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ÃËÀÂÍÀß > Exhibitions > Ruriks > The First Rurikoviches The new migrants from the River Dunai together with those coming from the Baltic Sea started to develop the north of the Eastern Europe in the 8th century already when vikings didn’t even think of capturing the southern Baltic shores. “Epoch of vikings” traditionally covers 800-900ths. Long before all newcomers targeted at finding a new Motherland for themselves. Lower Povolhov’e (now L’ubsha) was famous for the first stone fortress built by the migrating Slovenes. Having reached these territories 20-30 years after Frizs and Scandinavians got on with the Slovenes and, therefore, founded their own settlement located 2 km higher with the Volhov’s stream. This was how the famous Old Ladoga, the future capital of the Higher Rus’, was born. For the whole century both cities were good neighbors on the contract conditions. Soon migrants became related to each other and bent the locals in their will. Ancient northern way of speaking was clearly understood on a par with the Slavic one. People were involved in developing the lands close to Volga, Don and Dnepr. They also contributed to lay the Trans European trade ways to Kaspean Sea and Byzantium. Absolutely new and unique country populated by very energetic people was growing fast. Foreigners called it just “Gardariki” (a country with cities) having no other name on their mind. Soon the new country will turn into Rus’. New name rooted to those times when campaigning people and tribute collectors drove round the dependent territories by rowing boats. They were “rovers”, in the Ancient northern language “rover” kept in harmony with “rods”, “ros”, in Finnish - “ruotsi”. Since then the multiethnic urban population of Povolhov’e had a source from. Various people contributed to the utterly unique culture of the Old Russian State. In 840th vikings from overseas conquered Rus’. Sweden konung Eirik Emundarson was supposed the person who built the fortresses in “the Eastern countries” and laid all people under tribute. For a long time locals struggled for their freedom. Those who came to take a tribute might have turned into faithful allies. During the war with Sweden vikings the prince dynasty was broken in Povolhov’e. Before the Ruricks came to the throne “Elder Gostomysl” was told to govern the Russian northwest. There is a legend about the last legal governor who died having left no sons. It led to a row of wars and quarrels between families. Trans European trade ways were in danger. There was a strong need in the leader who could introduce the order. Traditionally the leader was to be a prince by birth to become a supreme priest and improve the well-being of the folks. In 862 the embassy from the Old Ladoga went overseas with the offer to come, establish an order and own the lands. Rurick with his people responded to the call. Scientists still argue if there was Rurick in the history, either this is a myth. Mission of Varangians who were welcome in Russia was seen as an offensive fact in the history for the Slavs. Nowadays due to multi ethnical nature of the Old Rus’ being already proved these considerations seem truly absurd. There were a number of facts about some Rurick living in the mid of the 9th century, when was to be called to help Rus’ according to the annals. Rurick (Reorick) represented younger branch of the Danish king family. He devoted most of his life to serve the Caroline people (descendants of Karl the Great who was famous for uniting the major territory of the central and Western Europe into one empire). As a reward from them Rurick hold vast territories in Frislandia, rich trade center Dorestad included. Mother of Rurick was supposed to be a daughter of the elder Gostomysl who did not leave any sons after death. Now we know that she was called Umila, and what was more, she was not the eldest but middle sister. German historians kept much information related to both the offspring of Rurick and all his relatives. For instance, his grand father Herald, prospective Danish konung, hid himself from the enemies in “Gardariki” (in Rus’). Dynasty marriage of Herald’s son, Halvdan (Rurick’s father), to Russian princess seemed possible for that time. So far, Rurick’s belonging to the prince family by birth is well-grounded. He proves to be a legal heir, closely related to Rus’ due to his origin. Also Rurick had been widely famous before his being called to help Rus’. One couldn’t help knowing the governor of Dorestad. Frislandia (Frizia) cooperated in trade with Eastern Europe, their merchants were frequent to come to Ladoga. Povolhov’e was as well tensely populated by migrants from these lands. Rurick was known as a strong person of honor. He was christened (evidently at a mature age). He owned lands populated by Christians and, moreover, he hold the law of property issued by the Christian governors. The prince did not dictate his will to anybody despite there were lots of pagans in his armed forces. But once the epidemic broke out. One of the Christian prisoners advised Rurick to make the whole armed forces religiously fast for two weeks, and immediately after that people got over their diseases. Rurick thanked by having liberated all the Christian prisoners. Rurick assumed the possession of the lands as their defender from vikings. And he spent greater part of his life struggling with the Danish pirates. Once the emperor Lotar accused Rurick in pandering the pirates. Being bitterly offended he succeeded to break away, called great forces and stated to fight against the emperor at the sea. Then he took Dorestad by storm. He was approved by everyone as all the accusations proved to be false. Emperor’s friends advised him not to quarrel with this bold vassal. Lotar made up and presented captured Dorestad to Rurick. 