Russian lands 11-12 centuries. Kievan Rus in the XI century
The political unity of the Old Russian state was preserved for some time after the death of Yaroslav the Wise (1054). Izyaslav occupied Kiev, Svyatoslav - Chernigov, Vsevolod - Pereyaslavl, Igor - Vladimir, Vyacheslav - Smolensk. Yaroslav's sons, according to their will, jointly ruled Russia. After the death of Vyacheslav Yaroslavich of Smolensk in 1057, the eldest sons formed a kind of triumvirate, distributing income at their own discretion and eliminating unwanted princes. The first example of eliminating an uncomfortable person with the help of the church is the tonsure of Uncle Sudislav as a monk.
Gradually, strife flared up inside the princely family. The struggle for volosts intensified. The triumvir brothers managed to retain power in their hands and even increase the land (the Yaroslavichs establish control over Polotsk, which almost fell away from Kievan Rus at this time).
In the 70s of the XI century. the relationship between the brothers was already complicated. After the death of Svyatoslav, nephews took part in the civil strife. Yaroslav's offspring grew and became cramped for them. The redistribution of control over the volosts began. The main goal of the opponents in this struggle is to capture the richest volosts. At the same time, both sides were not picky about the means: they attracted the Polovtsy, Byzantium, crippled the enemy, etc. Tmutarakan became a kind of center where the princes who lost the struggle fled.
The Kiev reign of Vsevolod Yaroslavich (1078-1093) was a time of relative stability in the domestic and foreign political life of Russia. At this time, the son of Vsevolod, the Chernigov prince Vladimir Monomakh (who received his nickname from his mother, the daughter of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomakh) finally subdued the Vyatichi - the last East Slavic union of tribal principalities, which still retained its own princes. After the death of Vsevolod in 1093, a period of exacerbation of strife and struggle with the Polovtsy began.
Constant civil strife forced the princes to seek a compromise. In 1097, at the congress of the southern Russian princes in Lyubech, an agreement was concluded according to which Svyatopolk, Vladimir and Oleg with the brothers Davyd and Yaroslav Svyatoslavich were to own the fatherlands - the regions transferred to their fathers under the will of Yaroslav the Wise. At the congress, an agreement was also reached on joint actions to defend Russia from external danger.
Soon after the congress, strife flared up again. In 1100, another attempt at reconciliation was made: the initiator of the strife, Davyd Igorevich, was moved to the insignificant city of Buzhsk. Feuds subside for a while.
In this situation, the Kiev boyars decided to invite to the throne the most authoritative prince in Russia - Vladimir Monomakh. Vladimir was the paternal grandson of Yaroslav the Wise. His maternal grandfather was the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomakh. By the name of his Byzantine grandfather, Vladimir Vsevolodovich also received the nickname Monomakh. At the time of the invitation to Kiev, Monomakh ruled in his fiefdom Pereyaslavl. He was already 60 years old, and he managed to prove himself both as a talented commander, and as a statesman, and as a person of high culture. Vladimir Monomakh has long been known to the Russian land.
Becoming the prince of Kiev (1113-1125) Monomakh pacified the uprising (See additional textbook material). He published an addendum to Russkaya Pravda, which was called the Charter of Vladimir Monomakh. The "charter" streamlined the collection of interest by usurers, improved the legal status of the merchants, and regulated the transition to servitude. The Charter paid a lot of attention to the legal status of procurement. This allows us to conclude that procurement has become a very widespread phenomenon, and the enslavement of the agricultural population took place constantly.
Monomakh, like all Russian princes, paid great attention to the fight against nomads. Back in 1111, he organized an all-Russian campaign against the Polovtsians. Russian soldiers went far into the Polovtsian steppes and defeated the Polovtsians on the Don. The Polovtsi went to the spurs of the Caucasus and during the reign of Vladimir no longer disturbed the Russian land. Monomakh made about 83 large and small military campaigns in Russia and the Polovtsian steppes. He was the initiator of a number of princely congresses, where the issues of ending princely strife and the protection of the borders of the Russian land were resolved (see additional textbook material) (see additional illustrative material).
