The first Russian princes, the table of information about which is presented below, ruled the state of Rus from the moment of its formation until the time of its actual disintegration into specific principalities. Chronologically, this time can be designated as the period from the 9th to the middle of the 12th century.

The name of the prince and the years of his reign	Domestic politics during the reign	Foreign policy
Rurik (r. 862-879)	Ruler of Novgorod, founder of the Rurik dynasty
Oleg (ruled in 882-912)	Unification of principalities of Novgorod and Kyiv, the formation of a single state of Rus in 882.	He made successful campaigns against the Byzantine Empire in 907 and 911. He concluded an agreement with its ruler Leo IV on the right to duty-free trade.
Igor (r. 912-945)	He subjugated the tribes of the streets. He was killed during the uprising of the Drevlyans while trying to re-collect the annual tribute from them.	Repelled a major invasion of the Pechenegs. In 941 he made an unsuccessful campaign against Byzantium, and in 944 he concluded an agreement with the Byzantine emperor Roman I Lakkapin.
Olga (ruled 945-957)	She took revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder they had committed of her husband, Prince Igor, by conducting a punitive campaign against them. Installed "graveyards" - the central villages of individual subordinate territories in which there were those responsible for collecting tribute - lesson- officials.	In 957 she adopted Christianity in Constantinople.
Svyatoslav (r. 957-972)	In 964-96 he subjugated the Vyatichi tribes.	He made two successful campaigns: in 965 to the Khazar Khaganate, and in 967 to Bulgaria. During a campaign against Byzantium in 971, he lost the battle of Dorostol, was captured, but then released following the results of a peace treaty. He died in a fight with the Pechenegs.
Vladimir the Red Sun (reigning 980-1015)	He made two successful campaigns against the Vyatichi tribes in 981 and 982, as well as a victorious campaign against the Radimichi in 984. From the very beginning of his reign, he took measures to reform paganism. In 988 he spent Baptism of Russia.	In 981, he subjugated himself, having won the Cherven cities in the South-West of Russia from the Polish crown. He built defensive structures in the south of the country to fight the Pechenegs, and in 922 defeated them on the Sula River. In 994-97 he undertook campaigns against Volga Bulgaria.
Yaroslav the Wise (ruled 1019-1054).	In 1016 he published the very first written code of laws, called "Russian Truth". At the end of his reign, he published the "Charter", which established fines in favor of the church for violating church canons. Established a system of succession to the throne according to the specific ladder type.	He completed the defeat of the Pechenegs and made peace with the Byzantine Empire.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich (r. 1054-1078)	Under him, as a result of the struggle of the sons of Yaroslav for the princely throne, the beginning of the fragmentation of Russia was laid. In 1068 there was an uprising in Kyiv against Izyaslav himself.	The first penetration of the Polovtsy into the southern Russian steppes.
Vsevolod Yaroslavich (ruled in 1078-1093)	The years of his reign are characterized by a constant struggle with the grandson of Yaroslav - Oleg Svyatoslavich for power in Kyiv and Chernigov.
Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (reigned 1093-1113)	Under him, in 1097, the legal registration of the feudal fragmentation of Russia took place at the congress of princes in the city of Lyubech.	The raids of the Polovtsy become permanent.
Vladimir Monomakh (r. 1113-1125)	In the very first year of his reign, he suppressed a powerful uprising in Kyiv, and during his reign he subjugated almost all Russian princes. Wrote Teachings to Children. Under him, a new set of laws was prepared, called the "Various Truth."	Completely defeated the Polovtsy.
Mstislav the Great (ruled 1125-1132)	The last Russian prince, under whom Russia, as a state, was relatively unified.

The end of the reign of Mstislav the Great in 1132 is officially considered the date of the beginning of the complete fragmentation of Russia into specific principalities.

Origin problem

RURIK (862 - 879)

OLEG (879 - 912)

IGOR (912 - 945)

OLGA (945 - 969)

SVYATOSLAV (964 - 972)

Carried out military campaigns:
- to the Baltics;
- to the Polish-Lithuanian lands;
- to Byzantium.

Economy and socio-political system of Kievan Rus

Socio-economic structure

By the end of the 10th century, an early or proto-state was formed on the territory of the Eastern Slavs, headed by the Rurik dynasty. Gradually, the feudalization of this state begins, which comes from two sides. Firstly, the community gives the prince part of their landed estates as a payment for patronage. Secondly, the prince grants his boyars the right to collect tribute from certain conquered territories. Those could distribute to their combatants, and they, in turn, could settle on this land. If the boyars built a house, then the property became a fiefdom and personally belonged to the boyars, and could also be inherited. Part of the land went to land owners as payment for patronage. Thus the feudal hierarchy was formed. The prince was the supreme owner of the land, then came the estates, then the boyars, who received the right to fully inherit their lands. The petty land holders were at the end of the feudal ladder, their holding of land backed by a contract of service.

Social

The first all-Russian law "Russian Truth" stipulated the following categories of the population: free community members and dependent, that is, not full in court and without the right to participate in military service. Free community members, who in turn were divided into smerds and people, necessarily served in the army. The dependent population was divided into several categories: servants (members of the families of smerds), serfs (servants, slaves), ryadovichi, temporarily dependent they were also called purchases (a person received a loan that he had to work off or pay back).

NOVGOROD LAND

The main source of enrichment for the largest landowners of Novgorod - the boyars - was the profit from the sale of craft products - beekeeping, hunting for fur and sea animals.

Of great importance for Novgorod was the annexation of the vast territory of Pomerania from the Kola Peninsula to the Urals. Novgorod sea and forest industries brought enormous wealth.

Novgorod's trade relations with its neighbors, especially with the countries of the Baltic basin, became stronger from the middle of the 12th century. Furs, walrus ivory, lard, flax, etc. were exported to the West from Novgorod. Cloth, weapons, metals, etc. were imported to Russia.

But despite the size of the territory of the Novgorod land, it was distinguished by a low level of population density, a relatively small number of cities compared to other Russian lands. All cities, except for the "younger brother" Pskov (separated from 1268), were noticeably inferior in terms of population and importance to the main city of the Russian medieval North - Lord Veliky Novgorod.

The economic growth of Novgorod prepared the necessary conditions for its political separation into an independent feudal boyar republic in 1136. The princes in Novgorod were left with exclusively official functions. The princes acted in Novgorod as military leaders, their actions were under the constant control of the Novgorod authorities. The right of the princes to court was limited, their purchase of land in Novgorod was prohibited, and the income they received from the possessions determined for the service was strictly fixed. From the middle of the XII century. the Novgorod prince was formally considered the Grand Duke of Vladimir, but until the middle of the 15th century. he did not have the opportunity to really influence the state of affairs in Novgorod.

The supreme governing body of Novgorod was veche, real power was concentrated in the hands of the Novgorod boyars.

From the environment and under the control of the boyars, elections were carried out posadnik ( city ​​manager) and thousand ( militia leaders). Under boyar influence, the post of head of the church was replaced - archbishop. The archbishop was in charge of the treasury of the republic, external relations of Novgorod, the right of court, etc. The city was divided into 3 (later 5) parts - "ends", whose trade and craft representatives, along with the boyars, took a significant part in the management of the Novgorod land.

The socio-political history of Novgorod is characterized by private urban uprisings (1136, 1207, 1228-29, 1270). used in their struggle for power by representatives of rival boyar groups, who dealt with their political opponents with the hands of the people.

Novgorod was reluctant to participate in all-Russian affairs, in particular, the payment of tribute to the Mongols. The richest and largest land of the Russian Middle Ages, Novgorod, could not become a potential center for the unification of Russian lands. The boyar nobility ruling in the republic strove to protect the "old times", to prevent any changes in the existing balance of political forces within the Novogorod society. Moscow’s offensive against Novgorod independence, a significant part of Novgorod society, including the agricultural and trading elite that did not belong to the boyars, either went over to the side of Moscow, or took a position of passive non-intervention.

5. Invasion of Batu

1237-1238 - a campaign against North-Western Russia (R-t - the capture of Ryazan, Vldimiro-Suzdal Prince-va. They did not reach Novgorod the Great. March 4, 1238 - the battle on the river Sit (Tatars won)

1239-1241 (campaign to South-Eastern Russia (district capture and subjugation of the Chernigov prince, fall of Kiev, capture of Galicia-Volyn. Batu did not dare to go to the Western countries.

1243 - Formation of the Golden Horde (Russia did not enter the Horde, but became dependent on it)

As a result of the Batu invasion over Russia, the so-called Mongol-Tatar yoke is established - a complex of economic and political methods that ensured the dominance of the Golden Horde over that part of the territory of Russia that was under its control

The main among these methods was the levying of various tributes and duties - “plough”, the trade duty “tamga”, feed for the Tatar ambassadors - “honor”, ​​etc. -s yrs. XIII century, and since 1257, on the orders of Khan Berke, the Mongols carried out a census of the population of North-Eastern Russia (“recording in number”), setting fixed fees.

