For more than seven centuries, the Rurik dynasty ruled in Russia. With her formed Russian state, fragmentation was overcome, the first monarchs ascended the throne. The ancient Varangian family has sunk into oblivion, leaving historians with many unsolvable mysteries.
The greatest difficulty for historians is the compilation of the Rurik family tree. The point is not only in the remoteness of the eras, but also in the breadth of the geography of the clan, in its social interweaving, in the absence of reliable sources.
Certain difficulties in the study of the Rurik dynasty are created by the so-called “ladder” (next) law that existed in Russia until the 13th century, in which not his son, but the brother next in seniority acted as the successor of the Grand Duke. Moreover, the princes often changed their inheritance, moving from city to city, which further confuses the overall picture of the genealogy.
True, until the reign of Yaroslav the Wise (978-1054), the inheritance in the dynasty went in a straight line, and only after his sons Svyatoslav and Vsevolod, during the period of feudal fragmentation, the branches of the Rurikovich began to multiply incessantly, spreading across the ancient Russian lands.
One of the Vsevolodovich branches leads to Yuri Dolgoruky (1096? -1157). It is from him that the line begins its countdown, which subsequently led to the appearance of the Grand Dukes and Tsars of Moscow.
The identity of the founder of the Rurik dynasty (died in 879) to this day causes a lot of controversy, up to the denial of his existence. For many, the famous Varangian is nothing more than a semi-mythical figure. This is understandable. In the historiography of the 19th-20th centuries, the Norman theory was criticized, since the idea of the inability of the Slavs to create their own state was unbearable to domestic science.
Modern historians are more loyal to the Norman theory. So, Academician Boris Rybakov hypothesizes that in one of the raids on the Slavic lands, Rurik's squad captured Novgorod, although another historian, Igor Froyanov, supports the peaceful version of the "calling of the Varangians" to reign.
The problem is that the image of Rurik lacks specifics. According to some sources, he could be the Danish Viking Rorik of Jutland, according to others, the Swede Eirik Emundarson, who raided the lands of the Balts.
There is also a Slavic version of the origin of Rurik. His name is associated with the word "Rerek" (or "Rarog"), which in the Slavic Obodrite tribe meant a falcon. And, indeed, during the excavations of the early settlements of the Rurik dynasty, many images of this bird were found.
After the division of the ancient Russian lands between the descendants of Rurik, with destinies in Rostov, Novgorod, Suzdal, Vladimir, Pskov and other cities, a real fratricidal war broke out for the possession of estates, which did not subside until the centralization of the Russian state. One of the most power-hungry turned out to be Prince Turovsky, Svyatopolk, nicknamed the Accursed. According to one version, he was the son of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (the Baptist), according to another, Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich.
Having rebelled against Vladimir, Svyatopolk was imprisoned on charges of trying to turn Russia away from baptism. However, after the death of the Grand Duke, he turned out to be quicker than others and took the empty throne. According to one version, wanting to get rid of competitors in the face of half-brothers Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav, he sent his warriors to them, who dealt with them one by one.
According to another version, to which the historian Nikolai Ilyin is inclined, Svyatopolk could not kill Boris and Gleb, since they recognized his right to the throne. In his opinion, the young princes fell victim to the hands of the warriors of Yaroslav the Wise, who claimed the throne of Kiev.
One way or another, a long fratricidal war broke out between Svyatopolk and Yaroslav for the title of Grand Prince of Kiev. It continued with varying success, until in the decisive battle on the Alta River (not far from the place of Gleb's death), Yaroslav's squads finally defeated Svyatopolk's detachment, who was branded a treacherous prince and a traitor. Well, history is written by the winners.
One of the most odious rulers of the Rurik family was Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible (1530-1584). On the paternal side, he came from the Moscow branch of the dynasty, and on the maternal side from Khan Mamai. Perhaps it was the Mongolian blood that gave his character such unpredictability, explosiveness and cruelty.
Mongolian genes partly explain Grozny's military campaigns in the Nogai Horde, the Crimean, Astrakhan and Kazan khanates. By the end of the reign of Ivan Vasilyevich, Muscovite Russia had a territory larger than the rest of Europe: the growing state rather corresponded to the possessions of the Golden Horde.
