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According to the chronicles, Kyivan Rus, the first Slavic state, arose around 860 AD.
The Varangians or Vikings (Scandinavians), who took control over some territories of modern day Eastern Europe acted as catalysts for political development. The rise of the state with the centre in the city of Kyiv (modern day Ukraine) resulted from a mutually beneficial Slavic/Scandinavian relationship. “Ruotsi” in Finnish means “Sweden”.
At the beginning of the tenth century, the city of Kyiv was a key hub on the trade routes connecting Europe, Byzantine empire, Abbasid Moslem empire, and the Khazar state of the lower Volga and the northern Caucasus.
According to a number of sources, the first Varangian rulers of Rus were Askold and Dyr, who were killed by Prince Oleh of Novhorod (Riuryk Dynasty). He stayed in Kyiv and the descendants of his dynasty ruled Kyivan Rus and other territories in Eastern Europe until the end of the 16th century.
During his reign, Oleh concluded an important trade agreement with Constantinopol (911 AD).
Oleh’s son, Prince Ihor, expanded the territories of Kyivan Rus, but was killed by one of the tribes, who refused to pay their tribute.
Ihor’s widow, Princess Olha, was a regent until her oldest son came of age. Olharuled Kyivan Rus from 945 - 962 AD.
Olha expanded and strengthened the central power of Kyiv, defined hunting areas, replaced annual journey to collect tribute with local centers that were collecting uniform taxes for Kyiv.
She strengthened the trade relations with Byzantine Empire and was the first Kyivan Rus ruler to become a Christian.
Under Olha son, Sviatoslav’s rule, Kyivan Rus was constantly expanding its territories and has become even more powerful. This changed when Sviatoslav’s son, Yaropolk, became the ruler of the state and started focusing on internal consolidation.
Yaropolk maintained close ties with Western Europe and with Emperor Otto I the Great. In 979 he received a papal delegation in Kyiv. He also had a Greek wife and continued good relations with Byzantine.
Yaropolk was killed by Vangarian mercenaries in 980 AD and his brother, Volodymyr the Great, became the ruler of Kyivan Rus.
Over the next 35 years he expanded Kyivan Rus and turned it into one of the most powerful states in Europe.
One of Volodymyr’s wifes was a granddaughter of Otto the Great (possibly Rechlinda Otona).
In 980s Byzantine emperor, Basil II, asked Volodymyr to help him defeat his rival. Volodymyr agreed in exchange for marrying Basil’s daughter, Anna, and on Basil’s condition for Volodymyr and his subjects to turn to Christianity.
In 987 Volodymyr and his whole family were baptized in Khersones (Crimea).
The trident (Ukrainian coat of arms) was then claimed by him for his Royal House and the Greek Cross of Khersones was added to the middle bar after Volodymyr was baptized. The trident was shaped so that it would come to represent two Cyrillic "B" letters, facing each other.
In 988 Volodymyr organized a mass baptism of the citizens of Kyivan Rus.
The first schools and churches were built.
One of Volodymyr’s sons, Vsevolod, became the Swedish Prince Wissawald of Volyn, after marrying Estrid Svendsdatter, a Danish Princess and titular Queen.
After Volodymyr’s death, his son Sviatopolk briefly ruled the state. Then his brother, Yaroslav the Wise, took over in Kyiv and jointly ruled Kyivan Rus with his other brother, Mstyslav Volodymyrovych, who was based in Tmutarakan.
In 1036 AD Mstystav Volodymyrovych died without an heir and Yaroslav the Wise became the sole ruler of the unified Kyivan Rus.
Yaroslav the Wise introduced the “Rus Truth” - the first consolidation of common sense laws the citizens were to abide by. Culture and education flourished during Yaroslav’s ruled. St. Sophia Cathedral was built.
Yaroslav the Wise and his second wife, Ingegerd Olofsdotter of Sweden’s daughter, Anna Yaroslavna, married Henry I of France in 1051. Anna and Henry were married for nine years, during which time she gave birth to three sons, including the future king of France, Philip. Upon Henry’s death, Anna became a queen regent for her young son Philip. During that time, 25 royal documents were issued by her and bear her signature in cyrilic.
In the meantime, in Kyivan Rus, other princes were not happy with their roles and the fight for the central crown was causing a lot of division in the state.
The next ruler, Volodymyr Monomakh, brought some brief order back to Kyivan Rus in 1113 AD. History and literature flourished under his rule.
Monomach’s first wife was Gytha of Wessex, daughter of Harold of England.
... read more at znau.info
Brief History of Ukraine: Kyivan Rus | ZnaU
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