Russian armored train units. Russian warriors, a tribe of winners! 1925–1926. These are years of bloody battles. In one of the battles, Colonel Kostrov, commander of an armored train division, general of the Chinese army, dies (1925), he is raised on bayonets. 1925, November 2. Near Kuchen station

Many historians attribute the formation of Kievan Rus as a state to the years of the reign of Prince Oleg - from 882 to 912, but this is not so. Before him, the great princes ruled, who began the Rurik family, which received its name from Rurik, Prince of Novgorod, whom the people of Kiev called to rule them. He died in 879, and only 3 years later the throne passed to the Prophetic Oleg, who raised Rurik’s son Igor as his own. It is Igor Rurikovich who is considered the founder of the dynastic family.

This princely family ruled for more than 700 years, distributing Russian cities and small lands among their sons. Some of them built cities, such as Yuri Dolgoruky, who founded Moscow, which still stands as a reminder of the era of Kievan Rus, or Kiy, who gave his name to the future capital of the Rus.

Origins of Kievan Rus

Uniting the lands of the Slavic tribes under the unified rule of Kyiv was not an easy task, since there was no point in conquering them, because the great city needed allies, not captives. That is why Rurik and his descendants exempted their neighbors from paying tribute to the Pechenegs, but collected it themselves.

It is interesting that for a very long time the great princes of Kyiv were elected to the throne by the people and with their rule they had to justify their trust. This did not prevent representatives of the prolific family tree Rurikovich constantly fight for the throne.

After the death of Prince Oleg, his stepson Igor continued to unite the Slavic tribes under the protection of Kyiv, but the exorbitant tribute they had to pay eventually led to an uprising of the Drevlyans, who killed the prince. Although his widow Olga avenged her husband, being a fair woman and the first to accept Orthodox baptism, she established the amount of tribute that could not be violated.

As a rule, the formation of any state is a matter based on wars and treacherous murders. The Slavic peoples did not escape similar acts. The Grand Dukes of Rurik were constantly either on campaigns against the Pechenegs or Byzantium, or staged civil strife and killed each other.

The most famous princes of Kievan Rus were either those who committed fratricide for the sake of the throne, or those under whom the state grew stronger and prospered.

Prince Vladimir the Saint

Ancient Rus' was often shaken by strife, so the first long Peaceful time, when Kiev was ruled by one prince, and his sons were revered and each lived in his own inheritance, entered the chronicles. These were the times of Prince Vladimir, called the Holy People.

Vladimir Svyatoslavovich was the grandson of Igor Rurikovich. From his father he received Novgorod to rule, which was considered the most unprestigious inheritance. Yaropolk got Kyiv, and Oleg got all the Drevlyansky lands. After the death of Svyatopolk and Oleg, who was forced to flee from the betrayal of his elder brother, Yaropolk annexed the Drevlyansky lands to Kyiv and began to rule alone.

Prince Vladimir, having learned about this, went to war against him, but his elder brother died not at his hand, but at the hand of the servant who betrayed him. Prince Vladimir sat on the throne and even adopted Yaropolk's son Svyatopolk.

Not all the great princes of the Rurik family cared for the people as much as Vladimir the Holy. Under him, not only were schools built for the children of commoners and a special council was created, which included wise boyars, but also fair laws were established and Orthodoxy was adopted. The baptism of Rus' by Vladimir is a significant event when not one person at a time, but a whole people came to God. The first baptism took place in the waters of the Dnieper and was included in the chronicles along with other good deeds of the Grand Duke of Kyiv.

Prince Svyatopolk

Vladimir Krasnoye Solnyshko had 12 sons and a nephew, Svyatopolk. His eldest son Boris was supposed to be his favorite son and heir to the throne, but when the old prince died, he was returning from a campaign against the Pechenegs, and Svyatopolk seized power.

In the people's memory and in the annals of Kyiv he remained as Svyatopolk I Yaropolchich the Accursed. The prince received this nickname for the murder of his cousins ​​Boris, Gleb and Svyatoslav. He also attempted to kill Yaroslav.

Wanting to personally rule Ancient Russia, Svyatopolk the Accursed committed many betrayals and betrayals, so that when Yaroslav gathered an army and went to Kyiv (for the second time), he had to flee. His mind became clouded from fear, and he ended his days in the Bohemian wastes, forever remaining in the memory of his descendants as the accursed prince who killed his brothers.

Prince Yaroslav

One of the most famous sons of Vladimir “Red Sun”, who received high popular praise and universal love, was Yaroslav the Wise. He was born approximately between 978 and 987. and at first he was the prince of Rostov, then of Novgorod, until in 1019 he took the throne of Kiev. Disputes about the date of birth of Yaroslav are still ongoing. Since he was the third son of Vladimir the Saint from his marriage to Ragneda, which took place in 976, he could not have been born in 978, as is usually indicated in history textbooks. A study of the prince's remains indicated that he was between 60 and 70 years old at the time of his death, not 76 years old.

No matter how long Yaroslav the Wise actually lived, he remained in people's memory as a fair, intelligent and brave ruler, although his path to the throne was not simple and bloody. The long reign of Prince Yaroslav in Kyiv until his death erased the memories of civil strife between the numerous sons of Vladimir the Saint, as well as constant military campaigns. His reign was marked by the introduction of a set of laws into public administration, the construction of two great cities - Yaroslavl and Yuryev, and the strengthening of the influence of Kievan Rus in the European political arena. It was he who began to use dynastic marriages to cement military and friendly alliances between powers.

Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich was buried in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.

Prince Izyaslav

The eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise took the Kiev throne in 1054, after the death of his father. This is the only Rurik prince who ruled Russia incompetently, spending his efforts not on strengthening the borders and increasing the well-being of the people, as his father did, but on feuds with his younger brothers Svyatoslav and Vsevolod.

Izyaslav I Yaroslavich was overthrown by the people's assembly and uprising twice, which in itself speaks of the quality of his rule. Each time he returned the throne of Kiev with the support of Polish troops. Neither his brothers nor his sons made Rus' stronger, preferring defense to attack. Until 1113, the country was in turmoil and the throne was being pulled from one prince to another.

Vladimir Monomakh

The most famous and significant figure on the Kiev throne was Prince Vladimir, who was popularly nicknamed Monomakh. At one time, he ceded the Kiev throne to his cousin Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, but after the death of the latter, at the request of the people, he took it.

Vladimir Monomakh can be compared to the legendary King Arthur. He was so loved and revered by the people for his courage, justice and generosity that songs and epics were composed in his honor long after his death.

During the reign of Vladimir, Kievan Rus became a truly powerful and strong power, which was taken into account by all its neighbors. He conquered the Principality of Minsk, and the Polovtsy moved away from the borders of Rus' for a long time. Vladimir Vsevolodovich not only issued laws making life easier for the common people and reducing taxes from them, but also continued the publication of The Tale of Bygone Years. It is in his interpretation that it has survived to this day. In addition, he himself wrote several works, including an autobiography, a set of laws and teachings from Vladimir Monomakh.

Rurik, son of Prince Rostislav

If during the times of Kievan Rus there was a book where various kinds of records would be entered, then Rurik Rostislavich would definitely be there. The following factors distinguished him from other princes of Kyiv:

• Neither the date of his birth nor the name of his mother is known, which is considered nonsense for the ruling dynasties. It is known for certain that his father was Prince of Smolensk Rostislav Mstislavich.
• He occupied the princely throne in Kyiv 8 times, which in itself speaks either of his stubbornness, or of the fact that the people, disliking the prince, overthrew him from the throne every 2-3 years.
• He managed to be not only the ruler of Rus', but also a monk, which had never happened to the princes of Kyiv before him.
• His reign brought ruin to the capital city as severe as subsequent attacks by the Mongol army.
• The name of Rurik is associated with both the birth of a dynasty on the Kiev throne and the fall of a great power.

Rurik Rostislavich remained in the memory of people and chroniclers as a man who ravaged Kyiv Orthodox churches worse than barbarians.

Romanov Dynasty

If we turn to the history of Kievan Rus, and then the Russian state, we can notice one oddity: members of the ruling families did not have surnames. The Grand Dukes of the House of Romanov began to be called that way only in 1917, and before that time all tsars, and later emperors, were called exclusively by their first name and patronymic.

The Romanov dynasty began in 1613, when the first representative of the boyar family, who bore this surname for more than 100 years, ascended the Russian throne. Peter Alekseevich Romanov, known in history as Peter I, was the last Russian Tsar, becoming the first Emperor of Russia.

The direct branch of this family ended with his daughter Elizaveta Petrovna, who did not marry and remained childless, being the sole empress of the country. The throne passed to the son of her elder sister Anna, forming a completely new dynastic surname of Holstein-Gottorp-Romanovsky.

Thus, Pyotr Alekseevich Romanov was the last direct representative of the male line of this family. Despite this, Russian emperors throughout the world they were perceived as the Romanovs, and after the revolution, children from marriages of descendants of the great royal dynasty left it behind them along with the titles that their ancestors had. They were called grand dukes more by right of birth.

Lessons 1-3

It is advisable to include all information received by students in lessons in Table No. 7 “The First Russian Princes.”

Table 7. FIRST RUSSIAN PRINCE

Table 7. THE FIRST RUSSIAN PRINCE (continued)

First option for studying the topic Lesson 1

The first princes of the state of Kievan Rus

During this lesson, the teacher will introduce schoolchildren to the activities of the first Russian princes, draw attention to how the Old Russian state changed during the period of their reign, and what caused the changes that occurred. Will continue to work on developing students’ skills in working with historical sources and the works of historians, with maps, tables and diagrams.

Plan

• ? I. Gallery of images (Oleg, Igor, Olga, Svyatoslav).
• ? 2. Uniting tribes.
• ? 3. Strengthening the power of the Kyiv prince.

Basic terms and concepts: polyudye, lessons, graveyards, encampments, blood feud.

Key dates and events:

• 882 - unification of Novgorod and Kyiv under the rule of Oleg. 882 - 912 - Oleg's reign.
• 912 - 945 - Igor's reign.
• 945 - uprising of the Drevlyans.
• 972 - death of Svyatoslav.

During the classes

• 1.1. Before starting to explain the material, the teacher draws out on the board, and the schoolchildren in their notebooks, the basis of table No. 6 “The First Russian Princes,” which they will fill out over the course of three lessons.
• 1.2. The teacher begins the lesson by introducing students to the first Russian princes, who had a great influence on the process of formation of the Old Russian state. The story uses the material offered as reference to this topic. The teacher records all dates and names on the board. Students fill out the first line of the table under the guidance of the teacher. Further this work will be conducted by them independently.
• 2.1. To work on the issue of the unification of the Slavic tribes under the rule of the first princes, the teacher needs a wall map “Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries.” and atlases on students’ desks. The teacher uses the technique of reviving the map, attaching colored magnets to it in the course of explaining new material, indicating the subordination of the tribe (the teacher can choose a certain color of the magnet to indicate the territories annexed by each of the princes and a single color to indicate the territory of the Old Russian state).
• 2.2. Using materials for the teacher’s story, the teacher reports on the annexation of the tribes by Prince Oleg, showing the designated tribes on the map (students follow the progress of the explanation and find the named tribes in their atlases).

Material for teacher's story

In 879, Rurik died, handing over the reign and his young son to his relative Oleg. From this moment on, Oleg, Igor's guardian, becomes the ruler of Rus'. Oleg faced very important state tasks: the subjugation of the unconquered East Slavic tribes, the protection of the state’s borders from external enemies, the strengthening of ties with Byzantium and the expansion of Russian-Byzantine trade.

“In summer 6387 (879). Rurik died, transferring his reign to Oleg, his relative, and placing his son Igor in his hands, for he was still very small.

In summer 6390 (882). Oleg went, taking with him many warriors: Varangians, Chuds, Slovens, Meryu, all, Krivichi - and came to Smolensk, and took power in the city, and planted his husbands in it. From there he went down and took Lyubech and imprisoned his husbands. Arriving at the Kyiv mountains, Oleg learned that Askold and Dir reigned here. And he hid some warriors in the boats, and left others behind, and he himself approached the mountains, carrying the child Igor. And he sent to tell Askold and Dir: “We - guests, we are going to the Greeks_ from Oleg and from Prince Igor. Come out to us, to your relatives.” When Askold and Dir arrived, the warriors jumped out of the rooks. And Oleg said to Askold and Dir: “You are not princes and not of a princely family, but I am of a princely family.” And when they carried Igor out, he said: “Here he is, the son of Rurik.” And they killed Askold and Dir, and carried them to the mountain, and buried them on the mountain, where Olmin’s court is now. On that grave Olma built the Church of St. Nicholas. And Prince Oleg sat down in Kyiv, and Oleg said: “This will be the mother of Russian cities.”