Under Monomakh, Kiev was adorned with new buildings. Near Kiev, the Vydubitsky monastery was built, a church on the Alta River.
In 1113 in Kiev - the Pechersk Lavra, the monk Nestor created one of the most famous ancient Russian chronicles "The Tale of Bygone Years". In 1116, by order of Monomakh, the abbot of the Vydubitsky monastery, Sylvester, introduced the legend about the vocation of the Varangians - Normans in the Tale of Bygone Years, which met the political interests of Monomakh. The legendary story about the vocation of Rurik, who established peace among the Slavs, was supposed to help substantiate the legitimacy of the calling by the Kiev boyars during the uprising of 1113 in Kiev to the throne of Vladimir Monomakh, who also established peace and tranquility in Kiev.
Vladimir Monomakh maintained close ties with many European rulers. He himself was the son of a Byzantine princess, his first wife was Gida, daughter of the English king Harold; son Mstislav was married to the daughter of the Swedish king, one daughter was married to the Hungarian king, the other to the Greek prince.
The name of Vladimir Monomakh is also associated with the appearance in Russia of symbols of imperial power - a crown (Monomakh's cap), a scepter, or a state. According to legend, they were sent as a gift to Monomakh by his grandfather, the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomakh.
Vladimir Monomakh worked gloriously for the glory of the Russian land. According to the chronicler, "the glory of his valor shone like the sun and passed through all countries."
By the XI century. for the state of the Eastern Slavs, the name "Rus", "Russian land" was finally fixed. All Eastern Slavs began to be called “Rusichs”, “Rusyns”, “Russians”.
Vladimir Monomakh was able to unite 3/4 of the territory of the Old Russian state under his rule, for a while to stop the princely strife. But the unity of Russia Vladimir Monomakh kept only by the strength of his authority. Independent states have already developed and grown within the borders of Rus. Russia was disintegrating uncontrollably. A period of feudal fragmentation began in Russia.
One of the most powerful in its time was Kievan Rus. A huge medieval power arose in the 9th century as a result of the unification of the East Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes. During its heyday, Kievan Rus (in the 9-12 centuries) occupied an impressive territory and had a strong army. By the middle of the XII century, the once powerful state, due to feudal fragmentation, split into separate ones. Thus, Kievan Rus became an easy prey for the Golden Horde, which put an end to the medieval state. The main events that took place in Kievan Rus in the 9-12 centuries will be described in the article.
Russian kaganate
According to many historians, in the first half of the 9th century, a state formation of the Rus existed on the territory of the future Old Russian state. Little information has been preserved about the exact location of the Russian Kaganate. According to the historian Smirnov, the state formation was located in the region between the upper Volga and the Oka.
The ruler of the Russian Kaganate bore the title of Kagan. In the Middle Ages, this title was of great importance. The kagan ruled not only over nomadic peoples, but also commanded over other rulers of different peoples. Thus, the head of the Russian Kaganate acted as the emperor of the steppe inhabitants.
By the middle of the 9th century, as a result of specific foreign policy circumstances, the transformation of the Russian Kaganate into the Russian Great Reign took place, which was dependent in a weak form on Khazaria. During the reign of Askold and Dir, it was possible to completely get rid of oppression.
Rurik's board
In the second half of the 9th century, the East Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes, due to fierce enmity, called on the Varangians overseas to reign on their lands. The first Russian prince was Rurik, who began to rule in Novgorod in 862. The new state of Rurik existed until 882, when Kievan Rus was formed.
The history of Rurik's reign is full of contradictions and inaccuracies. Some historians are of the opinion that he and his squad are of Scandinavian origin. Their opponents are supporters of the West Slavic version of the development of Russia. In any case, the name of the term "Rus" in the X and XI centuries was used in relation to the Scandinavians. After the Scandinavian Varangian came to power, the title "kagan" gave way to the "grand duke".
