| Kievan Rus (until the middle of the 12th century) The period from 988 to the middle of the 12th century was the heyday of Kievan Rus, the first ancient Russian state, whose political and cultural achievements had a lasting impact on the entire subsequent history of Russia. Here are the main events of this period: |
Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich converted to Christianity according to the Byzantine model and baptized the population of Kiev. This event marked the beginning of the Christianization of the entire territory of the Ancient Russian state. The adoption of Christianity contributed to the strengthening of princely power, the development of writing and culture, and the establishment of close ties with Byzantium and other Christian countries.
After Vladimir's death, an internecine struggle for power began between his sons. The most famous of them are Svyatopolk the Accursed and Yaroslav the Wise. As a result of the struggle, Yaroslav the Wise became the prince of Kiev, who was able to stabilize the situation in the state.
Under Yaroslav the Wise, Kievan Rus reached its heyday. He strengthened the prince's power, adopted the first Russian Truth code of laws, built St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev and Novgorod, and promoted the development of culture and education. Yaroslav concluded dynastic marriages of his children with representatives of European royal houses, which strengthened the international position of Kievan Rus.
Yaroslav the Wise defeated the Pechenegs, who often raided Russian lands. St. Sophia Cathedral was built in Kiev in memory of this victory. The victory over the Pechenegs strengthened the security of the southern borders of the state.
After the death of Yaroslav the Wise, the process of disintegration of a single state into separate principalities began. Yaroslav's sons divided his lands among themselves, which led to the weakening of the central government. This process continued in the following decades and intensified with each new generation of princes.
At the congress in the city of Lyubech, the princes agreed on the principle of "Let everyone keep his homeland," which consolidated the territorial division of Russia into separate principalities. This allowed for a temporary cessation of civil strife, but increased the tendency towards fragmentation.
Vladimir Monomakh became the Grand Duke of Kiev after the rebellion in Kiev. He implemented reforms aimed at improving governance and reducing social tension. Monomakh managed to temporarily unite many principalities under his rule, which strengthened the central administration in Kievan Rus. His reign was the last period of relative unity of the Ancient Russian state.
This legal act, which complemented the Russian Truth, limited usury and strengthened the protection of the poor. The Charter was aimed at stabilizing the internal situation in the state and strengthening public order.
After the death of Mstislav the Great in 1132, Kievan Rus finally broke up into many independent principalities, such as Kiev, Chernigov, Galicia-Volhynia, Vladimir-Suzdal and others. The central government weakened, and the struggle between the princes for the Kiev throne became constant.