The Old Russian chronicle of the 12th century “The Tale of Bygone Years” introduces us to a very interesting event that happened in 862. It was in this year that the Varangian Rurik was invited by the Slavic tribes to reign in Novgorod.

This event became fundamental in counting the beginning of the statehood of the Eastern Slavs and received the code name “Calling of the Varangians.” It is with Rurik that the countdown of the rulers of the Russian lands begins. Our history is very rich. It is filled with both heroic and tragic events, and all of them are inextricably linked with specific personalities that history has placed in chronological order.

Novgorod princes (862-882)

Novgorod princes of the pre-Kiev period. The State of Rurik - this is how the emerging Old Russian state can be conventionally called. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, this time is associated with the calling of the Varangians and the transfer of the capital to the city of Kyiv.

Kyiv princes (882-1263)

We include the rulers of the Old Russian state and the Principality of Kiev as the Kyiv princes. From the end of the 9th to the beginning of the 13th century, the Kiev throne was considered the most prestigious, and it was occupied by the most authoritative princes (usually from the Rurik dynasty), who were recognized by the other princes in the order of succession to the throne. At the end of the 12th century, this tradition began to weaken; influential princes did not occupy the Kiev throne personally, but sent their proteges to it.

Ruler	Years of reign	Note




Yaropolk Svyatoslavich

Svyatopolk Vladimirovich	1015-1016; 1018-1019

Izyaslav Yaroslavich
Vseslav Bryachislavich
Izyaslav Yaroslavich
Svyatoslav Yaroslavich
Vsevolod Yaroslavich
Izyaslav Yaroslavich
Vsevolod Yaroslavich
Svyatopolk Izyaslavich

Mstislav Vladimirovich the Great
Yaropolk Vladimirovich
Vyacheslav Vladimirovich
Vsevolod Olgovich
Igor Olgovich	August 1146
Izyaslav Mstislavich
Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky
Vyacheslav Vladimirovich	August 1150
Izyaslav Mstislavich	August 1150
	August 1150 - early 1151
Izyaslav Mstislavich
Vyacheslav Vladimirovich		co-ruler
Rostislav Mstislavich	December 1154
Izyaslav Davydovich

Izyaslav Davydovich
Mstislav Izyaslavich
Rostislav Mstislavich
Izyaslav Davydovich
Rostislav Mstislavich
Vladimir Mstislavich	March - May 1167
Mstislav Izyaslavich
Gleb Yurievich
Mstislav Izyaslavich
Gleb Yurievich
Mikhalko Yurievich
Roman Rostislavich

Yaropolk Rostislavich		co-ruler
Rurik Rostislavich
Yaroslav Izyaslavich
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich	January 1174
Yaroslav Izyaslavich	January - 2nd half 1174
Roman Rostislavich
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich
Rurik Rostislavich	end of August 1180 - summer 1181
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich
Rurik Rostislavich	summer 1194 - autumn 1201
Ingvar Yaroslavich
Rurik Rostislavich
Rostislav Rurikovich	winter 1204 - summer 1205
Rurik Rostislavich
Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny	August - September 1206
Rurik Rostislavich	September 1206 - spring 1207
Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny	spring - October 1207
Rurik Rostislavich	October 1207 - 1210
Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny	1210 - summer 1212
Ingvar Yaroslavich
Mstislav Romanovich
Vladimir Rurikovich
Izyaslav Mstislavich	June - end 1235
Vladimir Rurikovich	end 1235-1236
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich	1236 - 1st half of 1238
Vladimir Rurikovich
Mikhail Vsevolodovich
Rostislav Mstislavich
Daniil Romanovich
Mikhail Vsevolodovich
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich

Vladimir Grand Dukes (1157-1425)

The Vladimir Grand Dukes are the rulers of North-Eastern Rus'. The period of their reign begins with the separation of the Rostov-Suzdal principality from Kyiv in 1132 and ends in 1389, after the entry of the Vladimir principality into the Moscow principality. In 1169, Andrei Bogolyubsky captured Kyiv and was proclaimed Grand Duke, but did not go to reign in Kyiv. From this time on, Vladimir received grand ducal status and turned into one of the most influential centers of the Russian lands. After the start of the Mongol invasion, the Vladimir princes are recognized in the Horde as the oldest in Rus', and Vladimir becomes the nominal capital of the Russian lands.

Ruler	Years of reign	Note

Mikhalko Yurievich
Yaropolk Rostislavich
Mikhalko Yurievich

Yuri Vsevolodovich
Konstantin Vsevolodovich
Yuri Vsevolodovich
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich
Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich	1246 - beginning of 1248
Mikhail Yaroslavovich Khorobrit	early 1248 - winter 1248/1249
Andrey Yaroslavovich

Yaroslav Yaroslavovich Tverskoy
Vasily Yaroslavovich Kostromskoy


Dmitry Alexandrovich Pereyaslavsky	December 1283 - 1293
Andrey Alexandrovich Gorodetsky
Mikhail Yaroslavovich Tverskoy
Yuri Danilovich
Dmitry Mikhailovich Terrible Eyes (Tverskoy)
Alexander Mikhailovich Tverskoy
Alexander Vasilievich Suzdalsky
		co-ruler

Semyon Ivanovich Gordy
Ivan II Ivanovich the Red

Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy	early January - spring 1363
Dmitry Konstantinovich Suzdal-Nizhegorodsky

Vasily Dmitrievich

Moscow princes and grand dukes (1263-1547)

During the period of feudal fragmentation, Moscow princes increasingly found themselves at the head of the troops. They managed to get out of conflicts with other countries and neighbors, achieving a positive solution to their own political issues. The Moscow princes changed history: they overthrew the Mongol yoke and returned the state to its former greatness.

Ruler	Years of reign	Note
	nominally 1263, actually from 1272 (not later than 1282) - 1303
Yuri Danilovich

Semyon Ivanovich Gordy
Ivan II Ivanovich the Red


Vasily II Vasilievich Dark
Yuri Dmitrievich	spring - summer 1433
Vasily II Vasilievich Dark
Yuri Dmitrievich Zvenigorodsky
Vasily Yurievich Kosoy
Vasily II Vasilievich Dark
Dmitry Yurievich Shemyaka
Vasily II Vasilievich Dark
Dmitry Yurievich Shemyaka
Vasily II Vasilievich Dark
		co-ruler Vasily II

Ivan Ivanovich Young		co-ruler
Dmitry Ivanovich Vnuk		co-ruler
		co-ruler of Ivan III

Russian Tsars

Rurikovich

In 1547, the Sovereign of All Rus' and Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan IV Vasilyevich the Terrible was crowned Tsar and took the full title “Great Sovereign, by the grace of God Tsar and Grand Duke of All Rus', Vladimir, Moscow, Novgorod, Pskov, Ryazan, Tver, Yugorsk, Perm, Vyatsky, Bulgarian and others"; Subsequently, with the expansion of the borders of the Russian state, “Tsar of Kazan, Tsar of Astrakhan, Tsar of Siberia”, “and ruler of all Northern countries” were added to the title.