In 1575, Ivan IV unexpectedly abdicated and proclaimed the new king of Kasimov Khan, Semeon Bekbulatovich, a descendant of Genghis Khan and great-grandson of the Khan of the Great Horde, Akhmat. Historians call this action a "political masquerade", although they cannot fully explain it. Someone argues that in this way the tsar was saved from the predictions of the Magi, who prophesied his death, others, in particular the historian Ruslan Skrynnikov, see this as a cunning political move. Interestingly, after the death of Grozny, many boyars consolidated around the candidacy of Semeon, but they eventually lost the fight against Boris Godunov.
After the weak-minded Fyodor Ivanovich (1557-1598), the third son of Ivan the Terrible, was placed in the kingdom, the question of the successor turned out to be relevant. They were considered the younger brother of Fedor and the son of the Terrible from his sixth marriage, Dmitry. Even despite the fact that the Church did not officially recognize Dmitry's right to the throne, since only children from the first three marriages could be applicants, Fyodor's brother-in-law, who actually ruled the state and counted on the throne, was seriously afraid of a competitor.
Therefore, when on May 15, 1591, in Uglich, Tsarevich Dmitry was found dead with his throat cut, suspicion immediately fell on Godunov. But, as a result, an accident was blamed for the death of the prince: allegedly, the prince suffering from epilepsy during an attack mortally wounded himself.
The historian Mikhail Pogodin, who in 1829 worked with the original of this criminal case, also justifies Godunov and confirms the version of the accident, although some modern researchers tend to see this as an insidious intent.
Tsarevich Dmitry was destined to become the last of the Moscow branch of the Rurikovich, but the dynasty was finally interrupted only in 1610, when Vasily Shuisky (1552-1612), representing the Suzdal line of the Rurik family, was overthrown from the throne.
Representatives of the Rurikovichs can be met today. Russian scientists recently conducted a study of DNA samples of those who consider themselves the rightful heirs ancient family. The researchers came to the conclusion that the descendants belong to two haplogroups: N1c1 - branches leading from Vladimir Monomakh and R1a1 - descending from Yuri Tarussky.
However, it is the second haplogroup that is recognized as the original, since the first could have appeared as a result of the infidelity of the wife of Yaroslav the Wise, Irina. Scandinavian sagas they say that Irina (Ingigerda) burned with love for the Norwegian king Olaf II. According to historians, the fruit of this love was Vsevolod, the father of Vladimir Monomakh. But even this option once again confirms the Varangian roots of the Rurik family.
The Norman or Varangian theory, which reveals aspects of the formation of statehood in Russia, is based on one simple thesis - the calling of the Varangian prince Rurik by the Novgorodians to control and protect large area tribal union of Slovenian Ilmen. Thus, the answer to the question of what event the emergence of the dynasty is associated with is quite understandable.
This thesis is present in the ancient one written by Nestor. At the moment it is controversial, but one fact is still undeniable - Rurik became the founder of the whole dynasty of sovereigns who ruled not only in Kiev, but also in other cities of the Russian land, including Moscow, and that is why the dynasty of rulers of Russia was called the Rurikovichi.
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The pedigree is quite complex, it is not so easy to understand it, but it is very easy to trace the beginning of the Rurik dynasty.
Rurik became the first prince in his dynasty. Its origin is extremely controversial issue. Some historians suggest that he was from a noble Varangian-Scandinavian family.
Rurik's ancestors came from the merchant Hedeby (Scandinavia) and were related to Ragnar Lodbrok himself. Other historians, distinguishing between the concepts of "Norman" and "Varangian", believe that Rurik was of a Slavic family, perhaps he was related to the Novgorod prince Gostomysl (it is believed that Gostomysl was his grandfather), and for a long time lived with his family on the island of Rügen.
Most likely, he was a jarl, that is, he had a military squad and kept boats, engaging in trade and sea robbery. But with his calling first to Staraya Ladoga, and then to Novgorod, the beginning of the dynasty is connected.
Rurik was called to Novgorod in 862 (when he began to rule is, of course, unknown, historians rely on data from the PVL). The chronicler claims that he came not alone, but with two brothers - Sinius and Truvor (traditional Varangian names or nicknames). Rurik settled in Staraya Ladoga, Sinius on Beloozero, and Truvor in Izborsk. It's interesting that any other mention there are no brothers in PVL. The beginning of the dynasty is not connected with them.
Rurik died in 879, leaving young son Igor(or Ingvar, according to the Scandinavian tradition). A combatant, and possibly a relative of Rurik, Oleg (Helg) was supposed to rule on behalf of his son until he came of age.