The chronicles contain scant information about the reign of Rurik. Therefore, it is quite problematic to praise his aspirations to expand and strengthen state borders, as well as to strengthen cities. Rurik was also remembered for the fact that he was able to successfully suppress the rebellion in Novgorod, thereby strengthening his authority. In any case, the rule of the founder of the dynasty of the future princes of Kievan Rus made it possible to centralize power in the Old Russian state.
The reign of Oleg
After Rurik, power in Kievan Rus was to pass into the hands of his son Igor. However, due to the small years of the legal heir, Oleg became the ruler of the Old Russian state in 879. The new one turned out to be very belligerent and enterprising. From the very first years in power, he sought to take control of the waterway to Greece. To realize this grandiose goal, Oleg in 882, thanks to his cunning plan, dealt with the princes Askold and Dir, capturing Kiev. Thus, the strategic task of conquering the Slavic tribes that lived along the Dnieper was solved. Immediately after entering the captured city, Oleg announced that Kiev was destined to become the mother of Russian cities.
The first ruler of Kievan Rus really liked the favorable location of the settlement. The gentle banks of the Dnieper River were inaccessible to the invaders. In addition, Oleg carried out large-scale work to strengthen the defense structures of Kiev. In 883-885, a number of military campaigns took place with a positive result, as a result of which the territory of Kievan Rus was significantly expanded.
Domestic and foreign policy of Kievan Rus during the reign of Oleg the Prophet
A distinctive feature of the internal policy of the reign of Oleg the Prophet was the strengthening of the state treasury by collecting tribute. In many ways, the budget of Kievan Rus was replenished thanks to extortions from the conquered tribes.
The period of Oleg's rule was marked by a successful foreign policy. In 907, a successful campaign against Byzantium took place. The trick of the Kiev prince played a key role in the victory over the Greeks. The threat of destruction loomed over the impregnable Constantinople, after the ships of Kievan Rus were put on wheels and continued their movement over land. Thus, the frightened rulers of Byzantium were forced to offer Oleg a huge tribute, and to provide Russian merchants with generous benefits. After 5 years, a peace treaty was signed between Kievan Rus and the Greeks. After a successful campaign against Byzantium, legends began to form about Oleg. The Kiev prince was credited with supernatural powers and a penchant for magic. Also, a grandiose victory in the domestic arena allowed Oleg to receive the nickname Prophetic. The Kiev prince died in 912.
Prince Igor
After the death of Oleg in 912, its legal heir, Igor, the son of Rurik, became the full ruler of Kievan Rus. The new prince was naturally distinguished by his modesty and respect for his elders. That is why Igor was in no hurry to overthrow Oleg from the throne.
The reign of Prince Igor was remembered for numerous military campaigns. After accession to the throne, he had to suppress the revolt of the Drevlyans, who wanted to stop obeying Kiev. The successful victory over the enemy made it possible to take additional tribute from the rebels for the needs of the state.
The confrontation with the Pechenegs was carried out with varying success. In 941, Igor continued the foreign policy of his predecessors, declaring war on Byzantium. The reason for the war was the desire of the Greeks to free themselves from their obligations after the death of Oleg. The first military campaign ended in defeat, as Byzantium carefully prepared. In 944, a new peace treaty was signed between the two states because the Greeks decided to avoid a battle.
Igor died in November 945, when he was collecting tribute from the Drevlyans. The prince's mistake was that he let his squad go to Kiev, and he himself, with a small army, decided to additionally profit from his subjects. Outraged Drevlyans brutally dealt with Igor.
Period of the reign of Vladimir the Great
In 980, Vladimir, the son of Svyatoslav, became the new ruler. Before taking the throne, he was to emerge victorious from fraternal civil strife. However, after escaping "overseas", Vladimir managed to gather the Varangian squad and avenge the death of his brother Yaropolk. The reign of the new prince of Kievan Rus turned out to be outstanding. Also Vladimir was revered by his people.
