Interest in the history of Slavic tribes, in particular the eastern branch, is growing every day today. Theories and hypotheses appear regularly in the press that break established facts, refute them, or confirm them. The debate goes around the question of which city was the title capital of ancient Russia. Let's try to figure it out.
Traditions of antiquity deep
If you believe the legends and chronicles that have come down to us from the depths of centuries, then it was Kiev that was the mother of Russian cities. Polyansky princes united the tribes of the Slavs and laid the city on the mountain, which they declared their residence. From about the fifth century (the founding date of the modern Ukrainian capital), the city grew and developed, and with it the country grew stronger. When the Vikings landed on the steep banks of the Dnieper, Kiev was already a well-known trade center of the region. Rurikovich did a lot for the foundation of the state and for its high authority in the medieval world.
The state grew, and many descendants of the princely family lived in it. Everyone wanted to rule and founded the cities in which he declared himself a prince. So, the first capital of ancient Russia received not so much help as rivals. And when the wealth and power of Kiev faded, there were a large number of cities that began to call themselves capital. Instead of the Kiev principality, which has lost its primacy, others entered the world stage: Smolensk, Novgorod-Seversk, Ryazan, Chernihiv, Vladimir-Suzdal, and later Moscow. Therefore, the capital of ancient Russia was not alone.
Golden-domed Kiev
If a teacher in a history lesson turns to a student with a question, name the capital of ancient Russia, he will not hesitate to answer that this is Kiev. A golden-haired city stands on seven hills, like Rome, Jerusalem or Constantinople. It has an unusually favorable geographical position and lies at the crossroads of the most important trade routes. From the moment of its foundation to the time of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and its destruction by Khan Batu, he played an exceptional role in the life of the region. Therefore, in 1020, the capital of ancient Russia is Kiev.
Having risen from the ashes, although he became dependent on more powerful neighbors, he nevertheless grew and developed without losing his beautiful face. However, all the same, in the memory of the people, the city remained the main one, since cultural and spiritual life was concentrated in it.
Velikiy Novgorod
His story begins around the turn of the ninth and tenth centuries. Although archaeologists suggest that people settled on the territory of modern Novgorod much earlier than is commonly thought. This city, founded by the Slavs, was built following the example of Kiev. Here a similar Sophia Cathedral was erected, a courtyard, a spacious square for public gatherings. Since its founding, this capital of ancient Russia has acted as a rich trading city with a special culture, democracy and mores. But still he paid tribute to Kiev and sent his warriors at the request of the capital's princes.
When Kiev fell under the blows of the Mongols, Novgorod managed to escape. This allowed him to rise above the rest of the Russian principalities, and the Novgorod Republic flourished for a long time and drowned in luxury.
Other capitals
Some researchers distinguish four capitals of ancient Russia. This is :
- Kiev;
- Novgorod, later called Great;
- Staraya Ladoga;
- Vladimir
The first two cities we examined. In the XI century (1020), the capital of ancient Russia was the city of Kiev, and it was the main one until it was captured by the Mongols in 1240. Since then, the medieval state ceased to exist, and therefore the conversation about its main cities is meaningless.
Ladoga and Vladimir-on-Klyazma
Staraya Ladoga today is a small village in which Rurik donkey settled for two years before he was called to Novgorod. It is the stay of the legendary prince that gives the right to classify the city among the capitals of the ancient state. However, there is one thing but, as archaeologists confirm that the city was founded by the Varangians, and the population consisted mainly of people from Scandinavia. The rest of the ancient capital of Russia such as Novgorod, Vladimir and Kiev were erected and inhabited by the Slavs, therefore they have more rights to be called the main cities. And the state as such did not yet exist, it arose later, when the Prophetic Oleg entered the city of Kiy.
Vladimir is the city that Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky chose for himself after going to Kiev. The Principality at that time was powerful and rich, so the title of capital city gave Vladimir-on-Klyazma an even greater flowering. This was the beginning of the construction of cathedrals and temples, magnificent palaces. At the beginning of the fourteenth century , the metropolis was transferred here. After the Mongol invasion and the rise of Moscow, Vladimir gradually lost his actual leadership, but remained formally the capital.
Instead of an afterword
We examined the ancient capital of Russia, which were officially recognized as such. These are ancient settlements with a rich history and beautiful legends. On their territory, today you can see majestic structures that will recall the former glory. All of them at one time played an important role in the life of the medieval state of the Eastern Slavs. And today they attract tourists with unique sights that were erected by the best craftsmen in Europe.
What is the capital of ancient Russia? You will not hear a single answer, because each city is worthy to bear this title, like many other cities that were capitals of specific principalities, they are still pearls on the world map.