Godunovs

The Godunovs are an ancient Russian noble family, which after the death of Fyodor I Ivanovich became the Russian royal dynasty (1598-1605).

Time of Troubles

At the very beginning of the 17th century, the country was struck by a deep spiritual, economic, social, political and foreign policy crisis. It coincided with a dynastic crisis and the struggle of boyar groups for power. All this brought the country to the brink of disaster. The impetus for the start of the Troubles was the suppression of the royal Rurik dynasty after the death of Fyodor I Ioannovich and the not very clear policy of the new royal dynasty of the Godunovs.

Romanovs

The Romanovs are a Russian boyar family. In 1613, a Zemsky Sobor was held in Moscow to elect a new tsar. The total number of electors exceeded 800 people representing 58 cities. The election of Mikhail Romanov to the kingdom put an end to the Troubles and gave rise to the Romanov dynasty.

Ruler	Years of reign	Note
Mikhail Fedorovich
Patriarch Filaret		Co-ruler of Mikhail Fedorovich from 1619 to 1633 with the title "Great Sovereign"

Fedor III Alekseevich
Ivan V Alekseevich		Ruled until 1696 with his brother
		Until 1696 he ruled jointly with his brother Ivan V

Russian emperors (1721-1917)

The title of Emperor of All Russia was adopted by Peter I on October 22 (November 2), 1721. This adoption took place at the request of the Senate after the victory in the Northern War. The title lasted until the February Revolution of 1917.

Ruler	Years of reign	Note
Peter I the Great
Catherine I

Anna Ioannovna

Elizaveta Petrovna

Catherine II the Great

Alexander I
Nicholas I
Alexander II
Alexander III
Nicholas II

Provisional Government (1917)

In February 1917, the February Revolution took place. As a result, on March 2, 1917, Emperor Nicholas II abdicated the Russian throne. Power was in the hands of the Provisional Government.

After the October Revolution of 1917, the Provisional Government was overthrown, the Bolsheviks came to power and began building a new state.

These people can be considered formal leaders only because the post of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the RCP(b) - VKP(b) - CPSU committee after the death of V.I. Lenin was actually the most important government position.

Kamenev Lev Borisovich		Chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee
Sverdlov Yakov Mikhailovich		Chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee
Vladimirsky Mikhail Fedorovich		And about. Chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee
Kalinin Mikhail Ivanovich		Chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, from December 30, 1922 - Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, from January 17, 1938 -
Shvernik Nikolay Mikhailovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Voroshilov Kliment Efremovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Brezhnev Leonid Ilyich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Mikoyan Anastas Ivanovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Podgorny Nikolay Viktorovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Brezhnev Leonid Ilyich
Kuznetsov Vasily Vasilievich
Andropov Yuri Vladimirovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council, at the same time General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee
Kuznetsov Vasily Vasilievich		And about. Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces
Chernenko Konstantin Ustinovich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council, at the same time General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee
Kuznetsov Vasily Vasilievich		And about. Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces
Gromyko Andrey Andreevich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council
Gorbachev Mikhail Sergeevich		Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Council, at the same time General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee

General Secretaries of the Central Committee of the RCP(b), CPSU(b), CPSU (1922-1991)


Khrushchev Nikita Sergeevich		First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee
Brezhnev Leonid Ilyich		Until 04/08/1966 - First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, from 04/08/1966 - General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee
Andropov Yuri Vladimirovich
Chernenko Konstantin Ustinovich
Gorbachev Mikhail Sergeevich

President of the USSR (1990-1991)

The post of President of the Soviet Union was introduced on March 15, 1990 by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR with appropriate amendments to the Constitution of the USSR.

Presidents of the Russian Federation (1991-2018)

The post of President of the RSFSR was established on April 24, 1991 based on the results of the All-Russian referendum.

Many people believe that there is no need to know the history of their state. However, any historian is ready to thoroughly argue with this. After all, knowing the history of Russia’s rulers is very important not only for overall development, but also in order not to make the mistakes of the past.

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In this article, we propose to familiarize yourself with the table of all the rulers of our country from the date of its founding in chronological order. The article will help you find out who ruled our country and when, as well as what outstanding things he did for it.

Before the appearance of Rus', a large number of different tribes lived on its future territory for many centuries, however, the history of our state started in the 10th century with the call to the throne of the Russian state of Rurik. He laid the foundation for the Rurik dynasty.

List of classification of rulers of Russia

It's no secret that history is a whole science that is studied by a huge number of people called historians. For convenience, the entire history of the development of our country has been divided into the following stages:

Novgorod princes (from 863 to 882).
Great Kyiv princes (from 882 to 1263).
Principality of Moscow (from 1283 to 1547).
Kings and Emperors (from 1547 to 1917).
USSR (from 1917 to 1991).
Presidents (from 1991 to the present day).

As can be understood from this list, the center of the political life of our state, in other words, the capital, changed several times depending on the era and events taking place in the country. Until 1547, the princes of the Rurik dynasty were at the head of Rus'. However, after this, the process of monarchization of the country began, which lasted until 1917, when the Bolsheviks came to power. Then came the collapse of the USSR, the emergence of independent countries on the territory of former Rus' and, of course, the emergence of democracy.

So, to thoroughly study this issue, to find out details about all the rulers of the state in chronological order, we suggest studying the information in the following chapters of the article.

Heads of state from 862 until the period of fragmentation

This period includes the Novgorod and Great Kyiv princes. The main source of information that has survived to this day and helps all historians compile lists and tables of all rulers is the Tale of Bygone Years. Thanks to this document, they were able to accurately, or as close to accurate as possible, establish all the dates of the reign of the Russian princes of that time.

So, list of Novgorod and Kyiv princes looks like this:

It is obvious that for any ruler, from Rurik to Putin, the main goal was to strengthen and modernize his state in the international arena. Of course, they all pursued the same goal, however, each of them preferred to go towards the goal in their own way.

Fragmentation of Kievan Rus

After the reign of Yaropolk Vladimirovich, the process of severe decline of Kyiv and the state as a whole began. This period is called the times of fragmentation of Rus'. During this time, all the people who stood at the head of the state did not leave any significant mark on history, but only brought the state into its worst form.

Thus, before 1169, the following personalities managed to sit on the throne of the ruler: Izyavlav the Third, Izyaslav Chernigovsky, Vyacheslav Rurikovich, as well as Rostislav Smolensky.

Vladimir princes

After the fragmentation of the capital of our state was moved to a city called Vladimir. This happened for the following reasons:

The Principality of Kiev suffered a total decline and weakening.
Several political centers arose in the country, which tried to take over the government.
The influence of the feudal lords grew every day.