According to the chronicler, Oleg united many eastern Slavic tribes. The prince subjugated the tribes of the “fierce” Drevlyans, and they agreed to pay him tribute in black martens. They conquered the northerners and liberated the Radimichi from the power of the Khazar Kaganate. By joining these tribes, Oleg established a close connection and direct communication between northern Novgorod and Kiev. Later, the tribes of Dulebs, Tiverts and Croats were subordinated to them. Thus, according to the Tale of Bygone Years, the Polans, Northerners, Radimichi, Drevlyans, Eastern Krivichi, Slovenian Ilmen and some Finno-Ugric tribes were subordinate to Oleg. Probably, the Dregovichi, Western Krivichi, Ulichi and Tivertsy people became somewhat dependent on Kyiv. The Vyatichi tribes remained under the rule of the Khazars, and Southwestern Rus', possibly, under the rule of the Czech Republic and Poland.

The conquered tribes paid tribute to Kyiv. For example, the Novgorodians were obliged to bring to Kyiv a special tribute to the Varangians in the amount of 300 hryvnia (a hryvnia is a silver ingot equal in weight to 200 grams)."

“Oleg, thinking most of all about conquests, wanted to live on the border in order to attack foreign lands the sooner; thought to terrify neighbors, and not to be afraid of them. “He entrusted the distant regions to the nobles, ordered the construction of cities, or stationary camps for the army, which was supposed to be a threat to both external enemies and internal rebels.”(N.M. Karamzin). Presumably, the cities being built are small towns - fortresses, which, on the one hand, were a camp for the army and were supposed to protect Rus' from the steppe nomads, and on the other hand, were intended to strengthen the power of the prince in the conquered lands.

The death of Prince Oleg is described in The Tale of Bygone Years.

“In summer 6420 (912). And Oleg, the prince, lived in Kyiv, having peace with all countries. And autumn came, and Oleg remembered his horse, which he had once set out to feed and no longer sat on it. For he once asked the wise men and wizards: “Why should I die?” And one magician said to him: “Prince! If you love a horse and ride it, you will die from it!” And these words sank into Oleg’s soul, and he said: “I will never sit on him and never see him again.” And he ordered that the horse be fed and not brought to him, and he lived for several years without seeing him while he went against the Greeks.

When four years had passed, on the fifth Oleg came from Constantinople to Kyiv and remembered his horse, from which the wise men had once predicted his death. And he called the oldest groom and said: “Where is my horse, which I ordered to feed and take care of?” He answered: “Already dead!” Oleg laughed and reproached that magician, saying: “The magicians are telling lies, but it’s all a lie: the horse is dead, but I am alive.” And he ordered him to saddle his horse: “Let me see his bones.”

And he came to the place where his bare bones and bare skull lay, got off his horse and, laughing, said: “Should I accept death from this skull?” And he stepped on the skull. And a snake crawled out of the skull and bit him on the leg. And from then on he fell ill and died. And all the people mourned him with great lamentation, and carried him away and buried him on a mountain called Shchekovitsa.

His grave exists to this day and is known as Olegova’s grave. J And all the years of his reign were thirty and three.”

After explaining the material, the teacher can pose questions and assignments to the students.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. Show on the map the tribes included by Oleg in the state.
• 2. How was the dependence of the East Slavic tribes on the Kyiv prince expressed?
• 2.3. Next, the teacher introduces the concept of “polyudye”, explains its meaning and talks about the collection of tribute, based on the treatise of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus “On State Administration”, written in the middle of the 10th century. The teacher reports that polyudye was collected in two ways: either the tributaries themselves brought it to Kyiv, or the prince and his retinue traveled around the conquered tribes.

Material for teacher's story

Konstantin Porphyrogenitus. 06 government. “When the month of November comes, the princes immediately leave Kyiv with all the Russians and go to Polyudye, i.e. roundabout... Eating there for the whole winter“In April, when the ice on the Dnieper River melts, they return to Kyiv again.”

The teacher talks about the export of tribute along the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” showing the route on the map, the students follow it using atlases. You can give students the opportunity to independently find in atlases the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and other trade routes of the Slavs. To do this, the teacher must first prepare the handouts below.

The Tale of Bygone Years

“When the glades lived separately in these mountains, there was a path from the Varangians to the Greeks and from the Greeks along the Dnieper, and in the upper reaches of the Dnieper - dragged to Lovot, and along Lovot you can enter Ilmen, the great lake; The Volkhov flows from the same lake and flows into the Great Lake Nevo, and the mouth of that lake enters the Varangian Sea. And along that sea you can sail to Rome, and from Rome you can sail along the same sea to Constantinople, and from Constantinople you can sail to the Sea of ​​Pontus, into which the Dnieper River flows.”

Konstantin Porphyrogenitus. About government

“The Slavs cut down one-tree trees in their mountains in the winter and, having trimmed them... when the ice melts, they introduce them into nearby lakes. Then, since they (the lakes) flow into the Dnieper River, from there they themselves enter the same river, come to Kyiv, pull the boats ashore for rigging and sell them to the Russes.

...First of all, they come to the first threshold, called... “don’t sleep.” This threshold... is narrow; in the middle of it there are steep and high rocks, like islands. Striving towards them and rising, and from there falling down, the water produces loud noise and fear. Therefore, the Russians do not dare to pass among these islands, but, mooring nearby and landing people on land, leaving their things in one-trees... they... pass the first threshold along the bend of the river bank...

Having passed seven rapids... they come to the so-called Krari crossing, where the Khersonites cross on their way from Rus', and the Pechenegs cross to Kherson. This crossing is approximately equal in width to the hippodrome (80 m), and in height from its bottom to the place where the allies are sitting, so that the arrow of the shooter reaches from one side to the other. Therefore, the Pechenegs come to this place and attack

Russov. Having passed this place, they reach an island called St. Gregory, and on this island they perform their sacrifices, since a huge oak tree grows there.

Then, moving from this island, they sail for about four days until they reach the estuary that forms the mouth of the river; it has the island of St. Epheria. Arriving at this island, they rest there for two or three days. ...From there they go to the Dniester River and, having safely reached it, rest again. When favorable weather arrives, they set sail and come to the river called Belaya; they come to the Selina, the so-called branch of the Danube River... they enter the mouth of the Danube. From the Danube they reach Konop, from Konop to Constantia on the Varna River, from Varna they come to the Dichina River - all these places are in Bulgaria - from Dichina they reach the region of Mesimvria; here their long-suffering, terrible, difficult and difficult voyage ends.”

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. Find on the map the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and other trade routes used by the Slavs, based on the given source texts.
• 2. What difficulties did the Slavs face along this path?
• 3. At what time of year did the Slavs set off on the road “from the Varangians to the Greeks”?
• 2.4. After familiarizing yourself with the texts on your own or after completing the teacher’s explanation, you can offer students assignments.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. Number the sections of the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”:
  • - Dnepr
  • - Ladoga lake(Nevo)
  • - Volkhov
  • - Lovat
  • - Ilmen-lake
  • - Baltic (Varangian) Sea
  • - Black (Pontus) Sea
• 2. Show on the map the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and the trade route indicated in the treatise of Constantine Porphyrogenitus.
• 3; Based on the information received about the occupations of the Eastern Slavs, suggest what goods could be exported along this trade route.
• 4. What was the significance of the collection and sale of polyudye for the Russian princes?

3.1. Talking about the solution internal problems Prince Igor, the teacher dwells on the episode of the murder of Igor by the Drevlyans: this will help students understand the significance of the reforms of Princess Olga. Before starting to explain the material, it is necessary to pose questions to the students.

h Questions and assignments for students

• 1. Why did the Drevlyans rebel against the power of the Kyiv prince?
• 2. What conclusions should a wise ruler draw from this?

“In summer 6421 (913). After Oleg’s death, Igor began to reign,” we read in The Tale of Bygone Years. He became the ruler of Rus' already in adulthood and went down in history as Igor the Old. Igor faced important state tasks: maintaining unity within the Russian lands, defense from eastern neighbors and maintaining beneficial ties with Byzantium.

After Oleg's death, Igor was faced with the task of returning the separated tribes to the rule of the Kyiv prince. The Drevlyans separated from Kyiv, and Igor was forced to prove his strength and fight with them. “Igor go to the Drevlyans, and having defeated them, lay tribute on them more than Olegova.”

After the campaign against Byzantium, he went to the land of the Drevlyans, pushed by his warriors, to receive tribute from the Drevlyans.

“And Igor began to plot a campaign against the Drevlyans, wanting to take more tribute from them.

In summer 6453 (945). The squad said to Igor: “The youths of Sveneld are dressed in weapons and clothes, and we are naked. Come, prince, with us for tribute, and you and we will get it.”

And Igor listened to them: he went to the Drevlyans for tribute and added a new one to the previous tribute, and his men committed violence against them.

Taking the tribute, Igor went to his city. When he walked back, after thinking about it, he said to his squad: “Go home with the tribute, and I will return and go again.” And he sent his squad home, and he himself returned with a small squad, wanting more wealth.

The Drevlyans, having heard that he was coming again, held a council with their prince Mal: ​​“If a wolf gets into the habit of the sheep, he carries out the whole flock until he kills it. So is this one: if we don’t kill him, he will destroy us all.”

And they sent to him, saying: “Why are you going again? Took J already all the tribute.” And Igor did not listen to them. And leaving the city

Iskorostenya, the Drevlyans killed Igor and his squad, since there were few of them. And Igor was buried, and there is his grave at Iskorosten, in the Drevlyansky land, to this day,”

The Byzantine historian writes that the Drevlyans tore Igor in two, tying him to two trees.

After the teacher’s explanation is completed, students answer pre-set questions.

Material for teacher's story

After Igor's death, his wife Princess Olga became the ruler of the Kyiv state. Little is known about its origin - the information is very contradictory. It is possible that she was originally from Pskov, since in the “Tale of Bygone Years” under 903 it is written: “And they brought him a wife from Pskov, named Olga.” Some authors suggest that Olga came from the semi-legendary Novgorod family of Gostomysl, others consider her the daughter of Prince Oleg. some - a simple peasant woman. So, N.M. Karamzin claims that “Olga was of a simple Varangian family, and lived in a village called Vybutskaya, near Pskov; that young Igor, having arrived from Kyiv, once had fun there, catching animals; saw Olga, spoke to her, recognized her intelligence, modesty, and preferred this amiable country girl to all other brides... She took her name, it seems, on behalf of Oleg, as a sign of his friendship for this worthy princess, or as a sign of Igor’s to love him."

During Igor's lifetime, Olga occupied high position in the political hierarchy of Kievan Rus and was quite independent in affairs. She owned lands and cities, she owned Vyshgorod near Kiev, the villages of Budutino, Olzhichi and other possessions. The power of Olga is evidenced by the fact that in the treaty between Igor and the Greeks in 944, the ambassador of Princess Olga is mentioned, who is in third place in the document after the ambassadors of Igor and Svyatoslav. Obviously, Olga was in charge of state affairs and had the right to administer court in the absence of her husband.

After the death of her husband, Olga's main goal becomes revenge. In the chronicle we can find detailed story about these events under 945

The Tale of Bygone Years

“The Drevlyans said: “We killed the Russian prince; Let’s take his wife Olga for our prince Mal and Svyatoslav - we’ll take him and do to him what we want.” And the Drevlyans sent their best men, twenty in number, in a boat to Olga... And they told Olga that the Drevlyans had come. And Olga called them to her and told them: “Good guests have come”; and the Drevlyans answered: “They have come, princess.” And Olga said to them: “Tell me, why did you come here?” The Drevlyans answered: “The Derevskaya land sent us with these words: “We killed your husband, because your husband, like a wolf, plundered and robbed, and our princes are good, because they introduced order in the Derevskaya land. Go and marry our prince Mal. Olga told them: “Your speech is kind to me, - I can no longer resurrect my husband; but I want to honor you tomorrow before my people; Now go to your boat and lie down in it, magnifying yourself. In the morning I will send for you, and you say: “We will not ride on horses, nor will we go on foot, but carry us in a boat.” And they will lift you up in a boat." And she released them to the boat. Olga ordered to dig a large and deep hole in the tower courtyard outside the city. The next morning, sitting in the mansion, Olga sent for the guests. And they came to them and said: “Olga is calling you for great honor.” They answered: “We do not ride on horses, nor on carts, and we do not go on foot, but carry us in a boat.” And they carried them in a boat. They sat down, majestic, with their boots on and wearing great breastplates. And they brought them to Olga’s courtyard and, as they carried them, they threw them along with the boat into the pit. And, leaning close to the pit, Olga asked them: “Is honor good for you?” They will answer: “We would rather have Igor’s death.” And she ordered them to be buried alive; and covered them.