Attention! There is a version that Oleg ruled not just as a relative or confidant, but as an elected jarl, that is, he had everything political rights to power according to Scandinavian and Varangian laws. The fact that he transferred power to Igor could really mean that he was his close relative, possibly a nephew, the son of a sister (according to the Scandinavian tradition, an uncle is closer than father; boys in Scandinavian families were given to be raised by their maternal uncles).
How many years reigned Oleg? He successfully ruled the young state until 912. It was he who had the merit of completely conquering the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and capturing Kiev, then his place was taken by Igor (already as the ruler of Kiev), by that time married to a girl from Polotsk (according to one of the versions) - Olga.
Igor's reign can't be called successful.. He was killed by the Drevlyans in 945 during an attempt to take a double tribute from their capital, Iskorosten. Since the only son of Igor, Svyatoslav, was still small, the throne in Kiev common decision the boyars and squads were occupied by his widow Olga.
Svyatoslav ascended the throne of Kiev in 957. He was a warrior prince and never stayed long in his capital. rapidly growing state. Even during his lifetime, he divided the lands of Russia between his three sons: Vladimir, Yaropolk and Oleg. Vladimir ( illegitimate son) he gave Novgorod the Great as inheritance. He imprisoned Oleg (the younger) in Iskorosten, and left the elder Yaropolk in Kiev.
Attention! Historians know the name of Vladimir's mother, it is also known that she was a whitewashed servant, that is, she could not become the wife of the ruler. Perhaps Vladimir was the eldest son of Svyatoslav, his firstborn. That is why he was recognized as a father. Yaropolk and Oleg were born from the legal wife of Svyatoslav, possibly a Bulgarian princess, but they were younger than Vladimir in age. All this, subsequently, influenced the relationship of the brothers and led to the first princely civil strife in Russia.
Svyatoslav died in 972 on the island of Khortytsya(Dnieper rapids). After his death, Yaropolk occupied the throne of Kiev for several years. A war for power in the state began between him and his brother Vladimir, which ended with the murder of Yaropolk and the victory of Vladimir, who eventually became the next prince of Kiev. Vladimir ruled from 980 to 1015. His main merit is Baptism of Russia and the Russian people into the Orthodox faith.
Between the sons of Vladimir, immediately after his death, an internecine war broke out, as a result of which the throne was taken by one of the eldest sons of Vladimir from the Polotsk princess Ragneda - Yaroslav.
Important! In 1015, the Kiev throne was occupied by Svyatopolk (later nicknamed the Accursed). He was not Vladimir's own son. His father was Yaropolk, after whose death Vladimir took his wife as his wife, and recognized the born child as his firstborn.
Yaroslav reigned until 1054. After his death, ladder law came into force - the transfer of the Kiev throne and the "younger" in seniority in the Rurik family.
The Kiev throne was occupied by the eldest son of Yaroslav - Izyaslav, Chernigov (the next in "seniority" throne) - Oleg, Pereyaslavsky - the youngest son of Yaroslav Vsevolod.
For a long time, the sons of Yaroslav lived peacefully, observing the precepts of their father, but, in the end, the struggle for power moved into an active phase and Russia entered the era of feudal fragmentation.
Pedigree of Rurikovich. The first Kiev princes (table or Rurik dynasty scheme with dates, by generation)
| Generation | Prince's name | Years of government |
| 1st generation | Rurik | 862-879 (Novgorod reign) |
| Oleg (Prophetic) | 879 - 912 (Novgorod and Kiev reign) | |
| II | Igor Rurikovich | 912-945 (Kiev reign) |
| Olga | 945-957 | |
| III | Svyatoslav Igorevich | 957-972 |
| IV | Yaropolk Svyatoslavich | 972-980 |
| Oleg Svyatoslavich | Prince-viceroy in Iskorosten, died in 977 | |
| Vladimir Svyatoslavich (Saint) | 980-1015 | |
| V | Svyatopolk Yaropolkovich (stepson of Vladimir) Cursed | 1015-1019 |
| Yaroslav Vladimirovich (Wise) | 1019-1054 | |
| VI | Izyaslav Yaroslavovich | 1054-1073; 1076-1078 (Kiev reign) |
| Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich (Chernigov) | 1073-1076 (Kiev reign) | |
| Vsevolod Yaroslavovich (Pereyaslavsky) | 1078-1093 (Kiev reign) |
It is incredibly difficult to trace the dynastic line of the Rurik dynasty during the period of feudal fragmentation, since the ruling princely the family has grown to its maximum. The main branches of the clan at the first stage of feudal fragmentation can be considered the Chernihiv and Pereyaslav lines, as well as the Galician line, which must be discussed separately. The Galician princely house originates from the eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise, Vladimir, who died during the life of his father, and whose heirs received Galich as inheritance.