The two most influential centers of influence on the politics of Rus' were Vladimir and Galich. Although the Vladimir era was not as long as the others, it left a serious mark on the history of the development of the Russian state. Therefore it is necessary to make a list the following Vladimir princes:

Prince Andrey - reigned for 15 years from 1169.
Vsevolod was in power for 36 long years, starting in 1176.
Georgy Vsevolodovich - stood at the head of Rus' from 1218 to 1238.
Yaroslav was also the son of Vsevolod Andreevich. Ruled from 1238 to 1246.
Alexander Nevsky, who was on the throne for 11 long and productive years, came to power in 1252 and died in 1263. It is no secret that Nevsky was a great commander who made a huge contribution to the development of our state.
Yaroslav the third - from 1263 to 1272.
Dmitry the first - 1276 - 1283.
Dmitry the second - 1284 - 1293.
Andrei Gorodetsky is a Grand Duke who reigned from 1293 to 1303.
Mikhail Tverskoy, also called "The Saint". Came to power in 1305 and died in 1317.

As you may have noticed, rulers for some time were not included in this list. The fact is that they did not leave any significant mark in the history of the development of Rus'. For this reason, they are not studied in school courses.

When the fragmentation of the country ended, the political center of the country was transferred to Moscow. Moscow princes:

Over the next 10 years, Rus' again experienced decline. During these years, the Rurik dynasty was cut short, and various boyar families were in power.

The beginning of the Romanovs, the rise of the tsars to power, the monarchy

List of rulers of Russia from 1548 to the end of the 17th century it looks like this:

Ivan Vasilyevich the Terrible is one of the most famous and useful rulers of Russia for history. He ruled from 1548 to 1574, after which his reign was interrupted for 2 years.
Semyon Kasimovsky (1574 - 1576).
Ivan the Terrible returned to power and ruled until 1584.
Tsar Feodor (1584 - 1598).

After Fedor's death, it turned out that he had no heirs. From that moment on, the state began to experience further problems. They lasted until 1612. The Rurik dynasty was over. It was replaced by a new one: the Romanov dynasty. They began their reign in 1613.

Mikhail Romanov is the first representative of the Romanovs. Ruled from 1613 to 1645.
After the death of Mikhail, his heir Alexei Mikhailovich sat on the throne. (1645 - 1676)
Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682).
Sophia, Fedor's sister. When Fedor died, his heirs were not yet ready to come to power. Therefore, the emperor's sister ascended the throne. She ruled from 1682 to 1689.

It is impossible to deny that with the advent of the Romanov dynasty, stability finally came to Russia. They were able to do what the Rurikovichs had been striving for for so long. Namely: useful reforms, strengthening of power, territorial growth and banal strengthening. Finally, Russia entered the world stage as one of the favorites.

Peter I

Historians say, that for all the improvements of our state we owe it to Peter I. He is rightfully considered the great Russian Tsar and Emperor.

Peter the Great launched the process of flourishing of the Russian state, the fleet and army strengthened. He pursued an aggressive foreign policy, which greatly strengthened Russia’s position in the global race for supremacy. Of course, before him, many rulers realized that the armed forces are the key to the success of the state, however, only he managed to achieve such success in this area.

After the Great Peter, the list of rulers of the Russian Empire is as follows:

The monarchy in the Russian Empire existed for quite a long time and left a huge mark on its history. The Romanov dynasty is one of the most legendary in the whole world. However, like everything else, it was destined to end after the October Revolution, which changed the structure of the state to a republic. There were no more kings in power.

USSR times

After the execution of Nicholas II and his family, Vladimir Lenin came to power. At this moment, the state of the USSR(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was legally formalized. Lenin led the country until 1924.

List of rulers of the USSR:

During Gorbachev's time, the country again experienced colossal changes. The collapse of the USSR occurred, as well as the emergence of independent states on the territory of the former USSR. Boris Yeltsin, the president of independent Russia, came to power by force. He ruled from 1991 to 1999.

In 1999, Boris Yeltsin voluntarily left the post of President of Russia, leaving behind a successor, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. A year after that, Putin was officially elected by the people and was at the head of Russia until 2008.

In 2008, another election was held, which was won by Dmitry Medvedev, who ruled until 2012. In 2012, Vladimir Putin was again elected president of the Russian Federation and holds the post of president today.

Peter I Alekseevich 1672 - 1725

Peter I was born on 05/30/1672 in Moscow, died on 01/28/1725 in St. Petersburg, Russian Tsar from 1682, Emperor from 1721. Son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich from his second wife, Natalya Naryshkina. He ascended the throne at the age of nine, together with his elder brother Tsar John V, under the regency of his elder sister Princess Sophia Alekseevna. In 1689, his mother married Peter I to Evdokia Lopukhina. In 1690, a son was born, Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, but family life did not work out. In 1712, the tsar announced his divorce and married Catherine (Marta Skavronskaya), who had been his de facto wife since 1703. This marriage produced 8 children, but except for Anna and Elizabeth, they all died in infancy. In 1694, the mother of Peter I died, and two years later, in 1696, his elder brother, Tsar John V, also died. Peter I became the sole sovereign. In 1712, Petersburg, founded by Peter I, became the new capital of Russia, where part of the population of Moscow was transferred.

Catherine I Alekseevna 1684 - 1727

Catherine I Alekseevna was born on 04/05/1684 in the Baltic states, died on 05/06/1727 in St. Petersburg, Russian empress in 1725-1727. The daughter of the Lithuanian peasant Samuil Skavronsky, who moved from Lithuania to Livonia. Before accepting Orthodoxy - Marta Skavronskaya. In the fall of 1703 she became the de facto wife of Peter I. The church marriage was formalized on February 19, 1712. Following the decree on succession to the throne, not without the participation of A.D. Menshikov, she bequeathed the throne to the grandson of Peter I - 12-year-old Peter II. She died on May 6, 1727. She was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Peter II Alekseevich 1715 - 1730

Peter II Alekseevich was born on October 12, 1715 in St. Petersburg, died on January 18, 1730 in Moscow, Russian Emperor (1727-1730) from the Romanov dynasty. Son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich and Princess Charlotte Christina Sophia of Wolfenbüttel, grandson of Peter I. Enthroned through the efforts of A.D. Menshikov, after the death of Catherine I, Peter II was not interested in anything except hunting and pleasure. At the beginning of the reign of Peter II, power was actually in the hands of A. Menshikov, who dreamed of becoming related to the royal dynasty by marrying Peter II to his daughter. Despite the engagement of Menshikov's daughter Maria to Peter II in May 1727, in September Menshikov's dismissal and disgrace followed, and then Menshikov's exile. Peter II came under the influence of the Dolgoruky family, I. Dolgoruky became his favorite, and Princess E. Dolgoruky became his fiancée. Real power was in the hands of A. Osterman. Peter II fell ill with smallpox and died on the eve of the wedding. With his death, the Romanov family in the male line was interrupted. He was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Anna Ioannovna 1693 - 1740

Anna Ioannovna was born on January 28, 1693 in Moscow, died on October 17, 1740 in St. Petersburg, Russian empress in 1730-1740. Daughter of Tsar Ivan V Alekseevich and P. Saltykova, niece of Peter I. In 1710, she was married to the Duke of Courland, Friedrich-Velgem, and soon became a widow and lived in Mitau. After the death of Emperor Peter II (he did not leave a will), the Supreme Privy Council, at a meeting in the Lefortovo Palace on January 19, 1730, decided to invite Anna Ioannovna to the throne. In 1731, Anna Ioannovna issued a Manifesto on a nationwide oath to the heir. 01/08/1732 Anna Ioannovna together with the court and the highest state officials. The institutions moved from Moscow to St. Petersburg. During the reign of Anna Ioannovna, power was in the hands of E. Biron, a native of Courland, and his henchmen.