And Olga sent to the Drevlyans and told them: “If you really ask me, then send the best men to marry your prince with great honor, otherwise the Kyiv people will not let me in.” Hearing about this, the Drevlyans chose the best men who ruled the Derevskaya land and sent them to her. Olga ordered the Drevlyans to prepare a bathhouse, telling them: “After you have washed, come to me.” And they lit the bathhouse, and the Drevlyans entered it and began to wash themselves; and they locked the bathhouse behind them, and Olga ordered it to be set on fire from the door, and they all burned.

And she sent to the Drevlyans with the words: “Now I’m coming to you, prepare a lot of honey near the city where they killed my husband, so that I will cry at his grave and arrange a funeral feast for him.” Having heard this, they brought a lot of honey and brewed it. Olga, taking a small squad with her, went light, came to the grave of her husband and mourned him. And she commanded her people to fill a great grave, and when they had filled it, she ordered a funeral feast to be performed. After that, the Drevlyans sat down to drink, and Olga ordered her youths to serve them. And the Drevlyans said to Olga: “Where is our squad that they sent for you?” She answered: “They are coming after me with my husband’s retinue.” And when the Drevlyans became drunk, she ordered her youths to drink for them, and she went away and ordered the squad to cut down the Drevlyans, and they cut down five thousand of them. And Olga returned to Kyiv and gathered an army against the remaining Drevlyans.

Per year 6454 (946). Olga and her son Svyatoslav gathered many brave warriors and went to the Derevskaya land, and the Drevlyans came out against her... And Olga stood all summer and could not take the city. And she planned this: she sent to the city with the words: “What do you want to wait until? After all, all your cities have already surrendered to me and have pledged to pay tribute and are already cultivating their fields and lands, and you, refusing to pay tribute, are going to die of hunger.” The Drevlyans replied: “We would be happy to pay tribute, but you want to avenge your husband.” Olga told them that “I had already taken revenge for my husband’s insult when you came to Kyiv the first time and the second time, and the third time when I held a funeral feast for my husband. I don't want to take revenge anymore - I just want to take a small tribute from you and, having made peace with you, I will leave.” The Drevlyans asked: “What do you want from us? We are happy to give you honey and furs." She said: “Now you have neither honey nor furs, so I ask you for a little: give me three pigeons and three sparrows from each household. I don’t want to impose a heavy tribute on you, like my husband, which is why I ask little of you. You are exhausted in the siege, that’s why I ask you for such a small thing.” The Drevlyans, rejoicing, collected three doves and three sparrows from the courtyard and sent them to Olga with a bow. Olga told them: “So you have already submitted to me and my child. Go to the city, and tomorrow I will retreat from it and go to my city.” The Drevlyans joyfully entered the city and told the people, and the people in the city rejoiced. Olga, having distributed to the soldiers - She ordered one for a dove, another for a sparrow to tie a tinder to each dove and sparrow, wrapping it in small handkerchiefs and attaching it to each bird with a thread. And, when it began to get dark, Olga ordered her soldiers to release pigeons and sparrows. The pigeons and sparrows flew to their nests: the pigeons into the dovecotes, and the sparrows under the eaves... And there was not a courtyard where it was not burning... And so she took the city and burned it, took the city elders captive, and other people she killed, gave the third as slaves to her husbands, and left the rest to pay tribute.

And laid a heavy tribute on them... And Olga went with her son and her retinue through the Drevlyansky land, establishing a schedule of tributes and taxes.”

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. List how Olga took revenge on the Drevlyans for her husband?
• 2. How does the chronicler feel about what Olga did? Think about what this is connected with?
• 3. Express your attitude towards Olga’s revenge.

The teacher introduces the concept "blood feud" explaining that in the 10th century. it replaced justice.

3.3. During the story about the introduction of “lessons”, camps and graveyards, the issue of a gradual change in the role of the Kyiv princes is considered.

Material for teacher's story

Having completed her revenge, Olga began to establish order in the Russian land. The greatest merit can be considered that she established clearly fixed amounts of tribute - “lessons” and set up graveyards and encampments throughout the land (fortified courtyards of princely tribute collectors and stopping places for the prince when leaving to collect polyudya). “Olga went to Novgorod and established graveyards and tributes in Meta and in Luga - quitrents and tributes. Its lairs have been preserved all over the earth...”- we read in The Tale of Bygone Years.

During the years of Olga's reign, the power of the elders in the Slavic lands noticeably weakened; they were replaced by princely rulers - tiuns. Tribal power became weaker and princely power strengthened.

In the last years of her life, Olga retired from government affairs, handing over the “reins of government” of Russia to her son Svyatoslav.

The teacher poses questions and tasks to the students:

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. On what was the power of the first Kyiv princes based?
• 2. What significance did Olga’s reforms have for Kievan Rus? How did they change the nature of the power of the Kyiv prince?
• 3.4. By mentioning Prince Svyatoslav in this lesson, the teacher draws students’ attention to the fact that this prince sought to strengthen the external power of Rus', practically not caring about the internal structure of the state. It is necessary not to forget about the annexation of the Vyatichi tribes, who previously paid tribute to the Khazar Kaganate.

Material for teacher's story

According to Byzantine authors, “he was of average height and quite slender, but gloomy and wild in appearance; had a wide chest, a thick neck, blue eyes, thick eyebrows, a flat nose, a long mustache, a sparse beard and one tuft of hair on his head, as a sign of his nobility; in her ear hung a gold earring decorated with two pearls and a ruby.”(N.M. Karamzin).

From The Tale of Bygone Years we learn that he “I went on campaigns easily, like a pardus, and fought a lot. On campaigns, he did not carry carts or cauldrons with him, did not cook meat, but thinly sliced ​​horse meat, or animal meat, or beef and fried it over coals, and ate it that way. He didn’t even have a tent, but he slept with a sweatcloth on him and a saddle in his head. All his other warriors were the same. And he sent them to other lands with the words: “I want to go against you.”

At the time of the death of his father, Igor the Old, Svyatoslav was still a teenager. He was brought up by the governors Asmud and Sveneld. The chronicle has brought to us a legendary story about how the prince, who was not yet five years old, together with his mother, Princess Olga, went on a campaign against the Drevlyans:

“Olga and her son Svyatoslav gathered many brave warriors and went to the Derevskaya land, and the Drevlyans came out against her. And when both armies came together to fight, Svyatoslav threw a spear at the Drevlyans, and the spear flew between the horse’s ears and hit him in the leg, for Svyatoslav was still a child. And Sveneld and Asmud said: “The prince has already begun, let us follow, squad, the prince.”

Based on chronicle evidence, historians believe that the chronicle is silent about Prince Svyatoslav until 964 precisely because he was very young. However, contrary to chronicle evidence, some researchers believe that in the year of Igor’s death, Svyatoslav was already twenty years old, and Olga usurped power, not allowing her own son to rule. Getting acquainted with the personality of Svyatoslav, his actions, successes in foreign policy, one can doubt such a conclusion, since Svyatoslav could well have proven himself as a brave and courageous warrior even before 964, if not for his young age. Therefore, the most probable version is that by 964 Svyatoslav turned 22 years old.

Death of Svyatoslav

"Having made peace with the Greeks,- we read in the chronicle, - Svyatoslav went to the rapids in the boats. And the governor of his father Sveneld told him: “Go around, prince, the rapids on horseback, for the Pechenegs are standing at the rapids.” And he did not listen to him and went in the boats. And the Pereyaslavl people sent to the Pechenegs to say: “Here Svyatoslav with a small army is coming past you to Rus', having taken from the Greeks a lot of wealth and countless prisoners.” Hearing about this, the Pechenegs entered the rapids. And Svyatoslav came to the rapids, and it was impossible to pass. And he stopped to spend the winter in Beloberezhye, and they had no food, and they had a great famine, so that they paid half a hryvnia for a horse’s head. And here Svyatoslav spent the winter.

In the year 6480 (972), when spring came, Svyatoslav went to the rapids. And Kurya, the prince of Pecheneg, attacked him, and they killed Svyatoslav, and took his head, and made a cup from the skull, bound it, and drank from it. Sveneld came to Kyiv to Yaropolk. And all the years of Svyatoslav’s reign were twenty and eight.”

Most of the lands conquered by Svyatoslav were lost to Rus'. The agreement with Byzantium did not add anything to the successes of Oleg the Prophet and Igor the Old, but, on the contrary, obliged Rus' to provide military assistance to Byzantium. There was no order inside Rus' either: after his death, Svyatoslav’s sons began internecine wars for the right of primacy.

4.1. The last stage of the lesson is checking the completion of table No. 6 “The First Russian Princes”, which the schoolchildren worked on as they explained the new material.

The main conclusion that the teacher should make in the lesson: by the end of the 10th century. the power of the Kyiv princes over the East Slavic tribes acquired orderly forms and strengthened significantly.

As homework, it is advisable to invite students to work with the outline map “Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries.” for the following tasks:

• 1) write on the map the year of the unification of Kyiv and Novgorod under the rule of Oleg;
• 2) highlight in different colors the tribes annexed to the Kyiv state by Oleg and Svyatoslav;
• 3) identify the main stages of the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, highlight them with one line;
• 4) find the capital of the Drevlyansky land on the map and mark it with the first letter.

In addition to working with the map, you can invite students to write a story about collecting polyudye on behalf of the prince’s warrior.

Second option for studying the topic Lesson 1 The first princes of the state of Kievan Rus

Lesson - game activity (“The Trial of Svyatoslav”),

In the case when the activities of Prince Svyatoslav are studied in a separate lesson, it is possible to conduct a game in the form of a trial of Svyatoslav.

The topic is completely subject to independent study. In the process of preparing for the game, schoolchildren study the proposed literature. During the preparation for the lesson, the teacher plays the role of a consultant, and directly during the game he acts as a presenter (judge), directs the discussion process, and monitors compliance with the regulations.

Bibliography

Karamzin N.M.

Karamzin N.M. Traditions of the centuries: Tales, legends, stories // History of the Russian State. M., 1988.

Kargalov V.V., Sakharov A.N. Generals of Ancient Rus'. M., 1986.

The Tale of Bygone Years (any edition).

Presnyakov A.E. Lectures on Russian history: In 2 volumes. T. 1. Kievan Rus. M., 1993.

Rybakov B.A. Kievan Rus and Russians Principalities XII-XIII centuries M„ 1982.

Sakharov A.N. Diplomacy of Svyatoslav. M., 1982.

History of Russia since ancient times // Works: In 17 volumes. T. 1, 2. M., 1988.

Encyclopedia for children: History of Russia and its closest neighbors / Comp. S.T. Ismailova. T. 5. Part 1. M., 1995.

1-2 weeks before the start of the game, students receive an assignment and a list of recommended literature. The teacher appoints a group of experts who, in the process of joint preparation, must analyze all stages of Prince Svyatoslav’s activities and prepare their conclusions. The rest of the class is divided by the teacher, taking into account the wishes of the children, into two groups: accusers and defenders. A leader is selected for each group

(lawyer or prosecutor) who will lead the preparation of the group. The task of prosecutors or defenders is to prepare a conclusion about the activities of Svyatoslav, which they will present in court. By studying the proposed literature, the groups must find evidence of the prince's activities that will help them act as his defenders or accusers. At the pre-preparation stage, the teacher acts as a consultant, helping groups to comprehend the information and draw the right conclusions. By the beginning of the trial, the groups must prepare the abstracts of their conclusions and write them on separate sheets of paper, which will be attached to the board during the lesson. It is advisable to inform schoolchildren in advance of the rules of the court session, as this will help them limit the range of selected material to only the necessary conclusions and facts.

During the classes

1.1. The class is seated in three groups: experts, prosecutors and defense attorneys. The teacher recalls the regulations for speeches and the criteria for assessing students’ knowledge. As the chairman of an expert group or a judge, he speaks with introductory remarks, which opens the trial.

Teacher's introduction

1.2. We can start our lesson with the words of V. A. Zhukovsky: Look, in terrible beauty,

Air regiments,

Their shadows rush in the heights Above our tents...

Oh, Svyatoslav, scourge of ancient times,

Behold your eagle flight.