The most important merit of the son of Svyatoslav is the famous Baptism of Rus, which took place in 988. In addition to numerous successes in the domestic arena, the prince became famous for his military campaigns. In 996, to protect the lands from enemies, several fortress cities were built, one of which was Belgorod.
Baptism of Rus (988)
Paganism flourished on the territory of the Old Russian state until 988. However, Vladimir the Great decided to choose Christianity as the state religion, although representatives from the Pope, Islam and Judaism came to him.
The baptism of Russia in 988 did take place. Christianity was adopted by Vladimir the Great, close boyars and warriors, as well as ordinary people. For those who resisted departing from paganism, all kinds of oppression threatened. Thus, the Russian Church began in 988.
Board of Yaroslav the Wise
One of the most famous princes of Kievan Rus was Yaroslav, who was nicknamed the Wise for a reason. After the death of Vladimir the Great, the Troubles swept over the Old Russian state. Blinded by the thirst for power, Svyatopolk sat on the throne, killing 3 of his brothers. Subsequently, Yaroslav gathered a huge army from the Slavs and Varangians, after which in 1016 he went to Kiev. In 1019 he managed to defeat Svyatopolk and ascend the throne of Kievan Rus.
The reign of Yaroslav the Wise turned out to be one of the most successful in the history of the Old Russian state. In 1036 he managed to finally unite the numerous lands of Kievan Rus, after the death of his brother Mstislav. The wife of Yaroslav was the daughter of the Swedish king. Around Kiev, by order of the prince, several cities and a stone wall were erected. The main city gates of the capital of the Old Russian state were called Golden.
Yaroslav the Wise died in 1054, when he was 76 years old. The period of the reign of the Kiev prince, 35 years long, is a golden time in the history of the Old Russian state.
Domestic and foreign policy of Kievan Rus during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise
Yaroslav's foreign policy priority was to increase the authority of Kievan Rus in the international arena. The prince managed to achieve a number of important military victories over the Poles and Lithuanians. In 1036, the Pechenegs were completely defeated. On the site of the fateful battle, the Church of St. Sophia appeared. During the reign of Yaroslav, the last time there was a military conflict with Byzantium. The result of the confrontation was the signing of a peace treaty. Vsevolod, the son of Yaroslav, married the Greek princess Anna.
In the domestic arena, the literacy of the population of Kievan Rus increased significantly. In many cities of the state, schools appeared, in which the boys were taught church work. Various Greek books were translated into Old Church Slavonic. During the reign of Yaroslav the Wise, the first collection of laws was published. "Russkaya Pravda" became the main asset of numerous reforms of the Kiev prince.
The beginning of the collapse of Kievan Rus
What are the reasons for the collapse of Kievan Rus? Like many early medieval powers, its disintegration turned out to be completely natural. An objective and progressive process took place, associated with an increase in boyar land tenure. In the principalities of Kievan Rus, nobility appeared, in whose interests it was more profitable to rely on the local prince than to support a single ruler in Kiev. According to many historians, at first, territorial fragmentation was not the reason for the collapse of Kievan Rus.
In 1097, at the initiative of Vladimir Monomakh, in order to end the strife, the process of creating regional dynasties was launched. By the middle of the XII century, the Old Russian state was divided into 13 principalities, which differed among themselves in the area occupied, military power and cohesion.
Decline of Kiev
In the XII century, there was a significant decline in Kiev, which turned from a metropolis into an ordinary principality. Largely due to the Crusades, the transformation of international trade communications took place. Therefore, economic factors significantly undermined the power of the city. In 1169, as a result of princely strife, Kiev was first taken by storm and plundered.
The final blow to Kievan Rus was dealt by the Mongol invasion. The scattered principality did not represent a formidable force for the numerous nomads. In 1240 Kiev was dealt a crushing defeat.