Only the clergy were exempted from paying the “exit” (before the adoption of Islam by the Horde at the beginning of the 14th century, the Mongols were distinguished by religious tolerance). Representatives of the khan, the Baskaks, were sent to Russia to control the collection of tribute. Tribute was collected by tax-farmers "besermens" (Central Asian merchants). By the end of the XIII - beginning of the XIV centuries. the institution of the Basques was canceled due to the active opposition of the Russian population and mass urban uprisings. Since that time, the princes of the Russian lands themselves began to collect the Horde tribute.

In case of disobedience, punitive campaigns followed. The Russian principalities that became dependent on the Horde lost their sovereignty. Their receipt of the princely table depended on the will of the khan, who gave them labels (letters) for reigning. The measure that consolidated the dominance of the Golden Horde over Russia was the issuance of labels for the great reign of Vladimir.

The one who received such a label added the Vladimir principality to his possessions and became the most powerful among the Russian princes in order to maintain order, stop strife and ensure an uninterrupted flow of tribute. The Horde rulers did not allow any significant strengthening of any of the Russian princes and a long stay on the grand prince's throne.

In addition, having taken away the label from the next Grand Duke, they gave it to the rival prince, which caused princely strife and a struggle for obtaining the right to reign in Vladimir at the Khan's court. A well-thought-out system of measures provided the Horde with firm control over the Russian lands.Rus

TICKET 10 Ivan 4

Vasily III, who died in 1533, was succeeded by his three-year-old son Ivan IV (1533–1584). In fact, the mother, Elena Glinskaya, ruled for the child. The short regency of Elena Glinskaya (1533-1538) was marked not only by the struggle against numerous conspirators and rebels, but also by reformatory activities. The monetary reform carried out unified the system of monetary circulation. Uniform banknotes were introduced - kopecks, a standard for the weight of coins was determined. Measures of weight and length were also unified. Local government reform has begun. In order to limit the power of governors in the country, the institute of labial elders was introduced. This elective position could only be held by a nobleman. Representatives of the upper strata of the urban and rural population were elected to help him. Such people received the right to hold the position of zemstvo headman. The government of Elena Glinskaya paid great attention to strengthening the country's defense. To protect the Moscow Posad, the walls of Kitay-gorod were built.

After the sudden death of Elena in 1538, the next few years were spent in the struggle for power between the boyar groups of the Shuiskys and Belskys.

In January 1547, when the heir of Vasily III turned 17 years old, Ivan Vasilyevich assumed the royal title. The political meaning of this event was to strengthen the power of the Moscow sovereign, his authority excluded from that moment any claims to the supreme power of the descendants of aristocratic families. The new title equated the head of the Russian state with the khans of the Golden Horde and the emperors of Byzantium.

At the very end of the 1540s. a circle of close associates formed around the young king, called the government of the Chosen Rada (1548/9–1560), which carried out a number of important transformations in the life of the country aimed at strengthening the centralized state.

In 1549, the Zemsky Sobor was convened for the first time. So began to be called meetings periodically collected by the tsar to resolve and discuss the most important issues of the domestic and foreign policy of the state. The Zemsky Sobor included representatives of the boyars, the nobility, the clergy, the tops of the townspeople. It became the highest advisory class-representative body. The Zemsky Sobor of 1549 considered the problems of abolishing "feedings" and suppressing the abuses of the governors, so it was called the Cathedral of Reconciliation. The Boyar Duma continued to play an important role in the government of the country. There were orders - bodies in charge of certain branches of government. Among the first were formed petition, local, zemstvo and other orders, and their employees were called clerks and clerks.

In 1550, a new Sudebnik of the Russian state was adopted. The Code of Laws introduced legal norms that determine the punishment of officials for an unjust trial and bribery. The judicial powers of the royal governors were limited. The Sudebnik contained instructions on the activities of orders. The right of the peasant transition on St. George's Day was confirmed. The Sudebnik of 1550 introduced a significant restriction on the enslavement of the children of serfs. A child born before his parents were in bondage was recognized as free.

The principles of local government were fundamentally changed. In 1556, the “feeding” system was abolished throughout the state. Administrative and judicial functions were transferred to the labial and zemstvo elders.

A significant reorganization of the armed forces began. From the service people (nobles and boyar children) a cavalry army was formed. In 1550, a permanent archery army was created. Archers began to be called infantrymen armed with firearms. The artillery was also reinforced. From the total mass of service people, a “chosen thousand” was formed: it included the best nobles endowed with lands near Moscow.

A unified system of land taxation was introduced - the "big Moscow plow". The size of tax payments began to depend on the nature of land ownership and the quality of the land used. Secular feudal lords, landowners and patrimonials received great benefits compared to the clergy and state peasants.

In February 1551, the Council of the Russian Church was convened, which received the name Stoglavy, since its decisions were set out in 100 chapters. The Council discussed a wide range of issues: church discipline and morality of monks, enlightenment and spiritual education, the appearance and norms of behavior of a Christian. Of particular importance was the unification of the rites of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The reforming activity of the Chosen Rada lasted for about ten years. As early as 1553, disagreements between the tsar and his entourage began. The conflict situation intensified after the death in 1560 of Empress Anastasia. Ivan IV accused the Chosen Rada of poisoning his beloved royal wife. At the same time, disagreements between the tsar and members of the Chosen Rada on the implementation of foreign and domestic policy led to the cessation of its existence. The reforms were put on hold.

TICKET 11 Oprichnina…

In December 1564, the tsar, unexpectedly for his subjects, left Moscow and took refuge with his family in Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda, which was located about a hundred kilometers from the capital. Messengers sent from there brought two letters to Moscow. One of them accused the boyars and the higher clergy of treason and conspiracies against the tsar. Another, addressed to the townspeople, announced that the tsar did not hold "anger and disgrace" on them. With this clever maneuver, Ivan hoped to gain allies in the face of the population. A few days later, the tsar received a delegation from the Boyar Duma and the higher clergy. As a condition for returning to the throne, Ivan called the institution oprichnina. The oprichnina, which existed for a very short time (1565–1572), left a deep mark on Russian history.

Oprichnina (from the word "oprich" - except) began to be called a land allotment specially allocated to the king, and the staff of the royal entourage, and a special army. Oprichny possessions included a number of cities and counties in the center of the country (Suzdal, Mozhaisk, Vyazma), rich lands of the Russian North, some counties on the southern borders of the state. The rest of its territory was called "zemshchina". The entire state apparatus was divided into two parts - oprichnina and zemstvo. The feudal lords who entered the oprichnina (initially there were one thousand, and by 1572 - six thousand) wore a special uniform: a black caftan and a black pointed hat. Loyalty to one’s sovereign, readiness to “sweep and gnaw out” traitors was symbolized by brooms and dog heads tied to the necks of horses and quivers for arrows.

Already the first months of the existence of the oprichnina were marked by monstrous in their cruelty executions of people objectionable to the tsar. The victims of the massacres were boyars and statesmen suspected of treason, members of their families and servants. One of the worst crimes of Ivan the Terrible was a punitive expedition to Novgorod in the winter of 1570. The false denunciation of the betrayal of the Novgorod boyars and the clergy served as a pretext for the murder of thousands of innocent residents of the city. The rural and commercial population suffered from the raids of the oprichnina troops. From constant bloody orgies, the royal army was decomposing. In 1571, it demonstrated complete inability in the face of an external enemy. The Crimean Khan Devlet-Girey reached Moscow during his raid, the Tatars set fire to the Moscow settlement and took away more than 100 thousand Russian captives into slavery. The next summer, the raid was repeated. The enemy was stopped and defeated by a small army, which included guardsmen, zemstvo boyars and nobles.

In the autumn of 1572, the oprichnina was officially abolished. Under the threat of punishment, the king forbade his subjects to even pronounce this word. Many former guardsmen turned from executioners into victims. They were accused of state crimes and executed. After the abolition of the oprichnina, the tsar created the so-called "yard" and again divided the country into zemstvo and yard parts. But it no longer played a big role in the political and economic life of the country. With the abandonment of the oprichnina orders, mass terror was reduced.

Oprichnina had far-reaching political consequences. It led to the elimination of vestiges of specific time and the strengthening of the regime of the tsar's personal power. Its socio-economic order proved pernicious. Oprichnina and the protracted Livonian War devastated the country. The deep economic crisis that gripped Russia in the 1570s–1580s was called “poor” by contemporaries. One of the disastrous consequences of Ivan the Terrible's domestic policy was the enslavement of the Russian peasantry. In 1581, "Reserved Years" were established, until the abolition of which peasants were forbidden to leave their owners. In fact, this meant that the peasants were deprived of the ancient right to move on St. George's Day to another owner.

TICKET 13 Time of Troubles

The Time of Troubles at the beginning of the 17th century is one of the most difficult and tragic periods in Russian history, which had a decisive influence on the fate of our state. The name itself - "Trouble", "Time of Troubles" very accurately reflects the atmosphere of that time. The name has, by the way, folk etymology.