“We will die! There is no shame in the dead!”

Thunders in front of the squad.

Today we have to get acquainted with the activities of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich. Close acquaintance with historical research, as you already understand, shows that there is no unity among scientists on many aspects of Svyatoslav’s biography. Almost all of Svyatoslav’s known foreign policy steps and internal affairs are controversial. Historians of various schools and directions present to us their image of the warrior prince. At our meeting we will get acquainted with various assessments of the activities of this prince. But you must remember that our task is not to put an end to the long-term dispute between historians, but to learn to carefully read the sources and be able to formulate an idea of ​​the personality under study based on them. In addition, we continue to learn the art of discussion and the search for truth during an argument. Your conclusions will be assessed today by an expert group that, just as carefully as you, has studied the proposed literature and drawn up its conclusions on our topic.

2.1. The floor is given to the accusers who cover the activities of Svyatoslav from a negative point of view (based on historical sources and the wall map “Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries”). The prosecutor makes the main speech, whose speech is supplemented, if necessary, by other members of the group.

Sample of prosecutor's indictment speech (fragment)

Prince Svyatoslav was more concerned about conquering distant lands. Spending all his time on campaigns, conquering more and more new lands, he did not care at all about his land, his people. While the prince was fighting the rebellious Bulgarians, his capital, his elderly mother, and his people almost died at the hands of the Pechenegs. And only the courage and courage of the defenders of Kyiv, as well as military cunning, saved the city from plunder and desecration. Instead of strengthening the power of the land of Kyiv and taking care of his capital, the prince decided to move the center of the Russian state to Pereyaslavets-on-Danube, to richer lands. The exploits of this warrior prince are great, this is indisputable. However, was it worth it to destroy the Russian army in the fight against Byzantium, which did not threaten the Russian land? Wouldn't it be better to direct the power of Russian weapons to defend your country, your people!? etc.

• 2.2. After the presentation of the “accusation,” the expert group can ask questions to the prosecutor, to which the entire group answers. Questions can also be asked by the "defense" of Prince Svyatoslav. All answers - abstracts of the group are attached to the board under the sign “-”.
• 3.1. The chairman gives the floor to the prince's defenders. A lawyer speaks on their behalf with a speech previously prepared by the group. When answering, he and other group members also use a wall map, fragments of historical sources and writings to support their position.

Sample speech of a lawyer (fragment)

Prince Svyatoslav cared about expanding the borders of the Russian state and increasing the number of tributaries. It was for this purpose that he went on his many campaigns. And the prince’s successes are obvious: during the years of Svyatoslav’s reign, the territory of the Russian state expanded significantly, new trade routes appeared, and the amount of tribute received by the treasury increased. Thinking about moving the capital to Pereyaslavets-on-Danube, Svyatoslav was primarily concerned about the welfare of the state. This city was located at the intersection of the most important trade routes, which would have made it possible to further strengthen the power of Rus', etc.

• 3.2. After the defense speaks, the expert group takes the floor and asks questions of interest to it. The “accusation” also poses questions. Theses of the “defense” are attached to the board under the “+” sign.
• 4.1. The results of the hearing are summed up by the expert group, based on their conclusions and theses attached to the board. While she is preparing the final “word,” the teacher can offer the class a number of educational tasks.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. At the beginning of the lesson, you were introduced to a fragment of Zhukovsky’s poem “The Singer in the Camp of Russian Warriors.” Listen to it again and tell me what event is being discussed in this poem?
• 2. What other expressions related to the activities of Prince Svyatoslav can you name? Explain when they were said.
• 3. Check how well you know the dates of the main historical events of this period? (The teacher first prepares cards with dates that need to be explained to the students and shows them to the class one by one.)
• 4. Correlate excerpts from “The Tale of Bygone Years” and the dates of Svyatoslav’s campaigns.

/. “...And the king sent to him, saying this: “Don’t go to the capital, take tribute as much as you want**, for only a few did not reach Constantinople. And they gave him tribute; He also took it from the slain, saying: “He will take his family for the slain**. He took many gifts and returned to Pereyaslavets with great glory...”

• 2. “...Svyatoslav went to the Danube against the Bulgarians. And both sides fought, and Svyatoslav defeated the Bulgarians, and took eighty of their cities along the Danube, and sat down to reign there in Pereyaslavets, taking tribute from the Greeks...”
• 3. “...Svyatoslav went against the Khazars. Having heard, the Khazars came out to meet them, led by their prince Kagan, and agreed to fight, and in the battle Svyatoslav defeated the Khazars, and took their capital, White Vezha. And he defeated the Yases and Kasogs...”
• 4. “...Svyatoslav defeated the Vyatichi and imposed tribute on them...”
• 1) 966-967; 2) 970; 3) 970-971; 4) 965g.
• 4.4. The expert group reads out the final “word” - the verdict to Prince Svyatoslav. The teacher corrects it as necessary.

Sample of the experts' final words (fragment)

Analyzing the arguments of the prosecution and defense, experts believe that Prince Svyatoslav did a lot to strengthen the foreign policy power of the state. During his reign, the borders of Rus' expanded significantly, the Vyatichi tribes were subjugated, the Khazar Khaganate was defeated, Tmutarakan and Belaya Vezha became part of the state of Kievan Rus. However, his victories in the east cannot be assessed unambiguously, since the defeat of the Khazar Kaganate led to the appearance of the Pechenegs, an insidious and powerful enemy on the Russian southern borders, who robbed and ravaged the outlying Russian lands. Svyatoslav’s desire to strengthen himself on the Danube and dislodge the influence of Byzantium in Bulgaria is also commendable. However, this campaign did not bring the expected results, but only exposed the Russian capital to the danger of desecration by the Pechenegs, and killed many Russian soldiers. Etc.

4.5. Then the teacher sums up the game and gives grades. For the final word, the teacher can use the materials for the teacher’s story proposed for the lesson “Results of the reign of the first Russian princes.”

Homework for the lesson:

Complete tasks on contour map“Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries”:

• 1) mark on the map with arrows the direction of Svyatoslav’s campaigns. Indicate the years of trekking above the arrow;
• 2) inscribe or highlight in color the territories that fell under the rule of Rus' during the years reign of Svyatoslav;
• 3) designate the city that Svyatoslav wanted to make the capital of the state of Kievan Rus;
• 4) indicate on the map the place of death of Prince Svyatoslav and his small squad. Place the date of this event next to it.

Write an essay-reflection on the topic: “What should the ruler of a state care more about: foreign policy power or internal improvement?” If you are not satisfied with this way of posing the question, change the topic and state your position.

First option for studying the topic Lesson 2. Foreign policy of the Kyiv princes

A lesson in learning new material.

• ? 1. Relations with Byzantium.
• ? 2. Relations with eastern neighbors.

Dates to remember:

• 907 - Oleg's campaign against Constantinople. The first agreement between Rus' and Byzantium.
• 911 - the second agreement between Rus' and Byzantium.
• 941 - Igor's first campaign against Byzantium.
• 944 - Igor’s second campaign against Byzantium. Signing the contract.
• 964 - 966 - Svyatoslav's campaigns against the Khazars.
• 970 - 971 - Russian-Byzantine war.

During the classes

Teacher's introduction

In the previous lesson we talked about the internal political activities of the first Russian princes. Today we will get acquainted with their foreign policy activities. You will have to find out how relations between Russia and Byzantium developed during this period, what treaties were concluded between these two states, and compare their main provisions. You will get acquainted with the eastern neighbors of Rus' and find out what policy the Russian princes pursued towards their eastern neighbors. At the end of the lesson, you will have to determine what was the general direction of Rus''s policy towards Byzantium and the East.

1.1. The teacher’s task is to show the importance of partnership with Byzantium for the young Russian state and to identify the dynamics of relations between Russia and Byzantium. The teacher covers Russian-Byzantine relations during the reign

Oleg, using materials for the lesson. The teacher presents the texts of the treaties between Rus' and Byzantium independently, recording brief conclusions on the board. Students continue working with tables started in the previous lesson.

Material for teacher's story

There is no news of Oleg until 906, but this year he decides to fight with Byzantium. “In summer 6415 (907). Oleg went against the Greeks, leaving Igor in Kyiv; he took with him many Varangians, and Slavs, and Chuds, and Krivichi, and Merya, and Drevlyans, and Radimichi, and Polans, and Northerners, and Vyatichi, and Croats - they are all called Greeks - "Great Scythia". And Oleg went with them all on horses and ships; and the number of the ships was two thousand. And he came to Constantinople, but the Greeks closed the Court and closed the city. And Oleg went ashore and began to fight. And he did a lot of murder around the city, and broke many chambers, and burned churches. And those who were taken prisoner, some were dissected, others were tortured, others were shot, and others were thrown into the sea. And the Russians did many other evils to the Greeks, as enemies usually do.

And Oleg ordered his soldiers to make wheels and put ships on them. And since there was a fair wind from the field, they raised the sails and went to the city. The Greeks, seeing this, were frightened and said, sending ambassadors to Oleg: “Do not destroy the city, we will give you the tribute you want.” And Oleg stopped the soldiers, and the Greeks brought him food and wine, but Oleg did not accept the wine, for it was poisoned. The Greeks were frightened and said: “This is not Oleg, but Saint Dmitry, sent to us from God.” And Oleg ordered the Greeks to give tribute to two thousand ships, twelve hryvnia per person, and there were forty men in each ship; and then give tribute for Russian cities: first of all for Kyiv, and then for Chernigov, for Pereyaslavl, for Polotsk, for Rostov, for Lyubech and for other cities, for in these cities sit the great princes, subject to Oleg.

And the Greeks agreed to this and began to ask for peace so that the Greek land would not fight. And the Greek kings promised to pay tribute. And they swore an oath to each other: they themselves kissed the cross, and Oleg and his men were led to an oath according to Russian law, and they swore by their weapons and Perun, their god, and Veles, the god of cattle, and established peace.

And Oleg hung his shield on the gates of Constantinople, showing victory, and left the Greeks...

And Oleg came to Kyiv, carrying gold, and grass, and fruits, and wine, and all kinds of ornaments. And they called Oleg the Prophetic, since the people were pagans and unenlightened.”

In 911, Prince Oleg sent ambassadors to Constantinople, who concluded a written agreement with the Empire.

Thus, we see that during the reign of Prince Oleg, Rus' turned into a strong state, which even such powerful neighbors as the Byzantine Empire were forced to reckon with. Treaty 911 indicates that Rus' in this period already had its own laws establishing property, personal security, the right of inheritance, and was actively trading, including in slaves.

There is no news of established strong ties with Byzantium in the chronicles until 941.

Once the explanation is complete, questions and assignments can be posed to the class.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. What goals did Oleg pursue in his campaign against Byzantium?
• 2. Whose interests corresponded to the agreement between Rus' and Byzantium in 911? On what basis can this conclusion be made?
• 3. What significance did this agreement have for the Russian state?
• 1.2. The main purpose of presenting material about Igor’s campaign against Constantinople is to compare the terms of the treaties of 911 and 944. The teacher covers the events and content of the agreement, having previously set the students a task: to compare the terms of the agreements between Oleg and Igor with Byzantium. As the material is explained to the class, the question may be asked: where have they already encountered the use of “Greek fire”? Some may also remember the composition of the mixture being prepared.

Material for teacher's story

In 941, Igor’s army marched against Byzantium. The reason for the event was obviously that the Greeks did not comply with the terms of the treaty of 911. In the Tale of Bygone Years we find the following description of these events:

“In summer 6449 (941). Igor went against the Greeks. And the Bulgarians sent news to the king that the Russians were coming to Constantinople: ten thousand ships. Theophanes met them in boats with fire and began to shoot fire at the Russian boats with pipes. And a terrible miracle was seen. The Russians, seeing the flames, rushed into the sea water, trying to escape. But only a few returned home.

And when they came to their land, they told - each to his own- O what happened and the rook fire. “Like lightning from heaven,” they said, - The Greeks have them and, letting her in, they burned us; that is why they did not overcome them.

Igor, having returned, began to gather many warriors, wanting to go against them again.”

The text refers to the so-called “Greek fire,” an incendiary mixture that included sulfur, tar and oil. “Greek fire was used both in naval battles and in the siege and defense of cities and in field battles.

This campaign is described both in Byzantine sources and in the works of other historians. Bishop Luitprand of Cremona spoke about the executions that were carried out in Byzantium over captured Russian soldiers.