Ivan VI Antonovich 1740 - 1764

John Antonovich was born on 08/12/1740, killed on 07/07/1764, Russian Emperor from 10/17/1740 to 11/25/1741. Son of Anna Leopoldovna and Prince Anton Ulrich of Brunswick-Brevern-Luneburg, great-grandson of Tsar Ivan V, great-nephew of Empress Anna Ioannovna. On November 25, as a result of a palace coup, the daughter of Peter I, Elizaveta Petrovna, came to power. In 1744, Ivan Antonovich was exiled to Kholmogory. In 1756 he was transferred to the Shlisselburg fortress. On July 5, 1764, Lieutenant V. Mirovich tried to free Ivan Antonovich from the fortress, but was unsuccessful. The guards killed the prisoner.

Elizaveta Petrovna 1709 - 1762

Elizaveta Petrovna was born on December 18, 1709 in the village of Kolomenskoye, near Moscow, died on December 25, 1761 in St. Petersburg, Russian empress in 1741-1761, daughter of Peter I and Catherine I. She ascended the throne as a result of a palace coup on November 25, 1741, during of which representatives of the Brunswick dynasty (Prince Anton Ulrich, Anna Leopoldovna and Ivan Antonovich), as well as many representatives of the “German party” (A. Osterman, B. Minich, etc.) were arrested. One of the first actions of the new reign was to invite Elizaveta Petrovna's nephew Karl Ulrich from Holstein and declare him heir to the throne (the future Emperor Peter III). In fact, Count P. Shuvalov became the head of domestic policy under Elizaveta Petrovna.

Peter III Fedorovich 1728 - 1762

Peter III was born on 02/10/1728 in Kiel, killed on 07/07/1762 in Ropsha near St. Petersburg, Russian Emperor from 1761 to 1762. Grandson of Peter I, son of Duke of Holstein-Gottop Karl Friedrich and Tsesarevna Anna Petrovna. In 1745 he married Princess Sophia Frederica Augusta of Anhalt-Zerb (future Empress Catherine II). Having ascended the throne on December 25, 1761, he immediately stopped military operations against Prussia in the Seven Years' War and ceded all his conquests to his admirer Frederick II. The anti-national foreign policy of Peter III, disdain for Russian rites and customs, and the introduction of Prussian orders in the army aroused opposition in the guard, headed by Catherine II. During the palace coup, Peter III was arrested and then killed.

Catherine II Alekseevna 1729 - 1796

Catherine II Alekseevna was born on 04/21/1729 in Stettin, died on 11/06/1796 in Tsarskoe Selo (now the city of Pushkin), Russian empress 1762-1796. She came from a small North German princely family. Born Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst. She was educated at home. In 1744, she and her mother were summoned to Russia by Empress Elizaveta Pertovna, baptized according to Orthodox custom under the name of Catherine and named the bride of Grand Duke Peter Fedorovich (the future Emperor Peter III), whom she married in 1745. In 1754, Catherine II gave birth to a son, the future Emperor Paul I After the accession of Peter III, who treated her more and more hostilely, her position became precarious. Relying on the guards regiments (G. and A. Orlovs and others), on June 28, 1762, Catherine II carried out a bloodless coup and became an autocratic empress. The time of Catherine II is the dawn of favoritism, characteristic of European life in the second half of the 18th century. Having parted with G. Orlov in the early 1770s, in subsequent years the empress changed a number of favorites. As a rule, they were not allowed to participate in resolving political issues. Only two of her famous favorites - G. Potemkin and P. Zavodovsky - became major statesmen.

Pavel I Petrovich 1754 - 1801

Paul I was born on September 20, 1754 in St. Petersburg, killed on March 12, 1801 in the Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg, Russian Emperor 1796-1801, son of Peter III and Catherine II. He was brought up at the court of his grandmother Elizaveta Petrovna, who intended to make him heir to the throne instead of Peter III. The main educator of Paul I was N. Panin. Since 1773, Paul I was married to Princess Wilhelmina of Hesse-Darmstadt, and after her death, from 1776, to Princess Sophia Dorothea of Württemberg (in Orthodoxy, Maria Feodorovna). He had sons: Alexander (future Emperor Alexander I, 1777), Constantine (1779), Nicholas (future Emperor Nicholas I, 1796), Mikhail (1798), as well as six daughters. A conspiracy had matured among the guards officers, about which the heir to the throne, Alexander Pavlovich, was aware. On the night of March 11-12, 1801, the conspirators (Count P. Palen, P. Zubov, etc.) entered the Mikhailovsky Castle and killed Paul I. Alexander I ascended the throne, and in the very first weeks of his reign returned many exiled by his father and destroyed many of his innovations.

Alexander I Pavlovich 1777 - 1825

Alexander I was born on December 12, 1777 in St. Petersburg, died on November 19, 1825 in Taganrog, Russian Emperor 1801-1825, the eldest son of Paul I. By the will of his grandmother Catherine II, he received an education in the spirit of the enlighteners of the 18th century. His mentor was Colonel Frederic de La Harpe, a republican by conviction, a future figure in the Swiss revolution. In 1793, Alexander I married the daughter of the Margrave of Baden, Louise Maria Augusta, who took the name Elizaveta Alekseevna. Alexander I inherited the throne after the assassination of his father in 1801 and undertook broadly conceived reforms. Alexander I became the main executor of social reforms in 1808-1812. his state secretary M. Speransky, who reorganized the ministries, created the state. council and carried out financial reform. In foreign policy, Alexander I participated in two coalitions against Napoleonic France (with Prussia in 1804-05, with Austria in 1806-07). Having been defeated at Austerlitz in 1805 and Friedland in 1807, he concluded the Peace of Tilsit in 1807 and an alliance with Napoleon. In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia, but was defeated during the Patriotic War of 1812. Alexander I, at the head of Russian troops, together with his allies, entered Paris in the spring of 1814. He was one of the leaders of the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. According to official data, Alexander I died in Taganrog.

Nicholas I Pavlovich 1796 - 1855

Nicholas I was born on June 25, 1796 in Tsarskoye Selo, now the city of Pushkin, died on February 18, 1855 in St. Petersburg, Russian Emperor (1825-1855). The third son of Paul I. Enrolled in military service from birth, Nicholas I was raised by Count M. Lamsdorf. In 1814, he visited abroad for the first time with the Russian army under the command of his elder brother Alexander I. In 1816, he made a three-month trip through European Russia, and from October 1816 to May 1817, he traveled and lived in England. In 1817, he married the eldest daughter of the Prussian king Frederick William II, Princess Charlotte Frederica Louise, who took the name Alexandra Feodorovna. Under Nicholas I, the monetary reform of the Minister of Finance E. Kankrin was successfully carried out, streamlining monetary circulation and protecting backward Russian industry from competition.