Origin problem

The process of property and social stratification among the community members led to the separation of the most prosperous part from their midst. The tribal nobility and the prosperous part of the community, subjugating the mass of ordinary community members, needs to maintain their dominance in state structures.

The embryonic form of statehood was represented by the East Slavic unions of tribes, which united in superunions, however, fragile ones. Eastern historians talk about the existence on the eve of the formation of the Old Russian state of three large associations of Slavic tribes: Kuyaby, Slavia and Artania. Kuyaba, or Kuyava, then called the area around Kyiv. Slavia occupied the territory in the area of ​​Lake Ilmen. Its center was Novgorod. The location of Artania - the third major association of Slavs - has not been precisely established.

According to The Tale of Bygone Years, the Russian princely dynasty originates in Novgorod. In 859, the northern Slavic tribes, who then paid tribute to the Varangians, or Normans (according to most historians, immigrants from Scandinavia), drove them across the sea. However, soon after these events, internecine struggle began in Novgorod. To stop the clashes, the Novgorodians decided to invite the Varangian princes as a force standing above the opposing factions. In 862, Prince Rurik and his two brothers were called to Russia by the Novgorodians, laying the foundation for the Russian princely dynasty.

The first Russian princes and their activities

RURIK (862 - 879)

The ancestor of the Rurik dynasty, the first ancient Russian prince.
According to The Tale of Bygone Years, he was called to reign in 862 by the Ilmen Slovenes, the Chud and all of the Varangian lands.
He reigned first in Ladoga, and then in all Novgorod lands.
Before his death, he transferred power to his relative (or senior combatant) - Oleg.

OLEG (879 - 912)

The first real ruler of Ancient Russia, who united the lands of the Slavic tribes along the path "from the Varangians to the Greeks."
In 882, he captured Kyiv and made it the capital of the ancient Russian state, killing Askold and Dir, who had previously reigned there.
He subjugated the tribes of the Drevlyans, Northerners, Radimichi.
Strengthened the foreign policy position. In 907 he made a successful military campaign against Constantinople, which resulted in two peace treaties beneficial for Russia (907 and 911).

IGOR (912 - 945)

He expanded the boundaries of the Old Russian state, subjugating the tribe of streets and contributing to the foundation of Russian settlements on the Taman Peninsula.
Repulsed the raids of the nomadic Pechenegs.
Organized military campaigns against Byzantium:
1) 941 - ended in failure;
2) 944 - the conclusion of a mutually beneficial agreement.
Killed by the Drevlyans while collecting tribute in 945.

OLGA (945 - 969)

The wife of Prince Igor, ruled in Russia during the childhood of his son Svyatoslav and during his military campaigns.
For the first time, she established a clear procedure for collecting tribute ("polyudya") by introducing:
1) lessons in determining the exact amount of tribute;
2) graveyards - establishing places of tribute collection.
She visited Byzantium in 957 and converted to Christianity under the name Helena.
In 968, she led the defense of Kyiv from cookies

SVYATOSLAV (964 - 972)

Son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga.
Initiator and leader of many military campaigns:
- The defeat of the Khazar Khaganate and its capital Itil (965)
- Campaigns in the Danube Bulgaria. Wars with Byzantium (968 - 971)
- Military clashes with the Pechenegs (969 - 972)
- Treaty between Russia and Byzantium (971)
Killed by the Pechenegs during their return from Bulgaria in 972 on the Dnieper rapids.

VLADIMIR THE FIRST HOLY (978 (980)) - 1015)

In 972 - 980. there is the first internecine war for power between the sons of Svyatoslav - Vladimir and Yaropolk. Vladimir wins and is confirmed on the throne of Kiev.
980 - Vladimir carries out a pagan reform. A pantheon of pagan gods is being created, headed by Perun. An attempt to adapt paganism to the needs of the Old Russian state and society ended in failure.

988 - adoption of Christianity in Russia.
YAROSLAV THE WISE (1019 - 1054)

He established himself on the throne of Kiev after long strife with Svyatopolk the Accursed (he received his nickname after the murder of his brothers Boris and Gleb, later canonized as saints) and Mstislav of Tmutarakansky.
He contributed to the flourishing of the Old Russian state, patronized education and construction.
Contributed to the rise of the international prestige of Russia. Established broad dynastic ties with European and Byzantine courts.
Carried out military campaigns:
- to the Baltics;
- to the Polish-Lithuanian lands;
- to Byzantium.
He finally defeated the Pechenegs.
Prince Yaroslav the Wise - the founder of written Russian legislation ("Russian Truth", "Truth of Yaroslav").

VLADIMIR THE SECOND MONOMACH (1113 - 1125)

Mary, daughter of the Byzantine emperor Constantine the ninth Monomakh. Prince of Smolensk (since 1067), Chernigov (since 1078), Pereyaslavl (since 1093), Grand Duke of Kyiv (since 1113).
Prince Vladimir Monomakh - the organizer of successful campaigns against the Polovtsians (1103, 1109, 1111)
He advocated the unity of Russia. Member of the congress of ancient Russian princes in Lyubech (1097), which discussed the perniciousness of civil strife, the principles of ownership and inheritance of princely lands.
He was called to reign in Kyiv during the popular uprising of 1113, which followed the death of Svyatopolk II. Reigned until 1125
He put into effect the "Charter of Vladimir Monomakh", where interest on loans was limited by law and it was forbidden to enslave dependent people who work off debt.
He stopped the collapse of the Old Russian state. Wrote "Instruction", in which he condemned the strife and called for the unity of the Russian land.
He continued the policy of strengthening dynastic ties with Europe. He was married to the daughter of the English King Harold II - Gita.

MSTISLAV THE GREAT (1125 - 1132)

Son of Vladimir Monomakh. Prince of Novgorod (1088 - 1093 and 1095 - 1117), Rostov and Smolensk (1093 - 1095), Belgorod and co-ruler of Vladimir Monomakh in Kyiv (1117 - 1125). From 1125 to 1132 - sole ruler of Kyiv.
He continued the policy of Vladimir Monomakh and managed to maintain a unified Old Russian state.
He annexed the Principality of Polotsk to Kiev in 1127.
He organized successful campaigns against the Polovtsy, Lithuania, the Chernigov prince Oleg Svyatoslavovich.
After his death, almost all the principalities are out of obedience to Kiev. There comes a specific period - feudal fragmentation.

Nicholas II (1894 - 1917) Due to the stampede that occurred during his coronation, many people died. So the name "Bloody" was attached to the kindest philanthropist Nikolai. In 1898, Nicholas II, taking care of world peace, issued a manifesto in which he called on all countries of the world to completely disarm. After that, a special commission met in The Hague to develop a number of measures that could further prevent bloody clashes between countries and peoples. But the peace-loving emperor had to fight. First, in the First World War, then the Bolshevik coup broke out, as a result of which the monarch was overthrown, and then shot with his family in Yekaterinburg. The Orthodox Church canonized Nicholas Romanov and his entire family as saints.

Rurik (862-879)

Prince of Novgorod, nicknamed the Varangian, as he was called to reign by the Novgorodians because of the Varangian Sea. is the founder of the Rurik dynasty. He was married to a woman named Efanda, with whom he had a son named Igor. He also raised his daughter and stepson Askold. After his two brothers died, he became the sole ruler of the country. He gave all the surrounding villages and settlements to the management of his close associates, where they had the right to independently create a court. Around this time, Askold and Dir, two brothers who were in no way related to Rurik by family ties, occupied the city of Kyiv and began to rule the glades.

Oleg (879 - 912)

Kyiv prince, nicknamed the Prophet. Being a relative of Prince Rurik, he was the guardian of his son Igor. According to legend, he died, stung in the leg by a snake. Prince Oleg became famous for his intelligence and military prowess. With a huge army for those times, the prince went along the Dnieper. On the way, he conquered Smolensk, then Lyubech, and then took Kyiv, making it the capital. Askold and Dir were killed, and Oleg showed the glades the little son of Rurik - Igor as their prince. He went on a military campaign to Greece and, with a brilliant victory, provided the Russians with preferential rights to free trade in Constantinople.

Igor (912 - 945)

Following the example of Prince Oleg, Igor Rurikovich conquered all the neighboring tribes and forced them to pay tribute, successfully repulsed the Pecheneg raids and also undertook a campaign in Greece, which, however, was not as successful as the campaign of Prince Oleg. As a result, Igor was killed by the neighboring subjugated tribes of the Drevlyans for his irrepressible greed in extortions.

Olga (945 - 957)

Olga was the wife of Prince Igor. She, according to the customs of that time, very cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder of her husband, and also conquered the main city of the Drevlyans - Korosten. Olga was distinguished by very good ability to rule, as well as a brilliant, sharp mind. Already at the end of her life, she accepted Christianity in Constantinople, for which she was later canonized as a saint and named Equal-to-the-Apostles.