Two years later, having gathered a new army (calling the Varangians from overseas and hiring the Pechenegs), Igor again went on a campaign against Byzantium. Having learned about the size of Igor’s army, the emperor hastened to settle the matter peacefully. Karamzin describes these events as follows: “Lekapin, not confident of victory and wanting to save the Empire from the new disasters of war with a desperate enemy, immediately sent Ambassadors to Igor. Having met him near the Danube mouth, they offered him tribute, which Oleg had once taken from Greece; they promised more if the Prince wisely agreed to peace; They also tried to disarm the selfish Pechenegs with rich gifts. Igor stopped and, calling his squad, announced to them the desire of the Greeks. “When the Tsar,” answered the faithful comrades of the Prince of Russia, - without war gives us silver and gold, then what more can we demand? Is it known who will win? are we? are they? and who advises the sea? Below us is not the earth, but the depths of the sea: in it is the common death of people.” Igor accepted their advice, took gifts from the Greeks for all his soldiers, ordered the hired Pechenegs to ruin neighboring Bulgaria and returned to Kyiv.

The next year, Lekapin sent Ambassadors to Igor, and the Prince of Russia to Constantinople, where they concluded a solemn peace...”

According to the Chronicler, when the charter was brought from Byzantium, Igor and his soldiers took the oath, but since there were already Christians among the Varangians, many took the oath not on the hill near the idol of Perun, but in the Cathedral Church of St. Elijah.

Assessing Igor's policy towards Byzantium, it is worth saying that he did not have as significant successes as Oleg.

After completing the explanation of the material, students answer questions and complete assignments.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. How did the treaty of 944 change the relationship between Russia and Byzantium?
• 2. Who benefited from this agreement more: Rus' or Byzantium?
• 1.3. Introducing schoolchildren to Olga's policy towards Byzantium, the teacher draws their attention to the methods by which Olga solved the problem of strengthening the international authority of Rus'.

Material for teacher's story

Ties with the powerful Byzantine Empire continued to strengthen during Olga's reign. However, unlike Oleg and Igor, Olga did not go against her strong neighbor. The wisdom of her policy was that she preferred skillful diplomacy to brute force.

Olga began to solve foreign policy problems only after she had brought order within the state. Olga’s adoption of Christianity was of particular importance for strengthening Rus'’s position in Europe and expanding Rus'’s international relations. Today, the question remains controversial about where Olga was baptized - in Kyiv (the evidence is based on the description of Olga’s stay in Constantinople, which was compiled by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, who did not mention a word about her baptism) or in Constantinople. Most likely, Olga was familiar with the Christian faith back in Kyiv; there were Christians in her squad, as well as in the squad of her husband Igor, but she was baptized precisely in Byzantium. In the Tale of Bygone Years we find the following description of these events:

“Per year 6463 (955). Olga went to the Greek land and came to Constantinople. And then Tsar Constantine, the son of Leo, reigned, and Olga came to him, and the king saw that she was very beautiful in face and intelligent, marveled at her intelligence, talking with her, and said to her: “You are worthy to reign with us in our capital.” She, having understood the meaning of this appeal, answered the emperor: “I am a pagan. If you want to baptize me, then baptize me yourself - otherwise I won’t be baptized.” And the king and the patriarch baptized her... And in baptism she was given the name Elena, like the ancient queen - mother of Constantine the Great. And the patriarch blessed her and released her. After baptism, the king called her and told her: “I want to take you as my wife.” She answered: “How do you want to take me when you yourself baptized me and called me daughter. But Christians are not allowed to do this - you know yourself". And the king said to her: “You have outwitted me, Olga.” And gave her numerous gifts - gold, and silver, and fibers, and various vessels; and released her, calling her his daughter...”

Although Olga’s baptism did not entail the baptism of Rus', it significantly increased the prestige of the secular authorities of Kyiv internationally.

After completing the explanation, students are given questions and tasks.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. How did the baptism of Princess Olga affect international situation Kievan Rus?
• 2. Which methods do you think were more effective: those used by Oleg, Igor or Olga?
• 1.4. When explaining material about the relationship between Rus' and Byzantium during the reign of Svyatoslav, the teacher places the main emphasis on the fact that the prince pays more attention to solving the foreign policy problems of the state. When covering Svyatoslav's war on the Danube, it is necessary to pay attention to the events associated with the siege of Kyiv by the Pechenegs. It is advisable to distribute the text of the chronicle legend to children for educational reading. Next, the teacher briefly covers the events of the Russian-Byzantine war and, with the help of students, compares the contents of the agreement between Svyatoslav and Byzantium with previous Russian-Byzantine agreements.

Material for teacher's story

In The Tale of Bygone Years we read: “Per year 6475 (967). Svyatoslav went to the Danube to attack the Bulgarians. And both sides fought, and Svyatoslav defeated the Bulgarians, and took eighty of their cities along the Danube, and sat down to reign there, in Pereyaslavets, taking tribute from the Greeks.” Constantinople pushed Svyatoslav to campaign against Bulgaria. Obviously, the Greeks were concerned about the growing influence of Rus' in Crimea. The ambassador of the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros, Phocas Kalokir, was sent to Kyiv. “The displeasure of Emperor Nikephoros Phokas with the Bulgarian Tsar Peter served as a reason for Svyatoslav for a new and even more important conquest. The Emperor, wishing to take revenge on the Bulgarians for not wanting to interfere with the Hungarians in their private forays into Greece, ordered Kalokir, the son of the chief of Kherson, to go as ambassador to Kyiv, with the promise of great gifts to the courageous Prince of Russia if he went to fight Bulgaria. Svyatoslav fulfilled Nicephorus’ wish, taking several pounds of gold from the Greeks into service, and with 60,000 soldiers appeared in boats on the Danube. In vain did the Bulgarians try to repel them: the Russians, drawing their swords and covering themselves with shields, rushed to the shore and crushed the enemies. The cities surrendered to the winner. Tsar

Bulgarian died of grief. Having satisfied the revenge of the Greeks, rich in booty, proud of glory, the Prince of Russia began to rule in ancient Mysia; “I also wanted gifts from the Emperor as a token of gratitude and lived cheerfully in the Bulgarian Pereyaslavets, not thinking that at that very time his native capital was in danger,”- writes N.M. Karamzin. The mouth of the Danube was in the hands of Svyatoslav. Trade routes to the Balkans and Western Europe passed here. Apparently, Svyatoslav was going to settle firmly in Pereyaslavets. In the Tale of Bygone Years under 969 we read: “I don’t like to sit in Kyiv, I want to live in Pereyaslavets on the Danube - there is the middle of my land, all the good things flow there: from the Greek land - gold, pavolok, wine, various fruits, from the Czech Republic and Hungary - silver and horses, from Rus' furs and wax, honey and slaves.” However, Svyatoslav was unable to gain a strong foothold on the Danube at this time. The Pechenegs attacked Kyiv, which he left practically unprotected, where the elderly Princess Olga lived with Svyatoslav’s children, taking advantage of the prince’s long absence.

The Tale of Bygone Years

“And the Pechenegs besieged the city with great force: there were countless of them around the city. And it was impossible to leave the city or send messages. And the people were exhausted from hunger and thirst. And people from the other side of the Dnieper gathered in boats and stood on the other bank. And it was impossible for either one to get into Kyiv, or for that one to get to them from Kyiv. And the people in the city began to grieve and said: “Isn’t there someone who could get to the other side and tell them: if you don’t approach the city in the morning, we will surrender to the Pechenegs.” And one youth said: “I will pass,” and they answered him: “Go.” He left the city, holding a bridle, and ran through the Pecheneg camp, asking them: “Has anyone seen a horse?” For he knew Pecheneg and was accepted as one of their own. And when he approached the river, he threw off his clothes, threw himself into the Dnieper and swam. Seeing this, the Pechenegs rushed after him, shot at him, but did not. they couldn't do anything to him. On the other side they noticed this, drove up to him in a boat, took him into the boat and brought him to the squad. And the youth said to them: “If you don’t approach the city tomorrow, the people will surrender to the Pechenegs.” Their commander, named Pretich, said: “Let's go tomorrow in boats and, having captured the princess and princes,, Let's rush to this shore. If we don’t do this, then Svyatoslav will destroy us.” And the next morning, close to dawn, they got into the boats and blew a loud trumpet, and the people in the city screamed. It seemed to the Pechenegs that the prince himself had come, and they ran away from the city in all directions. And Olga came out with her grandchildren and people to the boats. The Pecheneg prince, seeing this, returned alone and turned to the governor Pretich: “Who came?” And he answered him: “People from the other side.” The Pecheneg prince asked again: “Aren’t you a prince?” Pretich replied: “I am his husband, I came with an advance detachment, and behind me is an army with the prince himself: there are countless of them.” He said this to scare the Pechenegs. The Prince of Pecheneg said to Pretich: “Be my friend.” He replied: “I will do so.” And they shook hands with each other, and the Pecheneg prince gave Pretich a horse, a saber and arrows, and he gave him chain mail, a shield and a sword. And the Pechenegs retreated from the city. And it was impossible to take the horse out to water: the Pechenegs stood on Lybid. And the people of Kiev sent to Svyatoslav with the words: “You, prince, are looking for a foreign land and taking care of it, but have left your own. And we were almost taken by the Pechenegs, and your mother, and your children. If you don’t come and protect us, they will take us. Don’t you feel sorry for your fatherland, your old mother, your children?” Hearing these words, Svyatoslav and his retinue quickly mounted their horses and returned to Kyiv; He greeted his mother and children and lamented what had happened to them from the Pechenegs. And he gathered the soldiers, drove the Pechenegs into the field, and peace came.”

Questions and tasks for the document

• 1. Give a moral assessment of the actions of Prince Svyatoslav.
• 2. Compare Svyatoslav’s campaign to Bulgaria with the campaigns of Oleg and Igor to Constantinople.

After Olga's death (969), Svyatoslav again went to the Danube. Before leaving, he distributed the Russian lands among his sons: Kyiv entrusted to Yaropolk, the Drevlyansky land to Oleg, and the Novgorod lands to Vladimir, his son from Olga’s housekeeper Malusha. Returning to Bulgaria, he again inflicted a crushing defeat on the Bulgarian army and settled in Pereyaslavets. From that moment on, apparently, all of Bulgaria submitted to Svyatoslav. The Bulgarian Tsar Boris retained his capital, but a strong Russian detachment entered there.

Having strengthened themselves on the Danube, the Russians began to raid Byzantine lands, which inevitably should have led to a conflict with the new Byzantine Emperor John Tzimiskes. The emperor demanded that Svyatoslav comply with the treaty signed with Nicephorus Phocas, as well as the withdrawal of Russian troops from Bulgaria, but Svyatoslav persisted, and the war began. The events of this war, which went on with varying degrees of success, are described differently by Russian and Byzantine sources. Byzantine historians can find the following description of one of the battles: “The Grand Duke, having added the Bulgarians, his new subjects, to the Russian squad - Hungarians and Pechenegs, his then allies, entered Thrace and devastated its villages all the way to Adrianople. Varda Sklir, the Commander of the Empire, seeing the large number of the enemy, imprisoned himself in this city and for a long time could not dare to fight. Finally, he managed to defeat the Pechenegs by cunning, then the Greeks, encouraged by success, fought with Prince Svyatoslav. The Russians expressed ardent courage, but Bardas Sklir and his brother Constantine Patricius forced them to retreat, killing some two famous Scythian heroes in single combat.”(N.M. Karamzin). Nestor describes the same battle as follows: “And Svyatoslav went against the Greeks, and they came out against the Russians. When did the Russians see them? - We were very frightened by such a great number of warriors, but Svyatoslav said: “We have nowhere to go, whether we want it or not, we must fight. So let us not disgrace the Russian land, but let us lie here as bones, for the dead know no shame. If we run - It will be a shame for us. So let’s not run, but let’s stand strong, and I’ll go ahead of you: if my head falls, then take care of your own.” And the soldiers answered: “Where your head lies, there we will lay our heads.” And the Russians were filled, and there was a cruel slaughter, and Svyatoslav prevailed, and the Greeks fled.” It is unlikely that the outcome of the battle was exactly this, since 10 thousand Russian soldiers were opposed by a 100 thousand-strong Byzantine army, but the prince’s fearlessness in this battle is worthy of respect.

After a series of battles, Svyatoslav was besieged in Dorostol. And, although the Greeks were unable to take the fortress, the prince was forced to ask for peace. Svyatoslav's army was small in number, the soldiers were starving, and many commanders were killed. Gathering his squad for council, Svyatoslav said: “Let us make peace with the king: after all, they have already committed to pay us tribute, and that is enough for us. If they stop paying us tribute, then again, having gathered many soldiers, we will go from Rus' to Constantinople.”(“The Tale of Bygone Years”).