It is important to note that all representatives of the clan sought to occupy the Kiev throne, since in this case they were considered the rulers of the entire state.
With the Pereyaslav house, which was nominally considered the youngest, everything is much more complicated. It was the descendants of Vsevolod Yaroslavovich who gave rise to the Vladimir-Suzdal and Moscow Rurikoviches. Principal Representatives of this house were:
Mstislav Vladimirovich gave rise to the Volyn House of Rurikovich, and Yuri Vladimirovich - to Vladimir-Suzdal.
The Vladimir-Suzdal house became the main house in Russia after the death of Mstislav the Great. The princes who made their capital first Suzdal, and then Vladimir-on-Klyazma, played a key role in the political history of the period of the Horde invasion.
Important! Daniil of Galitsky and Alexander Nevsky are known not only as contemporaries, but also as rivals for the grand ducal label, and they also had a fundamentally different approach to faith - Alexander adhered to Orthodoxy, and Daniil converted to Catholicism in exchange for the opportunity to receive the title of King of Kiev.
In the final period of feudal fragmentation, the House of Rurikovich had more than 2,000 members (princes and junior princely families). Gradually, the leading positions were taken by the Moscow House, which traces its pedigree from the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, Daniil Alexandrovich.
Gradually, the Moscow House grand-ducal was transformed into a royal. Why did this happen? Including thanks to dynastic marriages, as well as successful internal and foreign policy individual representatives of the House. The Moscow Rurikovichs did a gigantic job of "gathering" the lands around Moscow and overthrowing the Tatar-Mongol Yoke.
Moscow Ruriks (chart with dates of reign)
| Generation (from Rurik in a direct male line) | Prince's name | Years of government | Significant marriages |
| XI generation | Alexander Yaroslavovich (Nevsky) | Prince of Novgorod Grand Duke according to the Horde label from 1246 to 1263 | _____ |
| XII | Daniil Alexandrovich Moskovsky | 1276-1303 (Moscow reign) | _____ |
| XIII | Yuri Daniilovich | 1317-1322 (Moscow reign) | |
| Ivan I Daniilovich (Kalita) | 1328-1340 (Great Vladimir and Moscow reign) | _____ | |
| XIV | Semyon Ivanovich (Proud) | 1340-1353 (Moscow and Great Vladimir reign) | |
| Ivan II Ivanovich (Red) | 1353-1359 (Moscow and Great Vladimir reign) | ||
| XV | Dmitry Ivanovich (Donskoy) | 1359-1389 (Moscow reign, and from 1363 to 1389 - the Great Vladimir reign) | Evdokia Dmitrievna, the only daughter of Dmitry Konstantinovich (Rurikovich), the Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod prince; accession to the Moscow principality of all territories of the principality of Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod |
| XVI | Vasily I Dmitrievich | 1389-1425 | Sofya Vitovtovna, Daughter of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Vitovt (complete reconciliation of the princes of Lithuania with the ruling Moscow house) |
| XVII | Vasily II Vasilyevich (Dark) | 1425-1462 | _____ |
| XVIII | Ivan III Vasilyevich | 1462 - 1505 | In the second marriage with Sophia Paleolog (niece of the last Byzantine emperor); nominal right: to be considered the successor of the imperial Byzantine crown and Caesar (king) |
| XIX | Vasily III Vasilyevich | 1505-1533 | In the second marriage with Elena Glinskaya, a representative of a wealthy Lithuanian family, leading its origin from the Serbian rulers and Mamai (according to legend) |
| XX |
For more than seven centuries, the Rurik dynasty ruled in Russia. Under her rule, the Russian state was formed, fragmentation was overcome, and the first monarchs ascended the throne. The ancient Varangian family has sunk into oblivion, leaving historians with many unsolvable mysteries.
The greatest difficulty for historians is the compilation of the Rurik family tree. The point is not only in the remoteness of the eras, but also in the breadth of the geography of the clan, in its social interweaving, in the absence of reliable sources.
Certain difficulties in the study of the Rurik dynasty are created by the so-called “ladder” (next) law that existed in Russia until the 13th century, in which not his son, but the brother next in seniority acted as the successor of the Grand Duke. Moreover, the princes often changed their inheritance, moving from city to city, which further confuses the overall picture of the genealogy.
