Grand Dukes of Ancient Rus' and the Russian Empire. The first Russian princes

2nd century, list of events
Vladimir St. Equal to the Apostles (980-1015)
The internecine wars of Yaropolk, Oleg and Vladimir, the sons of Svyatoslav, who distributed his lands to them during his lifetime, ended with the death of Yaropolk and Oleg and the triumph of Vladimir. Vladimir took Red Rus' from the Poles and fought against the Bulgarians and Pechenegs. He did not spare his rich booty for his squad and for decorating numerous idols. Christianity, adopted by Olga, had already managed to penetrate into Kyiv, where a church of St. Ilya. Greek preachers managed to persuade the prince himself to accept Christianity. The baptism of Vladimir and his entourage, and then all the people of Kiev, took place in 988. The Greek emperors, Vasily and Constantine, married their sister Anna to Vladimir. Christianity was actively spread by the princely squad and priests in all areas of the principality. The people loved Vladimir for his gentle disposition and rare love for his neighbors. Vladimir built cities and churches, and schools at the churches for teaching literacy. It was under him that the construction of a monastery in Rus' began. In folk songs and bylinas, the affectionate prince, Vladimir the Red Sun, is often mentioned; the Russian Church calls him the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince.
Svyatopolk (1015-1019)
During his lifetime, Saint Vladimir divided the lands to his sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav, Boris and Gleb. After the death of Vladimir, Svyatopolk took possession of Kiev and decided to get rid of all his brothers, for which he ordered the murder of Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav, but was soon expelled from Kyiv by Yaroslav of Novgorod. With the help of his father-in-law, the Polish king Boleslav the Brave, Svyatopolk captured Kiev for the second time, but had to flee from there again and took his own life along the way. In folk songs, as the killer of his brothers, he is nicknamed “the accursed one.”
Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054)
After the expulsion of the Holy Regiment and with the death of Mstislav of Tmutarakan, Prince Yaroslav became the sole ruler of the Russian land. Distinguished by his great intelligence, he skillfully ruled Russia: He took great care of the needs of the country, built cities (Yaroslav and Yuriev), erected churches (St. Sophia in Kyiv and Novgorod), established schools and promoted writing in Rus'. He is also responsible for publishing the first set of legal customs, known as “Russian truth”. To his sons: Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod, Igor, Vyacheslav, he gave the inheritance of the Russian land and advised them to live peacefully, amicably and in love among themselves, the people nicknamed Yaroslav “wise”.
Izyaslav (1054-1078)
Yaroslav's eldest son, Izyaslav I, after the death of his father took the Kiev throne, but after an unsuccessful campaign against the Polovtsians, the Kievans drove him out, and his brother Svyatoslav became the Grand Duke. After the death of the latter, Izyaslav returned to Kyiv again.
Svyatoslav (957-972)
The son of Igor and Olga, Svyatoslav, tempered himself in campaigns and wars and was distinguished by his stern character, honesty and directness. He went to the enemies with a warning: “I’m coming against you.” Svyatoslav annexed the Vyatichi, defeated the Khazars, took the Tmutarakan region and, despite the small squad, successfully fought on the Danube with the Bulgarians. After that, Svyatoslav went against the Greeks - he conquered Andrianople, among other things, and threatened Constantinople, but the Greeks agreed to peace. “Don’t go to the city,” they said, “take whatever tribute you want.” On the way back, Svyatoslav did not take precautions and was killed by the Pechenegs at the rapids of the Dnieper.
General characteristics of the 2nd century
The brothers of the Grand Duke receive control over separate parts (allotments) of the state, of which the most significant are: the Kiev principality (the largest and strongest), the Chernigov principality, the Rostov-Suzdal principality, the Galician-Volyn principality, and the Novgorod principality. Despite this division, the Russian land is still considered united. Yaroslav the Wise expands its borders to the Rosi River (a tributary of the Dnieper). Under Saint Vladimir, Christianity spread in Rus', and with it enlightenment with a strong Byzantine influence. The Kiev Metropolitan, subordinate to the Patriarch of Constantinople, becomes the head of the Russian Church. Representatives of the church, mostly Greeks, brought with them not only a new religion, but also new state concepts (about the rights and responsibilities of the prince and subjects) and new enlightenment. The princes acted in accordance with the church. They built temples, encouraged monasteries, and started schools. Of the monasteries, the most famous is Kiev-Pechersk, founded by St. Anthony and built by St. Theodosius. At this time, the ancient Russian historian, who recorded events year by year, appeared, the chronicler monk Nestor and many other ancient Russian writers of that time, mainly preachers. There were no printed books yet, but everything was rewritten, and the rewriting itself was considered pleasing to God. Thus, the general way of life is established under Byzantine influence, although people's life is distracted from the direct path by the constant struggle between rulers and princes and the need to protect their native land from the attacks of neighbors. The most important features of this century: The beginning of the development of writing, but at the same time the struggle of the princes, the struggle with neighboring tribes, from which, in the words of “the words of Igor’s campaign,” “the Russian land will collapse.” Also an important feature was the beginning of the development of the idea of ​​love and peace, the idea of ​​Christianity, the beginning of educational ideas under the auspices of the church.

3rd century, list of events
Vsevolod - I (1078-1093)
Vsevolod I could be a useful ruler. This prince was pious, truthful, loved education very much and knew five languages, but the Polovtsian raids, famine, pestilence and turmoil in the country did not favor his principality. He held onto the throne only thanks to his son Vladimir, nicknamed Monomakh.
Svyatopolk - II (1093-1113)
The son of Izyaslav -I, Svyatopolk -II, who inherited the Kiev throne after Vsevolod -I, was characterized by spinelessness and was not able to pacify the civil strife of the princes over the possession of cities. At the congress in Lyubich Pereslavl in 1097, the princes kissed the cross “for each to own his father’s land,” but soon Prince David Igorevich blinded Prince Vasilko. The princes gathered again for a congress in the year 1100, and deprived David of Volhynia; at the suggestion of Vladimir Monomakh, at the Dolob congress in 1103, they decided to undertake a joint campaign against the Polovtsians, the Russians defeated the Polovtsians on the Sal River (in 1111) and took a lot of cattle, sheep, horses, etc. The Polovtsian princes alone killed up to 20 people . The fame of this victory spread far among the Greeks, Hungarians and other Slavs. Russian land.
Vladimir Monomakh (1113-1125)
Despite the seniority of the Svyatoslavichs, after the death of Svyatopolk II, Vladimir Monomakh was elected to the Kiev throne, who, according to the chronicle, “wanted good for the brethren and the whole Russian land.” He stood out for his great abilities, rare intelligence, courage and tirelessness. He was happy in his campaigns against the Polovtsians. He humbled the princes with his severity. The “teaching to children” he left behind is remarkable, in which he gives purely Christian moral teaching and a high example of the prince’s service to his homeland.
Mstislav - I (1125-1132)
Resembling his father Monomakh, Monomakh's son, Mstislav I, lived in harmony with his brothers in mind and character, inspiring respect and fear in the rebellious princes. So, he expelled the Polovtsian princes who disobeyed him to Greece, and instead of them, he installed his son to rule in the city of Polotsk.
Yaropolk (1132-1139)
Mstislav's brother, Yaropolk, son of Monomakh, decided to transfer the inheritance not to his brother Vyacheslav, but to his nephew. Thanks to the discord that arose from here, the Monomakhovichs lost the Kiev throne, which passed to the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavovich - the Olegovichs.
Vsevolod - II (1139-1146)
Having achieved a great reign, Vsevolod wanted to consolidate the Kiev throne in his family and handed it over to his brother Igor Olegovich. But not recognized by the people of Kiev and tonsured a monk, Igor was soon killed.
Izyaslav - II (1146-1154)
The people of Kiev recognized Izyaslav II Mstislavovich, who vividly resembled his famous grandfather Monomakh with his intelligence, brilliant talents, courage and friendliness. With the accession of Izyaslav II to the grand-princely throne, the concept of seniority rooted in ancient Rus' was violated: In one family, a nephew could not be a grand duke during his uncle’s lifetime. A stubborn struggle begins between Yuri Vladimirovich, the prince of Rostov-Suzdal, and Izyaslav II. Izyaslav was expelled from Kyiv twice, but still retained the throne until his death.
Yuri Dolgoruky (1154-1157)
The death of Izyaslav II opens Yuri, later called Dolgoruky by the people, access to the Kyiv throne, on which he, three years later, dies as a Grand Duke.
Mstislav - II (1157-1169)
After long strife between the princes, Mstislav II Izyaslavovich was confirmed on the Kiev throne. He is expelled from there by Andrei Yuryevich, nicknamed Bogolyubsky. At the same time, Andrei ravaged Kyiv (1169).
Andrey Bogolyubsky (1169-1174)
Having accepted the title of grand duke, Andrei Yuryevich transferred the throne to Vladimir on the Klyazma, and from then on Kyiv began to lose its primacy position. The stern and strict Andrei wanted to be autocratic, i.e., to rule Russia without a council or squads. Andrei Bogolyubsky mercilessly pursued the disgruntled boyars, they plotted against Andrei's life and killed him.
General characteristics of the 3rd century
After the death of Yaroslav the Wise, the Russian land was divided between his sons according to their relative seniority and the comparative profitability of the regions: The older the prince was, the better and richer the region was given to him. When someone from the princely family died, the younger relatives, following the deceased, moved from volost to volost. This redistribution of land in the 12th century was replaced by appanages, when one princely line was established in a certain area. But the usual order of the princely possession was often disrupted by disastrous quarrels between the princes, all the more disastrous because at that time the Black Sea steppe was occupied by the Polovtsians instead of the Pechenegs. However, if not in the south, then Slavic colonization (mainly Novgorod) is rising in the east and northeast of Rus'. The region was still headed by the prince, who consulted with the boyars from the warriors. Legislative power belonged to the veche of townspeople. The veche in Novgorod was especially important and for a long time. The region was divided into districts (verei, graveyards), governed by persons appointed by the prince. The court was conducted by princely judges (tiuns) according to a collection of customary law, i.e., on the basis of folk customs of “Russian truth”. The church, which was in charge of family, religious and moral order, took a wide part in worldly affairs. The preachers Hilarion, Cyril, and Abbot Daniel visited the holy land and left a pious description of their pilgrimage.
Thus, in this century, under the influence of the church, religious faith, family life and moral foundations are developing, the colonization of Slavic tribes is taking place, the judiciary is being organized, for which the guide is the collection of laws "Russian Truth", but the fragmentation of the Russian land into destinies and the resulting discord and wars do not make it possible to establish a general state order, and entail a weakening of the people's forces and bring on Tatar enslavers; only the preaching of humility, obedience and love supports and approves the people's bearing all the hardships of life.