Population of Kievan Rus
There is no information about the exact number of inhabitants of the Old Russian state. According to the historian, the total population of Kievan Rus in the 9th - 12th centuries was approximately 7.5 million people. About 1 million people lived in cities.
The lion's share of the inhabitants of Kievan Rus in the 9-12 centuries were free peasants. Over time, more and more people became stinkers. Although they had freedom, they were obliged to obey the prince. The free population of Kievan Rus, due to debts, captivity and other reasons, could become servants who were powerless slaves.
The history of the formation and development of the Old Russian state can be divided into 3 stages:
1. The second half of the 9-10th century - the unification of the Eastern Slavs into a single state, the creation of a government apparatus and military organization.
2. The end of the 10-11th century - the heyday of Kievan Rus.
3. The end of the 11th - the first half of the 12th century - the beginning of the disintegration of Kievan Rus, princely strife, feudal fragmentation.
Socio-economic relations.
From the beginning of the 10th century, the transition to feudal relations began. They are based on the property of the feudal lord to the main means of production - land and incomplete ownership of the feudal-dependent worker. There are two main classes - peasants (primarily smerds) and feudal lords. Smerds - people engaged in agricultural labor, the bulk of the population, were divided into free community members who conducted subsistence farming and paid tribute to the prince, and dependent people.
The dependent population consisted of:
- purchases (bankrupt community members who fell into dependence on the prince, taking from him "kupa" (debt) in money, cattle, seeds or inventory);
- ryadoviches (dependent people who have entered into an agreement with the prince ("row"));
- outcasts (impoverished people from the communities);
- slaves (dependent people who were in the position of slaves and performed the master's work in the estate);
- the whole population, who worked in the estate and dependent on the estate owner, or servants.
The class of feudal lords was the military-princely nobility (representatives of the grand ducal house with the grand duke at the head, princes of tribes or lands, boyars, senior warriors).
The reign of the first Rurikovich, their domestic and foreign policy.
1) paganism led to the isolation of Russia from the Christian world of Europe, hindered the development of international relations and trade;
2) paganism interfered with the stabilization and strengthening of the feudal system in Russia;
3) a new ideology was required, which would help to establish new relations in the country - domination and subordination;
4) the monotheism of the Christian religion strengthened the authority of the princely power, contributed to the unity of Russia;
5) the emerging social inequality in Russia demanded a new ideology that could justify the wealth of some and the poverty of others, to console people who fell into dependence on the feudal lord, promising them a better life in another world.
In 988, in Kiev, all residents of the city entered the Dnieper River, and the priests performed a baptism ceremony. The conversion to Christianity of the population of other Russian cities took several years. In Novgorod, residents fiercely resisted the introduction of Christianity. The governors of Vladimir were forced to set fire to the suburbs and, threatening with weapons, forced the Novgorodians to be baptized in the Volkhov River (Russia was baptized with sword and fire) In Russia, a dual faith arose: Christians prayed in churches, had icons at home, but at the same time celebrated pagan holidays - Maslenitsa, Ivan Kupala, faith in goblin, brownies, mermaids has been preserved. Only 200-300 years later Christianity was accepted by the whole people.
Value :
The Church had a significant impact on political life, supported the efforts of the princes in the struggle for the unity of Russia, stood at the head of the all-Russian patriotic movement (the Battle of Kulikovo);
Change in the international position of Kievan Rus, equalization with the rest of the European states, establishment of closer ties with neighboring Christianized countries;
The Church contributed to the formation and development of princely and boyar estates, as well as the emergence of large ecclesiastical and monastic land tenure;
Christianity influenced the development of the craft: icon painting, fresco painting appeared;
The Church contributed to the spread of writing in Russia, schools and libraries were opened at monasteries;
Christianity strengthened the monogamous family, eliminated a number of cruel, barbaric customs.