860th saw rather strong pressure of vikings on Frislandia. Rurick had to leave many properties, and therefore, paid attention to Ladoga. Or there is another reason to make him go there. In the Middle Ages relinquishment from ownership was seen as a a disgrace to anybody. Should the relationship of Rurick with the princes of Ladoga be true he was to be interested in the mother’s inheritance, just to save his reputation dear. Having lost Dorestad, not earlier than 864, prince came to Rus’ and put the order here with his well-known methods. Then he returned to Frislandia again to restore his rights. He generally succeeded though failed to own Dorestad again. Coming back to Rus’ Rurick was not welcome there at all, love for a strong governor was not requested any longer. Local nobility found his presence trying. Rurick managed to stifle a rebellion by killing Vadim the Brave at the duel. New city in the upper Volhov sheltered Rurick. He reigned Rus’ for nearly 17 years. Rurick was told to have several wives (or concubines?), but he was madly in love with Efanda giving birth to his son Igor’. Prince Rurick succeeded in making peace in Rus’, which was stable and for a long time. In spring of 882 a great army headed by Oleg, Rurick’s relative and a tutor of young Igor’, started out to the south from Novgorod. Northern Rus’ united in burning with the desire of loot, glory and wealth of the south. Oleg was aware of Askold’s and Dir’s reining at Dnepr, both descendants of the Russian families. Now they own rich city and are reluctant to obey Rurick’s successor. Prince of Rus’ should be the only one to rein the lands from Varyag to Greki. Due to contemporaries, Oleg’s insight was unique as of one of ordinary people. They think he was a clairvoyant, from this his nickname as “prophetic” sounds quite well-taken. His great war ruses helped him in easy capturing Kiev. Oleg’s next steps were in overriding Slavic tribes of Prednestrov’e. He also supported early trade with the East and Byzantium. Successful campaign to Tsar’grad, profitable contract with the Greeks, borders expansion due to Khazaria, brisk trade with Prichernomor’e were among the greatest attainments to make Oleg famous. Northern Rus’ was faithful to him for all 33 years of his government. The information on the Oleg’s place of death is thoroughly contradictory. His death due to a bite of snake is just a fairy-tale. Nevertheless, one of the versions insists on Ladoga, no Novgorod or Kiev, as a place of funeral. Recollections about Oleg might have been mixed up deliberately. He didn’t let Igor rule the country for many years. But later, in the 11th century, Oleg was glorified as a voevode and a tutor of the Rurick’s son. Although the agreements signed with Byzantium can not give a rise to doubts in the prince's status and the full independence of “the emperor constructor”. Igor (or: Ingor), Rurick’s son, was born in Rus’. Prince Oleg had a small boy in charge so Igor never showed independence in making management decisions. When the old prince died Rurick was in his late thirties. Since then there have been almost no news on Igor Rurickovich - down to his campaign to Byzantium in 941 resulted in a great defeat. Prince Igor fled to Kiev while a part of his fleet saved itself in the shallow waters. They succeeded in the Caspian Sea. Russian prince Helgu was at the head. So, Igor, both in his old age and younger, was under the influence of one of the relatives. The agreement with the Greeks signed in 944 proves a great number of relatives of Igor. Hardly the second campaign to Byzantium had started when it finished. The prince preferred not to take a risk and agreed to enter the agreement offered by the emperor Roman. The peace resulted in renewing trade relations with the Greeks which were of great importance for Russia. Still Rus’ felt damages left after a series of the recent defeats. The only way for Igor to make everyone forget about heavy casualties was to lay his nationals under tribute. He never prevented his people from violating in the country. Once on returning to one of the cities in a wish to take more he was seized and put to death by mad people. Igor’ marriage to Olga was adynastic one. She might have belonged to one of the most noble families in the Northern Rus’. Hardly the husband had died when she faced a risk to lose both