4th century, list of events
Vsevolod - III (1176-1212)
After the struggle and strife that arose following the death of Andrei Bogolyubsky between the ancient (Rostov, Suzdal) and new (Vladimir, Pereslavl) cities of the Suzdal region, Andrei’s brother, Vsevolod III “Big Nest” (the father of a large family), established himself in Vladimir. The prince was far-sighted and firm, having achieved a great degree of courage - although he did not live in Kyiv, he nevertheless bore the title of Grand Duke and was the first of the Russian princes to force him to swear allegiance to “himself and his children.”
Constantine - I (1212-1219)
The Grand Duke's throne was transferred by Vsevolod III not to his eldest son Constantine, with whom he was dissatisfied, but to his second son Yuri. In the feud that arose from this, Vsevolod’s third son, Yaroslav, also sided with Yuri, but Mstislav the Udaloy took the side of Constantine. Konstantin and Mstislav won (Battle of Lipetsk 1216) and Konstantin took the princely throne. After his death, the throne passed to Yuri.
Yuri - II (1219-1238)
Yuri waged successful wars with the Mordovians and the Volga Bulgarians. At the very extreme point of Russian possessions on the Volga, he built Nizhny Novgorod. During his reign, the Mongols appeared in the south-east of Europe from Central Asia in 1224 at Kalka (now within the borders of Yekaterinoslav). The Mongols inflicted a terrible defeat first on the Polovtsy, who roamed the southern Russian steppes, and then on the Russian princes who came to the aid of the Polovtsy. The Mongols placed the captured princes under the boards and sat down to feast on them. After the Battle of Kalka, the Mongols went to Central Asia and returned only 13 years later under the leadership of Batu, they ravaged the principalities of Ryazan and Suzdal, defeated a large army of the Grand Duke at the City River, and Yuri fell here, they destroyed southern Rus' for two years and Kyiv was destroyed. All Russian principalities had to recognize the heavy Tatar yoke over themselves, and the city of Sarai on the Volga River became the capital of the horde.
Yaroslav - II (1238-1252)
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Prince of Novgorod, by the grace of the Khan of the Golden Horde, sat on the grand-ducal throne. He actively took care of the restoration of Rus', devastated by the Mongols.
Alexander Nevsky (1252-1263)
Alexander Yaroslavovich was first the Prince of Novgorod. In 1240, he defeated the Swedes on the Neva and was nicknamed Nevsky for this victory: They say that Alexander Nevsky himself beat up many Swedes and “put a seal on the face of the leader Birger with his sharp spear.” Two years later, Alexander destroyed the German army in the “battle on the ice” : In addition, he successfully waged wars with Lithuania and Chud. Having received the khan's label for the grand reign, Alexander appeared as a “intercessor and intercessor” for the Russian land. Four times he went to the horde with a bow, taking the khans a lot of silver and gold. Alexander Nevsky was canonized, and Peter the Great transferred his relics to St. Petersburg to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Daniel - I (1229-1264)
While Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky acted in the northeast of Rus', Daniil Romanovich reigned in the southwest of Rus'. Smart, brave and noble Daniil Romanovich Galitsky, after the invasion of the Tatars, again brought his possessions to a flourishing state. The crusade against the Tatars promised to him by the Pope did not take place, and Daniel had to humble himself before the Mongols in order to protect southwestern Rus' from the heavy yoke. After the end of his family, the Polish king Casimir III, in 1340, took possession of Galicia.
General characteristics of the 4th century
During this period, the importance of southwestern Rus' gradually decreased. Princely strife, heavy taxation of the lower classes of the population, the continuous attack on Rus' by the steppe nomads of the Polovtsians - all this drives the people from the Dnieper region, on the one hand, to the region of the river. Vistula, on the other hand - to the northeast, across the river. Ugra between the Oka and Volga rivers. Thanks to this, the Vladimir-Suzdal land in the northeast is strengthening, cities are being built, trade and industry are reviving, and the Great Russian nation is taking shape. Andrei Bogolyubsky puts forward the idea of ​​a strong one-man princely power. Vladimir on the Klyazma is gradually becoming the new political center of Rus'. The process of new development was delayed by the Tatar invasion. The Tatars, having devastated Rus', imposed another tribute on it (at first it was collected by the khan’s officials “Baskaks”, and then by the princes themselves). Fortunately, the Tatars were far away and did not interfere in the internal government of Rus' and did not embarrass the Orthodox Church. But still, the influence of the Tatar yoke was heavy: It was not for nothing that proverbs developed: “Angrier than an evil Tatar,” “an ill-fitting guest, worse than a Tatar,” etc. The Tatar yoke stopped the industry and trade of the people, slowed down the beginning of enlightenment, cut them off from relations with educated peoples, brought There is a lot of rough stuff in our lives (corporal punishment, seclusion of women, cunning and deception, oppression of the weak). Only faith and piety continue to support the Russian people in difficult times of the Tatars. Exhausted by material and spiritual needs, Russian people found solace in prayer in monasteries, churches, and parishes.

5th century, list of events
Yaroslav - III (1264-1272)
After the death of Alexander Nevsky, the dispute between Vasily and Yaroslav, Alexander's brothers, over the grand-ducal throne was resolved by the khan in favor of Yaroslav, in addition, he had previously been invited by the Novgorodians to reign, but was unable to get along with them, he even called on the Tatars against them . The metropolitan reconciled the prince with the Novgorodians and the prince was again “brought to the cross” by them.
Vasily - I (1272-1276)
Vasily I, of Kostroma, having received the grand-ducal throne according to the old order, discovered his claims to Novgorod, where Dmitry, the son of Alexander Nevsky, was already reigning. He soon achieved his goal. The desire of each Grand Duke to take possession of Novgorod was explained by the desire to strengthen his own principality, weakened by division into appanages.
Dmitry - I (1276-1294)
The Grand Duchy of Dmitry I of Pereslavl proceeded almost entirely in the struggle with his brother Andrei Alexandrovich over the rights of the Grand Duke. Three times Dmitry escaped from his brother and the Tatar regiments accompanying him, but when he returned, thanks to his allies, he again established himself on the throne. After the third flight, he finally asked Andrei for peace and received his Pereslavl principality.
Andrew - II (1294-1304)
Pursuing the greatest possible expansion of his possessions at the expense of other principalities, Andrei Alexandrovich decided to take possession of Pereslavl, in which Prince Ivan Dmitrievich died childless. This is where civil strife arose between Tver and Moscow; this dispute continued even after Andrei’s death.
Saint Michael (1304-1319)
Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy, having given more output (tribute) to the khan, received the label for the grand duke primarily before Yuri Danilovich, the Prince of Moscow. But while he was at war with Novgorod, Yuri, with the help of the treacherous Khan's ambassador Kavgady, managed to slander Mikhail in front of Khan Uzbek. The Uzbek summoned Mikhail to the horde, where he tortured him for a long time, and then handed him over to the hands of murderers. At the same time, Mikhail, in order not to bring misfortune to the heads of his neighbors, did not agree to take advantage of the opportunity to escape.
Yuri - III (1320-1326)
Having married the sister of Khan Konchak, in Orthodoxy Agafya, Yuri acquired great strength and help from the Tatars who were related to him. But soon, thanks to the claims of Prince Dmitry, the son of Mikhail, who was tortured by Khan, he had to report to the horde. Here, at the first meeting with Dmitry, Yuri was killed by him, in revenge for the death of his father and for a violation of morality (marriage to a Tatar). Content
Dmitry - II (1326)
Dmitry Mikhailovich, nicknamed "formidable eyes", for the murder of Yuri III, was executed by the khan for arbitrariness.
Alexander Tverskoy (1326-1338)
The brother of Dmitry II, executed in the horde, Alexander Mikhailovich, was confirmed as khan on the grand-ducal throne. He was distinguished by his kindness and was loved by the people, but he ruined himself by allowing the Tver people to kill the hated Khan's ambassador Shchelkan. The Khan sent 50,000 Tatar troops against Alexander. Alexander fled from the khan's wrath to Pskov, and from there to Lithuania. Ten years later, Alexander of Tver returned and was forgiven by the khan. However, not getting along with the Prince of Moscow Ivan Kalita, Alexander was slandered by him before the khan, the khan summoned him to the horde and executed him.
John I Kalita (1320-1341)
John I Danilovich, a cautious and cunning prince, nicknamed Kalita (money purse) for his frugality, devastated the Tver principality with the help of the Tatars, taking advantage of the opportunity of violence of the indignant Tver residents against the Tatars. He took upon himself the collection of tribute from all over Rus' for the Tatars and, greatly enriched by this, bought cities from appanage princes. In 1326, the metropolitanate from Vladimir, thanks to the efforts of Kalita, was transferred to Moscow, and here, according to Metropolitan Peter, the Assumption Cathedral was founded. Since then, Moscow, as the seat of the Metropolitan of All Rus', has acquired the significance of a Russian center.
Simeon the Proud (1341-1353)
To Simeon Ioannovich, who inherited the grand-ducal throne after John I, the Tatar Khan “gave all the Russian princes under his hand,” calling himself the prince of all Rus'. Simeon treated other Russian princes as his assistants; he died childless from a pestilence.
John - II (1353-1359)
According to the will of his brother Simeon the Proud, John II Ioannovich, a meek and peace-loving prince, followed in everything the advice of Metropolitan Alexei, who enjoyed great importance in the Horde. During this time, Moscow's relations with the Tatars improved significantly.
General characteristics of the 5th century
Thanks to many favorable conditions, the importance of Moscow is growing. The convenient geographical location between southwestern and northeastern Russia and protection from external enemies attracts more and more people here. Smart and practical Moscow princes take advantage of increasing income to expand their estates. It was of great significance that the Metropolitan moved to Moscow. The ecclesiastical significance of Moscow also strengthened its political role. Simultaneously with the gathering of northeastern Rus' near Moscow, the Lithuanian state was emerging in the southwest.
Thus, the suffering and misfortune of the people, the humiliation of princely power under the influence of the heavy oppression of the Tatar khans little by little awakens the consciousness of the need to unite power. The center of unification is revealed - Moscow. All that is needed is strength and energy for the unification to become stronger and to be able to overthrow the oppressor - the Tatars. Representatives of the church also play a significant role in this association, influencing both the princes and the people with their words.