True, until the reign of Yaroslav the Wise (978-1054), the inheritance in the dynasty went in a straight line, and only after his sons Svyatoslav and Vsevolod, during the period of feudal fragmentation, the branches of the Rurikovich began to multiply incessantly, spreading across the ancient Russian lands.
One of the Vsevolodovich branches leads to Yuri Dolgoruky (1096? -1157). It is from him that the line begins its countdown, which subsequently led to the appearance of the Grand Dukes and Tsars of Moscow.
The identity of the founder of the Rurik dynasty (died in 879) to this day causes a lot of controversy, up to the denial of his existence. For many, the famous Varangian is nothing more than a semi-mythical figure. This is understandable. In the historiography of the 19th-20th centuries, the Norman theory was criticized, since the idea of the inability of the Slavs to create their own state was unbearable to domestic science.
Modern historians are more loyal to the Norman theory. So, Academician Boris Rybakov hypothesizes that in one of the raids on the Slavic lands, Rurik's squad captured Novgorod, although another historian, Igor Froyanov, supports the peaceful version of the "calling of the Varangians" to reign.
The problem is that the image of Rurik lacks specifics. According to some sources, he could be the Danish Viking Rorik of Jutland, according to others, the Swede Eirik Emundarson, who raided the lands of the Balts.
There is also a Slavic version of the origin of Rurik. His name is associated with the word "Rerek" (or "Rarog"), which in the Slavic Obodrite tribe meant a falcon. And, indeed, during the excavations of the early settlements of the Rurik dynasty, many images of this bird were found.
After the division of the ancient Russian lands between the descendants of Rurik, with destinies in Rostov, Novgorod, Suzdal, Vladimir, Pskov and other cities, a real fratricidal war broke out for the possession of estates, which did not subside until the centralization of the Russian state. One of the most power-hungry turned out to be Prince Turovsky, Svyatopolk, nicknamed the Accursed. According to one version, he was the son of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (the Baptist), according to another, Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich.
Having rebelled against Vladimir, Svyatopolk was imprisoned on charges of trying to turn Russia away from baptism. However, after the death of the Grand Duke, he turned out to be quicker than others and took the empty throne. According to one version, wanting to get rid of competitors in the face of half-brothers Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav, he sent his warriors to them, who dealt with them one by one.
According to another version, to which the historian Nikolai Ilyin is inclined, Svyatopolk could not kill Boris and Gleb, since they recognized his right to the throne. In his opinion, the young princes fell victim to the hands of the warriors of Yaroslav the Wise, who claimed the throne of Kiev.
One way or another, a long fratricidal war broke out between Svyatopolk and Yaroslav for the title of Grand Prince of Kiev. It continued with varying success, until in the decisive battle on the Alta River (not far from the place of Gleb's death), Yaroslav's squads finally defeated Svyatopolk's detachment, who was branded a treacherous prince and a traitor. Well, history is written by the winners.
One of the most odious rulers of the Rurik family was Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible (1530-1584). On the paternal side, he came from the Moscow branch of the dynasty, and on the maternal side from Khan Mamai. Perhaps it was the Mongolian blood that gave his character such unpredictability, explosiveness and cruelty.
Mongolian genes partly explain Grozny's military campaigns in the Nogai Horde, the Crimean, Astrakhan and Kazan khanates. By the end of the reign of Ivan Vasilyevich, Muscovite Russia had a territory larger than the rest of Europe: the growing state rather corresponded to the possessions of the Golden Horde.
In 1575, Ivan IV unexpectedly abdicated and proclaimed the new king of Kasimov Khan, Semeon Bekbulatovich, a descendant of Genghis Khan and great-grandson of the Khan of the Great Horde, Akhmat. Historians call this action a "political masquerade", although they cannot fully explain it. Someone argues that in this way the tsar was saved from the predictions of the Magi, who prophesied his death, others, in particular the historian Ruslan Skrynnikov, see this as a cunning political move. Interestingly, after the death of Grozny, many boyars consolidated around the candidacy of Semeon, but they eventually lost the fight against Boris Godunov.
After the weak-minded Fyodor Ivanovich (1557-1598), the third son of Ivan the Terrible, was placed in the kingdom, the question of the successor turned out to be relevant. They were considered the younger brother of Fedor and the son of the Terrible from his sixth marriage, Dmitry. Even despite the fact that the Church did not officially recognize Dmitry's right to the throne, since only children from the first three marriages could be applicants, Fyodor's brother-in-law, who actually ruled the state and counted on the throne, was seriously afraid of a competitor.