power, honor and her child. Prince Mal asked her in marriage to run Kiev in this way. Kiev’s forces were left without Prince. There was no one to expect help from. But Mal was hardly aware that Olga was a northern culture woman. Northern pagans had drastic laws, and Olga ordered to bury guests into the ground alive. At first, the princess behaved at her own responsibility but little later her frightful revenge met with the approvals of the Kievers, armed forces and their great leaders. Olga was a cruel woman. There was always a sense in all her acts. She worked over introducing order. In 947 Olga went round her lands to get them acquainted with regulations and identify the amount of tribute to pay. She also made churchyards along the rivers Msta and Luga. Churchyards in Rus’ are the centers of collecting tributes and running districts. Olga aimed at placing princedoms under the central princely command. It was not easy at all. The princess often called armed forces to help with that. Olga had hard time with her son. Svyatoslav constantly conflicted with her will. They were also opposite in the questions of belief. She was christened in the evening of life in Konstantinopol but her son still laughed at her. Olga died in 969. Later she was cannonized. In summer of 968 prince Svyatoslav in Bulgaria got the message from discontented Kievers. They could not approve the leader who had not come off second-best before. Just war-men idolized Svyatoslav. Cult of military valor and Spartan contempt to creature comforts made him popular among his people. Prince could make impressive speeches. His speech before the fight at Arkadiopol became famous. 8 years of his campaigns (964 - 971) changed the political map of the Eastern Europe. First, he conqued Hazaria with just an only blitzkrieg in 965, then he came to Balkans to win Bulgaria and control over the country. But to settle down there he needed to win Byzantium who could hardly dream about such neighbor. In 970 Svyatoslav moved to Tsar’grad. But due to great losses, distance from Rus’ and numerical superiority of the Byzantines in defense technology armed forces of the enemies could stop Svyatoslav. Later he also had to give his Bulgarian lands back on purpose to gain revenge. The prince was constantly at war that gave rise to people’s discontent. Svyatoslav never returned to his lands any longer. His army felt exhausted enough to continue military operations. Skull of the great prince was bound with silver. Since then warriors should derive their strength from the ritual cup as a guarantee of the victory. Still we are not aware of the whole princely family tree: Rurick - Igor - Svyatoslav. Geneology mentions other princes of Rus’ just in passing. But there are various proofs to confirm that the history of Rus’ for the period of the 2nd half of the 9th century - 1th half of the 10th century was very complicated. For example, prince Helgu who was said to live, carry wars and enter agreements in Prichernomor’e in 930ths. Famous campaign in Byzantium in 941 glorified him as well as Igor. Scientists suppose both princes were relatives and made common cause. The treaties of Rus’ and Byzantine empire translated from Greek discloses the list of noble people who sent their ambassadors to the emperor and the names of these representatives. Among the others there were nephews of Igor - Igor and Akun (Hakon). So Rurick (or his widow, Igor’s mother who married for the second time) had one or some daughters. Unknown Volodislav, Predslava, Sfandr, Uleb’s wife (Uleb was an illegitimate child of prince Igor), as well as some Tudor, Fast and Sfir’ko (names are rooted from their Scandinavian origin). All of them were in blood relationship of Igor and Olga. Where did such great family disappear later? The most noble might have died in intestine wars while struggling for power in the Western Europe. Some of the Ruricks might have settled down at Peredolsky churchyard and founded a town in order to build an independent princedom. There might be a hidden clue to the secret of the unique funeral religious mound at Shum-gora. Vladimir’s mother was a house-keeper Mala, concubine of Svyatoslav. Being a bastard, he was the youngest in the family. In 969 Kiev sent Novgorod embassy, Svyatoslav’s elder sons - Yaropolk and Oleg - failed to accept the offer to come to Novgorod. Young Vladimir was approved to reign there. 