6th century, list of events
Dmitry - III Donskoy (1363-1389)
When John II died, his son Dmitry was still young, so the khan gave the great reign to Dmitry Konstantinovich of Suzdal (1359-1363). But the Moscow boyars, who benefited from the strengthening of the Moscow prince, achieved a great reign for Dmitry Ioannovich. Dmitry Konstantinovich submitted to force, and other princes of northeastern Rus' also submitted to Dmitry Ioannovich. Meanwhile, Rus''s attitude towards the Tatars changed significantly. Civil strife in the horde allowed Dmitry not to pay tribute to the Tatars at all. Khan Mamai decided to remind Rus' of the times of Batu and, in alliance with Jagiell, the Prince of Lithuania, moved a huge army to Russian soil. Prince Dmitry and the princes subject to Moscow went to meet Mamaia, having previously received a blessing from St. Sergius at the Trinity Monastery. The battle of Dmitry with Mamai on the Kulikovo field, near the Don River, on September 8, 1380, ended with the triumph of the Russians, although, according to the chronicle, thanks to the losses, “the entire Russian land was completely depleted of governors and all kinds of troops.” The need for unity to repel the enemy has now become especially recognized in Rus'. Dmitry, nicknamed Donskoy for the Battle of Kulikovo, did not stop caring about strengthening Moscow until the end of his days.
Vasily - I (1389-1425)
Sharing the reign with his father, Vasily I ascended the throne as an experienced prince and, following the example of his predecessors, actively expanded the boundaries of the Moscow principality: He acquired Nizhny Novgorod and other cities. In 1395, Rus' was in danger of an invasion by Timur, the formidable Tatar khan. Meanwhile, Vasily did not pay tribute to the Tatars, but collected it into the grand ducal treasury. In 1408, the Tatar Murza Edigei attacked Moscow, but after receiving a ransom of 3,000 rubles, he lifted the siege from it. In the same year, after long disputes between Vasily I and the Lithuanian prince Vytautas, both cautious and cunning, the Ugra River was designated as the extreme border of Lithuanian possessions on the Russian side.
Vasily - II the Dark (1425-1462)
Yuri Dmitrievich Galitsky took advantage of Vasily II's youth, declaring his claims to seniority. But at the trial in the horde, the khan leaned in favor of Vasily, thanks to the efforts of the smart Moscow boyar Ivan Vsevolozhsky. The boyar hoped to marry his daughter to Vasily, but was disappointed in his hopes: Offended, he left Moscow to Yuri Dmitrievich and assisted him in taking possession of the grand-ducal throne, on which Yuri died in 1434, when Yuri’s son Vasily the Oblique decided to inherit his father’s power, then all the princes rebelled against him. Vasily II took him prisoner and blinded him: Then Dmitry Shemyaka, brother of Vasily Kosoy, captured Vasily II by cunning, blinded him and took the Moscow throne. Soon, however, Shemyaka had to give the throne to Vasily II. During the reign of Vasily II, the Greek metropolitan Isidore accepted the Florentine Union (1439), for this Vasily II put Isidore in custody, and the Ryazan Bishop John was installed as metropolitan. Thus, from now on, Russian metropolitans are appointed by a council of Russian bishops. During the last years of the Grand Duchy, the internal structure of the Grand Duchy was the subject of the main concerns of Vasily II.
General characteristics of the 6th century
The process of uniting Rus' around Moscow continued. Rivalry with Lithuania begins as a result of the desire of Moscow and Lithuania to unite the entire Russian nation under their rule. The chances of both were more or less the same until the Lithuanian prince Jagiello married the Polish queen Jadwiga and thus began Polish influence in Rus'. This strengthening of Lithuania forced many to reach out to Moscow as an all-Russian center. With the gradual rise of Moscow, the great princes of Moscow sought to destroy the rule of the Tatar khans, which was facilitated by the fall from the Golden Horde of two khanates - the Crimean and Kazan. And so, the desire for unification grows stronger, favorable circumstances emerge: On the one hand, the rise of Moscow, on the other, the weakening of the Tatars, the disintegration of their formidable power. The attempts of the princes to overthrow the yoke begin to gain more chances of success, and a new road is shining before Russia.

7th century, list of events
John - III (1462-1505)
Accepted by his father as a co-ruler, John III Vasilyevich ascended the grand-ducal throne as the full owner of Rus'. He first severely punished the Novgorodians who had decided to become Lithuanian subjects, and in 1478, “for a new offense,” he finally subjugated them. At this time, the Novgorodians lost their veche and self-government, and the Novgorod mayor Maria and the veche bell were sent to John’s camp. In 1485, after the final conquest of other appanages more or less dependent on the Moscow principality, John finally annexed the Tver principality to Moscow. By this time, the Tatars were divided into three independent hordes: Golden, Kazan and Crimean. They were at enmity with each other and were no longer afraid of the Russians. Having secured himself from the Kazan Tatars and entered into an alliance with the Crimean Khan Mengli-Girey, John III in 1480 tore up the Khan's basma, ordered the Khan's ambassadors to be taken to execution, and then overthrew the Tatar yoke without bloodshed. John also emerged victorious in the fight against Lithuania; Alexander of Lithuania ceded the northern region to John. Having been widowed back in 1467, John III entered into marriage with Sophia Palaeologus, the last Byzantine princess, and combined the coat of arms of the Moscow principality, depicting St. George the Victorious, with the double-headed eagle of the Byzantine Empire. From then on, John surrounded himself with splendor and luxury, entered into relations with Western Europe, and showed more independence in relation to the boyars. He cared a lot about the external decoration of the capital, erected cathedrals in Moscow: Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation, built a stone palace, the Faceted Chamber and several towers of the Moscow Kremlin. In 1497, John published a collection of laws called “Code of Laws”. Since the time of John III, the right to mint coins belongs only to the Grand Duke of Moscow.
Vasily - III (1505-1533)
The son of John III from his marriage to Sophia, Palaeologus Vasily III, was distinguished by his pride and inaccessibility, punishing the descendants of appanage princes and boyars under his control who dared to contradict him. He is "the last collector of the Russian land." Having annexed the last appanages (Pskov, the northern principality), he completely destroyed the appanage system. He fought twice with Lithuania, following the teachings of the Lithuanian nobleman Mikhail Glinsky, who entered his service, and finally, in 1514, he took Smolensk from the Lithuanians. The war with Kazan and Crimea was difficult for Vasily, but ended in the punishment of Kazan: Trade was diverted from there to the Makaryev fair, which was later moved to Nizhny. Vasily divorced his wife Solomonia and married Princess Elena Glinskaya, which further aroused the boyars who were dissatisfied with him against him. From this marriage Vasily had a son, John.
Elena Glinskaya (1533-1538)
Appointed ruler of the state by Vasily III, the mother of three-year-old John Elena Glinskaya immediately took drastic measures against the boyars who were dissatisfied with her. She made peace with Lithuania and decided to fight the Crimean Tatars, who boldly attacked Russian possessions, but in the midst of preparations for a desperate struggle she died suddenly.
John - IV the Terrible (1538-1584)
Left at the age of 8 in the hands of the boyars, the intelligent and talented Ivan Vasilyevich grew up amid the struggle of parties over the rule of the state, among violence, secret murders and incessant exile. Having himself often suffered oppression from the boyars, he learned to hate them, and the cruelty, riotousness and rudeness that surrounded him contributed to the hardening of his heart. In 1547, John was crowned king and was the first of the Russian sovereigns to take the title of “Tsar of Moscow and All Rus'.” John's marriage to Anastasia Romanova, thanks to the latter's excellent spiritual qualities, had a beneficial effect on him. At the same time, the unrest and disasters that began in the capital and the terrible fires had a strong effect on the impressionable John. He brought honest and kind advisers Sylvester and Adashev closer to him and took up internal affairs. The Tsar convened the electors in 1550 for the first Zemsky Sobor, which approved the first Tsar's Code of Law, and the following year a conciliar decree for the clergy was issued, called Stoglav. In 1552, Ivan conquered Kazan, which dominated the entire Volga region, and in 1556 the kingdom of Astrakhan was annexed to the Moscow state. The desire to establish himself on the shores of the Baltic Sea forced John to start the Livonian War, which brought him into conflict with Poland and Sweden. The war began quite successfully, but ended with the most unfavorable truce for John with Poland and Sweden: John not only did not establish himself on the shores of the Baltic, but also lost the coast of the Gulf of Finland, after the removal of Sylvester and Adashev who fell out of favor and with the death of the meek Queen Anastasia, in character John there was a significant change for the worse, but the flight of Prince Andrei Kurbsky to Poland aroused John's suspicion of the loyalty of all his boyars. The sad era of "searches", disgrace and executions began. John left Moscow, went with his entourage to the Alexandrovskaya Sloboda and here surrounded himself with guardsmen, whom John contrasted with the rest of the land, the zemshchina. The guardsmen greatly abused their extensive rights. At this time, the holy Metropolitan Philip died, denouncing the king of lawlessness. In 1570, John defeated Novgorod, which was reported to have entered into secret agreements with Poland. In 1582, the Don Cossacks under the command of Ermak conquered the vast Siberian kingdom to the Moscow state. Three years before his death, John, in a fit of anger, hit his son John on the head with a rod, and his son died from this blow. John IV received the popular nickname of the Terrible.
General characteristics of the 7th century
“Collecting” Rus' is already becoming a conscious and persistent task of the Moscow princes. The last destinies are falling.
The state borders coincide with the ethnographic borders of the Great Russian people. Politics from local, Moscow, turns into national Great Russian. In accordance with this, the importance of the prince also increases: He takes the title of sovereign, and soon the king of all Rus' and autocrat. The eldest son receives all the advantages over the younger ones. The struggle that arose between the tsar and the boyars (its reasons are especially clearly revealed in the correspondence of Tsar Ivan the Terrible with the boyar Andrei Kurbsky) ends in favor of the tsar. The hereditary nobility - the boyars - are being pushed aside by the distinguished people - the nobles. In the middle of the 16th century, book printing began in Rus'. The first book to be published was “Acts and Epistles of the Apostles” (1564). After the overthrow of the Tatar yoke, we again come face to face with Western Europe. Its influence penetrates to us through southwestern Rus', which was already drawn into Polish education (culture), especially after the Union of Lublin in 1569. In the 16th century, the Russian Church was freed from subordination to the Greek Church. Metropolitans are installed in Rus' by local bishops at the direction of the grand dukes. The clergy and church continue to act in accordance with the princes. The latter are greatly supported by the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and the Joseph-Volokolamsky Monastery. Thus, the dawn of a new life lights up: The development of educational influence begins, although internal turmoil, as a legacy passed from appanage princes to the emerging upper class of boyars, interferes with the correct development of both state and national life. The civil strife of the princes ended - the civil strife (disputes, localism, envy) of the boyars began.