Svyatoslav Igorevich (after 964 - spring 972)

The son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga, who, after the death of her husband, took the reins of government into her own hands, while her son grew up, learning the wisdom of the art of war. In 967, he managed to defeat the army of the Bulgarian king, which greatly alarmed the emperor of Byzantium, John, who, in collusion with the Pechenegs, persuaded them to attack Kyiv. In 970, together with the Bulgarians and Hungarians, after the death of Princess Olga, Svyatoslav went on a campaign against Byzantium. The forces were not equal, and Svyatoslav was forced to sign a peace treaty with the empire. After his return to Kyiv, he was brutally killed by the Pechenegs, and then the skull of Svyatoslav was decorated with gold and made from it a bowl for pies.

Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich (972 - 978 or 980)

After the death of his father, Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich, he made an attempt to unite Russia under his rule, defeating his brothers: Oleg Drevlyansky and Vladimir Novgorodsky, forcing them to leave the country, and then annexed their lands to the Kiev principality. He managed to conclude a new agreement with the Byzantine Empire, and also to attract the horde of the Pecheneg Khan Ildea to his service. Tried to establish diplomatic relations with Rome. Under him, as the Joachim manuscript testifies, Christians were given a lot of freedom in Russia, which caused displeasure of the pagans. Vladimir Novgorodsky immediately took advantage of this displeasure and, having agreed with the Varangians, recaptured Novgorod, then Polotsk, and then laid siege to Kyiv. Yaropolk was forced to flee to Roden. He tried to make peace with his brother, for which he went to Kyiv, where he was a Varangian. Chronicles characterize this prince as a peace-loving and meek ruler.

Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (978 or 980 - 1015)

Vladimir was the youngest son of Prince Svyatoslav. He was Prince of Novgorod since 968. Became Prince of Kiev in 980. He was distinguished by a very warlike disposition, which allowed him to conquer the Radimichi, Vyatichi and Yotvingians. Vladimir also waged wars with the Pechenegs, with the Volga Bulgaria, with the Byzantine Empire and Poland. It was during the reign of Prince Vladimir in Russia that defensive structures were built at the borders of the rivers: Desna, Trubezh, Sturgeon, Sula and others. Vladimir also did not forget about his capital city. It was under him that Kyiv was rebuilt with stone buildings. But Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became famous and remained in history due to the fact that in 988 - 989. made Christianity the state religion of Kievan Rus, which immediately increased the authority of the country in the international arena. Under him, the state of Kievan Rus entered the period of its greatest prosperity. Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became an epic character, in which he is referred to only as "Vladimir the Red Sun." Canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, named Prince Equal to the Apostles.

Svyatopolk Vladimirovich (1015 - 1019)

Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, during his lifetime, divided his lands between his sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav, Boris and Gleb. After Prince Vladimir died, Svyatopolk Vladimirovich occupied Kyiv and decided to get rid of his rival brothers. He gave the order to kill Gleb, Boris and Svyatoslav. However, this did not help him establish himself on the throne. Soon, Prince Yaroslav of Novgorod expelled him from Kyiv. Then Svyatopolk turned for help to his father-in-law, King Boleslav of Poland. With the support of the Polish king, Svyatopolk again took possession of Kiev, but soon circumstances developed in such a way that he was again forced to flee the capital. On the way, Prince Svyatopolk committed suicide. This prince was popularly nicknamed the Accursed because he took the life of his brothers.

Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise (1019 - 1054)

Yaroslav Vladimirovich, after the death of Mstislav Tmutarakansky and after the expulsion of the Holy Regiment, became the sole ruler of the Russian land. Yaroslav was distinguished by a sharp mind, for which, in fact, he received his nickname - the Wise. He tried to take care of the needs of his people, built the cities of Yaroslavl and Yuryev. He also built churches (St. Sophia in Kyiv and Novgorod), realizing the importance of spreading and establishing a new faith. It was Yaroslav the Wise who published the first code of laws in Russia called "Russian Truth". He divided the allotments of the Russian land between his sons: Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod, Igor and Vyacheslav, bequeathing them to live in peace with each other.

Izyaslav Yaroslavich the First (1054 - 1078)

Izyaslav was the eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise. After the death of his father, the throne of Kievan Rus passed to him. But after his campaign against the Polovtsy, which ended in failure, he was driven out by the people of Kiev themselves. Then his brother Svyatoslav became the Grand Duke. Only after the death of Svyatoslav, Izyaslav again returned to the capital city of Kyiv. Vsevolod the First (1078 - 1093) It is possible that Prince Vsevolod could well have been a useful ruler, thanks to his peaceful disposition, piety and truthfulness. Being himself an educated person, knowing five languages, he actively contributed to education in his principality. But, alas. Constant, incessant raids of the Polovtsy, pestilence, famine did not favor the rule of this prince. He held onto the throne thanks to the efforts of his son Vladimir, who would later be called Monomakh.

Svyatopolk II (1093 - 1113)

Svyatopolk was the son of Izyaslav the First. It was he who inherited the throne of Kyiv after Vsevolod the First. This prince was distinguished by a rare spinelessness, which is why he failed to calm the internecine friction between the princes for power in the cities. In 1097, a congress of princes took place in the city of Lubicz, at which each ruler, kissing the cross, pledged to own only his father's land. But this shaky peace treaty was not allowed to materialize. Prince Davyd Igorevich blinded Prince Vasilko. Then the princes, at a new congress (1100), deprived Prince Davyd of the right to own Volhynia. Then, in 1103, the princes unanimously accepted Vladimir Monomakh's proposal for a joint campaign against the Polovtsy, which was done. The campaign ended with the victory of the Russians in 1111.

Vladimir Monomakh (1113 - 1125)

Regardless of the right of seniority of the Svyatoslavichs, when Prince Svyatopolk II died, Vladimir Monomakh was elected Prince of Kiev, who wanted the unification of the Russian land. Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh was brave, tireless and favorably distinguished himself from the rest by his remarkable mental abilities. He managed to humble the princes with meekness, and he fought successfully with the Polovtsians. Vladimir Monoma is a vivid example of the prince's service not to his personal ambitions, but to his people, which he bequeathed to his children.

Mstislav the First (1125 - 1132)

The son of Vladimir Monomakh, Mstislav the First, was very much like his legendary father, demonstrating the same remarkable qualities of a ruler. All the recalcitrant princes showed him respect, fearing to anger the Grand Duke and share the fate of the Polovtsian princes, whom Mstislav expelled to Greece for disobedience, and sent his son to reign in their place.

Yaropolk (1132 - 1139)

Yaropolk was the son of Vladimir Monomakh and, accordingly, the brother of Mstislav the First. During his reign, he came up with the idea to transfer the throne not to his brother Vyacheslav, but to his nephew, which caused confusion in the country. It was because of these strife that the Monomakhovichi lost the throne of Kyiv, which was occupied by the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavovich, that is, the Olegovichi.

Vsevolod II (1139 - 1146)

Having become the Grand Duke, Vsevolod II desired to secure the throne of Kyiv for his family. For this reason, he handed over the throne to Igor Olegovich, his brother. But Igor was not accepted by the people as a prince. He was forced to take the veil as a monk, but even the monastic attire did not protect him from the wrath of the people. Igor was killed.

Izyaslav II (1146 - 1154)

Izyaslav II fell in love with the people of Kiev to a greater extent because with his mind, temper, affability and courage he very much reminded them of Vladimir Monomakh, the grandfather of Izyaslav II. After Izyaslav ascended the throne of Kyiv, the concept of seniority, adopted for centuries, was violated in Russia, that is, for example, while his uncle was alive, his nephew could not be a Grand Duke. A stubborn struggle began between Izyaslav II and Prince Yuri Vladimirovich of Rostov. Izyaslav was twice expelled from Kyiv in his life, but this prince still managed to retain the throne until his death.

Yuri Dolgoruky (1154 - 1157)

It was the death of Izyaslav II that paved the way to the throne of Kiev Yuri, whom the people later called Dolgoruky. Yuri became the Grand Duke, but he did not have a chance to reign for long, only three years later, after which he died.

Mstislav II (1157 - 1169)

After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky between the princes, as usual, internecine strife for the throne of Kyiv began, as a result of which Mstislav II Izyaslavovich became the Grand Duke. Mstislav was expelled from the throne of Kiev by Prince Andrei Yurievich, nicknamed Bogolyubsky. Before the expulsion of Prince Mstislav, Bogolyubsky literally ruined Kyiv.

Andrei Bogolyubsky (1169 - 1174)

The first thing that Andrei Bogolyubsky did, becoming the Grand Duke, was to transfer the capital from Kyiv to Vladimir. He ruled Russia autocratically, without squads and vecha, pursued all those dissatisfied with this state of affairs, but, in the end, he was killed by them as a result of a conspiracy.

Vsevolod III (1176 - 1212)

The death of Andrei Bogolyubsky caused strife between the ancient cities (Suzdal, Rostov) and new ones (Pereslavl, Vladimir). As a result of these confrontations, Andrei Bogolyubsky's brother Vsevolod the Third, nicknamed the Big Nest, began to reign in Vladimir. Despite the fact that this prince did not rule and did not live in Kyiv, nevertheless, he was called the Grand Duke and was the first to make him swear allegiance not only to himself, but also to his children.

