son of Mstislav Izyaslavich. He strengthened the princely power in Galich and Volyn, and was considered the most powerful ruler of Rus'. Killed in the war with Poland.
Yuri Vsevolodovich(1188-1238) - Grand Duke of Vladimir (1212-1216 and 1218-1238). During the internecine struggle for the Vladimir throne, he was defeated in the Battle of Lipitsa in 1216. and ceded the great reign to his brother Constantine. In 1221 he founded the city of Nizhny Novgorod. He died during the battle with the Mongol-Tatars on the river. City in 1238
Daniil Romanovich(1201-1264) - Prince of Galicia (1211-1212 and from 1238) and Volyn (from 1221), son of Roman Mstislavich. United the Galician and Volyn lands. He encouraged the construction of cities (Kholm, Lviv, etc.), crafts and trade. In 1254 he received the title of king from the Pope.
Yaroslav III Vsevolodovich(1191-1246) - son of Vsevolod the Big Nest. He reigned in Pereyaslavl, Galich, Ryazan, Novgorod. In 1236-1238 reigned in Kyiv. Since 1238 - Grand Duke of Vladimir. Traveled twice to the Golden Horde and to Mongolia.
Characteristic: the leader of the Varangians, came with his retinue to Rus'. He became the very first prince in Rus'.
Years of reign: around 860s – 879
Politics, activities: ruled Novgorod and founded it. Expanded the borders of his possessions (after the death of his brothers he annexed Rostov the Great, Polotsk and Murom)
Military campaigns: unknown. In general, little is known about Rurik at all.
Name: Askold and Dir
Characteristic: Varangians, companions of Rurik. Converted to Christianity.
Years of reign: from 860s to 882 (killed by Oleg, who seized power)
Politics, activities: ruled Kiev, were in conflict with Rurik. They spread Christianity and strengthened Kievan Rus as a state.
Military campaigns: the first Russian campaign in history against Byzantium, a campaign against the Pechenegs.
Name: Oleg
Characteristic: Varangian, king (comrade-in-arms of Rurik). He ruled as the guardian of Rurik's son Igor.
Years of reign: from 879 Novgorod after Rurik, from 882 also Kiev (killed princes Dir and Askold). The exact dates are unknown
Politics, activities: Expanded the territory of the principality, collected tribute from tribes
Military campaigns: to Byzantium (907) - “the shield was nailed to the gates of Constantinople”, to the tribes of the Drevlyans, northerners, Radimichi
Name: Igor (Inger)
Characteristic: son of Rurik
Years of reign: 912 – 945 (dates are very doubtful)
Politics, activities: strengthened power over Kiev, Novgorod and Slavic tribes. The first Kiev prince, officially recognized by the Byzantine emperor.
Military campaigns: against Byzantium (941-44), against the Pechenegs, conquered the principality of the Drevlyans. Died while trying to collect tribute from the Drevlyans twice
Name: Olga
Characteristic: Igor's widow
Years of reign: 945 - 960
Politics, activities: accepted and spread Christianity in Rus'. She streamlined the collection and amount of taxes, because of which Igor died. For the first time she introduced stone houses in Rus'.
Military campaigns: she brutally took revenge on the Drevlyans on the death of her husband, burning the center of the Drevlyan land - the city of Iskorosten. In the absence of her son Svyatoslav, she led the defense of Kyiv from the Pecheneg raid.
Name: Svyatoslav
Characteristic: son of Igor and Olga. The first prince in Rus' who had not a Varangian, but a Slavic name.
Years of reign: 960-972
Politics, activities: Expansion of the borders of the state. Warrior Prince
Military campaigns: defeated the Khazar Kaganate, the main rival of Rus' in the international arena. Took the capital of the Khazars - Itil. He fought with the Pechenegs, and very successfully - with Bulgaria and Byzantium. After another campaign against Byzantium, which this time ended in failure, he was killed by the Pechenegs on the way back to Kyiv.
Name: Vladimir
Characteristic: third son of Svyatoslav
Years of reign: from 970 - Novgorod, from 978 - Kiev (killed his older brother Yaropolk, who was the prince of Kyiv after the death of his father, Prince Svyatoslav). Died in 1015.