Alexander II Nikolaevich 1818 - 1881

Alexander II was born on 04/17/1818 in Moscow, killed on 03/01/1881 in St. Petersburg, Russian Emperor 1855-1881, son of Nicholas I. His educators were General Merder, Kavelin, as well as the poet V. Zhukovsky, who instilled in Alexander II liberal views and romantic attitude to life. In 1837, Alexander II made a long trip around Russia, then in 1838 - through the countries of Western Europe. In 1841 he married the Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, who took the name Maria Alexandrovna. One of the first acts of Alexander II was the pardon of the exiled Decembrists. 02/19/1861. Alexander II issued a manifesto on the liberation of peasants from serfdom. Under Alexander II, the annexation of the Caucasus to Russia was completed and its influence in the east expanded. Russia included Turkestan, the Amur region, the Ussuri region, and the Kuril Islands in exchange for the southern part of Sakhalin. He sold Alaska and the Aleutian Islands to the Americans in 1867. In 1880, after the death of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the Tsar entered into a morganatic marriage with Princess Ekaterina Dolgoruka. A number of attempts were made on the life of Alexander II; he was killed by a bomb thrown by Narodnaya Volya member I. Grinevitsky.

Alexander III Alexandrovich 1845 - 1894

Alexander III was born on 02/26/1845 in Tsarskoye Selo, died on 10/20/1894 in Crimea, Russian Emperor 1881-1894, son of Alexander II. The mentor of Alexander III, who had a strong influence on his worldview, was K. Pobedonostsev. After the death of his elder brother Nicholas in 1865, Alexander III became heir to the throne. In 1866, he married the fiancee of his deceased brother, the daughter of the Danish King Christian IX, Princess Sophia Frederica Dagmar, who took the name Maria Feodorovna. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-78. was the commander of the Separate Rushchuk detachment in Bulgaria. He created the Voluntary Fleet of Russia in 1878, which became the core of the country's merchant fleet and the reserve of the military fleet. Having ascended the throne after the assassination of Alexander II on March 1, 1881, he canceled the draft constitutional reform signed by his father immediately before his death. Alexander III died in Livadia in Crimea.

Nicholas II Alexandrovich 1868 - 1918

Nicholas II (Romanov Nikolai Alexandrovich) was born on May 19, 1868 in Tsarskoe Selo, executed on July 17, 1918 in Yekaterinburg, the last Russian emperor 1894-1917, son of Alexander III and the Danish princess Dagmara (Maria Feodorovna). From 02/14/1894 he was married to Alexandra Feodorovna (nee Alice, Princess of Hesse and Rhine). Daughters Olga, Tatyana, Maria, Anastasia, son Alexey. He ascended the throne on October 21, 1894 after the death of his father. 02/27/1917 Nicholas II, under pressure from the high military command, renounced the throne. On March 8, 1917, he was “deprived of his freedom.” After the Bolsheviks came to power, the regime for its maintenance was sharply strengthened, and in April 1918 the royal family was transferred to Yekaterinburg, where they were placed in the house of mining engineer N. Ipatiev. On the eve of the fall of Soviet power in the Urals, a decision was made in Moscow to execute Nicholas II and his relatives. The murder was entrusted to Yurovsky and his deputy Nikulin. The royal family and all the close associates and servants were killed on the night of July 16, 17, 1918; the execution took place in a small room on the ground floor, where the victims were taken under the pretext of evacuation. According to the official version, the decision to kill the royal family was made by the Urals Council, which feared the approach of Czechoslovak troops. However, in recent years it has become known that Nicholas II, his wife and children were killed on the direct orders of V. Lenin and Y. Sverdlov. Afterwards, the remains of the royal family were discovered and, by decision of the Russian government, on July 17, 1998, they were buried in the tomb of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. The Russian Orthodox Church abroad canonized Nicholas II as a saint.

The wife of Peter III, who became empress after dethroning her husband. Being a German princess who converted to Orthodoxy, having no relationship with the Romanov dynasty, nor any rights to the Russian throne, she nevertheless held the reins of power in her hands for more than 30 years. And this time in Russia is usually called the “golden age”.

Catherine pursued her policy in three main directions:

Expanding the territory of the state, strengthening its authority in the world;

Liberalization of methods of governing the country;

Administrative reforms involving the involvement of nobles in the management of local authorities.

During her reign, the country was divided into 50 provinces. The principle of division was a certain number of inhabitants.

The reign of this empress was the era of the heyday of the noble class. The provinces were completely under the rule of their nobles. At the same time, the nobleman was exempt from taxes and corporal punishment. Only a court of equals could deprive him of his title, property or life.

In the foreign policy arena, the main directions of Russia were:

Strengthening its influence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Catherine carefully ensured that only Russian proteges sat on the Polish throne;

Relations with Turkey. In this direction, the struggle was for Russia's access to the Black Sea. As a result, two long military campaigns were carried out, ending in the victory of the Russian troops;

The fight against revolutionary France. Despite the fact that Catherine was a fan of the French enlighteners, she gradually became disillusioned with their ideas and methods, and perceived the revolution in this country rather hostilely. To fight France, it was decided to join forces with Prussia, England and Austria. However, death prevented Catherine from fulfilling her plans.

Such illustrious names as G. Potemkin, A. Suvorov, F. Ushakov, P. Rumyantsev are closely associated with the name of Catherine the Great and the conquests of her period.

The ruler paid great attention to the development of education, the main goal of which was not simply to increase the level of education, but to educate a new generation of people, true citizens of their state.

It was she who became the founder of female school education in Russia, establishing institutions for the “education of noble maidens.”

However, for all her desire for liberalism, Catherine zealously persecuted dissent and cruelly punished those who disagreed with her state policy. Thus, A. Radishchev was sentenced to death and then “pardoned” by exile to Siberia for his famous “Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow”, public activist, writer and publisher N. Novikov was persecuted, some foreign publications were banned, etc. .

In Catherine's era, culture and science actively developed. A thorough study of Russia, its history, geography, ethnography, etc. was carried out. Thanks to the high imperial support, the Academy of Sciences gave the world such people as I. Kulibin, I. Polzunov. The names of D. Fonvizin, G. Derzhavin and others became known in the literature. The empress herself made a valuable contribution to literature by writing memoirs.

Art also developed during this period: painting, sculpture, architecture.

Along with achievements in many areas of life, the reign of Catherine the Great was marked by one of the most famous and major uprisings in Russia - the Pugachev uprising. The reason for this uprising under the leadership of the Cossack E. Pugachev was the further enslavement of the peasants. By posing as Peter III, who miraculously managed to escape death, Emelyan Pugachev managed to unite workers, peasants, representatives of national minorities, and Cossacks. The uprising grew into a real bloody war. Pugachev's army, growing as it advanced, won victories one after another, taking advantage of the fact that most of the Russian troops were absent from the country (the Russian-Turkish war was going on). The months-long struggle ended with the betrayal of Pugachev by his own comrades. After he was handed over to government forces, Catherine ordered his public execution on Bolotnaya Square.

After the death of the leader, the uprising was suppressed, and all those responsible were severely punished.