Constantine the First (1212 - 1219)

The title of Grand Duke Vsevolod the Third, contrary to expectations, was transferred not to his eldest son Konstantin, but to Yuri, as a result of which strife arose. The decision of the father to approve the Grand Duke Yuri was also supported by the third son of Vsevolod the Big Nest - Yaroslav. And Konstantin in his claims to the throne was supported by Mstislav Udaloy. Together they won the Battle of Lipetsk (1216) and Konstantin nevertheless became the Grand Duke. Only after his death, the throne passed to Yuri.

Yuri II (1219 - 1238)

Yuri successfully fought with the Volga Bulgarians and Mordovians. On the Volga, on the very border of Russian possessions, Prince Yuri built Nizhny Novgorod. It was during his reign that the Mongol-Tatars appeared in Russia, who in 1224 in the Battle of Kalka first defeated the Polovtsy, and then the troops of the Russian princes who came to support the Polovtsy. After this battle, the Mongols left, but thirteen years later they returned under the leadership of Batu Khan. The hordes of the Mongols ravaged the Suzdal and Ryazan principalities, and also, in the battle of the City, they defeated the army of the Grand Duke Yuri II. In this battle, Yuri died. Two years after his death, the hordes of the Mongols plundered the south of Russia and Kyiv, after which all the Russian princes were forced to admit that from now on they all and their lands were under the rule of the Tatar yoke. The Mongols on the Volga made the city of Saray the capital of the horde.

Yaroslav II (1238 - 1252)

The Khan of the Golden Horde appointed Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Novgorod as Grand Duke. This prince during his reign was engaged in restoring Russia devastated by the Mongol army.

Alexander Nevsky (1252 - 1263)

Being at first the Prince of Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavovich defeated the Swedes on the Neva River in 1240, for which, in fact, he was named Nevsky. Then, two years later, he defeated the Germans in the famous Battle of the Ice. Among other things, Alexander fought very successfully with the Chud and Lithuania. From the Horde, he received a label for the Great reign and became a great intercessor for the entire Russian people, as he traveled to the Golden Horde four times with rich gifts and bows. Alexander Nevsky was later canonized as a saint.

Yaroslav III (1264 - 1272)

After Alexander Nevsky died, two of his brothers began to fight for the title of Grand Duke: Vasily and Yaroslav, but the Khan of the Golden Horde decided to give the label to reign to Yaroslav. Nevertheless, Yaroslav failed to get along with the Novgorodians, he treacherously called on even the Tatars against his own people. The Metropolitan reconciled Prince Yaroslav III with the people, after which the prince again swore an oath on the cross to rule honestly and fairly.

Basil the First (1272 - 1276)

Vasily the First was the prince of Kostroma, but he claimed the throne of Novgorod, where the son of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry, reigned. And soon Vasily the First achieved his goal, thereby strengthening his principality, previously weakened by division into destinies.

Dmitry the First (1276 - 1294)

The entire reign of Dmitry the First proceeded in a continuous struggle for the rights of the great reign with his brother Andrei Alexandrovich. Andrei Alexandrovich was supported by the Tatar regiments, from which Dmitry managed to escape three times. After his third escape, Dmitry nevertheless decided to ask Andrei for peace and, thus, received the right to reign in Pereslavl.

Andrew II (1294 - 1304)

Andrei II pursued a policy of expanding his principality through the armed seizure of other principalities. In particular, he claimed the principality in Pereslavl, which caused civil strife with Tver and Moscow, which, even after the death of Andrei II, were not stopped.

Saint Michael (1304 - 1319)

Prince Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tver, having paid a large tribute to the khan, received from the Horde a label for a great reign, while bypassing the Moscow prince Yuri Danilovich. But then, while Mikhail was at war with Novgorod, Yuri, conspiring with the Horde ambassador Kavgady, slandered Mikhail before the khan. As a result, the khan summoned Michael to the Horde, where he was brutally killed.

Yuri III (1320 - 1326)

Yuri the Third, married the daughter of Khan Konchaka, who in Orthodoxy took the name Agafya. It was her untimely death that Yuri Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy treacherously accused, for which he suffered an unjust and cruel death at the hands of the Horde Khan. So Yuri received a label for reigning, but the son of the murdered Mikhail, Dmitry, also claimed the throne. As a result, Dmitry at the first meeting killed Yuri, avenging the death of his father.

Dmitry II (1326)

For the murder of Yuri III, he was sentenced to death by the Horde Khan for arbitrariness.

Alexander of Tver (1326 - 1338)

The brother of Dmitry II - Alexander - received from the khan a label to the throne of the Grand Duke. Prince Alexander of Tverskoy was distinguished by justice and kindness, but he literally ruined himself by allowing the people of Tver to kill Shchelkan, the khan's ambassador hated by all. Khan sent a 50,000-strong army against Alexander. The prince was forced to flee first to Pskov and then to Lithuania. Only 10 years later, Alexander received the khan's forgiveness and was able to return, but, at the same time, he did not get along with the prince of Moscow - Ivan Kalita - after which Kalita slandered Alexander of Tverskoy in front of the khan. Khan urgently summoned A. Tverskoy to his Horde, where he was executed.

John the First Kalita (1320 - 1341)

John Danilovich, nicknamed "Kalita" (Kalita - wallet) for his stinginess, was very cautious and cunning. With the support of the Tatars, he devastated the principality of Tver. It was he who took upon himself the responsibility of accepting tribute for the Tatars from all over Russia, which contributed to his personal enrichment. With this money, John bought entire cities from the specific princes. Through the efforts of Kalita, the metropolis was also transferred from Vladimir to Moscow in 1326. He laid the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. Since the time of John Kalita, Moscow has become the permanent residence of the Metropolitan of All Russia and becomes the Russian center.

Simeon the Proud (1341 - 1353)

The Khan gave Simeon Ioannovich not only a label to the Grand Duchy, but also ordered all the other princes to obey only him, so Simeon began to be called the prince of all Russia. The prince died, leaving no heir from a pestilence.

John II (1353 - 1359)

Brother of Simeon the Proud. He had a meek and peaceful disposition, he obeyed the advice of Metropolitan Alexei in all matters, and Metropolitan Alexei, in turn, was highly respected in the Horde. During the reign of this prince, relations between the Tatars and Moscow improved significantly.

Dmitry the Third Donskoy (1363 - 1389)

After the death of John the Second, his son Dmitry was still small, therefore the khan gave the label to the great reign to the Suzdal prince Dmitry Konstantinovich (1359 - 1363). However, the Moscow boyars benefited from the policy of strengthening the Moscow prince, and they managed to achieve a great reign for Dmitry Ioannovich. The Suzdal prince was forced to submit and, together with the rest of the princes of northeastern Russia, swore allegiance to Dmitry Ioannovich. The attitude of Russia towards the Tatars also changed. Due to civil strife in the horde itself, Dmitry and the rest of the princes took the opportunity not to pay the usual dues. Then Khan Mamai entered into an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Jagiello and moved with a large army to Russia. Dmitry and other princes met the army of Mamai on the Kulikovo field, (near the river Don) and at the cost of huge losses on September 8, 1380, Russia defeated the army of Mamai and Jagello. For this victory they called Dmitry Ioannovich Donskoy. Until the end of his life, he took care of strengthening Moscow.

Basil the First (1389 - 1425)

Vasily ascended the princely throne, already having experience of government, since even during the life of his father he shared the reign with him. Expanded the Moscow principality. Refused to pay tribute to the Tatars. In 1395, Khan Timur threatened Russia with an invasion, but it was not he who attacked Moscow, but Edigey, the Tatar Murza (1408). But he lifted the siege from Moscow, receiving a ransom of 3,000 rubles. Under Basil the First, the Ugra River was designated as the border with the Lithuanian principality.

Vasily II (Dark) (1425 - 1462)

Yuri Dmitrievich Galitsky decided to take advantage of the minority of Prince Vasily and claimed his rights to the Grand Duke's throne, but the Khan decided the dispute in favor of the young Vasily II, which was greatly facilitated by the Moscow boyar Vasily Vsevolozhsky, hoping to marry his daughter to Vasily in the future, but these expectations were not destined to come true . Then he left Moscow and assisted Yuri Dmitrievich, and soon he took possession of the throne, on which he died in 1434. His son Vasily Kosoy began to claim the throne, but all the princes of Russia rebelled against this. Vasily II captured Vasily Kosoy and blinded him. Then the brother of Vasily Kosoy Dmitry Shemyaka captured Vasily II and also blinded him, after which he took the throne of Moscow. But soon he was forced to give the throne to Vasily II. Under Vasily II, all metropolitans in Russia began to be recruited from Russians, and not from Greeks, as before. The reason for this was the adoption of the Florentine Union in 1439 by Metropolitan Isidore, who was from the Greeks. For this, Vasily II gave the order to take Metropolitan Isidore into custody and instead appointed Bishop John of Ryazan.