In the summer of 971, peace was concluded.

“In the month of July, Indict 14, in the summer of 6479 (971), I, Svyatoslav, Prince of Russia, according to the oath I have given, I want to have perfect peace and love with Tzimiskes, the Great King of Greece, with Basil and Constantine, the God-inspired Kings, until the end of the century, and with all your people, promising in the name of all the Russians, Boyars and others who are under me, never to think against you, not to gather my army and not to bring foreign forces to Greece, the Kherson region and Bulgaria. When other enemies set their sights on Greece, let me be their enemy and fight against them. If I or those under me do not maintain these right conditions, let us have an oath from God in whom we believe: Perun and Volos, the god of cattle. May we be yellow as gold and cut off by our own weapons. In witness of which we have written an agreement on this charter and sealed it with our seals"- wrote N.M. Karamzin.

Emperor Tzimiskes supplied Svyatoslav's army with food supplies and allowed the Russians to enter the Dnieper.

In conclusion, you can ask students the following question:

How did the nature of relations between Russia and Byzantium change during the reign of Svyatoslav?

The teacher presents material about the death of the prince based on the text of “The Tale of Bygone Years.”

2.1. The question of the relationship between Rus' and its eastern neighbors is presented briefly by the teacher. The teacher pays the greatest attention to the policies of Prince Svyatoslav and the defeat of the Khazar Kaganate. As the story progresses, the teacher works with a wall map, and the students follow the progress of the presentation of the material using atlases.

Material for teacher's story

During the years of Oleg's reign, relations with the eastern neighbors consisted mainly of mutual raids. So, in 898, when Oleg fought with the tribes along the banks of the Dniester and Bug, the tribes of the Ugrians (Hungarians) who came from the east pitched their tents (vezhi) near Kiev. “Driven out by the Pechenegs, they then looked for new dwellings; some crossed the Don, to the border of Persia; others rushed to the West: the place where they stood near Kiev was called Ugric in Nestor’s time. Whether Oleg let them through in a friendly manner or repelled them by force is unknown; These fugitives crossed the Dnieper and took possession of Moldavia, Bessarabia, and the Voloshsky land,”- wrote N.M. Karamzin. Some historians believe that the Ugrians plundered the outskirts of Kyiv, forced the Kievites to pay them tribute and went west.

During the reign of Igor, warlike opponents appeared within Rus' - the Pechenegs, Turkic nomadic peoples. In the 10th century their country, Pechenegia, was divided into eight tribal unions - four to the west of the Dnieper and four to the east.

Having concluded an alliance with Igor in 915, the Pechenegs did not disturb the borders of Rus' for approximately five years. At least, Nestor speaks of a war with them only in 920. The Pechenegs also took part in Igor’s campaign against Byzantium. The Arab historian Ibn Hawqal wrote about them: "They and the thorn " in the hands of the Kyiv rulers."

In addition to connections with the Pechenegs, the following events also date back to this period of Russian history: the Arab historian Massoudi writes that “The Russian idolaters, together with the Slavs, then lived in the Kozar capital Atel and served the Kagan, that with his permission, around 912, their army, sailing on ships to the Caspian Sea, ravaged Dagestan, Shirvan, but was finally exterminated by the Mohammedans.”

In another Arabic source (Abulfed) one can find information about the capture by the Russians in 944 of Barda, the capital of Arran. He writes that after the victory, the Russians returned to their lands beyond the Kura River and the Caspian Sea. A third Arab source (historian Abulfarach) attributes this attack to other peoples. “The Russians could come to Shirvan by the Dnieper, the Black and Azov seas, the Don and Volga rivers - a long, difficult path; but the beauty of the prey gave them courage, courage and patience...”- wrote N.M. Karamzin.

Svyatoslav's initial target was his eastern neighbors. In The Tale of Bygone Years we read:

“Per year 6472 (964). ...And he went to the Oka River and the Volga, and met the Vyatichi, and said to them: “Who are you giving tribute to?” They answered: “Khozaram - We give you a cracker from the plow.”

“Per year 6473 (965). Svyatoslav went against the Khazars. Having heard, the Khazars came out to meet them, led by their prince Kagan, and agreed to fight, and in the battle Svyatoslav defeated the Khazars and took their capital and the White Vezha. And he defeated the Yases and Kasogs.”

“Per year 6474 (966). Svyatoslav defeated the Vyatichi and imposed tribute on them.”

The Slavic tribe of the Vyatichi, as we see, paid tribute to the Khazar Khaganate. In the 10th century this state existed by collecting duties on transit trade along the route: Krakow - Kyiv - Bulgar - Itil - Caspian Sea. The capital of the state was the city of Itil. The city was surrounded by a wall; it had many yurts and clay buildings. On an island in the middle of the river stood the king's palace. In the western part of the city lived the king's associates, major dignitaries and royal slaves, in the eastern part - merchants, artisans and other people. There were many synagogues, churches, mosques in the city; Christians, Muslims, pagans, and Jews lived there side by side.

As Karamzin writes: “A fierce battle decided the fate of two peoples. Kagan himself led the army; Svyatoslav defeated and took the Kozar White Vezha, or Sarkel, as Byzantine Historians call it, a city on the banks of the Don, fortified by Greek art. The chronicler does not tell us any further news about this war...” In the 60s The Khazar Kaganate lost most of its territories: Sarkel (White Vezha) and Tamatarkha (Tmutarakan) went to Kievan Rus, Khazaria lost all its vassals in Primorsky Dagestan. Now the Khazars' possessions were limited only to the North Caucasus (Don - Volga - Caspian coast - lower reaches of the Terek and Sulak - Yegorlyk - Manych). Khazaria existed until the middle of the 11th century, when the Polovtsians invaded its territory from across the Volga. They captured the North Caucasus and destroyed Khazaria. Before beginning of XIII V. The Khazars lived under the rule of the Polovtsians and disappeared already in the era of the Golden Horde khans.

The chronicle reports that after the defeat of the Khazar army, Svyatoslav went to the North Caucasus, where he conquered the Yas (Ossetians) and Kasogs (Circassians) tribes. Eastern authors report that Svyatoslav also subjugated the Volga-Kama Bulgarians and Mordovian tribes on the Volga. On the way back, Svyatoslav subjugated the Vyatichi tribes.

N.M. Karamzin admires Svyatoslav’s victories: “A conquest so distant seems amazing; but Svyatoslav’s stormy spirit rejoiced in dangers and labors. Having made his way from the Don River to the Cimmerian Bosom, this Hero could establish communication between the region and Tmutorokanskaya and Kiev through the Black Sea and the Dnieper. In Taurida there remained only one shadow of the ancient power of the Kagans.” However, if we consider what these victories gave Rus', the conclusions will be ambiguous. On the one hand, the conquest of the Vyatichi gave Rus' new tributaries and expanded the borders of the Russian lands. Rus' received ample opportunities to control trade routes, and routes to the east were opened. But on the other hand, Svyatoslav’s campaign dramatically changed the balance of power in the Volga region: the Khazar Khaganate, holding back the onslaught of steppe nomads on the Russian lands, ceased to perform this function, and Rus' faced the danger of a collision with a new enemy - the Pechenegs.

2.2. After completing the explanation, the teacher poses questions and tasks to the students:

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. What goals did Svyatoslav pursue when setting out on a campaign against the Khazars?
• 2. Highlight the positive and negative consequences of the defeat of the Khazar Kaganate by Russia (the answer to the question can be given as a written assignment, formatted in table No. 8 “Consequences of the defeat of the Khazar Kaganate by Russia”, proposed below):

Table 8. CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEFEAT OF THE KHAZAR KAGANATE BY RUSSIA

• 3.1. At the end of the lesson, the teacher asks the students to formulate what was the general direction of Rus'’s policy towards Byzantium and its eastern neighbors and collects several notebooks for testing in order to control the students’ completion of the table during the lesson.
• 3.2. Homework options may vary.

For independent study, the question of the relationship between Rus' and its eastern neighbors can be raised, which will allow us to pay more attention to Russian-Byzantine connections in the lesson.

On the contour map “Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries.” students must indicate:

• 1) the directions of the campaigns of the squads of the Kyiv princes, inscribing the name of the prince and the year of the military campaign above the arrow;
• 2) territories conquered by Prince Svyatoslav, indicating the year of conquest;
• 3) places and years of the most important battles.

Preparation for the final lesson on the topic “The First Russian Princes.” Selection of materials for assessing their activities.

Second option for studying the topic

Lesson 2

Foreign policy of the first Russian princes

The lesson is a laboratory lesson based on group work.

Leading task

Prepare reports on relations between Russia and its eastern neighbors. The task can be given to groups of students, the whole class, or the teacher himself offers the text of the message to one of the students to choose from. During the lesson, the greatest attention should be paid to working with source texts and developing students’ analysis skills. The skills to work in a group, defend one’s position, and work with a comparative table and map are practiced in the lesson first of all.

During the classes

Teacher's introduction

The teacher announces that the purpose of today's lesson is to determine the main directions of the policy of the first Russian princes and to identify the significance of their foreign policy for the development of the Old Russian state.

1.1. Students are asked to outline the circle of the main foreign policy partners and opponents of Kievan Rus. They can do this with the help of an atlas (map “Kievan Rus in the 9th - early 12th centuries”) and using the knowledge gained in the previous lesson and in the process of independent reading.

The result of the work can be the following diagram No. 7 “The main directions of the foreign policy of the first Russian princes”, drawn on the board.

Diagram 7. MAIN DIRECTIONS OF THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE FIRST RUSSIAN PRINCES

• 1.2. The teacher gives brief information about the relations between Russia and Byzantium during the reign of Oleg and Igor, after which he invites students to compare their main achievements. For this purpose, the class is divided into 4 groups, each of which receives materials for work.
• Group 1: agreement between Russians and Greeks (907)
• 1. “The Greeks give 12 hryvnia per person, in addition to the rules for the cities of Kyiv, Chernigov, Pereyaslavl, Poltesk, Rostov, Lyubech and others, where the Princes, Oleg’s subjects, rule.”
• 2. “The ambassadors sent by the Russian Prince to Constantinople will be content there with everything from the Imperial treasury. To Russian guests or merchants who come to Greece, the Emperor is obliged to give bread, wine, meat, fish and fruits for six months; they also have free entry to the public baths, and receive food supplies, anchors, tackle, sails and everything they need for the return journey.”

The Greeks, for their part, proposed the following conditions:

• 1. “Russians who will not be in Constantinople for trade have no right to demand monthly maintenance.”
• 2. “May the Prince forbid his Ambassadors to offend the residents in the Greek regions and villages.”

• 3. “Russians can only live with St. Mother and must notify the city authorities of their arrival, who will write down their names and give them a monthly allowance: Kyiv, Chernigov, Pereyaslav and other citizens. They will only walk through one city gate with the Imperial bailiff, unarmed and no more than fifty people at a time; may trade freely in Constantinople, and without paying any duty."
• Group 2: agreement between Russians and Greeks (911)

“We are from the Russian family, Karl Ingelot, Farlov, Veremid, Rulav, Gudy, Ruald, Karn, Flelav, Ruar, Aktutruyan, Lidulfost, Stemid, sent by Oleg the Grand Duke of Russia, and all those who are under his hand, the bright Boyars, to you, To Leo, Alexander and Constantine (brother and son of the first) to the Great Kings of Greece, for the retention and notification of the former love between Christians and Russia for many years, by the will of our Princes and all those who are under the hand of Oleg, in the following chapters, no longer verbally, as before, but they confirmed this love in writing, and swore it according to Russian law with their weapons.