In addition, civil unrest periodically broke out in many parts of the country, but they were not of such proportions.

Thus, the “golden age” was significantly overshadowed, especially in relation to the ordinary population of Russia.

Almost half of Catherine's reign was occupied by wars and riots. Bribery and theft flourished.

However, with all this, during her reign the population of Russia almost doubled, the territory of the state expanded significantly, the army strengthened and the fleet increased (instead of 21 half-rotten battleships, by the end of her reign there were 67 well-equipped ships and 40 frigates). The number of factories and factories increased to 2 thousand (instead of 500), and state income increased 4 times.

The description of history in textbooks and multimillion-dollar works of fiction in recent decades has been questioned, to put it mildly. The rulers of Russia in chronological order are of great importance in the study of ancient times. People interested in their native history are beginning to understand that, in fact, the real history written on paper does not exist; there are versions from which everyone chooses their own, corresponding to their ideas. History from textbooks is only suitable as a starting point.

Rulers of Rus' during the period of the highest rise of the Ancient State

Much of what is known about the history of Rus' - Russia is gleaned from “lists” of chronicles, the originals of which have not survived. In addition, even copies often contradict themselves and the elementary logic of events. Often historians are forced to accept only their own opinion and claim it to be the only correct one.

The first legendary rulers of Rus', who date back to 2.5 thousand years BC, were brothers Slovenian and Rus. They descend from the son of Noah Japheth (hence Vandal, Obodrit, etc.). The people of Rus are the Russians, the Rus, the people of Slovenia are the Slovenes, the Slavs. On the lake The Ilmen brothers built the cities of Slovensk and Rusa (currently Staraya Rusa). Veliky Novgorod was later built on the site of the burned Slovensk.

Known descendants of Sloven - Burivoy and Gostomysl- the son of Burivoy, either the mayor, or the foreman of Novgorod, who, having lost all his sons in battles, called his grandson Rurik to Rus' from the related tribe Rus (specifically from the island of Rügen).

Next come the versions written by German “historiographers” (Bayer, Miller, Schletzer) in Russian service. In the German historiography of Rus', it is striking that it was written by people who did not know the Russian language, traditions and beliefs. Who collected and rewrote chronicles, without preserving, but often deliberately destroying, adjusting the facts to some ready-made version. It is interesting that for several hundred years, Russian historiographers, instead of refuting the German version of history, did their best to adapt new facts and research to it.

Rulers of Rus' according to historical tradition:

1. Rurik (862 – 879)- called by his grandfather to restore order and stop civil strife between Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes in the territory of modern Leningrad and Novgorod regions. Founded or restored the city of Ladoga (Old Ladoga). Ruled in Novgorod. After the Novgorod uprising of 864, under the leadership of the governor Vadim the Brave, he united northwestern Rus' under his leadership.

According to legend, he sent (or they themselves left) the warriors of Askold and Dir to fight in Constantinople by water. They captured Kyiv on the way.

It is not known exactly how the founder of the Rurik dynasty died.

2. Oleg the Prophet (879 – 912)- a relative or successor of Rurik, who remained at the head of the Novgorod state, either as the guardian of Rurik’s son, Igor, or as a legitimate prince.

In 882 he goes to Kyiv. Along the way, he peacefully annexed to the principality many tribal Slavic lands along the Dnieper, including the lands of the Smolensk Krivichi. In Kyiv he kills Askold and Dir, makes Kyiv the capital.

In 907 he waged a victorious war with Byzantium - a trade agreement beneficial for Rus' was signed. He nails his shield to the gates of Constantinople. He made many successful and not so military campaigns (including defending the interests of the Khazar Khaganate), becoming the creator of the state of Kievan Rus. According to legend, he dies from a snake bite.

3. Igor (912 – 945)- fights for the unity of the state, constantly pacifying and annexing the surrounding Kyiv lands and Slavic tribes. It has been at war with the Pechenegs since 920. Makes two campaigns against Constantinople: in 941 - unsuccessful, in 944 - with the conclusion of an agreement on more favorable terms for Rus' than Oleg's. He dies at the hands of the Drevlyans, going for a second tribute.

4. Olga (945 – after 959)- regent for three-year-old Svyatoslav. The date of birth and origin are not precisely established - either an ordinary Varangian, or Oleg’s daughter. She took cruel and sophisticated revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder of her husband. She clearly established the size of the tribute. Divided Rus' into parts controlled by tiuns. Introduced a system of graveyards - places of trade and exchange. She built fortresses and cities. In 955 she was baptized in Constantinople.

The time of her reign is characterized by peace with the surrounding countries and the development of the state in all respects. The first Russian saint. She died in 969.

5. Svyatoslav Igorevich (959 – March 972)- the date of the beginning of the reign is relative - the country was ruled by the mother until her death, Svyatoslav himself preferred to fight and was in Kyiv rarely and not for long. Even the first Pecheneg raid and the siege of Kyiv was met by Olga.

As a result of two campaigns, Svyatoslav defeated the Khazar Khaganate, to which Rus' had been paying tribute with its soldiers for a long time. He conquered and imposed tribute on Volga Bulgaria. Supporting ancient traditions and in agreement with the squad, he despised Christians, Muslims and Jews. He conquered Tmutarakan and made the Vyatichi tributaries. In the period from 967 to 969 he successfully fought in Bulgaria under an agreement with the Byzantine Empire. In 969, he distributed Rus' among his sons into appanages: Yaropolk - Kyiv, Oleg - the Drevlyan lands, Vladimir (the bastard son of the housekeeper) - Novgorod. He himself went to the new capital of his state - Pereyaslavets on the Danube. In 970 - 971 he fought with the Byzantine Empire with varying success. Killed by Pechenegs, bribed by Constantinople, on the way to Kyiv, as he became too strong an enemy for Byzantium.

6. Yaropolk Svyatoslavich (972 – 06/11/978)– tried to establish relationships with the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope. Supported Christians in Kyiv. Minted his own coin.

In 978 he defeated the Pechenegs. In 977, at the instigation of the boyars, he began an internecine war with his brothers. Oleg died trampled by horses during the siege of the fortress, Vladimir fled “overseas” and returned with a mercenary army. As a result of the war, Yaropolk, who was invited to the negotiations, was killed, and Vladimir took the grand-ducal place.

7. Vladimir Svyatoslavich (06/11/978 – 07/15/1015)- made attempts to reform the Slavic Vedic cult, using human sacrifices. He conquered Cherven Rus and Przemysl from the Poles. He conquered the Yatvingians, which opened the way for Rus' to the Baltic Sea. He imposed tribute on the Vyatichi and Rodimichs, while uniting the Novgorod and Kyiv lands. Concluded a profitable peace with Volga Bulgaria.

He captured Korsun in the Crimea in 988 and threatened to march on Constantinople if he did not get the sister of the Byzantine emperor as his wife. Having received a wife, he was baptized there in Korsun and began to spread Christianity in Rus' “with fire and sword.” During forced Christianization, the country was depopulated - out of 12 million, only 3 remained. Only Rostov-Suzdal land was able to avoid forced Christianization.