At the same time, the church provided negative influence to Russian life and everyday life. She defended the interests of the ruling class, helped enslave free communes in order to turn their lands into their property, brutally persecuted dissent, condemned all forms of protest of the oppressed, covered up the dark affairs of individual feudal lords, regulated family life, demanded the unquestioning submission of the wife to her husband, and children to the father ...
Yaroslav the Wise (1019—1054). The chronicle speaks of him as a great statesman, an intelligent and educated person, a brave warrior, legislator, town planner, and cunning diplomat. Yaroslav's coming to power was preceded by a sharp struggle, which he waged with his brother Svyatopolk. The reign of Yaroslav the Wise is the time of the heyday of Russia: the city of Yuriev was founded on the western shore of Lake Peipsi, the Kievites went to Lithuania, a profitable contract was concluded with Poland, Russia helped her in the war with the Czech Republic, relations between Russia and Sweden became friendly (Yaroslav married his daughter Swedish king). In 1036 near Kiev, the Pechenegs were defeated and no longer went to Russia. But the Pechenegs were replaced by the Polovtsians.
In 1046 Russia signed a peace treaty with Byzantium, dynastic marriages were concluded: Yaroslav's daughters were married to the French, Hungarian and Norwegian kings. Russia became a European power. Under Yaroslav, the church began to play a significant role in society. In Kiev, the majestic Cathedral of St. Sophia was erected, which personified the power of Russia. In the mid-50s of the XI century. near Kiev, the Pechersky Monastery arose. By order of Yaroslav in 1039, the priest Hilarion was elected Metropolitan of Russia. The Russian Church was freed from the influence of Byzantium.
« Russian Truth » This document was created during the XI-XII centuries. and got its name in 1072. It was started by Yaroslav the Wise, who in 1016 created a set of laws on the order in Novgorod ("Yaroslav's Truth"). And in 1072, three Yaroslavich brothers (Izyaslav, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod) supplemented the code with new laws. He called himself Pravda Yaroslavichi and became the second part of Russkaya Pravda. In the future, the code was repeatedly replenished with princely charters and church regulations. In Pravda Yaroslav, the law allowed blood feud for the murder of a person, but only close relatives (brother, father, son) could take revenge. And in Pravda Yaroslavichi, revenge was generally prohibited and replaced by a fine - vira.
Vira went to the prince. The law protected the administration, property and working population of the princely estates. The law showed the features of social inequality. A fine was imposed for harboring other people's servants (servants), a free man could kill a slave for an insult. For the murder of a princely fireman (steward), a fine of 80 hryvnia was imposed, a headman - 12 hryvnia, and a smerd or servant - 5 hryvnia. Fines were also established for the theft of livestock, poultry, plowing of someone else's land, violation of the border. The power of the Grand Duke passed by seniority - the eldest in the family became the Grand Duke.
Vladimir Monomakh . At the end of the XI century. the process of the disintegration of Russia begins.
The main reasons for it are as follows:
1) the establishment of feudal relations led to the formation of independent local political centers and their struggle with Kiev;
2) the growth of large cities - Smolensk, Chernigov, Polotsk, Galich, Suzdal, Vladimir, etc., their rivalry with each other for leadership.
In 1097, the princes gathered in the ancestral castle of Vladimir Monomakh Lyubech in order to establish order in Russia. The princes agreed that each of them retains hereditary lands. For violation of the contract, punishment threatened. \u003d\u003e Russia fell apart into "fatherlands" - the hereditary possessions of individual princes who were economically and militarily independent. We can say that the decisions of the Lyubech congress consolidated not the unification, but the division of Rus.
Vladimir Monomakh gave Russia a new "Russian Truth" - " Charter of Vladimir Vsevolodovich ", Which prohibited debt slavery, abolished the death penalty for slaves, fugitive purchases. The charter streamlined the collection of usurious interest, the position of merchants and purchases. Monomakh removed social tension in society. During the years of his reign (1113-1125), attempts were made to restore the unity of Russia. He forced many princes to obey. He sent his sons to Novgorod, Smolensk, Suzdal. He organized a campaign against the Polovtsians, maintained relations with Byzantium. Under him, a new collection of chronicles was created.