8th century, list of events
Fyodor Ioannovich (1584-1598)
The second son of John IV, Fyodor, was distinguished by his illness and weak mental abilities, which is why the government of the state soon passed into the hands of the tsar’s brother-in-law, the intelligent and far-sighted boyar Boris Godunov. Having removed all his opponents by disgrace and exile, Godunov surrounded himself with devoted people and became the sovereign ruler of the state. He maintains relations with Western states, builds cities and fortifications on the borders of Rus' and established an Arkhangelsk harbor on the White Sea. According to his thoughts, an independent all-Russian patriarchate was approved and the peasants were finally attached to the land. In 1591, Tsarevich Dmitry, the brother of the childless Tsar Fyodor and his heir, was killed, and six years later Fyodor himself died.
Boris Godunov (1598-1605)
After the abdication of the throne of Tsarina Irina, the wife of Tsar Fyodor and Godunov’s sister, Boris’s adherents, at the insistence of Patriarch Job, convened a Zemsky Sobor, which elected Boris Godunov. The tsar's suspicion and fear of intrigues on the part of the boyars caused disgrace and exile, and the boyar Fyodor Nikitich Romanov was cut under the name of the monk Philaret, and his young son Mikhail was exiled to Beloozero. The boyars became embittered against Boris, and the popular disasters that befell the Muscovite kingdom - a three-year crop failure and pestilence - prompted the people to blame Tsar Boris for everything. The tsar tried to help the starving, added income from government buildings (the bell tower of Ivan the Great), distributed alms, but the people still grumbled, willingly believing rumors about the appearance of the legitimate Tsar Dmitry. In the midst of preparations for the fight against False Dmitry, Godunov died suddenly, bequeathing his throne to his son Fedor.
False Dmitry (1605-1606)
Grigory Otrepyev, as they say, a fugitive monk supported by the Poles, declared himself Tsarevich Dmitry, who allegedly escaped from the murderers in Uglich. With several thousand people he entered Russia. The army sent to the meeting went over to the side of False Dmitry, who was recognized by them as king, and Fyodor Godunov was killed. False Dmitry was a very developed man, distinguished by his intelligence and good nature, he was diligently engaged in state affairs, but he aroused the displeasure of the people and clergy with his disrespect for old Russian customs. The boyars, having spread a rumor about the impostor tsar, led by Vasily Shuisky, formed a conspiracy and killed False Dmitry.
Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610)
The old, indecisive and inexperienced Vasily Shuisky was elected tsar by the boyars and townspeople, and his power was limited. Thanks to rumors that arose about the rescue of the murdered False Dmitry, new unrest began in Russia, which was intensified by the rebellion of the slave Ivan Bolotnikov and the appearance of False Dmitry II, the “Tushino thief” in Tushino. The Polish king went to war against Moscow, and his commanders scattered the Russian troops. Then Tsar Vasily was “reduced” from the throne and forcibly tonsured a monk. A troubled time of interregnum has begun in Russia.
Mikhail Fedorovich (1613-1645)
Thanks to the letters sent out by the Trinity Lavra calling for the defense of the fatherland and Orthodoxy, a large militia under the leadership of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, with the active participation of the Nizhny Novgorod zemstvo elder Kozma Minin Sukhoruky, headed towards Moscow and, after much effort, liberated the capital from the Poles and rebels. On February 21, 1613, the Great Zemstvo Duma elected Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov as king; after much begging, he ascended the throne and began to pacify internal and external enemies. Mikhail concluded the Stolbov Treaty with Sweden, and the Deulino Treaty (1618) with Poland. According to this last treaty, after a long captivity, Filaret, the tsar's parent, was returned to Russia and was immediately elevated to the rank of patriarch. Filaret became co-ruler and reliable adviser to his son. At the end of the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, Russia had already significantly recovered from the horrors of the Time of Troubles and began to enter into friendly relations with Western states.
Alexey Mikhailovich (1645-1676)
Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was one of the best people of ancient Rus'. He not only performed fasts and church rituals, but also had a church feeling. He was of a gentle and “much quiet” character; having offended someone in a short anger, he could not calm down for a long time and sought reconciliation. The tsar's closest advisers in the early years were his uncle b. I. Morozov, in the 50s Patriarch Nikon, in the end boyar A. S. Matveev. Taxes that were unbearable for the people, the injustice of officials, echoes of the old unrest, caused a series of popular riots in different cities (Moscow, Solvychegodsk, Ustyug, Novgorod, Pskov, the riot of Razin, Bryukhovetsky, etc.) and at different times. The voluntary annexation of Little Russia to the Moscow state caused two wars between Russia and Poland. Russia was able to endure these heavy blows only thanks to the concentration of power, unity, correctness and continuity in orders. Of the internal orders under Alexander Mikhailovich, the most significant are: the Council Code of 1649 and, as an addition to it, the new trade charter and new decree articles on robbery and murder and on estates. New central institutions were founded: Orders of secret affairs, grain, reitar, accounting affairs, Little Russian, monastery. Heavy classes are permanently assigned to the place of residence. In the church, Patriarch Nikon undertook the necessary reform - the correction of liturgical books, which, however, caused a schism, i.e., a falling away from the Russian Church. Russian colonialists became famous in Siberia: A. Bulygin, O. Stepanov, E. Khabarov, and others. New cities appeared: Nerchinsk, Irkutsk, Selenginsk. The best people in Moscow were already creating the need for science and transformation. These are the persons as boyars: A.L. Ordyn-Nashchekin, A.S. Matveev, Prince V. Golitsin. After the death of Tsar Alexei, from his first marriage to Maria Milaslavskaya there were children, two sons: Fyodor and John and several daughters; from his second marriage to Natalya Naryshkina, a son, Peter, was born in 1672.
General characteristics of the 8th century
Most of this period is occupied by "turmoil in the Moscow state." The impetus and pretext was the end of the dynasty, the real reason was the selfishness and injustice of the boyars, the ignorance of the people, who had lost the habit of respecting the honor and property of their neighbors during the Tatar yoke, the Cossacks and other “walking” people, and finally the Poles. Strong national and religious ties saved Rus', but having driven out the Poles, the Russians did not completely stop the unrest; its echoes can be seen in the riots of the time of Alexei Mikhailovich. The supreme power of the 16th-17th centuries became so strong that it did not need protection. The rights of the service class are strengthened and developed; it has taken a huge amount of land into its own hands. Peasants are attached to the land for economic interests. The representative of the Russian Church, in accordance with the new order, receives the title of patriarch. The government and the patriarch are busy correcting liturgical books, into which many errors have crept in due to the ignorance and illiteracy of copyists and sometimes translators. This correction was completed under Patriarch Nikon. Many did not accept the correction and fell away from the Orthodox Church.