• 1. First of all, let us make peace with you, Greeks! Let us love each other with all our hearts, and let us not allow any of those who are under the hands of our Bright Princes to offend you, but let us strive, as much as we can, to always and immutably observe this friendship! Also, you, Greeks, may you always keep unmoving love for our Bright Russian Princes and all those who exist under the hand of Bright Oleg. In the case of crime and guilt, let us act like this.
• 2. Guilt is proven by evidence; and when there are no witnesses, then it is not the plaintiff, but the defendant who swears the oath - and everyone swears according to his Faith.
• 3. Whether a Rusin kills a Christian or a Christian Rusin, let him die at the scene of the crime. When the murderer loses money and disappears, his estate is given to a close relative of the murdered man, but the murderer's wife is not deprived of her rightful share. When the criminal leaves without leaving any property, he is considered to be on trial until he is found and executed.
• 4. Whoever strikes another with a sword, or with any vessel, shall pay five lire of silver according to Russian law; the poor one, let him pay what he can, take off the very clothes he wears, and swear by his Faith that neither his neighbors nor his friends want to ransom him out of guilt: then he is released from further punishment.
• 5. When a Rusin steals something from a Christian or a Christian from a Rusin, and the person caught in the theft wants to resist, then the owner of the stolen thing can kill him without being punished, and will take it back; but must only bind the thief, who surrenders into his hands without resistance. If a Rusin or a Christian, under the guise of a search, enters someone's house and by force takes someone else's property there instead of his own, let him pay three times.
• 6. When the wind throws the Greek boat onto a foreign land, where we, Rus', happen to be, we will guard it along with its cargo, send it to the Greek land, and guide it through every terrible place to the fearless. When she cannot return to her fatherland due to a storm or other obstacles, we will help the rowers and bring the boat to the nearest Russkaya pier. Goods and everything that will be in the boat we saved may be sold freely; and when our Ambassadors to the King or guests go to Greece to make a purchase, they will honorably bring the boat there and give back intact what was received for its goods. If any of the Russians kills a person on this boat, or steals something, let the guilty person accept the above-mentioned penalty.
• 7. If there are Russians among the purchased slaves in Greece or Greeks in Rus', then free them and take for them what they cost the merchants, or the real, known price of the slaves; let the captives also be returned to their fatherland, and for each one let a ransom be paid 20 gold coins. But the Russian soldiers, who out of honor will come to serve the Tsar, can, if they themselves want, remain in the Greek land.
• 8. If a Russian slave leaves, is stolen or taken away under the guise of purchase, then the owner can look everywhere and take him; and whoever resists the search is considered guilty.
• 9. When a Rusin, serving the Christian Tsar, dies in Greece without disposing of his inheritance, and there are no relatives with him: then send his estate to Rus' to his dear neighbors, and when he makes the order, then give the estate to the heir designated in the spiritual.
• 10. If among the merchants and other Russian people in Greece there are guilty ones and if they are demanded to return to their fatherland for punishment, then the Christian Tsar must send these criminals to Rus', even if they do not want to return there.

Yes, the Russians do the same in relation to the Greeks!

For the faithful fulfillment of these conditions between us, Russia and the Greeks, we ordered them to be written in cinnabar on two charters. The Greek King sealed them with his hand, swore by the Holy Cross, the Indivisible Life-Giving Trinity of the One God, and gave a charter to our Lordship; and we, the Russian Ambassadors, gave him another and swore according to our law, for ourselves and for all Russians, to fulfill the established chapters of peace and love between us, Russia and the Greeks. In the 2nd week of September, in the 15th year (that is, Indicta) from the creation of the world... (September 2, 911).”

• Group 3: agreement between Russians and Greeks (944)
• 1. We are from the Russian family, Ambassadors and guests of Igor... We, sent from Igor, the Grand Duke of Russia, from the entire Principality, from all the people of the Russian land, to renew the old world with the Great Greek Kings, Roman, Constantine, Stephen, with all the Boyars and with all the Greek people, in spite of the Devil, a hater of good and enmity, for all the years, as long as the sun shines and the world lasts. May the Russians, baptized and unbaptized, not dare to violate the alliance with the Greeks, or may God Almighty condemn the former to eternal and temporary destruction, and may the latter not have help from God Perun; let them not defend themselves with their shields; let them fall by their own swords, arrows and other weapons; May they be slaves in this age and the next!
• 2. May the Russian Grand Duke and his Boyars freely send ships with guests and Ambassadors to Greece. Guests, as was prescribed, wore silver seals, and Ambassadors wore gold; from now on, let them come with a letter from the Russian Prince, which will testify to their peaceful intention, as well as the number of people and ships sent. If they come without a letter, let them be kept in custody until we notify the Russian Prince about them. If they resist, let them lose their lives, and let their death not be exacted from the Russian Prince. If they go to Rus', then we, the Greeks, will notify the Russian Prince of their flight, so that he will do with them as he pleases.
• 3. (At the beginning of the article we are talking about how ambassadors and guests should behave in Constantinople...)

The Russian guests will be guarded by a Tsar's official who will sort out their quarrels with the Greeks. Any fabric purchased by the Russians at a price above 50 spools must be shown to him so that he can put his stamp on it. Departing from Constantinople, let them take food supplies and everything necessary for the ships, in accordance with the agreement. May they not have the right to spend the winter with St. Mother and may they return under guard.

4. When a slave leaves Rus' for Greece, or from guests living with St. Mother, let the Russians look for and take him. If he is not found, let Christians and pagans swear to his flight according to their Faith. Then the Greeks will give them, as before, two cloths per slave. If a Greek slave runs to the Russians with theft, then they must return him and what he stole intact; for which they receive two spools as a reward.

• 5. If a Rusin steals anything from a Greek or a Greek from a Rusin, let him be severely punished according to Russian and Greek law; let him return the stolen thing and pay double its price.
• 6. When the Russians bring Greek captives to Constantinople, they will take ten zolotniks for each, if there is a young man or a good girl, eight for a seredovich, five for an old man or a baby. When the Russians are found in captivity by the Greeks, then for every captive a ransom of ten spools will be given, and for the purchased one the price will be announced by the owner under the cross (or oath).
• 7. Let the Russian Prince not arrogate to himself power over the Kherson country and its cities. When will he, fighting in those places, demand troops from us, the Greeks; we will give him as much as he needs.
• 8. If the Russians find a Greek boat off the shore, let them not offend her; and whoever takes anything from the boat, or kills, or enslaves the people in it, will be punished according to Russian and Greek law.
• 9. Let the Russians not do any harm to the people of Kherson fishing at the mouth of the Dnieper; let them not winter there, neither in Beloberezhye, nor near St. Epherius; but when autumn comes, let them go to their lands, to the Russian land.
• 10. Let the Russian Prince not allow the Black Bulgarians to fight in the land of Kherson.
• 11. If the Greeks, being in the Russian land, turn out to be criminals, the Prince has no power to punish them; but may they accept this execution in the Kingdom of Greece.
• 12. When a Christian kills a Rusin, or a Rusin Christian, the neighbors of the murdered man, apprehending the murderer, may put him to death.
• 13. This article exactly repeats the conditions regarding beatings.
• 14. If the Greek Kings demand troops from the Russian Prince, may the Prince fulfill their demand, and through this may all other countries see the love in which the Greeks live with Russia.

These conditions are written on two charters: one will be with the Kings of Greece; another, signed by them, will be delivered to the Grand Duke of Russia Igor and his people, who, having accepted it, swear to preserve the truth of the union: Christians in the Cathedral Church of St. Elijah present the honorable Cross and this charter, and the unbaptized placing their shields, hoops and swords on the ground naked.

4 group: extracts from the Treaties for comparative analysis

Treaty of 907: introduction, clause 2 (I), clause 3 (II), conclusion.

Treaty of 911: entry, Art. 10, conclusion.

Treaty of 944: entry, Art. 2,3,7,9,10, 11,14, conclusion.

The task of this group is to formulate the main conclusions for comparative table No. 6 “Treaties between Russians and Greeks.”

Before starting to work on documents, students enter table columns into their notebooks, fill out the header and the “line of comparison” column. While working with the document, 1-3 groups fill out their column.

1.3. After completing practical work with the document, each group reports the results of its activities, which are recorded on the board and entered into table No. 9 “Treaties between Russians and Greeks” by the remaining groups. Group 4 reports the conclusions they formulated, which are also recorded in notebooks.

The finished table will look like this:

Table 9. RUSSIAN TREATIES WITH THE GREEKS

Table 9. RUSSIAN TREATIES WITH THE GREEKS (continued)

1.4. After filling out the table, the teacher can offer the class the following educational questions and tasks based on the material from the sources.

Questions and assignments for students

• 1. What important information did historians receive in the process of getting acquainted with the text of the treaties? (Active trade with Byzantium, hired squads, the appearance of Christians among the Slavic warriors, the presence of slavery and the slave trade, etc.)
• 2. What information about the level of development of the Old Russian state do these sources provide us with?

• 2.1. The teacher provides information about the relations between Russia and Byzantium during the reign of Olga and Svyatoslav, paying special attention to the methods by which these princes solved the problems facing them.
• 2.2. On last stage During the lesson, students make presentations on other areas of Russian foreign policy. The teacher corrects the answers and formulates the main conclusions.
• 2.3. As homework, students should be given the task in the outline map given for the first version of studying the topic. They can also complete a creative task: “Describe the main results of the campaigns of Svyatoslav (Oleg, Igor) on behalf of a prince, warrior, merchant, etc.”
• 2.4. The teacher can evaluate the work of students in the lesson based on the results of the group’s work (correctness of filling out the table based on the document materials, activity in the process of working on questions and assignments). The criterion for assessing students' oral communication should be fluency in maps, good knowledge of the dates and main events of the foreign policy activities of the first Russian princes.

You can use option 1 as homework.

Lesson 3 Results of the reign of the first Russian princes

The lesson is a discussion session (“Protection of the Board”).

The lesson can be taught in the form of defending the reign of each prince.

The lesson is intended to introduce students to various views and assessments of the activities of the first Russian princes, teach children to conduct a discussion, work in a group, make collective decisions, and briefly formulate questions and conclusions.

Detailed discussion plan and assignments for students

• 1. Get acquainted with various assessments of the activities of Prince Oleg, using the proposed literature. Highlight the positive and negative results of his reign, determine the significance of the prince’s activities, his influence on the course of Russian history.
• 2. What are the results and results of the reign of Prince Igor? Compare the assessments of the activities of this prince with assessments of the activities of his predecessor. What influence did the activities of Prince Igor have on the course of Russian history?

• 3. Give a description of the results and results of the reign of Princess Olga. Highlight those innovations that contributed to the strengthening of Russian statehood.
• 4. Get acquainted with various assessments of the activities of Prince Svyatoslav. What is the main difference between his activities and the reign of his predecessors? What were the main results and results of the reign of this prince?

Literature for preparation

• 1. Bushuev S.V., Mironov G.E. History of the Russian State: Historical and bibliographical essays: V2k.Kn. 1. IX-XVI centuries. M., 1991.
• 2. Grekov B.D. Kievan Rus. M., 1949.
• 3. Karamzin N.M. History of Russian Goverment. M., 1998.
• 4. Klyuchevsky V O. Russian history course. M., 1988.
• 5. Novosiltsev A.P. The formation of the Old Russian state and its first ruler // Questions of history. 1991. No. 2-3.
• 6. Platonov S.F. Lectures on Russian history. M., 1993.
• 7. Rybakov B.A. World of History: The Initial Centuries of Russian History. M., 1987.
• 8. Soloviev S.M. History of Russia since ancient times // Works: In 18 volumes. M., 1988.
• 9. Tikhomirov M.N. Ancient Rus'. M., 1975.

Preliminary preparation and advanced task

The class is divided into 4 groups. Each group prepares arguments in defense of the rule of its prince, using information obtained in lessons and as a result of studying additional literature, and also prepares counterarguments to the theses of other groups (the theses can be made public in advance).

Composition of the group:

• 1. Keynote speaker (prepares a 3-5 minute speech, justifying the group’s position).
• 2. Co-speakers (make additions to the main report on any issue, 1-2 minutes).
• 3. Cartographer (must show all the main events on his topic).
• 4. Analyst (identifies weaknesses in the group’s main report during preparation for the game, analyzes comments on the report from other groups, as well as inconsistencies that another group makes during the presentation of the material).
• 5. Erudite (answers the most controversial and problematic issues during the discussion).

6. Idea generator (organizes the work of the group in the process of preparing for the discussion and during the game).

The teacher develops a scenario for the discussion, draws up instructions, that is, determines the basic rules of discussion, regulations for speeches, forms groups and distributes roles in them, and, if necessary, conducts consultations with groups.

At the beginning of the lesson, he sets tasks for the groups and determines the main goal of the game.

The work of the groups is assessed by an expert group, which consists of either strong students in the class or high school students invited to the game.

Progress of the game

Teacher's introduction

In today's lesson we will have to summarize the activities of the first Russian princes, determine their contribution to the process of formation of Russian statehood, and highlight the positive and negative results and consequences of their reign. During the discussion, you will become acquainted with different opinions and judgments of historians, different views on the problems proposed for discussion. Your task will be not only to prove your point of view, based on the literature you have read, or to refute the point of view of your opponents, but also to once again comprehend the information you have received and formulate final conclusions. At the end of the lesson, we will have to determine what significant changes occurred in the Russian state during the reign of the first Russian princes.