He paid a lot of attention to the recognition of Kievan Rus in the West. He built several fortresses to defend the principality from the Polovtsians. With military campaigns he reached the North Caucasus.

8. Svyatopolk Vladimirovich (1015 – 1016, 1018 – 1019)- Using the support of the people and boyars, he took the Kiev throne. Soon three brothers die - Boris, Gleb, Svyatoslav. His brother, Prince Yaroslav of Novgorod, begins to wage an open struggle for the grand-ducal throne. After the defeat from Yaroslav, Svyatopolk runs to his father-in-law, King of Poland Boleslav I the Brave. In 1018, he defeated Yaroslav with Polish troops. The Poles, who began to plunder Kyiv, caused popular indignation, and Svyatopolk was forced to disperse them, leaving him without troops.

Yaroslav, who returned with new troops, easily takes Kyiv. Svyatopolk, with the help of the Pechenegs, tries to regain power, but to no avail. He dies, deciding to go to the Pechenegs.

For the murders of his brothers attributed to him, he was nicknamed the Damned.

9. Yaroslav the Wise (1016 – 1018, 1019 – 02/20/1054)– first settled in Kyiv during the war with his brother Svyatopolk. He received support from the Novgorodians, and besides them he had a mercenary army.

The beginning of the second period of reign was marked by princely strife with his brother Mstislav, who defeated Yaroslav's troops and captured the left bank of the Dnieper with Chernigov. Peace was concluded between the brothers, they went on joint campaigns against Yasov and the Poles, but Grand Duke Yaroslav remained in Novgorod, and not in the capital Kyiv, until his brother’s death.

In 1030 he defeated Chud and founded the city of Yuryev. Immediately after Mstislav's death, fearing competition, he imprisons his last brother Sudislav and moves to Kyiv.

In 1036 he defeated the Pechenegs, freeing Rus' from raids. In subsequent years, he made campaigns against the Yatvingians, Lithuania and Mazovia. In 1043 - 1046 he fought with the Byzantine Empire because of the murder of a noble Russian in Constantinople. Breaks the alliance with Poland and marries his daughter Anna to the French king.

Founds monasteries and builds temples, incl. St. Sophia Cathedral, erects stone walls to Kyiv. By order of Yaroslav, many books are translated and rewritten. Opens the first school for children of priests and village elders in Novgorod. With him, the first metropolitan of Russian origin appears - Hilarion.

Publishes the Church Charter and the first known set of laws of Rus', “Russian Truth”.

10. Izyaslav Yaroslavich (02/20/1054 – 09/14/1068, 05/2/1069 – March 1073, 06/15/1077 – 10/3/1078)- a prince not loved by the people of Kiev, forced to periodically hide outside the principality. Together with his brothers, he creates a set of laws “Pravda Yaroslavichy”. The first reign is characterized by joint decision-making by all Yaroslavich brothers - the Triumvirate.

In 1055, the brothers defeated the Torks near Pereyaslavl and established borders with the Polovtsian Land. Izyaslav provides assistance to Byzantium in Armenia, seizes the lands of the Baltic people - golyad. In 1067, as a result of the war with the Principality of Polotsk, Prince Vseslav the Magician was captured by deception.

In 1068, Izyaslav refused to arm the people of Kiev against the Polovtsians, for which he was expelled from Kyiv. Returns with Polish troops.

In 1073, as a result of a conspiracy drawn up by his younger brothers, he left Kyiv and wandered around Europe for a long time in search of allies. The throne is returned after Svyatoslav Yaroslavovich dies.

He died in a battle with his nephews near Chernigov.

11. Vseslav Bryachislavich (09/14/1068 – April 1069)- Prince of Polotsk, released from arrest by the people of Kiev who rebelled against Izyaslav and elevated to the grand princely throne. Left Kyiv when Izyaslav approached with the Poles. He reigned in Polotsk for more than 30 years, without stopping the fight against the Yaroslavichs.

12.Svyatoslav Yaroslavich (03/22/1073 – 12/27/1076)- came to power in Kyiv as a result of a conspiracy against his older brother, with the support of the people of Kiev. He devoted a lot of attention and money to maintaining the clergy and the church. Died as a result of surgery.

13.Vsevolod Yaroslavich (01/1/1077 – July 1077, October 1078 – 04/13/1093)– the first period ended with the voluntary transfer of power to brother Izyaslav. For the second time he took the place of the Grand Duke after the death of the latter in an internecine war.

Almost the entire period of his reign was marked by fierce internecine struggle, especially with the Principality of Polotsk. Vladimir Monomakh, the son of Vsevolod, distinguished himself in this civil strife, who, with the help of the Polovtsians, carried out several devastating campaigns against the Polotsk lands.

Vsevolod and Monomakh conducted campaigns against the Vyatichi and Polovtsians.

Vsevolod married his daughter Eupraxia to the Emperor of the Roman Empire. The marriage, sanctified by the church, ended in scandal and accusations against the emperor of conducting satanic rituals.

14. Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (04/24/1093 – 04/16/1113)- the first thing he did, upon ascending the throne, was arrest the Polovtsian ambassadors, starting a war. As a result, together with V. Monomakh, he was defeated by the Polovtsians on Stugna and Zhelani, Torchesk was burned and three main Kyiv monasteries were plundered.

The princely feuds were not stopped by the congress of princes in Lyubech in 1097, which assigned possessions to the branches of the princely dynasties. Svyatopolk Izyaslavich remained the Grand Duke and ruler of Kyiv and Turov. Immediately after the congress, he slandered V. Monomakh and other princes. They responded with a siege of Kyiv, which ended in a truce.

In 1100, at the congress of princes in Uvetchytsy, Svyatopolk received Volyn.

In 1104, Svyatopolk organized a campaign against the Minsk prince Gleb.

In 1103–1111, a coalition of princes led by Svyatopolk and Vladimir Monomakh successfully waged a war against the Polovtsians.

The death of Svyatopolk was accompanied by an uprising in Kyiv against the boyars and moneylenders closest to him.

15. Vladimir Monomakh (04/20/1113 – 05/19/1125)- invited to reign during the uprising in Kyiv against the administration of Svyatopolk. He created the “Charter on Cuts,” which was included in “Russkaya Pravda,” which eased the situation of debtors while fully maintaining feudal relations.

The beginning of the reign was not without civil strife: Yaroslav Svyatopolchich, who claimed the throne of Kiev, had to be expelled from Volyn. The period of Monomakh's reign was the last period of strengthening of the grand ducal power in Kyiv. Together with his sons, the Grand Duke owned 75% of the territory of chronicle Rus'.

To strengthen the state, Monomakh often used dynastic marriages and his authority as a military leader - the conqueror of the Polovtsians. During his reign, his sons defeated the Chud and defeated the Volga Bulgars.

In 1116–1119, Vladimir Vsevolodovich successfully fought with Byzantium. As a result of the war, as a ransom, he received from the emperor the title “Tsar of All Rus'”, a scepter, an orb, and a royal crown (Monomakh’s cap). As a result of negotiations, Monomakh married his granddaughter to the emperor.