9th century, list of events
Fyodor Alekseevich (1676-1682)
Under Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, the so-called Little Russian question ended: Eastern Little Russia and Zaporozhye remained with Moscow, and the western part went to Turkey. Under him, localism was abolished - the custom of Moscow boyars to consider the service of their ancestors when taking a place in the military and civil service, in court ceremonies and at the royal table. At the insistence of the tsar, Nikon and Matveev were returned from exile. Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich died childless.
Ivan Alekseevich (1682-1689)
Thanks to the Streltsy revolt, Ivan Alekseevich, frail and weak-minded, was recognized as tsar along with the unanimously elected Peter Alekseevich, but Tsarevich Ivan did not take any part in state affairs; he died in 1696. Russia was ruled by Princess Sofia at this time.
Sophia - ruler (1682-1689)
By all accounts, Sofia Alekseevna was “of great intelligence and the most tender insight, a maiden filled with more masculine intelligence.” She stopped the unrest of the schismatics, curbed the rebellious archers, concluded an “eternal peace” with the Poles that was beneficial for Russia and the Treaty of Nerchinsk with China, and undertook campaigns against the Crimean Tatars. Sophia fell victim to her lust for power. Peter penetrated her plans and imprisoned her in the Novodevichy Convent, where she died in 1704.
Peter the Great (1682-1725)
Tsar Peter the Great Alekseevich is one of the geniuses. His mental strength was extraordinary: a fast, highly embracing mind, an iron will and continuous work. Until the age of 10, Peter goes through an ancient Russian, almost church school; from the age of 10, he becomes a witness to the bloody events of the Streltsy rebellion: The intrigues of Sophia the ruler drive him out of the Kremlin palace: He leads an extremely active life, among war games, classes in mathematical and technical sciences, and trips around palace villages. Peter completes his education abroad. He saw a lot, learned a lot and developed extraordinary intelligence and efficiency. He demanded the same from others. Giving all of himself to the service of Russia, Peter believed “in its great future.” He patronized foreigners not for their own sake, but for the sake of the development of sciences, arts, factories and trade in the country. Even before his trip abroad, Peter took the Azov fortress from the Turks. In 1700, in alliance with Denmark and Poland, Peter began the Northern War against Sweden. The first military actions of the Russians against the Swedes, who fought under the command of their young but gifted king Charles XII, were unsuccessful and ended in a major defeat of the Russian troops near Narva: But soon, thanks to Peter’s tireless preparation of new regiments to fight the enemy, the Swedes began to suffer from the Russians defeats. Peter took the Swedish fortress of Noteburg, an ancient nut, in Ingria, renamed it Shlisselburg and in 1703 founded the new capital of St. Petersburg on the banks of the Neva, and founded the fortress of Kronstadt on the island of Kotlin. By founding St. Petersburg, Peter created a strong fortress that provided Russia with access to the Baltic Sea, a convenient port to which many trade routes from the Russian north and center were drawn together, and finally, a new capital that facilitated our relations with Western Europe. Meanwhile, Charles XII, having conquered Poland and using the help of the traitor Mazepa, the Little Russian hetman, quickly moved to Little Russia and here in 1709 besieged the city of Poltava. The Poltava battle ended in complete triumph for Peter, Charles XII fled to Turkey and caused the Prut campaign, which was unsuccessful for Russia. Russia had to give up Azov, but the ongoing northern war was happy and ended with the Peace of Nystad, according to which Sweden renounced Livonia, Estonia, Ingria and part of Finland with the city of Vyborg. Peter was given the title of Emperor of All Russia. Of Peter's internal transformations, the most remarkable are: The abolition of the patriarchate in 1700 and the transfer of control of all church affairs into the hands of the "locum tenens of the patriarchal throne", and from 1721 of the Holy Synod, the establishment of a governing senate; in 1711, instead of the former boyar duma, a collegium instead “orders” for each individual branch of government, the transformation of estates, the division of the state into 12 provinces and the establishment of court courts in the most important cities, the organization of special schools and colleges and the creation of a regular army. Everywhere, directly involved in everything, the sovereign transformer cared about the development of Russian trade and industry, about ending the seclusion of women, about softening the morals of society, about improving the life of the lower strata of the people and had a remarkable ability to choose his associates, among whom are famous: Menshikov, Sheremetyev, Dolgoruky , the Golitsyn brothers, Kurakin, Matveev, Shafirov, Yaguzhinsky and foreigners - Osterman, Bruce, Minikh and others. Peter's son from his divorced wife Lopukhina, Tsarevich Alexei, for his obvious disgust at his father's transformations, was put on trial by Peter. The Tsarevich was sentenced to death, but the Tsarevich died before the sentence was carried out. From Peter’s second marriage to Ekaterina Alekseevna, two daughters were born: Anna and Elizaveta. Peter died after catching a cold while rescuing drowning soldiers during a great flood and was named the Great by posterity.
Catherine - I (1725-1727)
Peter the Great did not leave a will. The throne passed to his wife Catherine, not without struggle between different parties. Catherine I opened the Academy of Sciences in 1726, sent Bering on a trip around the world and, at the request of Menshikov and her other supporters, established the Supreme Privy Council. Menshikov seized government power and persuaded the Empress to appoint Tsarevich Peter Alekseevich, the son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, as heir , and allow him, upon reaching adulthood, to marry Menshikov’s daughter, Princess Maria. During the minority of Tsarevich Peter, Menshikov was appointed ruler of the state.
Peter - II (1727-1730)
Peter II was not king for long and, moreover, all the time under the influence of others. The greedy and autocratic Menshikov fell, but the long-armed ones emerged. To strengthen their influence, they tried in every possible way to distract the emperor from his business with fun and amusements, and decided to marry him to Princess E. A. Dolgoruky. This intention was prevented by Peter's early death from smallpox.
Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740)
The Supreme Privy Council decided to limit autocracy and chose the daughter of Tsar John Alekseevich, the Dowager Duchess of Courland Anna Ioannovna, but she was crowned an autocratic empress. The Supreme Privy Council was destroyed and replaced by an equal cabinet. The Russian nobles gave way to the Courlander Biron and the Germans Minich and Ostern. The administration was cruel and disastrous for Russia: At the slightest displeasure, “word and deed” were heard, and those who grumbled were tortured, executed or exiled. In 1733, Russia intervened in the affairs of Poland, and this war cost great sacrifices: the regions conquered under Peter I were returned to Persia. Of the internal orders of Anna Ioannovna, the most worthy of attention are: Limiting the service life of nobles to 25 years, eliminating the law on single inheritance, establishing a cadet corps in St. Petersburg, increasing the guards of the Izmailovo and cavalry regiments. Before her death, Anna Ioannovna appointed the infant Ivan Antonovich, the son of her niece Anna Leopoldovna, as heir to the throne, and confirmed Biron as regent of the state. Biron was soon overthrown, however, and Anna Leopoldovna, who was completely incapable of governing the state, was declared ruler.
Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761)
Many were dissatisfied with Anna Leopoldovna's reign. The Guard carried out a coup and proclaimed the daughter of Peter the Great, Princess Elizabeth, empress. In order to strengthen the throne, Anna Petrovna’s son, Pyotr Fedorovich, was appointed her heir. Under Elizabeth, Russia fought two wars: the Swedish and the so-called Seven Years' War. The war with Sweden ended in peace in Åbo in 1743, according to which part of Finland up to the Kymen River was annexed to Russia. Taking part in the seven-year war (Austria and France with Prussia), Elizaveta Petrovna, in the person of her commanders, greatly constrained the King of Prussia, Frederick II, but the death of the empress served to stop further military actions against Prussia. Of the internal events of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the most important is the destruction of the cabinet. The Empress returned the Senate to its former significance. She also restored the former magistrate. In 1744, a decree was issued abolishing the death penalty for criminal offenses. She divided Russia into five recruiting districts and established an order in recruitment. The establishment of the first loan banks in Russia for nobles and merchants in 1754, the opening in 1755, according to Lomonosov's plan, of the first university in Moscow and the founding of the first theater in 1756 were beneficial. The Empress's zealous associates in implementing reasonable reforms were Counts Peter and Ivan Shuvalov.
Peter - III (1761-1762)
Good-natured, but incapable of governing the vast Russian state, Peter III aroused all layers of Russian society against himself with his attraction to everything German, to the detriment of Russian interests. He reformed the troops according to the Prussian model, and he made a lot of concessions to Frederick II. The decrees of Peter III on the freedom of the nobility and on the destruction of the secret chancellery were not sufficiently specific. Her attitude towards the empress pushed her towards a coup; on June 28, 1762, Peter III abdicated the throne and soon died alone, abandoned by everyone.
General characteristics of the 9th century
The most important issue in the foreign policy of the Moscow state during this time was the attitude towards Poland, which had captured southwestern Rus'. The annexation of Little Russia to Moscow, which took place back in 1654, and Moscow’s general support of the Russian people and the Orthodox faith in the southwest, caused a series of wars with Poland. The time of Peter the Great, being a continuation of the foreign and domestic policies of the state of the 17th century, was marked by special energy in carrying out the reforms planned by life. In education, Russia is subject to Western European influence. Writers assimilate the Western European literary form and are active assistants to the government in protecting and disseminating education (Fedor Prokopovich, Stefan Yavorsky, Pososhkov, Tatishchev, Kantemir, Lomonosov, Sumarokov).