Therefore, when on May 15, 1591, in Uglich, Tsarevich Dmitry was found dead with his throat cut, suspicion immediately fell on Godunov. But, as a result, an accident was blamed for the death of the prince: allegedly, the prince suffering from epilepsy during an attack mortally wounded himself.
The historian Mikhail Pogodin, who in 1829 worked with the original of this criminal case, also justifies Godunov and confirms the version of the accident, although some modern researchers tend to see this as an insidious intent.
Tsarevich Dmitry was destined to become the last of the Moscow branch of the Rurikovich, but the dynasty was finally interrupted only in 1610, when Vasily Shuisky (1552-1612), representing the Suzdal line of the Rurik family, was overthrown from the throne.
Representatives of the Rurikovichs can be met today. Russian scientists recently conducted a study of DNA samples of those who consider themselves the legitimate heirs of an ancient family. The researchers came to the conclusion that the descendants belong to two haplogroups: N1c1 - branches leading from Vladimir Monomakh and R1a1 - descending from Yuri Tarussky.
However, it is the second haplogroup that is recognized as the original, since the first could have appeared as a result of the infidelity of the wife of Yaroslav the Wise, Irina. The Scandinavian sagas tell that Irina (Ingigerda) burned with love for the Norwegian king Olaf II. According to historians, the fruit of this love was Vsevolod, the father of Vladimir Monomakh. But even this option once again confirms the Varangian roots of the Rurik family.
Story Ancient Russia very interesting for posterity. It has reached the modern generation in the form of myths, legends and chronicles. The family tree of Rurikovich with dates of board, its scheme exists in many historical books. The more early description- the more reliable the story. The dynasties that ruled, starting with Prince Rurik, contributed to the formation of statehood, the unification of all and the principalities into a single strong state.
The genealogy of Rurikovich presented to readers is a vivid confirmation of this. How many legendary personalities who created future Russia, are represented in this tree! How did the dynasty begin? Who was Rurik in origin?
There are many legends about the appearance of the Varangian Rurik in Russia. Some historians consider him a Scandinavian, others - a Slav. But the Tale of Bygone Years, left by the chronicler Nestor, tells about this event best of all. From his narrative it follows that Rurik, Sineus and Truvor are the grandchildren of the Novgorod prince Gostomysl.
The prince lost all four of his sons in battle, leaving only three daughters. One of them was married to a Varyag-Ross and gave birth to three sons. It was them, his grandchildren, that Gostomysl called to reign in Novgorod. Rurik became Prince of Novgorod, Sineus went to Beloozero, and Truvor to Izborsk. Three brothers became the first tribe and the Rurik family tree began with them. It was 862 AD. The dynasty was in power until 1598, ruling the country for 736 years.
The Novgorod prince Rurik ruled until 879. He died, leaving in the arms of Oleg, a relative on his wife's side, his son Igor, a representative of the second tribe. While Igor was growing up, Oleg reigned in Novgorod, who during his reign conquered and called Kiev "the mother of Russian cities", established diplomatic relations with Byzantium.
After the death of Oleg, in 912, Igor, the rightful heir of the Rurik dynasty, began to reign. He died in 945, leaving his sons: Svyatoslav and Gleb. There are many historical documents and books that describe the genealogy of the Ruriks with dates of reign. The scheme of their family tree looks like the photo on the left.
From this diagram it can be seen that the genus gradually branches and grows. Especially from his son, Yaroslav the Wise, offspring appeared that had great importance in the development of Russia.
In the year of his death, Svyatoslav was only three years old. Therefore, his mother, Princess Olga, began to rule the principality. When he grew up, he was more attracted to military campaigns, rather than reigning. In a campaign to the Balkans, in 972, he was killed. His heirs were three sons: Yaropolk, Oleg and Vladimir. Immediately after the death of his father, Yaropolk became the prince of Kiev. Autocracy was his desire, and he began to openly fight against his brother Oleg. The genealogy of the Rurikovichs with the dates of reign suggests that Vladimir Svyatoslavovich nevertheless became the head of the Kiev principality.
When Oleg died, Vladimir first fled to Europe, but after 2 years he returned with a retinue and killed Yaropolk, thus becoming the Grand Duke of Kiev. During his campaigns in Byzantium, Prince Vladimir became a Christian. In 988, he baptized the inhabitants of Kiev in the Dnieper, built churches and cathedrals, and contributed to the spread of Christianity in Russia.