16. Mstislav the Great (05/20/1125 – 04/15/1132)- initially owned only the Kyiv land, but was recognized as the eldest among the princes. Gradually he began to control the cities of Novgorod, Chernigov, Kursk, Murom, Ryazan, Smolensk and Turov through dynastic marriages.

In 1129 he plundered the Polotsk lands. In 1131, he deprived of allotments and expelled the Polotsk princes, led by the son of Vseslav the Magician - Davyd.

In the period from 1130 to 1132 he made several campaigns with varying success against the Baltic tribes, including Chud and Lithuania.

The State of Mstislav is the last informal unification of the principalities of Kievan Rus. He controlled all the major cities, the entire route “from the Varangians to the Greeks”; the accumulated military power gave him the right to be called the Great in the chronicles.

Rulers of the Old Russian state during the period of fragmentation and decline of Kyiv

The princes on the Kiev throne during this period were replaced frequently and did not rule for long, most of them not showing themselves to be anything remarkable:

1. Yaropolk Vladimirovich (04/17/1132 – 02/18/1139)- the prince of Pereyaslavl was called to rule the people of Kiev, but his first decision to transfer Pereyaslavl to Izyaslav Mstislavich, who had previously ruled in Polotsk, caused indignation among the people of Kiev and the expulsion of Yaropolk. In the same year, the people of Kiev summoned Yaropolk again, but Polotsk, to which the dynasty of Vseslav the Sorcerer returned, broke away from Kievan Rus.

In the internecine struggle that began between the various branches of the Rurikovichs, the Grand Duke was unable to show firmness and by the time of his death he had lost control, in addition to Polotsk, over Novgorod and Chernigov. Nominally, only the Rostov-Suzdal land was subordinate to him.

2. Vyacheslav Vladimirovich (22.02 – 4.03.1139, April 1151 – 6.02.1154)- the first, one and a half week period of reign ended with the overthrow of Vsevolod Olgovich, the Chernigov prince.

In the second period it was only an official sign; real power belonged to Izyaslav Mstislavich.

3. Vsevolod Olgovich (03/05/1139 – 08/1/1146)- Chernigov prince, forcibly removed Vyacheslav Vladimirovich from the throne, interrupting the reign of the Monomashichs in Kyiv. He was not loved by the people of Kiev. The entire period of his reign skillfully maneuvered between the Mstislavovichs and the Monomashichs. He constantly fought with the latter, tried to keep his own relatives away from the grand-ducal power.

4. Igor Olgovich (1 – 08/13/1146)– received Kyiv according to his brother’s will, which outraged the city residents. The townspeople called Izyaslav Mstislavich to the throne from Pereslavl. After the battle between the contenders, Igor was put in a log, where he became seriously ill. Released from there, he became a monk, but in 1147, on suspicion of conspiracy against Izyaslav, he was executed by vengeful Kyivians only because Olgovich.

5. Izyaslav Mstislavich (08/13/1146 – 08/23/1149, 1151 – 11/13/1154)- in the first period, in addition to Kyiv, he directly ruled Pereyaslavl, Turov, and Volyn. In the internecine struggle with Yuri Dolgoruky and his allies, he enjoyed the support of the Novgorodians, Smolensk and Ryazan residents. He often attracted allied Cumans, Hungarians, Czechs, and Poles into his ranks.

For attempting to elect a Russian metropolitan without the approval of the patriarch of Constantinople, he was excommunicated from the church.

He had the support of the people of Kiev in the fight against the Suzdal princes.

6. Yuri Dolgoruky (08/28/1149 – summer 1150, summer 1150 – beginning 1151, 03/20/1155 – 05/15/1157)- Suzdal prince, son of V. Monomakh. He sat on the grand-ducal throne three times. The first two times he was expelled from Kyiv by Izyaslav and the people of Kiev. In his struggle for the rights of Monomashich, he relied on the support of Novgorod - the Seversk prince Svyatoslav (brother of Igor, executed in Kyiv), the Galicians and the Polovtsians. The decisive battle in the fight against Izyaslav was the Battle of Ruta in 1151. Having lost which, Yuri one by one lost all his allies in the south.

The third time he subjugated Kyiv after Izyaslav and his co-ruler Vyacheslav died. In 1157 he made an unsuccessful campaign against Volyn, where the sons of Izyaslav settled.

Presumably poisoned by the people of Kiev.

In the south, only one son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Gleb, was able to gain a foothold in the Pereyaslavl principality, which had separated from Kyiv.

7. Rostislav Mstislavich (1154 – 1155, 04/12/1159 – 02/8/1161, March 1161 – 03/14/1167)- Prince of Smolensk for 40 years. Founded the Grand Duchy of Smolensk. He first took the Kiev throne at the invitation of Vyacheslav Vladimirovich, who called him to be a co-ruler, but soon died. Rostislav Mstislavich was forced to come out to meet Yuri Dolgoruky. Having met with his uncle, the Smolensk prince ceded Kyiv to his older relative.

The second and third terms of rule in Kyiv were divided by the attack of Izyaslav Davydovich with the Polovtsy, which forced Rostislav Mstislavovich to hide in Belgorod, waiting for his allies.

The reign was distinguished by calmness, insignificance of civil strife and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The attempts of the Polovtsians to disturb the peace in Rus' were suppressed in every possible way.

With the help of a dynastic marriage, he annexed Vitebsk to the Smolensk principality.

8. Izyaslav Davydovich (winter 1155, 05/19/1157 - December 1158, 02/12 - 03/6/1161)- became the Grand Duke for the first time, defeating the troops of Rostislav Mstislavich, but was forced to cede the throne to Yuri Dolgoruky.

He took the throne for the second time after the death of Dolgoruky, but was defeated near Kiev by the Volyn and Galich princes for refusing to hand over the pretender to the Galician throne.

The third time he captured Kyiv, but was defeated by the allies of Rostislav Mstislavich.

9. Mstislav Izyaslavich (12/22/1158 – spring 1159, 05/19/1167 – 03/12/1169, February – 04/13/1170)- for the first time he became the prince of Kyiv, expelling Izyaslav Davydovich, but ceded the great reign to Rostislav Mstislavich, as the eldest in the family.

The people of Kiev called him to rule for the second time after the death of Rostislav Mstislavich. Could not maintain his rule against the army of Andrei Bogolyubsky.

The third time he settled in Kyiv without a fight, using the love of the people of Kiev and expelling Gleb Yuryevich, who was imprisoned in Kyiv by Andrei Bogolyubsky. However, abandoned by the allies, he was forced to return to Volyn.

He became famous for his victory over the Cumans at the head of coalition troops in 1168.

He is considered the last great Kyiv prince who had real power over Russia.

With the rise of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, Kyiv is increasingly becoming an ordinary appanage, although it retains the name “great”. Problems, most likely, need to be looked for in what and how the rulers of Russia did, in the chronological order of their inheritance of power. Decades of civil strife bore fruit - the principality weakened and lost its importance for Rus'. Reign in Kyiv than the main thing. Often the Kyiv princes were appointed or replaced by the Grand Duke from Vladimir.