Politics, activities: baptized Rus' in 988, thereby uniting tribes scattered by various pagan cults. Conducted diplomatic relations with neighboring powers.
Military campaigns: to Kyiv - against Yaropolk (however, it was Yaropolk who started the internecine war between the brothers), provided military assistance to the Emperor of Byzantium. Campaigns against the Croats, Bulgarians, Poles, Radimichi, Yatvingians and Vyatichi tribes. Created a powerful system of border defense against the Pechenegs.
Name: Yaroslav the Wise
Characteristic: son of Vladimir
Years of reign: Prince of Rostov from 987, Novgorod - from 1010, Grand Duke of Kiev - from 1016.
Politics, activities: He founded the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. Under Yaroslav, Kyiv strengthened and expanded, the first monasteries appeared in Rus' as the only centers for the spread of literacy and book publishing at that time. Founded the city of Yaroslavl (modern Russia)
He strengthened diplomatic ties of Kievan Rus, including through political marriages. For example, Yaroslav married one of his daughters, Anna, to the King of France, another, Anastasia, to the Hungarian King, and the third, Elizabeth, to the King of Norway. Yaroslav himself married a Swedish princess.
Military campaigns: He killed his brother Svyatopolk in the struggle for the Kiev throne. He helped the Polish king with military actions, conquered the Chud, Yam, and Yatvingian tribes. Trip to Lithuania.
We learn about the life of the first rulers in Rus' from the most ancient chronicle that has survived to this day, “The Tale of Bygone Years.”
According to the Tale, the ancient Russian princes trace their origins to the Rurik dynasty, the ancestor of which is Rurik, who was invited to Russian lands by the Ilmen Slovenes in 862. The dynasty of Russian princes - descendants of Rurik - dates back to the middle of the ninth century. The materials presented in this work indicate that the first Russian princes were primarily concerned about expanding the borders of their state.
The purpose of the presentation: to acquaint students with the reign of the first Russian princes: Rurik, Oleg, Igor, Olga, Svyatoslav; talk about their role in the formation of the Russian state; awaken peers' interest in national history; to cultivate a sense of patriotism and selfless service to the Motherland using the example of these historical figures. The presentation can be used in history lessons and in extracurricular activities.
Download:
Preview:
To use presentation previews, create a Google account and log in to it: https://accounts.google.com
Slide captions:
THE FIRST RUSSIAN PRINCE Author: Kristina Shemetova, 2nd year student, chef department, confectioner of the BPOU "Trade and Technology College", Elista, Republic of Kalmykia. Head: Kozaeva Raisa Sanjievna, history teacher.
RURIK (862 - 879) The founder of the Rurik dynasty, the first ancient Russian prince. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, he was called to reign in 862 by the Ilmen Slovenes, Chud and all of the Varangian lands. He reigned first in Ladoga, and then in all Novgorod lands. Before his death, he transferred power to his relative (or senior warrior) - Oleg.
The first real ruler of Ancient Rus', who united the lands of the Slavic tribes along the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” In 882 he captured Kyiv and made it the capital of the ancient Russian state, killing Askold and Dir, who had previously reigned there. He subjugated the tribes of the Drevlyans, Northerners, and Radimichi. In 907 he made a successful military campaign against Constantinople, which resulted in two peace treaties beneficial for Rus' (907 and 911). OLEG (879 - 912)
IGOR (912 - 945) Expanded the borders of the Old Russian state, subjugating the Ulichi tribe and contributing to the founding of Russian settlements on the Taman Peninsula. He repelled the raids of the Pecheneg nomads. Organized military campaigns against Byzantium: 1) 941 - ended in failure; 2) 944 - conclusion of a mutually beneficial agreement. Killed by the Drevlyans while collecting tribute in 945.