10th century, list of events
Catherine - II (1762-1796)
The reign of Catherine II is one of the most remarkable after Peter the Great. By nature, Catherine had great intelligence and character. Self-education and observation expanded her horizons. With the help of skillfully chosen associates, the Empress created a brilliant period in Russian history. During her reign there were two wars with Turkey. In the first, Rumyantsev Zadunaisky and Orlov Chesmensky especially distinguished themselves. Thanks to their victories, Russia acquired the shores of the Sea of ​​Azov, and Turkey recognized the independence of Crimea. At Potemkin's insistence, Crimea was occupied by the Russians. Cities began to emerge in Novorossiya. The Russian Black Sea Fleet appears. Türkiye declares a second war. They became famous in it: Suvorov, the capture of the Izmail fortress and the victories at Fokshanakh and Rymnik. Türkiye recognized all the northern shores of the Black Sea as Russian possessions. At the very beginning of her reign, Catherine had to intervene in Polish affairs. Unrest in the Polish state and the oppression of dissidents (non-Catholics) was the cause of the Polish partitions. Under the first section, Russia received most of Livonia and Belarus up to the Dvina, Druch and Dnieper, under the second section the rest of Belarus, Ukraine, Podolia and the eastern part of Polesie and Volyn, under the third section - Lithuania. The wars with Sweden and Persia were fruitless. Popular disasters include the appearance of the plague in Moscow in 1771 and the Pugachev rebellion in 1773-1775. The empress was occupied with more than one external struggle. Her internal transformations are also very remarkable. First of all, Catherine promotes the development of classes. She gives letters of grant to the nobility, prenatal status. In connection with the class reforms, a “commission to draft a new code” was convened, something like a Zemsky Sobor. Catherine herself wrote an “instruction” for the leadership of this commission, but the goal was not achieved at all and the commission was soon dissolved. Regarding the provinces, the empress adhered to a policy of centralization. The establishment of the provinces in 1775 divided Russia into 50 provinces, with increased power of governors. In economic terms, the following are important: the transfer of church property to the management of the board of savings, the establishment of a state bank, the introduction of a tax farming system. Catherine II’s numerous concerns about public health were the medical board, smallpox vaccination and education. Cadet corps (engineering and artillery), the Smolny Institute for girls, orphanages in Moscow were established in St. Petersburg, a general charter for public schools was developed, and a Russian academy was opened for the scientific processing of the Russian language. Catherine II, gifted with literary talent, patronized literature and herself took an active part in it. In her comedies, fairy tales and other articles, she served the cause of education no less than with her laws. During her reign, besides Lomonosov, the most famous writers were Derzhavin, Fonvizin and Novikov.
Paul - I (1796-1801)
Emperor Paul I did not approve of the transformations of his sovereign mother and in many ways deviated from her plans and views on governing the state. Upon ascending the throne, he wanted to deal exclusively with state affairs and stop preparations for war with France. He was soon forced to come to the aid of European states in the fight against France. He called Suvorov out of disgrace and sent him to “save the kings.” The Russians inflicted a series of defeats on the French and made an unprecedented crossing of the Alps (Devil's Bridge), but the allies prevented the matter from being completed and Paul I recalled his troops to Russia. Of the internal transformations of Emperor Paul I, the following are remarkable: “Institutions on the imperial family”, on the order of succession to the throne, significant relief for serfs (3-day corvee), the establishment of new women's institutions and the opening of a university in Dorpat.
Alexander - I the Blessed (1801-1825)
Raised by his grandmother, Empress Catherine II, and having received a thorough education, Alexander I Pavlovich, upon ascending the throne, declared that he would rule “according to the laws and the heart” of Catherine II, and follow her wise intentions. The first years of the reign of the young emperor were filled with the most rosy hopes. A number of liberation measures of various kinds caused delight in society. But increasingly complicated foreign relations diverted attention from internal tasks. Alexander I was forced to fight Napoleon at first in an alliance with Austria, and the Russians were defeated at Austerlitz: Then in an alliance with Prussia. After the defeat of the Russians at Friedland, Alexander concluded the Peace of Tilzin. Russia accepted Napoleon's continental system, i.e., it pledged not to trade with England. The burden of this system for Russia and Napoleon’s violation of his promises led to a rupture and the war of 1812. Napoleon, at the head of a huge army, invaded Russia: The Russians began to retreat into the country: Such tactics were followed by the commanders Barclay de Tolly and Kutuzov (council in Fili). A bloody battle took place on the Borodino field, but to no avail. Napoleon occupied Moscow, but it was burned by the inhabitants: The French experienced cold and hunger: Then Napoleon moved south: Along the way he was defeated at Maloyaroslavets: His army still suffered from a lack of provisions and severe frosts: When crossing the Berezina River they were almost destroyed the very remnants of the great army. On December 25, 1812, Russia celebrated the liberation of the Russian land from the invasion of the “twelve languages.” Continuing the fight against Napoleon outside Russia in an alliance with Prussia, Austria and Sweden, Alexander I in 1814, after a series of brilliant victories at Kulm, Leipzig and Fer-Champenoise, solemnly entered Paris. In 1815, at the “Congress of Vienna”, the Duchy of Warsaw annexed Russia and a “holy alliance” was concluded between Russia, Prussia and Austria. Of the reforms of Emperor Alexander I, the following are especially remarkable: The establishment of the State Council (1800), ministries (1802) and the Committee of Ministers, the founding of Kazan, Kharkov and St. Petersburg universities, as well as pedagogical institutes and gymnasiums. Tsarsko-Selo lyceums and corps, taking measures to establish a peasant class, in order to facilitate their significant life. The most significant associates of the emperor were: At the beginning of Novosiltsev, Stroganov, Kochubey, then Speransky and at the end of the reign of Arakcheev. At the end of his reign, the emperor's mood was one of fatigue and disappointment. The ardent dreams of youth remained unfulfilled. The reason for this lay in the vagueness of the dreams themselves, the inability to find practical means for their implementation, and partly in the lack of employees. Alexander I trusted Arakcheev, but Arakcheev aroused displeasure among the people with his military settlements. Emperor Alexander I died childless.
Nicholas (1825-1855)
As a result of the abdication of Konstantin Pavlovich, brother of Emperor Alexander I, his younger brother Emperor Nicholas I ascended the throne. In the war with Persia, in 1828, he acquired the khanates of Erivan and Nakhichevan under the Turkmanchay Peace and received a large indemnity. Turkey's war over Greece, which it oppressed, after a series of Russian victories over the Turks, ended with the Peace of Andrianople, which recognized the independence of Greece, defined the Prut and Danube rivers as the borders of Russia and ensured the possibility of the safe existence of Serbia. The Polish uprising, after a series of battles, was suppressed in 1832, the constitution in Poland was destroyed. In 1839, the Uniates reunited with the Orthodox Church. As a result of a new break with Turkey, which was helped by England, France and Sardinia, Emperor Nicholas I had to endure a stubborn struggle with his strongest enemy. They concentrated in Sevastopol, heroically defended by Russian troops. In 1853, the entire Turkish fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Sinop. During the defense of Sevastopol, Emperor Nicholas I suddenly fell ill and died. The fruitful work of Emperor Nicholas I on the internal structure of Russia was marked by: The publication in 1830 of the “complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire”, 45 volumes (this work was led by Speransky and was generously awarded by the emperor, he was elevated to the rank of count and received the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called ). By taking measures to improve the life of peasants, by founding the Kyiv University of St. Vladimir, technological and pedagogical institutes, a military academy, a law school and cadet corps, and by constructing the Nikolaev and Tsarsko-Selo railways. During the reign of Emperor Nicholas I, great writers of the Russian land showed themselves: Karamzin, Zhukovsky, both of whom actually belonged to the previous reign, Krylov, Griboedov, Pushkin, Lermontov, Gogol, Belinsky. Content
General characteristics of the 10th century
State life is becoming more complicated. In foreign policy, issues are resolved: Polish, Turkish or Eastern. Having gone through several stages from the most favorable in 1829-1833 to the Sevastopol disaster, the Eastern question became a pan-European one. Russia is being drawn into European politics (the fight against Napoleon, the fight against the European revolution). Internally, the central and regional administration is being reformed. The country's productive forces are developing, education is acquiring a national character, especially in the field of art.

11th century, list of events
Alexander - II Liberator (1855-1881)
Alexander II ended the difficult eastern war with the Parisian peace on conditions that were very painful for Russia. Russia ceded to Turkey the mouth of the Danube, part of Bessarabia, Kars and pledged not to establish a fleet in the Black Sea. According to the Aigun Treaty with China in 1858, Russia acquired the vast Amur region, and in 1860 the Ussuri region. In 1864, the Caucasus was finally annexed to Russia, and the leader of the Caucasian highlanders, Shamil, was captured and sent to Russia. In 1863, the Polish rebellion was pacified, the need to protect the eastern border of Russia from the raids of nomads caused our conquest in Central Asia (Turkestan, Khiva). Thanks to some changes in Western Europe, Russia freed itself in 1871 from the harsh conditions of the Paris Treaty: Our right to have a navy on the Black Sea was restored. In 1877, the violence of the Turks against the Orthodox subjects of the Sultan in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the unequal struggle of the Slavic principalities of Serbia and Montenegro with Turkey prompted Emperor Alexander II to take upon himself the defense of the oppressed Christians. The war was waged with varying success against a powerful enemy, and the capture of Kars in 1877 and Plevna with the capture of the Turkish commander-in-chief Ottoman Pasha were especially remarkable. This war revealed the courage and tirelessness of the Russian troops (winter crossing through the Balkans). It ended in 1878. The Treaty of San Stefano, which ensured the independence of Serbia and Montenegro and established the Bulgarian Principality. The Treaty of San Stefano was slightly modified at the Berlin Congress that same year. The emperor's reign was marked by a number of “great reforms” that significantly moved Russian life forward. Of these transformations, the most important: the liberation of the peasants in 1861 and the publication of the “regulations on the structure of the peasants”, the granting of a public, fair, speedy, merciful and dear court to subjects in 1864, zemstvo and city self-government, the publication in 1874 of the charter on military conscription, mandatory for all classes of the state, the establishment of Novorossiysk universities in Odessa and Warsaw, the founding of philological institutes in St. Petersburg and Nizhyn “there used to be a legal lyceum here” and teachers’ seminaries and institutes, the opening of women’s gymnasiums and pro-gymnasiums, and the improvement of communications. Alexander II died on March 1, 1881 at the hands of assassins. The name “liberator” remains in his descendants.
Emperor Alexander - III (1881-1894)
Experienced in state affairs, already upon his accession to the throne, Emperor Alexander III showed a lot of firmness and self-control in governing the state. Emperor Alexander III cared a lot about the needs of the peasant class: He gave it new power in the person of “zemstvo chiefs”, established parochial schools, and in the interests of improving the national economy, the Ministry of Agriculture was established. The construction of new railways, of which the most remarkable are the Siberian and Central Asian, contributed to the rise of Russian trade and industry. Energetically concerned about strengthening Russia's military position and for this purpose strengthening the Russian border both from land and from sea, the emperor adhered to a wise policy of non-interference in European affairs. In 1892, Emperor Alexander III entered into friendly relations with France, which was marked for the first time by the arrival of the French squadron in Kronstadt. The Emperor, after a serious illness, died in Livadia on October 20, 1894. The voice of the people gave him the nickname "king-peacemaker."
Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich
The now safely reigning Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich, the eldest son of the deceased Emperor Alexander III, with his peace-loving policies and cordial responsiveness, immediately attracted the hearts of both his loyal subjects and the people of the whole world. Remaining faithful to the state traditions of his sovereign father, Emperor Nikolai Alexandrovich, in constant concern for the people's welfare, expressed his love not only for his subjects, but also for humanity in general, in a number of manifestos. In this case, the imperial manifesto of August 12, 1898, with its proposal to the powers for general disarmament, is remarkable. A conference of representatives of the powers, convened in The Hague to discuss this proposal, developed a number of measures aimed at preventing a bloody clash of peoples.
General characteristics of the 11th century
The grandiose movement of Russia to the east, the protection of peace to the west and south, “great reforms”, the widespread development of education. Russian literature and art in general, imbued with a high humane feeling and bright faith in the future of the Russian people, are the subject of our pride and European surprise. Goncharov, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, L. Tolstoy, our artists are no less famous in Europe than here.