John the Third (1462 -1505)

Under him, the core of the state apparatus began to form and, as a result, the state of Russia. He annexed Yaroslavl, Perm, Vyatka, Tver, Novgorod to the Moscow principality. In 1480, he overthrew the Tatar-Mongol yoke (Standing on the Ugra). In 1497, the Sudebnik was compiled. John the Third launched a large construction in Moscow, strengthened the international position of Russia. It was under him that the title "Prince of All Russia" was born.

Basil the Third (1505 - 1533)

"The last collector of Russian lands" Vasily the Third was the son of John the Third and Sophia Paleolog. He had a very impregnable and proud disposition. Having annexed Pskov, he destroyed the specific system. He fought twice with Lithuania on the advice of Mikhail Glinsky, a Lithuanian nobleman, whom he kept in his service. In 1514, he finally took Smolensk from the Lithuanians. Fought with the Crimea and Kazan. As a result, he managed to punish Kazan. He withdrew all trade from the city, ordering from now on to trade at the Makariev Fair, which was then transferred to Nizhny Novgorod. Vasily the Third, wishing to marry Elena Glinskaya, divorced his wife Solomonia, which turned the boyars against him even more. From the marriage with Elena, Vasily III had a son, John.

Elena Glinskaya (1533 - 1538)

She was appointed to rule by Vasily III himself until the age of their son John. Elena Glinskaya, having barely ascended the throne, very severely dealt with all the rebellious and dissatisfied boyars, after which she made peace with Lithuania. Then she decided to repulse the Crimean Tatars, who boldly attacked the Russian lands, however, these plans of hers could not be realized, since Elena suddenly died.

John the Fourth (Terrible) (1538 - 1584)

John the Fourth, Prince of All Russia became in 1547 the first Russian Tsar. From the end of the forties he ruled the country with the participation of the Chosen Rada. During his reign, the convocation of all Zemsky Sobors began. In 1550, a new Sudebnik was drawn up, and reforms of the court and administration (Zemskaya and Gubnaya reforms) were also carried out. John Vasilyevich conquered the Kazan Khanate in 1552, and the Astrakhan Khanate in 1556. In 1565, the oprichnina was introduced to strengthen the autocracy. Under John the Fourth, trade relations with England were established in 1553, and the first printing house in Moscow was opened. From 1558 to 1583 the Livonian War for access to the Baltic Sea continued. In 1581, the annexation of Siberia began. The entire domestic policy of the country under Tsar John was accompanied by disgrace and executions, for which he was nicknamed the Terrible by the people. The enslavement of the peasants increased significantly.

Fedor Ioannovich (1584 - 1598)

He was the second son of John the Fourth. He was very sickly and weak, did not differ in sharpness of mind. That is why very quickly the actual control of the state passed into the hands of the boyar Boris Godunov, the brother-in-law of the tsar. Boris Godunov, having surrounded himself with exclusively devoted people, became a sovereign ruler. He built cities, strengthened relations with the countries of Western Europe, built the Arkhangelsk Harbor on the White Sea. By order and instigation of Godunov, an all-Russian independent patriarchate was approved, and the peasants were finally attached to the land. It was he who in 1591 ordered the assassination of Tsarevich Dmitry, who was the brother of the childless Tsar Fedor, and was his direct heir. 6 years after this murder, Tsar Fedor himself died.

Boris Godunov (1598 - 1605)

The sister of Boris Godunov and the wife of the late Tsar Fedor abdicated the throne. Patriarch Job recommended that Godunov's supporters convene a Zemsky Sobor, at which Boris was elected tsar. Godunov, having become king, was afraid of conspiracies on the part of the boyars and, in general, was distinguished by excessive suspicion, which naturally caused disgrace and exile. At the same time, the boyar Fyodor Nikitich Romanov was forced to take tonsure, and he became a monk Filaret, and his young son Mikhail was sent into exile at Beloozero. But not only the boyars were angry with Boris Godunov. A three-year crop failure and the pestilence that followed it, which hit the Muscovite kingdom, forced the people to see this as the fault of Tsar B. Godunov. The king tried his best to alleviate the plight of the starving. He increased the earnings of people employed in state buildings (for example, during the construction of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower), generously distributed alms, but people still grumbled and willingly believed the rumors that the legitimate Tsar Dmitry was not killed at all and would soon take the throne. In the midst of preparations for the fight against False Dmitry, Boris Godunov died suddenly, while having managed to bequeath the throne to his son Fyodor.

False Dmitry (1605 - 1606)

The fugitive monk Grigory Otrepiev, who was supported by the Poles, declared himself Tsar Dmitry, who miraculously managed to escape from the murderers in Uglich. He entered Russia with several thousand men. The army came out to meet him, but it also went over to the side of False Dmitry, recognizing him as the legitimate king, after which Fyodor Godunov was killed. False Dmitry was a very good-natured man, but with a sharp mind, he diligently engaged in all state affairs, but caused displeasure of the clergy and boyars, from the fact that, in their opinion, he did not honor the old Russian customs enough, and completely neglected many. Together with Vasily Shuisky, the boyars entered into a conspiracy against False Dmitry, spread a rumor that he was an impostor, and then, without hesitation, they killed the fake tsar.

Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610)

The boyars and townspeople elected the old and inept Shuisky as king, while limiting his power. In Russia, rumors arose again about the salvation of False Dmitry, in connection with which new unrest began in the state, intensified by the rebellion of a serf named Ivan Bolotnikov and the appearance of False Dmitry II in Tushino (“Tushinsky thief”). Poland went to war against Moscow and defeated the Russian troops. After this, Tsar Vasily was forcibly tonsured a monk, and a troubled time of interregnum came to Russia, lasting three years.

Mikhail Fedorovich (1613 - 1645)

The diplomas of the Trinity Lavra, sent all over Russia and calling for the defense of the Orthodox faith and the fatherland, did their job: Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, with the participation of the Zemstvo headman of Nizhny Novgorod Kozma Minin (Sukhoroky), gathered a large militia and moved to Moscow in order to clear the capital of rebels and Poles, which was done after painful efforts. On February 21, 1613, the Great Zemstvo Duma gathered, at which Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected Tsar, who, after long rejections, nevertheless ascended the throne, where the first thing he undertook was to pacify both external and internal enemies.

He concluded the so-called pillar agreement with the Kingdom of Sweden, in 1618 he signed the Treaty of Deulino with Poland, according to which Filaret, who was the parent of the king, was returned to Russia after a long captivity. Upon his return, he was immediately elevated to the rank of patriarch. Patriarch Filaret was an adviser to his son and a reliable co-ruler. Thanks to them, by the end of the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, Russia began to enter into friendly relations with various Western states, having practically recovered from the horror of the Time of Troubles.

Alexei Mikhailovich (Quiet) (1645 - 1676)

Tsar Alexei is considered one of the best people of ancient Russia. He had a meek, humble disposition, and was very pious. He could not stand quarrels at all, and if they happened, he suffered greatly and tried in every possible way to reconcile with the enemy. In the first years of his reign, his closest adviser was his uncle, boyar Morozov. In the fifties, Patriarch Nikon became his adviser, who decided to unite Russia with the rest of the Orthodox world and ordered everyone from now on to be baptized in the Greek manner - with three fingers, which caused a split among the Orthodox in Russia. (The most famous schismatics are the Old Believers, who do not want to deviate from the true faith and be baptized with a "fig", as ordered by the patriarch - noblewoman Morozova and archpriest Avvakum).

During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, riots broke out every now and then in different cities, which they managed to suppress, and the decision of Little Russia to voluntarily join the Muscovite state provoked two wars with Poland. But the state survived thanks to the unity and concentration of power. After the death of his first wife, Maria Miloslavskaya, in whose marriage the tsar had two sons (Fyodor and John) and many daughters, he remarried the girl Natalia Naryshkina, who bore him a son, Peter.

Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682)

During the reign of this tsar, the issue of Little Russia was finally resolved: its western part went to Turkey, and the East and Zaporozhye - to Moscow. Patriarch Nikon was returned from exile. They also abolished localism - the ancient boyar custom to take into account the service of ancestors when occupying state and military positions. Tsar Fedor died without leaving an heir.

Ivan Alekseevich (1682 - 1689)

Ivan Alekseevich, together with his brother Peter Alekseevich, was elected king thanks to the Streltsy rebellion. But Tsarevich Alexei, suffering from dementia, did not take any part in public affairs. He died in 1689 during the reign of Princess Sophia.

Sophia (1682 - 1689)

Sophia remained in history as the ruler of an extraordinary mind and possessed all the necessary qualities of a real queen. She managed to calm the unrest of the dissenters, curb the archers, conclude an "eternal peace" with Poland, which is very beneficial for Russia, as well as the Nerchinsk Treaty with distant China. The princess undertook campaigns against the Crimean Tatars, but fell victim to her own lust for power. Tsarevich Peter, however, having guessed her plans, imprisoned her half-sister in the Novodevichy Convent, where Sophia died in 1704.