OLGA (945 - 969) The wife of Prince Igor, ruled in Rus' during the childhood of her son Svyatoslav and during his military campaigns. For the first time, she established a clear procedure for collecting tribute (“polyudya”) by introducing: 1) lessons in determining the exact amount of tribute; 2) graveyards - establishing places for collecting tribute. She visited Byzantium in 957 and converted to Christianity under the name Helen. In 968 she led the defense of Kyiv from the Pechenegs.
SVYATOSLAV (964 - 972) Son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga. Initiator and leader of many military campaigns: - The defeat of the Khazar Kaganate and its capital Itil (965) - Campaigns in Danube Bulgaria. Wars with Byzantium (968 - 971) - Military clashes with the Pechenegs (969 - 972) - Treaty between Russia and Byzantium (971) Killed by the Pechenegs during their return from Bulgaria in 972 on the Dnieper rapids.
In 972 - 980 The first internecine war for power takes place between the sons of Svyatoslav - Vladimir and Yaropolk. Vladimir wins and establishes himself on the Kiev throne. 980 - Vladimir carries out pagan reform. A pantheon is being created pagan gods led by Perun. An attempt to adapt paganism to the needs of the Old Russian state and society ended in failure. 988 - adoption of Christianity in Rus'. Under Vladimir, the Old Russian state was further expanded and strengthened. Vladimir finally conquered the Radimichi, made successful campaigns against the Poles and Pechenegs, founded new fortress-cities: Pereyaslavl, Belgorod, etc. VLADIMIR THE FIRST SAINT (978 (980)) - 1015)
He established himself on the Kiev throne after long strife with Svyatopolk the Accursed and Mstislav of Tmutarakan. He contributed to the flourishing of the Old Russian state, patronized education and construction, and the rise of the international authority of Rus'. Established broad dynastic ties with European and Byzantine courts. Carried out military campaigns: - to the Baltic states; - to the Polish-Lithuanian lands; - to Byzantium. Finally defeated the Pechenegs. Prince Yaroslav the Wise is the founder of written Russian legislation ("Russian Truth", "Yaroslav's Truth"). YAROSLAV THE WISE (1019 - 1054)
Grandson of Yaroslav the Wise, son of Prince Vsevolod the First and Maria, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Ninth Monomakh. Prince of Smolensk (from 1067), Chernigov (from 1078), Pereyaslavl (from 1093), Grand Prince of Kiev (from 1113). Prince Vladimir Monomakh - organizer of successful campaigns against the Polovtsians (1103, 1109, 1111) advocated the unity of Rus'. Congress participant ancient Russian princes in Lyubech (1097), which discussed the harmfulness of civil strife, the principles of ownership and inheritance of princely lands. He was called to reign in Kyiv during the popular uprising of 1113, which followed the death of Svyatopolk II. He reigned until 1125. He put into effect the “Charter of Vladimir Monomakh,” where interest on loans was legally limited and it was forbidden to enslave dependent people who worked off the debt. Stopped the collapse of the Old Russian state. He wrote a “Teaching,” in which he condemned strife and called for the unity of the Russian land. He continued the policy of strengthening dynastic ties with Europe. VLADIMIR THE SECOND MONOMACH (1113 - 1125)
Son of Vladimir Monomakh. Prince of Novgorod (1088 - 1093 and 1095 - 1117), Rostov and Smolensk (1093 - 1095), Belgorod and co-ruler of Vladimir Monomakh in Kyiv (1117 - 1125). From 1125 to 1132 - autocratic ruler of Kyiv. He continued the policy of Vladimir Monomakh and managed to preserve a unified Old Russian state. Annexed the Principality of Polotsk to Kyiv in 1127. Organized successful campaigns against the Polovtsians, Lithuania, and the Chernigov prince Oleg Svyatoslavovich. After his death, almost all the principalities came out of obedience to Kyiv. A period of feudal fragmentation begins. MSTISLAV THE GREAT (1125 - 1132)
http://www.1salamandra1.ru/publ/pervye_russkie_knjazja_kratko SOURCES History: textbook for grade 10, ed. A.V. Chudinova, A.V. Gladysheva.-M. Publishing Center "Academy", 2008 http://russiahistory.narod.ru/pervkniazs.htm