Princes of Ancient Rus'

1. Rurik (862–879)

The Tale of Bygone Years reports that in 862 In Slovenia, the Ilmen, Krivichi and Finno-Ugric tribes invited the Varangian Rurik and his retinue to reign in Novgorod. Rurik was the prince of Novgorod from 862 to 879. He successfully suppressed the uprising of Vadim the Brave in 874 and, to strengthen his position, married a representative of the local nobility, Efanda, who bore him a son, Igor (Ingvar), and two daughters. The chronicle calls Rurik the founder of many cities of the Novgorod land and mentions that, dying in 879, Rurik entrusted the care of his young son to the warrior Oleg (Helgu), who became the next Novgorod prince. It is generally accepted that Rurik is the founder of the princely dynasty of Rus' and the creator of the system polyudya - a tour by the prince of subordinate lands for the purpose of collecting tribute.

2. Oleg (879–912)

A warrior (according to some sources, a relative) of Rurik, Oleg reigned in Novgorod from 879. Dying, Rurik not only handed over the throne to Oleg, but also instructed him to take care of his young son Igor. IN 882 g. Oleg captured Kyiv, killing Askold and Dir, who ruled there. Thus, both centers of Slavic statehood were united, and Kievan Rus was created. Oleg subjugated the Drevlyans, northerners, and Radimichi. Successfully fought with the Khazars. The Tale of Bygone Years reports that in 907 Oleg, at the head of a huge army (2000 ships), made a campaign against Constantinople (Tsargrad), as a result of which the first international treaty in Russian history was concluded. Byzantium assumed obligations that were extremely beneficial for Rus', for example, the Greeks paid 12 hryvnia to each Russian soldier. According to legend, Oleg, as a sign of victory, attached his shield “to the gates of Constantinople.” IN 911 A new Russian-Byzantine agreement was concluded, under the terms of which Russian merchants received the right to duty-free trade in Constantinople, could live in Byzantium for six months at the expense of the treasury, and the Greeks also agreed to repair and equip Russian ships at their own expense. The chronicle reports that Prince Oleg died in 912 from a snake bite.

3. Igor (912–945)

After the death of Prince Oleg, Rurik’s son, Grand Duke Igor, ascended the Kiev throne (912–945). In 903, he married the noble Pskovite Olga, who gave birth to Igor’s son Svyatoslav. Going on a campaign against Byzantium in 907, Prince Oleg entrusted Igor with the administration of Kiev. The first chronicle mention of the nomadic Pecheneg tribes dates back to the reign of Prince Igor. In 915, the Kiev prince made peace with the Pechenegs, but already in 920 he fought with them. Prince Igor made two unsuccessful campaigns against Byzantium in 941 and in 944. They canceled the benefits of the 911 trade treaty. The main event of the Kyiv prince was the collection of tribute from the tribes under his control. It was called polyudye and lasted from November to April. The size of the tribute was not fixed. Therefore, in 945, after Grand Duke Igor returned with a small retinue to the land of the Drevlyans for the second time, indignant community members, led by the local prince Mal, killed Igor. For his death, Princess Olga cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans.

4. Olga (945–957)

Having brutally suppressed the uprising of the Drevlyans, Grand Duchess Olga (945–962) abolished Polyudye and introduced a new tax collection procedure - cart Now subjects themselves had to bring tribute to special places - churchyards, where it was taken into account by specially appointed tributaries or princely tiuns. The amount of taxes was strictly fixed and was called lesson. Churchyards were also places of exchange or trade. Thus, thanks to Grand Duchess Olga, a noticeable step was taken towards strengthening the state. In 955 (or 957). Olga visited Constantinople, where she accepted Christianity according to the Eastern model and received the name Elena at baptism. It is generally accepted that after 957 she handed over the reins of government to her son, Svyatoslav Igorevich. However, during his frequent military campaigns, she was forced to again take over control of the state, although she did not always support Svyatoslav’s active policy of conquest. In 969, Grand Duchess Olga died. Canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

5. Svyatoslav (962–972)

Son of Igor and Olga, Svyatoslav (962–972), became famous as a “warrior prince” and spent the vast majority of his reign on military campaigns. The chronicler, characterizing Svyatoslav, creates the image of a true knight - brave, noble, unpretentious in everyday life, uncompromising and tireless. During the hike 964–966 Svyatoslav subjugated the Vyatichi, defeated the Volga Bulgaria and destroyed the Khazar Khaganate. By agreement with the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phocas, Svyatoslav attacked Danube Bulgaria in 967 and conquered it. The chronicle reports that he intended to annex Bulgaria to his possessions and even move the capital to Pereyaslavets-on-Danube. In 968, Kyiv, where Svyatoslav’s mother and sons were, was besieged by the Pechenegs. The prince was forced to return to Rus'. However, already in 970 he again fought on the Danube. Now Byzantium became his enemy. IN 971 Svyatoslav and his army were besieged in Dorostol. After an unsuccessful attempt to lift the siege, he had to sign an agreement with Emperor John Tzimiskes, according to which the Russians had to leave the Danube region. Svyatoslav died in 972, returning to his homeland, at the hands of the Pecheneg Khan Kuri, who ambushed him on the Dnieper rapids.

We know about who the first princes in Rus' were from the works of chroniclers - Nestor, who lived at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries, his contemporary Sylvester and the semi-legendary Joachim, about the reality of whose existence historians cannot assert with complete certainty. It is from their pages that “deeds of bygone years” come to life before us, the memory of which is kept only in the depths of silent steppe mounds and in folk legends.

The first prince of Ancient Rus'

The chronicler Nestor was canonized, therefore, during his lifetime he did not lie, and therefore we will believe everything that he wrote, especially since we, admittedly, have no choice. So, in the middle of the 9th century, the Novgorodians, together with the Krivichi, Chud and the whole, invited three Varangian brothers to rule - Rurik, Sineus and Truvor. The chronicler explains such a strange desire - to voluntarily surrender oneself to the power of foreigners - by the fact that our ancestors lost hope of independently establishing order in their vast lands, and therefore decided to turn to the Varangians for help.

By the way, at all times there have been skeptics among historians. In their opinion, the warlike Scandinavians simply seized the Russian lands and began to rule them, and the legend of voluntary calling was composed only for the sake of trampled national pride. However, this version has also not been proven and is based only on idle reasoning and speculation, and therefore, it is not worth talking about. In the generally accepted view, the first prince of Kievan Rus was an invited guest here.

Reign on the banks of the Volkhov

The first Varangian prince in Rus' was Rurik. He settled in Novgorod in 862. At the same time, his younger brothers began to rule in the estates allotted to them - Sineus in Beloozero, and Truvor in Izborsk. It is curious that Smolensk and Polotsk did not allow foreigners in - either without them the order in the cities was exemplary, or the Varangians simply did not have enough strength to break their resistance. Two years later, Sineus and Truvor simultaneously die, as they say now, “under unclear circumstances,” and their lands are annexed to the possessions of their elder brother Rurik. This became the basis for the subsequent creation of the Russian monarchy.

The chroniclers mentioned above attribute another important event to this period. Two Varangian princes, Askold and Dir, accompanied by a squad, set off on a campaign against Constantinople, but before reaching the Byzantine capital, they captured the small Dnieper city of Kiev, which later became the capital of Ancient Rus'. The campaign they planned to Byzantium did not bring glory, but as the first Kyiv princes Askold and Dir entered our history forever. And although the first Varangian prince in Rus' was Rurik, they also played an important role in the formation of the state.

The treacherous capture of Kyiv

When in 879, after fifteen years of sole reign, Rurik died, he left his young son Igor as heir to the princely throne, and until he came of age appointed his relative Oleg as ruler, the same one whom descendants would call the Prophetic. From the first days, the new ruler showed himself to be a powerful, warlike man and devoid of excessive morality. Oleg conquers Smolensk and Lyubech, everywhere covering his actions with the name of the young prince Igor, in whose interests he allegedly acts. Having begun the conquest of the Dnieper lands, he captured Kyiv by cunning and, having killed Askold and Dir, became its ruler. It is to him that the chroniclers attribute the words that Kyiv is the mother of Russian cities.

Conqueror and conqueror of lands

At the end of the 9th century, the Russian lands were still very scattered, and between Novgorod and Kiev there were significant territories inhabited by foreigners. Oleg and his large retinue conquered many peoples who had until then maintained their independence. These were the Ilmen Slavs, the Chud, Vesi, Drevlyan tribes and many other inhabitants of forests and steppes. Having united them under his rule, he gathered the lands of Novgorod and Kyiv into a single powerful state.

His campaigns put an end to the dominance of the Khazar Kaganate, which had controlled the southern territories for many years. Oleg also became famous for his successful campaign against Byzantium, during which, as a sign of victory, he nailed his famous shield, praised by both Pushkin and Vysotsky, to the gates of Constantinople. He returned home with rich booty. The prince died at a ripe old age, satiated with life and glory. Whether the cause of death was the snake that bit him and crawled out of the horse’s skull, or whether it was just a work of fiction is unknown, but the prince’s life itself was brighter and more amazing than any legend.

Massive influx of Scandinavians to Rus'

As can be seen from the above, the first princes in Rus', immigrants from the Scandinavian peoples, saw their main task in the conquest of new lands and the creation of a single state capable of resisting those numerous enemies who continuously encroached on its integrity.

During these years, seeing the success of their fellow tribesmen in Rus', Scandinavians rushed to the Novgorod and Kyiv lands in large numbers, wanting to grab their piece, but, finding themselves among a large and resilient people, they inevitably assimilated into it and soon became part of it. The activities of the first princes of Rus', of course, relied on their support, but over time the foreigners gave way to the indigenous inhabitants.

Period of Igor's reign

With the death of Oleg, his successor appeared on the historical stage, the son of Rurik, who had matured by that time, the young Prince Igor. All his life he tried to achieve the same fame that Oleg got, but fate was not kind to him. Having undertaken two campaigns against Byzantium, Igor became famous not so much for his military success as for his incredible cruelty towards civilians in the countries through which his army moved.

However, he did not return home empty-handed, bringing back abundant booty from his campaigns. His actions against the steppe Pecheneg robbers, whom he managed to drive away to Bessarabia, were also successful. Naturally ambitious and ambitious, the prince ended his life very ingloriously. Once again collecting tribute from the Drevlyans under his control, with his irrepressible greed he drove them to the extreme, and they, revolting and killing their squad, betrayed him to a brutal death. His actions expressed the entire policy of the first princes of Rus' - the search for fame and wealth at any cost. Unencumbered by any moral standards, they considered all paths leading to achieving the goal acceptable.