977 saw a series of conflicts between three sons of Svyatoslav. Oleg died in the blood intestine war, Vladimir had to escape overseas. Three years later he returned and headed a capmaign to Kiev. Yaropolk was killed. Since then concubine’s son governed the whole Rus’. His life was thoroughly devoted to a choice of belief for Rus’. He examined Islam, Judaism, Paganism and, finally, chose “the Greek laws”. Centenary cultural relations with Byzantium were sure to influence on the choice. Vladimir supplied emperor Vasily the second with the military help asking his daughter’s hand in marriage in return. Vasily the second did not hurry to accept the offer, and thereby forced Vladimir to lay siege to Hersones. Emperor had to yield and let princess Anna marry a barbarian. Vladimir was christened as a winner then. Christianity adaptation led to irreversible changes in spiritual life of Rus’. Prince Vladimir was later canonized. He got a nickname Krasnoe Solnyshko (“Red Sun”) from his people who could hardly forget prince’s generous hand. Boris was a son of Vladimir the Saint and princess Anna, grandson of the Byzantine emperor Roman the second. His father expected him to become his successor. But other people were also interested in obtaining the rights to run the country. For example, Svyatopolk, son of the killed Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich. Vladimir unveiled a conspiracy and ordered him to prison, right then he was sick to death. In summer of 1015 Boris cared of his father when a news of Pechenegs reaching the bourder was broken. He was quick to make a campaign there, but the news was false. Svyatopolk ran from the prison, put the body of the died Vladimir in Desyatinnaya church open to public and declared himself a prince. Boris learned about father’s death on his way home. Then it was a turn of Svyatopolk to make a piece. Warriors warned Boris not to trust this prince, but Boris was reluctant to conduct military operations any longer. New Christianity justified the peaceful behavior of Boris, meanwhile Svyatopolk understood the army would never take down his dictation. Boris’s death was a reasonable course of action. Killers found by Svyatopolk pierced Boris’s heart with spears through the canvas of his marquee. When his body was being moved to Kiev it became clear that Boris was still alive. Two Varangians had to deal the final. So Boris Vladimirovich was killed haveing made the only responsible act in his life - he refused from intestine strife of his own free will. Worship of Boris (together wuth his brother Gleb) started when the reigns of government belonged to Yaroslav Mudry. two brothers-princes were among the most popular saints of Old Rus’. Yaroslav was a son of Vladimir the Saint and princess Rogneda. He reigned in Novgorod. Having understood that father elected Boris as his heir Yaroslav failed to pay the tribute to Kiev. Vladimir Svyatoslavich died without punishing his disobedient son. After Svyatopolk’s reigning in Rus’ and killing of both brothers Yaroslav called the army and went to Kiev. Prince’s armed forces occupied the opposite Dnepr’s banks for three months. Later the army headed by Yaroslav crossed the river, enemy taken aback had to surrender at discretion. Svyatopolk escaped, but the wars between brothers went on for three years more. Once being defeated Yaroslav was about to escape overseas, to Sweden. The Novgorod citizens stopped him by making a hole in the bottom of his ship. They called the army and collected money again. Yaroslav married Ingigerd, daughter of the Sweden king Olav Shetkonung who gave him a strong army as a marriage portion. Yaroslav could be defeated in an attack but never lost a campaign. Yaroslav was a shrewd and prudent politician and book-lover. He cared of education and church constructions in Rus’ (his son Vsevolod spoke five languages). The prince was able to become related to the whole Europe. He was a father-in-law to the French, Norwegian and Hungarian kings. His daughters-in-law were Byzantine, German and Polish princess. Being peace-loving by nature Yaroslav spent half his life participating in campaigns. He became famous for cruelty regarding his enemies. He always explained his own enmity with brothers by the fact they all had different mothers. That was why he was a faithful husband teaching his sons to love and respect each other because they had one and the same mother and one and the same father. Vladimir was a son of Vsevolod Yaroslavovich and Maria, a daughter of the Byzantine emperor Konstantin Monomakh. 83 great campaigns were connected with the name of Vladimir. And it was hard to calculate the small ones. Monomakh was a prudent politician. He could always yield to demand despite it hurt him greatly. Vladimir’s father was reigned in Kiev when he was 25. He governed Rus’ with his son for about 15 years. Then his father died. There were no legal rights, support any longer. And forty-year old Vladimir let his cousin Svyatopolk rein, escaped to the troubled lands which were always in danger. He made his best to unite princes on a new allied basis. His efforts succeeded as some time after united Rus’ took the field in the fight against the step’. Monomakh insisted on defining power as a duty and work, not a fun at all. Another idea resulted from his everyday experience: Be content with the things you can do as what you wish is not possible to reach at all. In 1113 there was a rebellion of the poor. Vladimir Monomakh was called there as a rescuer. In fact, 12 years of his reigning in Rus’ were the best period in the long history of Rus’. Later on the name of Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko joined one of his great-grandson to be retold in bylinas and tales. |
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