Vladimir Monomakh wrote the famous “ Teaching "Addressed to the sons. The main idea of \u200b\u200bthis work is the unity of Russia, the fight against inter-princely strife. Monomakh paints the image of an ideal prince who cares about the power and prosperity of the Russian land. He gave the following advice to his young sons: eat and drink modestly; be silent in front of old people; listen to the wise; be humble; be indifferent to honors.
Vladimir Monomakh died in 1125. His sons were unable to prevent the disintegration of Russia into specific principalities. In the 30s of the XII century. the process of political fragmentation of Russia begins, which was a natural historical stage in the development of feudalism.
The history of Kievan Rus officially begins in 882 - as recorded in the annals, it was then that Oleg from Rurikovich, having killed Askold and Dir, began to rule the principality with the capital in Kiev. His campaigns, as well as the wars of conquest of other princes, led to the fact that the land at the hand of Kiev became more and more. Kievan Rus in the 9-12 centuries is a large and developed European state.
Foreign and domestic policy of the ancient Russian state
From the very beginning, foreign policy had several directions at once: it was necessary to resist both Byzantium, which extended its expansion to the Northern Black Sea region, and the Khazars, who obstructed trade in the east, and the nomadic Pechenegs - they simply devastated Russia with their raids.
Byzantium has repeatedly tried to subjugate Ancient Russia, but not all of its attempts were successful. So, after Oleg's naval campaign against Constantinople, a trade agreement was concluded between the countries, which was beneficial for the East Slavic state, however, during the reign of Igor, after his less successful military actions, the conditions changed to less favorable for Russia.
The most successful in foreign policy was the reign of Svyatoslav - he not only defeated the army of the Khazar Kaganate and the Volga Bulgaria (after capturing the Vyatichi), but also conquered the North Caucasian tribes and founded the Tmutarakan principality.
Figure: 1. Svyatoslav Igorevich.
He also concluded a treaty with Byzantium, after which he turned his gaze to the Balkans. However, the conquest of the Bulgarian kingdom in 967 turned an insidious ally against him: the Byzantine ruler supported the Pechenegs, they went to Kiev, but were defeated by Svyatoslav. He returned to the Danube again and with the support of the Bulgarians went to Constantinople. The map of military operations was constantly changing, either Svyatoslav or the Byzantine side took the upper hand, and at some point the Kiev prince decided to return to his capital, but on the way he was killed by the Pechenegs.
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It is believed that the Byzantine diplomats sent to them were persuaded to murder Svyatoslav the Pechenegs.
The reign of his son Vladimir was the most politically stable, but already in 1015 a struggle for power began, which lasted more than 20 years - only in 1036 Prince Yaroslav began to rule in Kiev, after whose death his sons only strengthened the power of Kievan Rus. But this did not save the state from feudal fragmentation, the beginning of which had already been laid: the autocracy of the Kiev princes fell. Vladimir Monomakh, who tried to resist her, achieved only a temporary increase in power, and under his son Yaropolk, the process of the collapse of the state was finally completed.
Figure: 2. Vladimir Monomakh.
Economy and culture of Kievan Rus
Russia in the 9th and early 12th century was a state with feudal land ownership. The owners of the land were not only princes, but also boyars and vigilantes, and a little later the church was added to them. The labor force on which the economic development of Kievan Rus was based were slaves, smerds and other categories of the population. They took food rent from them.
As for culture, it was largely formed under the influence of the Byzantine tradition - this applies not only to architecture, but also to painting. Own literature was also formed under the influence of translation, but it was ideologically rich and perfect in artistic terms. The most famous works of that time are “The Tale of Bygone Years”, “Teachings” by Monomakh and, of course, “The Lay of Igor's Host”.