Princess, canonized

After Igor's death, power passed to his widow, Princess Olga, whom the prince married in 903. Beginning her reign, she brutally dealt with the Drevlyans, her husband’s killers, sparing neither the elderly nor children. The princess set out on the campaign with her young son Svyatoslav, wanting to accustom him to fighting from an early age.

According to most historians, Olga, as a ruler, deserves praise, and this is due primarily to her wise decisions and good deeds. This woman managed to adequately represent Rus' in the world. Her special merit is that she was the first to bring the light of Orthodoxy to Russian soil. For this, the church canonized her as a saint. While still a pagan, in 957 she headed an embassy heading to Byzantium. Olga understood that without Christianity it was impossible to strengthen the prestige of the state and the ruling dynasty.

Newly baptized servant of God Elena

The sacrament of Baptism was performed on her in the Church of St. Sophia personally by the patriarch, and the emperor himself acted as godfather. The princess emerged from the holy font with the new name Elena. Unfortunately, having returned to Kyiv, she was unable to persuade her son Svyatoslav, like all the first princes in Rus', who worshiped Perun, to accept the faith of Christ. All of boundless Rus' remained in the darkness of paganism, which was to be illuminated by her grandson, the future Prince of Kyiv Vladimir, with the rays of true faith.

Prince-conqueror Svyatoslav

Princess Olga died in 969 and was buried according to Christian custom. A characteristic feature of her reign was that she limited her activities only to the concerns of government, leaving the male princes to wage war and assert her power with the sword. Even Svyatoslav, having matured and received all the princely powers, was busy with campaigns, boldly left the state in the care of his mother.

Having inherited power from his mother, Prince Svyatoslav devoted himself entirely to military campaigns, wanting to revive the glory of Rus', which shone so brightly during the time of Prince Oleg. By the way, he was perhaps the first to begin to follow the laws of knightly honor. The prince, for example, considered it unworthy to attack the enemy by surprise, and it was to him that the famous phrase “I’m coming at you!”

Possessing an iron will, a clear mind and military leadership talent, Svyatoslav managed to annex many lands to Rus' over the years of his reign, significantly expanding its territory. Like all the first princes in Rus', he was a conqueror, one of those who, with his sword, conquered a sixth of the land for the future Russian state.

The struggle for power and the victory of Prince Vladimir

The death of Svyatoslav became the beginning of a struggle for power between his three sons - Yaropolk, Oleg and Vladimir, each of whom, having his own legal inheritance, sought to seize the territories of his brothers by treachery and force. After several years of mutual hostility and intrigue, Vladimir won, becoming the sole and rightful ruler.

He, like his father, showed extraordinary military leadership abilities, pacifying the rebellions of the peoples under his control and conquering new ones. However, the main merit that truly immortalized his name was the Baptism of Rus', which took place in 988 and put the young state on a par with European countries, which had long before received the light of the Christian faith.

The end of the life of the holy prince

But at the end of his life, the Baptist of Rus' was destined to experience many bitter moments. The passion for power consumed the soul of his son Yaroslav, who ruled in Novgorod, and he rebelled against his own father. To pacify him, Vladimir was forced to send a squad under the command of his other son Boris to the rebellious city. This caused the prince severe psychological trauma, from which he was unable to recover and died on July 15, 1015.

For his services to the state and the Russian Orthodox Church, Prince Vladimir entered the history of our homeland with the addition of the epithet Great or Holy to his name. A special proof of the people's love for this outstanding man is the trace that he left in the folk epic, which mentioned him in epics about Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya of Novgorod and many other Russian heroes.

Ancient Rus': the first princes

This is how the formation of Russia took place, rising from the darkness of paganism and becoming over time a powerful power, one of the legislators of European politics. But since Rus', during the reign of the first princes, stood out from among other nations, establishing its superiority over them, it had a long and difficult path ahead of it, which also included the process of evolution of state power. It continued throughout the entire period of Russian autocracy.

The concept of “the first Russian prince in Rus'” can be considered very conditional. The entire family of Rurik princes, which originated from the legendary Varangian who came to the banks of the Volkhov in 862 and ended with the death of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, carries Scandinavian blood, and it is hardly fair to call its members purely Russian. Numerous appanage princes who were not directly related to this dynasty also mostly had either Tatar or Western European roots.

But who the first prince of all Rus' is can be said with some accuracy. It is known from the chronicles that for the first time the title, which emphasized that its owner was not just the Grand Duke, but the ruler of “all Rus',” was awarded to Mikhail Yaroslavovich Tverskoy, who ruled at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The first Moscow prince of all Rus' is also reliably known. It was Ivan Kalita. His followers also bore the same title, right up to the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The main line of their foreign policy was the expansion of the borders of the Russian state and the annexation of new lands to it. Domestic policy boiled down to the comprehensive strengthening of centralized princely power.

"The Tale of Bygone Years" is a book that has come down to our times from the 12th century. Its pages tell not only about the events of ancient times, but also help to learn about the life of the great princes, whose activities influenced the emergence of the Old Russian state. Rurik, Oleg, Igor, Svyatoslav, Olga - Nestor paid attention to each of them in the “Tale”. Thanks to him and numerous studies by scientists, one can understand what they were like - the princes of ancient Rus'.

The first prince in Rus'

It all started with Rurik, whom the Slavic tribes called to reign in Novgorod. Nestor cites the civil strife that engulfed the lands as the reason for this decision. Together with Rurik, his two brothers came, one of whom got Belozer, and the third got Izborsk. In addition, it was the Varangians who came who gave the name to the Russian land, because Rurik’s clan was called Rus'.

The most mysterious prince

After his death, Oleg took over the reins of government. Of course, Nestor could not ignore this legendary ruler of Rus'. Few facts are known about him, so historians rely on the legend described in the Tale of Bygone Years. It is not known for sure whether Oleg was a relative of Rurik or simply looked after his son, Igor. But he did a lot for Rus' and remained in history as the Prophetic - it was believed that he foresaw the future. Whether this is true or not, you will never know, but he was a prudent politician.

Of course, the princes of ancient Rus' were different in character. Oleg was distinguished by his entrepreneurial spirit and belligerence. During his reign, the territory of Rus' expanded significantly. In 882 he united:

• north and south of Rus',
• Kyiv and Novgorod.

And Oleg, deciding that it was much more convenient to govern from Kyiv, named it the capital. The Drevlyans, Northerners, Radimichi, Ulichs, Tivertsi - the prince subjugated all these tribes to Rus'.

Like the first prince in Rus', Oleg did not live long. At that time, men rarely crossed the 35-year-old mark. Therefore, managers changed frequently. During his activity, Prophetic Oleg not only expanded the territory of Rus', but also strengthened foreign policy ties. In particular, a campaign was made against Constantinople, where the prince concluded peaceful and very profitable treaties.

Son of Rurik

The famous prince was replaced by the grown-up Igor, the son of Rurik. This happened after the death of the great Oleg, who, according to legend, died from a snake. The Drevlyans tried to separate, but Igor managed to stop them and imposed even greater tribute. He had to defend himself from the Pechenegs - hordes of nomads who appeared at the end of the 9th century. The prince not only coped with the task with dignity, but also signed a peace treaty with them.

Igor’s death was brought about by the Drevlyans, to whom he went for tribute. Historians note that when collecting tribute, the prince was distinguished by cruelty and, having collected the tax, he decided to return and do it again. The Drevlyans did not forgive him for this and cruelly got even with the prince: they bent down the trunks of two trees, tied up the ruler of Rus' and released them. This led to Igor's death.

Duchess Olga

Svyatoslav was to become Igor's successor. But at that time the heir was too small and Olga, Igor’s widow, began to rule Russia. Some sources say that she got married at the age of 10, while others say that she met her future husband at a crossing near Pskov. According to the legend described in the Degree Book (16th century), she was a boat carrier, dressed in men's clothing. Igor became interested in the girl, but she rejected the prince’s advances, declaring that it was better to throw herself into the water than to suffer a reproach. And when the time came to look for the bride, the ruler sent for her. Whether this happened is now difficult to know. But Olga managed to do a lot.

After the Drevlyans dealt with Igor, they invited Olga to marry their prince, Mal. But the princess not only rejected their proposal, but also cruelly took revenge for the death of her beloved. Although she ruled only until her son came of age, she actually continued to make decisions even after, while Svyatoslav was on military campaigns.

First of all, upon ascending the throne, Olga set off on a journey through her lands. She created graveyards - strong points and left managers there. Instead of focusing on conquest, Olga turned her attention to foreign policy. Thanks to skillful diplomacy, she increased the prestige of Rus', and the state became known in various European countries.

In addition, Olga became the first ruler to convert to Christianity. She was baptized by Constantine, the Byzantine emperor, and at baptism she received the name Elena. But this decision did not affect the baptism of Rus', and even her son remained a pagan.

Great commander

The next prince of the Slavs is Svyatoslav. Military campaigns and conquests - this is how his reign remained in history. During the campaigns, he slept and ate like a simple warrior, thereby winning the favor of his squad. He defeated the Khazars, defeated the Yaasmi and Kosogs, and captured the cities of the Bulgarians. The prince died at the hands of the Pechenegs, who waylaid him upon his return to Kyiv.

The first Russian princes were outstanding personalities. They date back to the middle of the 9th century. They are distinguished by justice towards their people and at the same time - harshness towards their neighbors. But at this time, conquest and raids were an integral part of the formation of states. Therefore, the princes expanded the borders of Rus', trying to protect their subjects from enemies.

The description of history in textbooks and multimillion-dollar works of fiction in recent decades has been questioned, to put it mildly. The rulers of Russia in chronological order are of great importance in the study of ancient times. 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 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.

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 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 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. His brother, Prince Yaroslav of Novgorod, begins to wage an open struggle for the grand-ducal throne. 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 the 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 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 all the major cities, the entire route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”; the accumulated military power gave him the right to be called the 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.

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.