The teacher introduces students to the rules of discussion. Each group performs in accordance with the regulations. After the end of the speech, 5 minutes are allotted for questions to the speakers and comments. Next they move on to familiarize themselves with the position of the next group.

Sample of a group performance (excerpts)

Keynote speaker:

Princess Olga made the greatest contribution to the development of Russian statehood. It was thanks to her that lasting peace between tribes and order in government were established in Rus'. Thanks to the fact that Olga suppressed the uprising of the Drevlyans, introduced “lessons” and established “cemeteries” and “encampments”», In Kievan Rus, the process of collecting tribute from conquered tribes was streamlined, and faith in the justice of the power of the Kievan prince was established. The princess managed to pacify the rebellious tribes, using not only force, but also cunning and diplomacy, which was unusual for other Russian princes.

The foreign policy activities of Princess Olga also contributed to the strengthening of the power of the Russian state. The ruler preferred to act not by military force, but used diplomatic methods, and proved herself to be a talented diplomat. Thanks to Princess Olga, relations between Rus' and Byzantium, the main foreign policy partner of the state, significantly improved.

During her reign, Olga showed herself to be a perspicacious and talented ruler. Possessing the gift of historical foresight, she was the first of the Russian rulers to accept the Christian faith, which later allowed Rus' to become an equal partner of many European countries. It is possible that it was this decision of hers that predetermined the choice of faith by Prince Vladimir at the end of the 10th century.

Co-speakers:

Even during Igor’s life, Olga had great authority in the state and was quite independent in business. She owned lands and cities, where she proved herself to be a wise ruler. Olga was represented abroad by her own ambassadors (see Igor’s treaty with the Greeks, 944).

Cartographer:

Shows on the map the territories of the state of Kievan Rus, power over which was preserved or restored during the reign of Olga. Shows the place of Princess Olga's baptism, etc.

Can we say that a ruler is great when he destroyed one of the East Slavic tribes solely for the purpose of avenging the death of his husband?

The erudite's answer:

In this case, Olga’s act cannot be regarded only as revenge for the murder of her husband, although, of course, in this case the principle of blood feud took place. The brutal reprisal against the Drevlyans also had national significance: Olga confirmed her ability to independently govern the state, pacified the rebellious tribe that paid tribute to Kyiv, and showed the consequences awaiting other rebellious tribes. Campaign against the Drevlyans - this is nothing more than a demonstration of the power of the ruler.

Question from analysts of other groups:

Princess Olga did not make military campaigns and did not expand the borders of the Russian state by annexing new lands. During her reign, Rus' did not confirm by force of arms its right to preferential trade with Byzantium. How, in this case, can we say that the foreign policy pursued by Olga had great importance for Rus'?

The erudite's answer:

The success of foreign policy is not always measured by the number of wars and bloody battles won. A great diplomat is the one who manages to solve all problems without the use of weapons. Olga managed to maintain diplomatic relations with Byzantium, without losing any of the privileges received by Russia in previous years. And Olga’s baptism according to the Orthodox rite in Byzantium significantly increased the international authority of Rus'.

2. The expert group analyzes the arguments for and against as the groups work and determines which of them better argues its position and has more complete information. Based on reports and comments, experts must determine which of the Russian princes (evidence and validity of conclusions) had a greater influence on the development of the Old Russian state. The group announces the results of their work at the end of the lesson.

Teacher's final words

Today we summed up the reign of the first Russian princes. You once again turned to the material that was previously studied, and this allowed you to draw important conclusions about the contribution that these princes made to the process of forming Russian statehood and strengthening the foreign policy power of Rus'. During the reign of Oleg, Igor, Olga and Svyatoslav Russian state significantly expanded its borders, including many East Slavic tribes and neighboring peoples into its orbit of influence. The power of the prince over the East Slavic peoples was significantly strengthened, the procedure for collecting tribute from conquered tribes was streamlined, and the nature of the relationship between the central and local authorities. In foreign policy, Rus' also achieved great success, providing a worthy rebuff to the powerful Byzantine Empire and defending its borders from its eastern neighbors.

3. The teacher evaluates the students’ work in accordance with the functions they performed in the lesson. You can also propose the option of assessing activities within groups based on the significance of their contribution to the overall work. In this case, students give themselves grades.

To revive the discussion and give it a problematic character, the teacher can, during the discussion, offer students assessments of the activities of the princes by domestic historians, given below.

N.M. Karamzin about Oleg’s reign. (Karamzin N.M. History of the Russian State. M., 1998.)

“We can believe or not believe that Oleg was actually bitten by a snake on the grave of his beloved horse...

Much more important and reliable is that the Chronicler tells about the consequences of Olegova’s death: the people groaned and shed tears. What can be said stronger and more strikingly in praise of the deceased Sovereign? So, Oleg not only terrified his enemies, he was also loved by his subjects. The warriors could mourn in him a brave, skillful leader, and the people - defender Having annexed the best, richest countries of present-day Russia to his power, this Prince was the true founder of its greatness... Formed states bloom with the wisdom of the Ruler, but only the strong hand of the Hero establishes great Empires and serves them as a reliable support in their dangerous news. Ancient Russia is famous for more than one Hero: none of them could equal Oleg in the conquests that confirmed its powerful existence. Has history recognized him as the rightful Lord since the time when the Rurik heir matured? Do great deeds and state benefits not excuse Olegov’s lust for power? And hereditary rights, not yet established by custom in Russia, could they seem sacred to him?..

But the blood of Askold and Dir remained a stain on his glory.”

N.M. Karamzin about the reign of Igor (ibid.)

“Igor in the war with the Greeks did not have Oleg’s successes, did not seem to have his great qualities, but preserved the integrity of the Russian State, established by Oleg, preserved its honor and benefits in treaties with the Empire, was a pagan, but allowed newly converted Russians to glorify the triumph of God Christian and, together with Oleg, left to his heirs an example of prudent tolerance, worthy of the most enlightened times.”

N.M. Karamzin about Princess Olga (ibid.)

“Tradition called Olga Cunning, the Church - Holy, History - Wise. Having taken revenge on the Drevlyans, she managed to maintain silence in her country and peace with strangers until Svyatoslavov came of age; with the activity of the great man, she established order in a vast and new State; perhaps she did not write laws, but she gave statutes, the simplest and most necessary for people in the youth of civil societies. Before the time of the Olgins, the Grand Dukes fought, she ruled the State... Under Olga, Russia became famous in the most remote countries of Europe. German chroniclers talk about her Embassy to Germany to Emperor Otto... Finally, having become a zealous Christian, Olga served as a convincing example for Vladimir and prepared the triumph of the true Faith in our fatherland.”

Historians' opinions about Svyatoslav

N.M. Karamzin (ibid.)

“Besides the proud dreams of the conqueror, Bulgaria could really please him for its warm climate and the wealth of active, convenient trade with Constantinople; It is also likely that this state, adjacent to the Empire, was superior to Russia in civil education, but for such benefits should he have moved away from his fatherland, where, so to speak, the root of his strength and power was?

“Thus this Alexander ended his life with our ancient history who fought so courageously against enemies and adversity; was sometimes defeated, but in the very misfortune he amazed the winner with his generosity; in his harsh military life he equaled the Heroes of Homer, and, patiently enduring the ferocity of bad weather, exhausting labor and everything terrible for bliss, he showed the Russian soldiers how they could defeat their enemies at all times. But Svyatoslav, an example of great Generals, is not an example of a great Sovereign; for he respected the glory of victories more than the welfare of the state, and with his character, captivating the imagination of the Poet-Creator, he deserves the reproach of the Historian.”

Rybakov B.A. World of History: The Initial Centuries of Russian History. M., 1987

“In relation to Rus', all the rapid activity of Svyatoslav was not only not inattention to its interests... but, on the contrary, everything was designed to solve large state problems.”

4. As homework, you can ask students to fill out the last line of table No. 6 “The first Russian princes”; compile a dictionary of historical terms and concepts based on “The Tale of the Prophetic Oleg” by A.S. Pushkin. The teacher can set a general task, or he can specify it by defining concepts and terms that need to be paid attention to: Khazars, Constantinople armor, magician, sorcerer, prophetic tongue, shield on the gates of Constantinople, squad, funeral feast. The work is submitted in writing to the teacher at the next lesson.

FIRST PRINCE OF KIEVAN RUS

The Old Russian state was formed in Eastern Europe in the last decades of the 9th century as a result of the unification under the rule of the princes of the Rurik dynasty of the two main centers of the Eastern Slavs - Kyiv and Novgorod, as well as lands located along the waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks”. Already in the 830s, Kyiv was an independent city and claimed to be the main city of the Eastern Slavs.

Rurik, as the chronicle tells, when dying, transferred power to his brother-in-law Oleg (879–912). Prince Oleg remained in Novgorod for three years. Then, having recruited an army and moved in 882 from Ilmen to the Dnieper, he conquered Smolensk, Lyubech and, settling in Kyiv for a living, made it the capital of his principality, saying that Kyiv would be “the mother of Russian cities.” Oleg managed to unite everything in his hands main cities along the great waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” This was his first goal. From Kyiv he continued his unification activities: he went against the Drevlyans, then against the northerners and conquered them, then he subjugated the Radimichi. Thus, all the main tribes of the Russian Slavs, except the outlying ones, and all the most important Russian cities gathered under his hand. Kyiv became the center of a large state (Kievan Rus) and freed the Russian tribes from Khazar dependence. Having thrown off the Khazar yoke, Oleg tried to strengthen his country with fortresses from the eastern nomads (both Khazars and Pechenegs) and built cities along the border of the steppe.

After Oleg's death, his son Igor (912–945) came into power, apparently having no talent as either a warrior or a ruler. Igor died in the country of the Drevlyans, from whom he wanted to collect double tribute. His death, the matchmaking of the Drevlyan prince Mal, who wanted to marry Igor’s widow Olga, and Olga’s revenge on the Drevlyans for the death of her husband form the subject of a poetic legend, described in detail in the chronicle.

Olga remained after Igor with her young son Svyatoslav and took over the rule of the Principality of Kyiv (945–957). According to ancient Slavic custom, widows enjoyed civic independence and full rights, and in general, the position of women among the Slavs was better than among other European peoples.

Her main business was the adoption of the Christian faith and a pious journey in 957 to Constantinople. According to the chronicle, Olga was baptized “by the king and the patriarch” in Constantinople, although it is more likely that she was baptized at home in Rus', before her trip to Greece. With the triumph of Christianity in Rus', the memory of Princess Olga, in the holy baptism of Helen, began to be revered, and Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Olga's son Svyatoslav (957–972) already bore a Slavic name, but his character was still a typical Varangian warrior, a warrior. As soon as he had time to mature, he formed a large and brave squad for himself and with it began to seek glory and prey for himself. He left his mother's influence early and was "angry with his mother" when she urged him to be baptized.

How can I change my faith alone? The squad will start laughing at me,” he said.

He got along well with his squad and led a harsh camp life with them.

After the death of Svyatoslav in one of the military campaigns, an internecine war occurred between his sons (Yaropolk, Oleg and Vladimir), in which Yaropolk and Oleg died, and Vladimir remained the sole ruler of Kievan Rus.

Vladimir waged many wars with various neighbors over the border volosts, and also fought with the Kama Bulgarians. He also became involved in a war with the Greeks, as a result of which he converted to Christianity according to the Greek rite. This most important event ended the first period of power of the Varangian Rurik dynasty in Rus'.

This is how the Principality of Kiev was formed and strengthened, politically uniting most of the tribes of the Russian Slavs.

Another even more powerful factor of unification for Rus' was Christianity. The baptism of the prince was immediately followed by the adoption of Christianity in 988 by all of Russia and the solemn abolition of the pagan cult.

Returning from the Korsun campaign to Kyiv with the Greek clergy, Vladimir began to convert the people of Kiev and all of Rus' to the new faith. He baptized people in Kyiv on the banks of the Dnieper and its tributary Pochayna. The idols of the old gods were thrown to the ground and thrown into the river. Churches were erected in their places. This was the case in other cities where Christianity was introduced by princely governors.

During his lifetime, Vladimir distributed control of individual lands to his numerous sons.

Kievan Rus became the cradle of the Russian land, and the son of Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, Grand Duke of Kyiv Yuri Dolgoruky, who was also the Prince of Rostov, Suzdal and Pereyaslavl, is called by historians the first ruler of Russia.