Peter the Great (Great) (1682 - 1725)

The greatest tsar, and since 1721 the first Russian emperor, statesman, cultural and military figure. He made revolutionary reforms in the country: collegiums, the Senate, bodies of political investigation and state control were created. He made divisions in Russia into provinces, and also subordinated the church to the state. He built a new capital - St. Petersburg. The main dream of Peter was the elimination of Russia's backwardness in development compared to European countries. Taking advantage of Western experience, Petr Alekseevich tirelessly created manufactories, factories, shipyards.

To facilitate trade and for access to the Baltic Sea, he won the Northern War, lasting 21 years, from Sweden, thereby “cutting through” a “window to Europe”. He built a huge fleet for Russia. Thanks to his efforts, the Academy of Sciences was opened in Russia and the civil alphabet was adopted. All reforms were carried out with the most cruel methods and caused multiple uprisings in the country (Streletsky in 1698, Astrakhan from 1705 to 1706, Bulavinsky from 1707 to 1709), which, however, were also mercilessly suppressed.

Catherine the First (1725 - 1727)

Peter the Great died without leaving a will. So, the throne passed to his wife Catherine. Catherine became famous for having equipped Bering on a round-the-world trip, and also established the Supreme Privy Council at the instigation of a friend and colleague of her late husband Peter the Great - Prince Menshikov. Thus, Menshikov concentrated virtually all state power in his hands. He persuaded Catherine to appoint the son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, who was still sentenced to death by his father, Peter the Great, as the heir to the throne, for being disgusted with the reforms - Peter Alekseevich, and also to agree to his marriage with Menshikov's daughter Maria. Until the age of Peter Alekseevich, Prince Menshikov was appointed ruler of Russia.

Peter II (1727 - 1730)

Peter II ruled for a short time. Having barely got rid of the imperious Menshikov, he immediately fell under the influence of the Dolgoruky, who, in every possible way distracting the emperors from state affairs with fun, actually ruled the country. They wished to marry the emperor to Princess E. A. Dolgoruky, but Pyotr Alekseevich suddenly died of smallpox and the wedding did not take place.

Anna Ioannovna (1730 - 1740)

The Supreme Privy Council decided to somewhat limit the autocracy, therefore they chose Anna Ioannovna, Dowager Duchess of Courland, daughter of John Alekseevich, as empress. But she was crowned on the Russian throne as an autocratic empress and, first of all, having entered into rights, destroyed the Supreme Privy Council. She replaced it with the Cabinet and, instead of the Russian nobles, gave positions to the Germans Ostern and Munnich, as well as to the Courlander Biron. The cruel and unjust rule was later called "Bironism".

Russia's intervention in the internal affairs of Poland in 1733 cost the country dearly: the lands conquered by Peter the Great had to be returned to Persia. Before her death, the empress appointed the son of her niece Anna Leopoldovna as her heir, and appointed Biron as regent for the baby. However, Biron was soon overthrown, and Anna Leopoldovna became the empress, whose reign cannot be called long and glorious. The guards staged a coup and proclaimed Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great.

Elizaveta Petrovna (1741 - 1761)

Elizabeth destroyed the Cabinet, established by Anna Ioannovna, and returned the Senate. Issued a decree abolishing the death penalty in 1744. In 1954, she established the first loan banks in Russia, which became a great boon for merchants and nobles. At the request of Lomonosov, she opened the first university in Moscow and in 1756 opened the first theater. During her reign, Russia waged two wars: with Sweden and the so-called "seven-year war", in which Prussia, Austria and France took part. Thanks to the peace with Sweden, part of Finland went to Russia. The death of Empress Elizabeth put an end to the Seven Years' War.

Peter the Third (1761 - 1762)

He was absolutely unsuitable for governing the state, but his temper was complacent. But this young emperor managed to turn absolutely all layers of Russian society against him, since he, to the detriment of Russian interests, showed a craving for everything German. Peter the Third, not only did he make a lot of concessions in relation to the Prussian Emperor Frederick II, he also reformed the army according to the same Prussian model, dear to his heart. He issued decrees on the destruction of the secret office and the free nobility, which, however, did not differ in certainty. As a result of the coup, due to his relationship with the empress, he quickly signed the abdication and soon died.

Catherine II (1762 - 1796)

The time of her reign was one of the greatest after the reign of Peter the Great. Empress Catherine ruled harshly, suppressed the Pugachev peasant uprising, won two Turkish wars, which resulted in the recognition of the independence of the Crimea by Turkey, and also the coast of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov departed Russia. Russia got the Black Sea Fleet, and active construction of cities began in Novorossia. Catherine II established the colleges of education and medicine. Cadet corps were opened, and for the education of girls - the Smolny Institute. Catherine the Second, herself possessing literary abilities, patronized literature.

Paul the First (1796 - 1801)

He did not support the transformations that his mother, Empress Catherine, started in the state system. Of the achievements of his reign, one should note a very significant relief in the life of serfs (only a three-day corvee was introduced), the opening of a university in Dorpat, and the emergence of new women's institutions.

Alexander the First (Blessed) (1801 - 1825)

The grandson of Catherine II, assuming the throne, vowed to govern the country "according to the law and heart" of his crowned grandmother, who, in fact, was engaged in his upbringing. At the very beginning, he undertook a number of different liberation measures aimed at different sections of society, which aroused the undoubted respect and love of people. But external political problems distracted Alexander from domestic reforms. Russia, in alliance with Austria, was forced to fight against Napoleon, the Russian troops were defeated at Austerlitz.

Napoleon forced Russia to abandon trade with England. As a result, in 1812, Napoleon nevertheless, having violated the agreement with Russia, went to war against the country. And in the same year, 1812, Russian troops defeated Napoleon's army. Alexander the First established a state council in 1800, ministries and a cabinet of ministers. In St. Petersburg, Kazan and Kharkov, he opened universities, as well as many institutes and gymnasiums, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. It greatly facilitated the life of the peasants.

Nicholas the First (1825 - 1855)

He continued the policy of improving peasant life. He founded the Institute of St. Vladimir in Kyiv. Published a 45-volume complete collection of laws of the Russian Empire. Under Nicholas I in 1839, the Uniates were reunited with Orthodoxy. This reunification was a consequence of the suppression of the uprising in Poland and the complete destruction of the Polish constitution. There was a war with the Turks, who oppressed Greece, as a result of the victory of Russia, Greece gained independence. After the rupture of relations with Turkey, on the side of which England, Sardinia and France sided, Russia had to join a new struggle.

The emperor died suddenly during the defense of Sevastopol. During the reign of Nicholas I, the Nikolaev and Tsarskoye Selo railways were built, great Russian writers and poets lived and worked: Lermontov, Pushkin, Krylov, Griboyedov, Belinsky, Zhukovsky, Gogol, Karamzin.

Alexander II (Liberator) (1855 - 1881)

The Turkish war had to be ended by Alexander II. The Paris peace was concluded on very unfavorable terms for Russia. In 1858, according to an agreement with China, Russia acquired the Amur region, and later - Usuriysk. In 1864, the Caucasus finally became part of Russia. The most important state transformation of Alexander II was the decision to free the peasants. Killed by an assassin in 1881.

The activities of the ruling princes of the Rurik dynasty concentrated on the desire to expand the borders of the state while maintaining the unity of Russia. Important milestones in Old Russian history were the unification of Novgorod and Kievan Rus by Prince Oleg, the military campaigns of Prince Svyatoslav, the baptism of Prince Vladimir and the spread of the Orthodox faith to the subject population. Under the conditions of the feudal fragmentation of Kievan Rus, the progressive reigns of Yaroslav the Wise, Vladimir Monomakh and Mstislav the Great were remarkable in their own way.