Territorial division and state structure of Russia in the 11th century
In the 10th century. the unification of the scattered Slavic tribes into a single state began, the administrative center - Kiev, emerged. In the 11th century. this process received a new round of development: the state, formed from the former tribes, was more and more united under the rule of the center and the Kiev prince, the territories of Rus expanded significantly, government became more centralized, the top of society began to stand out. Although Russia was no longer a union of tribes, but had already become a truly integral state, the population of Russia was still quite motley - it included not only Slavic tribes, but also the Finns and Balts.
Russian territory in the 11th century stretched from Lake Ladoga to the mouth of the Ros River, as well as from the right-bank Dnieper to the Klyazma River (the city of Vladimir-Zalessky and later a principality was founded there) and to the upper reaches of the Western Buta (the city of Vladimir-Volynsky and Volyn principality). Russia also retained the territory of Tmutarakan. A difficult situation was with Galicia, where Croats lived: these territories were constantly passing from under the influence of Poland under the influence of Russia and back. However, on the whole, Russia was gradually expanding and was a fairly powerful state.
Although a diverse and ethnically motley population became part of Kievan Rus, the Russian ethnos itself had just begun to form and had not completely separated: the tribes had already begun to mix with each other, but so far there were no stable ethnic signs. In addition, in some parts of the state, tribes still lived who were not very willing to depart from their own traditions and beliefs and did not want to merge with the traditions that Russia imposed. Most of Russia began to unite culturally under the influence of Christianity, but there were still quite a few pagans left. The process of transition to a new religion was completed only in the 12th century.
The main mechanism of land consolidation was state power and administration. The head of state was considered the great Kiev prince, local princes and rulers were subordinate to him. Gradually, other state bodies began to form, such as the people's council, gathering. Ancient Russia was at the stage of forming an integral state with a strong management system.
Religion and Society of Ancient Rus in the 11th century
In 988, the Baptism of Russia took place, Russia adopted Christianity. This important event had a huge impact on everything that happened to the people in the future. Together with Christianity and Christian ideology, morality, new types of social relations, new trends began to appear, the church became a political force. The prince became not just a steward, but the governor of God, which meant that he had to take care not only of political life, but also of the spirituality and morality of his people.
The prince has his own squad, which serves to protect him, but gradually its functions begin to expand. The squad is divided into higher (boyars) and lower (youths). It is the squad in the future that will form the basis of a new stratum of society - the upper stratum, which has certain privileges. The process of stratification in society begins, the emergence of the nobility, division into rich and poor. It was in the 11th century. with the development of economic and trade relations and an increase in the number of the nobility, the basic principles of the feudal system began to form, which already in the 12th century. firmly established as the main state system.
Culture of Russia in the 11th century
In culture and architecture, as in other spheres of life, a new round of development associated with Christianization also begins. Biblical motifs began to appear in painting, Russian icon painting was born. Active construction of churches also begins - it was during this period that the famous St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev was built. Literacy, education and enlightenment began to actively spread in Russia, schools were built.
Main events of the 11th century in Russia
- 1017-1037 - construction of fortifications around Kiev, construction of St. Sophia Cathedral;
- 1019 - Yaroslav the Wise becomes the Grand Duke;
- 1036 - a number of successful campaigns of Yaroslav against the Pechenegs;
- 1043 - the last armed clash between Russia and Byzantium;
- 1095 - foundation of Pereyaslavl-Zalessky;
- 1096 - the first mention of Ryazan in the annals;
- 1097 - Lyubech Congress of Princes.
Results of the 11th century in Russia
In general, the 11th century. became quite successful for the development of Russia. The country continued the process of unification, state bodies and centralized self-government began to form. Despite the constant ones, cities and townships began to develop, which wanted to be independent from Kiev. Economic growth began. The adoption of Christianity is also essential to bring people together on the basis of a single culture and a single spirituality. The country is developing, not only the Russian state is being formed, but also the Russian people.