The people gave him a name and his reign lasted until 1015. The Church venerates him as a saint for the baptism of Russia. The Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir Svyatoslavovich had sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Sudislav, Vysheslav, Pozvizd, Vsevolod, Stanislav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav and Gleb.
There is a detailed genealogy of Rurikovich with dates of their lives and periods of government. Following Vladimir, Svyatopolk, who will be called the Accursed by the people, rose to the principality for the murder of his brothers. His reign did not last long - in 1015, with a break, and from 1017 to 1019.
The wise one ruled from 1015 to 1017 and from 1019 to 1024. Then there were 12 years of reign together with Mstislav Vladimirovich: from 1024 to 1036, and then from 1036 to 1054.
From 1054 to 1068 - this is the period of the principality of Izyaslav Yaroslavovich. Further, the genealogy of the Rurikovichs, the scheme of government of their descendants, is expanding. Some of the representatives of the dynasty were in power for very short periods and did not have time to accomplish outstanding deeds. But many (such as Yaroslav the Wise or Vladimir Monomakh) left their mark on the life of Russia.
The Grand Duke of Kiev Vsevolod Yaroslavovich entered the principality in 1078 and continued it until 1093. There are many princes in the family tree of the dynasty who are remembered for their exploits in battles: such was Alexander Nevsky. But his reign was later, during the invasion of Russia by the Mongol-Tatars. And before him, the Kiev principality was ruled by: Vladimir Monomakh - from 1113 to 1125, Mstislav - from 1125 to 1132, Yaropolk - from 1132 to 1139. Yuri Dolgoruky, who became the founder of Moscow, reigned from 1125 to 1157.
The genealogy of the Rurikovichs is voluminous and deserves a very careful study. It is impossible to pass by such famous names as John "Kalita", Dmitry "Donskoy", who reigned from 1362 to 1389. Contemporaries always associate the name of this prince with his victory at the Kulikovo field. After all, it was a turning point that marked the beginning of the "end" of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. But Dmitry Donskoy was remembered not only for this: his domestic politics was aimed at uniting the principalities. It was during his reign that Moscow became central location Russia.
The genealogy of the Rurikovichs, a diagram with dates, suggests that the dynasty ended with the reign of the Tsar of Moscow and All Russia - Fedor Ioannovich. He ruled from 1584 to 1589. But his power was nominal: by nature, he was not a sovereign, and the country was ruled by the State Duma. But nevertheless, during this period, peasants were attached to the land, which is considered a merit of the reign of Fyodor Ioannovich.
The genealogy of Rurikovich was cut off, the scheme of which is shown above in the article. For more than 700 years, the formation of Russia went on, the terrible yoke was overcome, the principalities and the entire East Slavic people were united. Further on the threshold of history stands a new royal dynasty - the Romanovs.
Historians call Rurikovich the first dynasty of Russian princes and tsars. They did not have a surname, and the name of the dynasty was named after its legendary founder - Prince of Novgorod Rurik, who died in 879.
Glazunov Ilya Sergeevich. Gostomysl's grandchildren are Rurik, Truvor and Sineus.
The earliest (XII century) and most detailed ancient Russian chronicle, The Tale of Bygone Years, tells about the vocation of Rurik:
"The calling of Rurik". Unknown author.
“In the year 6370 (862 according to modern chronology). They expelled the Varangians across the sea, and did not give them tribute, and began to rule themselves, and there was no truth among them, and clan stood against clan, and they had strife, and began to fight with each other. And they said to themselves: "Let's look for a prince who would rule over us and judge by right." And they went across the sea to the Varangians, to Russia. Those Varangians were called Rus, as others are called Swedes, and others are Normans and Angles, and still others are Gotlanders, and so are these. The Russians said Chud, Slovenes, Krivichi and all: “Our land is great and plentiful, but there is no order in it.
"The calling of Rurik".
Come reign and rule over us." And three brothers were elected with their families, and they took all of Russia with them, and they came, and the eldest, Rurik, sat in Novgorod, and the other, Sineus, on Beloozero, and the third, Truvor, in Izborsk. And from those Varangians the Russian land was nicknamed. Novgorodians are those people from the Varangian family, and before they were Slovenes. Two years later, Sineus and his brother Truvor died. And one Rurik took all the power, and began to distribute cities to his men - Polotsk to that, Rostov to that, Beloozero to another. The Varangians in these cities are nakhodniki, and the indigenous population in Novgorod is Slovene, in Polotsk - Krivichi, in Rostov - Merya, in Beloozero - all, in Murom - Murom, and Rurik ruled over all of them.