Prince's name	Years of ruling	Political position	Major Acts
Rurik Varangian "Falcon"		Moderately aggressive. He sought to expand and secure the borders of subject territories.	According to the chronicle legend, he founded the Old Russian state.
Prince Oleg "Prophetic"		Dynamic. In every way he strengthened the princely power in Kyiv and forced the enemy to equal cooperation by force.	He united the North and South of Russia, went on campaigns to Constantinople, drew up the first written treaty with Byzantium.
Prince Igor Rurikovich "Old"		Maximalist. Without much success, he tried to continue the policy of Prince Oleg	Continued campaigns to Constantinople. Killed by the Drevlyans during a polyud
Olga "Wise" "Saint"		Moderate. She sought to streamline the internal affairs of Kievan Rus.	She established the norms for collecting tribute (lessons), places of collection (graveyards) and replaced polyudye with a “cart”.
Svyatoslav Igorevich "Warrior", "Bars"	Really began to rule in 964	Aggressive adventurous. By military means he destroyed the sources of danger and expanded the territory of the state.	He conquered the Vyatichi tribes, destroyed the Khazar Khaganate, fought in Bulgaria, with Byzantium and the Pechenegs who killed him.
Yaropolk Svyatoslavich		Moderately centrist. He sought to establish the integrity and authority of Russia.	He established ties with Germany, did not interfere with the spread of Christianity in Russia.
Vladimir Svyatoslavich "Red Sun" "Saint"		Progressive-maximalist. He sought the full entry of Russia into a number of full-fledged European states.	Streamlining state policy on the ground. Baptism of Russia. Strengthening the borders of the state.
Svyatopolk Vladimirovich "Cursed"	For a year, the Poles helped to return Kyiv	Reactionary-adventurous. The desire to maintain their power in Kyiv at any cost prevailed.	The policy of rapprochement with Poland to the detriment of Russia. The murder of the brothers Boris and Gleb.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich	Svyatopolk was expelled from Kyiv for a year		The stormy activity of the prince improved life in Russia in all spheres. By dynastic marriages, he strengthened the interstate ties of Kievan Rus.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich	Twice lost and returned the Kyiv table	Confrontational. The desire to maintain their power in Kyiv.	Feuded with brothers. He was defeated on Alta by the Polovtsians. Based on Poland.
Vseslav Bryachislavich "Wizard"		There is no political position.	The only prince of Polotsk who happened to be on the throne of Kiev.
Svyatoslav Yaroslavich			Defended the borders of Russia in the south. Compiled a new collection of laws - "Izbornik".
Vsevolod Yaroslavich "Peaceful"	Was replaced by Izyaslav	Moderately progressive. As a member of the triumvirate of the Yaroslavichs, he sought to preserve the integrity of Russia.	He fought with the Polovtsy, established ties with Europe. Participated in the compilation of "Pravda Yaroslavichi".
Svyatopolk Izyaslavich		Confrontational.	He was distinguished by his hypocritical character and cruelty to his subjects.
Vladimir Vsevolodovich "Monomakh"		Progressive. Tried to end the strife.	Preserved the unity of Russia. Defeated the Polovtsy. Supplemented the existing codes of laws.
Mstislav Vladimirovich "The Great"			Participated in the Lubech Congress. He went with the army to the Polovtsians. He defended the western borders of Russia from warlike neighbors.

The historical contribution of the rulers of Kievan Rus

The history of the Old Russian state is a typical development of early feudal political associations that had a tendency to fragmentation. However, during the existence of Kievan Rus, the social structure of the state was created, as well as favorable conditions for the development of the economy and culture. This was greatly facilitated by the activities of the rulers of Russia - the Grand Dukes of Kiev.

We know who the first princes in Russia were from the writings of the chroniclers - Nestor, who lived at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries, his contemporary Sylvester and the semi-legendary Joachim, whose reality historians cannot assert with all confidence. It is from their pages that the “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.

First prince of ancient Russia

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 have no choice, to be honest. So, in the middle of the 9th century, the Novgorodians, together with the Krivichi, the Chud and the whole, invited three Varangian brothers to rule themselves - Rurik, Sineus and Truvor. The chronicler explains such a strange desire - to voluntarily give himself under the rule of strangers - by the fact that our ancestors lost hope of independently restoring order in their vast lands, and therefore decided to turn to the Varangians for help.

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

Reigning on the banks of the Volkhov

Rurik was the first Varangian prince in Russia. He settled in Novgorod in 862. Then his younger brothers began to rule in the estates assigned to them - Sineus on Beloozero, and Truvor in Izborsk. It is curious that Smolensk and Polotsk did not allow foreigners to visit them - either the order in the cities was exemplary without them, or the Vikings simply did not have the strength to break their resistance. Two years later, Sineus and Truvor die at the same time, as they say now, "under unclear circumstances", and their lands join 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 retinue, went 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 Russia. The campaign they conceived in Byzantium did not bring glory, but as the first Kiev princes Askold and Dir forever entered our history. And although Rurik was the first Varangian prince in Russia, they also played an important role in the formation of the state.

Treacherous capture of Kyiv

When in 879, after fifteen years of sole reign, Rurik died, he left his young son Igor as the heir to the princely throne, and until he came of age appointed his relative Oleg, the one whom descendants would call the Prophet, the ruler. The new ruler from the first days showed himself to be a man of power, warlike and devoid of excessive morality. Oleg conquers Smolensk and Lyubech, everywhere covering up his actions in the name of the young prince Igor, in whose interests he allegedly acts. Having begun the conquest of the Dnieper lands, he seized 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 the lands

At the end of the 9th century, Russian lands were still very scattered, and significant territories inhabited by foreigners stretched between Novgorod and Kiev. Oleg, with his large retinue, conquered many peoples who until then had retained their independence. These were the Ilmen Slavs, the tribes of Chud, Vesi, Drevlyans and many other inhabitants of the 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 Khaganate, which had controlled the southern territories for many years. Oleg became famous for his successful campaign against Byzantium, during which, as a sign of victory, he nailed his famous shield to the gates of Constantinople, sung by both Pushkin and Vysotsky. He returned home with rich booty. The prince died at a ripe old age, satiated with life and glory. Whether the snake biting him, crawling out of a horse's skull, was the cause of death, or is it just fiction - it is not known, but the prince's life itself was brighter and more amazing than any legend.

Mass influx of Scandinavians to Russia

As can be seen from the above, the first princes in Russia, immigrants from the Scandinavian peoples, saw their main task in conquering new lands and creating 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 Russia, Scandinavians rushed to the Novgorod and Kiev lands in large numbers, wanting to snatch their piece, but, finding themselves among a large and resilient people, they inevitably assimilated in it and soon became part of it. The activities of the first princes of Russia, of course, relied on their support, but over time, foreigners gave way to the indigenous people.

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 favorable to him. Having undertaken two campaigns against Byzantium, Igor became famous not so much for his military success as for his incredible cruelty towards the civilians of the countries through which his army was moving.

However, he did not return home empty-handed, bringing abundant booty from campaigns. His actions against the steppe robbers-Pechenegs, whom he managed to drive away to Bessarabia, were also successful. By nature, ambitious and ambitious, the prince ended his life very ingloriously. Once again collecting tribute from the Drevlyans subject to him, with his indefatigable greed, he brought them to the extreme, and they, having rebelled and interrupted the squad, betrayed him to a fierce death. His actions expressed the whole policy of the first princes of Russia - the search for fame and fortune at any cost. Not burdened by any moral norms, they considered all paths leading to the achievement of the goal acceptable.

Princess, canonized saints

After the death of Igor, power passed to his widow, Princess Olga, whom the prince married in 903. Starting her reign, she brutally dealt with the Drevlyans - the murderers of her husband, sparing neither the elderly nor the children. The princess went on a campaign with her young son Svyatoslav, wanting to accustom him to swearing from an early age.

According to most historians, Olga - as a ruler - deserves praise, and this is due primarily to wise decisions and good deeds. This woman managed to adequately represent Russia in the world. Her special merit is that she was the first to bring the light of Orthodoxy to the Russian land. For this, the church canonized her as a saint. While still a pagan, in 957 she led an embassy to Byzantium. Olga understood that outside of 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 over her in the church of St. Sophia personally by the patriarch, and the emperor himself acted as a godfather. The princess came out of the holy font with the new name Elena. Unfortunately, having returned to Kyiv, she could not persuade her son Svyatoslav to accept the Christian faith, like all the first princes in Russia, who worshiped Perun. Remained in the darkness of paganism and all boundless Russia, which was to be enlightened by the rays of true faith to her grandson, the future prince of Kiev Vladimir.

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 state government, leaving the male princes to wage wars and assert her power with the sword. Even Svyatoslav, having matured and received all the princely powers, 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, wishing to revive the glory of Russia, which shone so brightly in the time of Prince Oleg. By the way, he was almost the first to follow the laws of knightly honor. The prince, for example, considered it unworthy to attack the enemy by surprise, and it was he who owns the famous phrase "I'm coming at you!"

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

The struggle for power and the victory of Prince Vladimir

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

He, like his father, showed outstanding military leadership skills, subduing the rebellions of the peoples subject to him and conquering new ones. However, the main merit that truly immortalized his name was the Baptism of Russia, which took place in 988 and put the young state on a par with European countries, which long before that accepted 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 Russia was destined to go through many bitter moments. The passion for lust for power ate away the soul of his son Yaroslav, who ruled in Novgorod, and he revolted 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 inflicted severe psychological trauma on the prince, from which he could not 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 country 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, Dobryn Novgorodsky and many other Russian heroes.

Ancient Russia: the first princes

This is how the formation of Russia took place, rising from the darkness of paganism and eventually becoming a powerful power, one of the legislators of European politics. But since Russia, during the reign of the first princes, stood out from among other peoples, asserting its superiority over them, it had a long and difficult path ahead, which 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 Russia" can be considered very conditional. The whole family of the 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 specific princes, who were not directly related to this dynasty, also mostly have either Tatar or Western European roots.

But who is the first prince of all Russia, we can say with some accuracy. It is known from the annals that for the first time the title, which emphasized that its owner was not just the Grand Duke, but the ruler of "all Russia", was awarded to Mikhail Yaroslavovich of Tverskoy, who ruled at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The first Moscow prince of all Russia is also authentically known. It was Ivan Kalita. The same title was worn by his followers, 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. The internal policy was reduced to the all-round strengthening of the centralized princely power.