Rurik. Grand Duke of Novgorod in 862-879. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Old Russian chronicles began to be compiled 200 years after the death of Rurik and a century after the baptism of Russia (the advent of writing) on the basis of some oral traditions, Byzantine chronicles and the few existing documents. Therefore, in historiography, there are different points of view on the annalistic version of the calling of the Varangians. In the 18th - the first half of the 19th century, the theory of the Scandinavian or Finnish origin of Prince Rurik prevailed, later the hypothesis of his West Slavic (Pomeranian) origin developed.
However, more reliable historical figure, and therefore, and hence the ancestor of the dynasty is the Grand Duke of Kiev Igor, whom the chronicle considers the son of Rurik.
Igor I (Igor the Ancient) 877-945 Grand Duke of Kiev in 912-945.
The Rurik dynasty ruled the Russians for over 700 years. The Rurikids ruled Kievan Rus, and then, when it collapsed in the 12th century, large and small Russian principalities. And after the unification of all the Russian lands around Moscow, the Grand Dukes of Moscow from the Rurik family stood at the head of the state. The descendants of the former appanage princes lost their possessions and made up the highest stratum of the Russian aristocracy, but they retained the title "prince" at the same time.
Svyatoslav I Igorevich the Conqueror. 942-972 Grand Duke of Kiev in 966-972.
Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vladimir I Svyatoslavich (Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko) 960-1015 Grand Duke of Kiev in 980-1015. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Yaroslav I Vladimirovich (Yaroslav the Wise) 978-1054 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1019-1054. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vsevolod I Yaroslavich. 1030-1093 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1078-1093.
Vladimir II Vsevolodovich (Vladimir Monomakh) 1053-1025 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1113-1125. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Mstislav I Vladimirovich (Mstislav the Great) 1076-1132 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1125-1132. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Yaropolk II Vladimirovich 1082-1139 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1132-1139.
Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vsevolod II Olgovich. ?-1146 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1139-1146.
Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Igor II Olgovich. ?-1147 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1146.
Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Yuri I Vladimirovich (Yuri Dolgoruky). 1090-1157 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1149-1151 and 1155-1157. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vsevolod III Yurievich (Vsevolod the Big Nest). 1154-1212 Grand Duke of Vladimir in 1176-1212. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich. 1191-1246 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1236-1238. Grand Duke of Vladimir in 1238-1246. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Alexander I Yaroslavich (Alexander Nevsky). 1220-1263 Grand Duke of Kiev in 1249-1252. Grand Duke of Vladimir in 1252-1263. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Daniel Alexandrovich. 1265-1303 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1276-1303.
Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Ivan I Danilovich (Ivan Kalita). ?-1340s Grand Duke of Moscow in 1325-1340. Grand Duke of Vladimir in 1338-1340. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Ivan II Ivanovich (Ivan the Red). 1326-1359 Grand Duke of Moscow and Vladimir in 1353-1359. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Dmitriy III Ivanovich(Dmitry Donskoy). 1350-1389 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1359-1389. Grand Duke Vladimirsky in 1362-1389. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vasily I Dmitrievich. 1371-1425 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1389-1425. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vasily II Vasilievich (Vasily the Dark). 1415-1462 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1425-1446 and 1447-1462. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Ivan III Vasilievich. 1440-1505 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1462-1505. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Vasily III Ivanovich. 1479-1533 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1505-1533. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
Ivan IV Vasilyevich (Ivan the Terrible) 1530-1584 Grand Duke of Moscow in 1533-1584. Russian Tsar in 1547-1584. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
In 1547, the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan IV was married to the kingdom in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin and took the title of "Tsar of All Russia". The last representative of the Rurik dynasty on the Russian throne was Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, who died childless in 1598.
Fedor I Ivanovich 1557-1598 Russian Tsar in 1584-1598. Portrait from the Royal Titular. 1672
But this does not mean that the family of Rurikovich ended there. Only its youngest - Moscow - branch was stopped. But the male offspring of other Rurikoviches (former appanage princes) had already acquired surnames by that time: Baryatinsky, Volkonsky, Gorchakov, Dolgorukov, Obolensky, Odoevsky, Repnin, Shuisky, Shcherbatov, etc.
