Ancient Kiev is the capital of Ancient Rus. Ancient Kiev: History and Architecture

Ancient Rus became the cultural teacher of Europe. Her science, style of government, etiquette and architecture were admired far beyond the state. It was not for nothing that princes were held in high esteem, and each of the rulers had the honor to be friends and be related to them.

Phantom Founder of the City

All words are messages. The message that the ancestors left for future generations. And the history of ancient Kiev is hidden in its name.

The most famous legend about the foundation of the city is the story of three brave brothers: Kie, Schek, Horeb and their beautiful sister Lybid. According to legend, it was this family that laid the first stones for the future city at the end of the 5th century. In honor of his older brother, they named the settlement. But the opinion of scientists is divided according to the truth of this theory. The first believe that the real historical figure was only Ki, and his brothers - the imagination of the people. The second call into question the existence of even the elder brother. In general, ancient Kiev is not the only city that three brothers built. Also on the territory of Europe are scattered more than a hundred other old towns with a similar root. Therefore, researchers criticize this concept.

origin of name

Having rejected the myth about Kie, the scientists found other explanations. Thus, in the Turkic language there is the word "kov", which translates as "bank of the river". "Kiwi" in the Sarmatian dialect means mountains. There is a very far version. The city took its name from Prakrit (Old Indian language), where the word "koyava" is translated as "the seat of the throne". Considering the fact that Kiev, the capital of ancient Rus, is located in a mountainous area on the banks of the Dnieper and since the day of its foundation was the center of the political elite, each of the explanations has the right to exist.

The most native is the Slavic interpretation. It leads the name of the city from the word "cue" - that is, a stick, a staff. Such an object was owned by the wise men and princes, and Kiev was called every city in which these people were. This explains dozens of cities-namesakes in Europe.

The Heart of Russia

In fact, Kievan Rus as a state did not exist. The term was invented by scientists in order not to be confused between Russia, which was formed in the 9th century and the Moscow kingdom, which is five centuries older.

At that time, one of the largest states of medieval Europe, centered on ancient Kiev, was simply called Rus. The territory was inhabited by the Eastern Slavs, who subsequently gave rise to Ukrainians, Byelorussians and Russians. Much has been made towards the establishment of statehood trade. The country originated on the transport route from Scandinavia along the Dnieper down through the Black Sea to Byzantium. This road was called "the road from the Varangians to the Greeks."

In the middle of the 9th century, Rurik was called to rule in Novgorod. This was done for a specific purpose. The foreigner was to restore order. But there are no other reliable sources confirming the words from the Tale of Bygone Years (there is a mention of these events in the annals). A representative of the new government came with his people, who was called Rus. It was from the Varangian that the word "Rus" came.

The first princes

In 862, those who arrived together with Rurik Askold and Dir subdued ancient Kiev. According to other sources - these men were descendants of the famous Kia, who founded the city.

882 was a turning point in history. Prince Oleg came to Kiev . He was from the Ryurikovich family. After the death of the latter he became regent under his son Igor and began to reign on Novgorod land. During his campaigns, he approached Kiev and learned about who is in power there. Then he hid his army and summoned the rulers to himself, calling himself a merchant. Askold and Dir were led to a bait and were subsequently executed by Oleg's army. The regent of Igor noticed that they are not of a princely family, therefore they do not have the right to sit on the throne.

Since ancient times, Kiev has become a new capital, thereby uniting two centers of the Slavs. It is the prince of Oleg scientists who consider the ancestor of Kievan Rus.

Pagan culture

Long before the arrival of the Christian rulers, the land of Kiev was inhabited by pagans, who had their own culture and architecture.

Eastern Slavs believed in the forces of nature, worshiped them. Places of worship became energy points, where strong mystical energies were felt. As a rule, these were hills. On them our ancestors arranged temples. This was the first architecture of ancient Kiev. Usually the center was a figure of a wooden or stone idol. There was an altar to which believers offered gifts. Such temples were found on the Annunciation mountain, which was a holy place for the god of lightning Perun.

Ancient Slavs attached great importance to the mountains, although they lived mainly on the banks of rivers. In the hills, they prayed and offered sacrifices. Until now, places of their worship have been preserved in Kiev. Usually this is a stone circle with protrusions to the four corners of the world. At the same time, the temples were political centers, where important issues were solved. The general geographical map of ancient Kiev reveals all places of worship of the Old Believers. Each mountain was the center of the sacrificial ritual.

There are allegations that pagans erected temples several years before the adoption of Christianity.

Pearl of Christianity

With the arrival of the princes, Christianity was popularized. It was the basis of the architecture of Rus and gave a new direction in the development of spiritual construction.

Previously, religious objects were built of wood. The first stone center of worship was the Church of the Tithes, which glorified the ancient Kiev. Photo-reconstruction of this architectural masterpiece takes into account the description of the chronicles. You can familiarize with it in the Historical Museum of Kiev.

It was a miracle that struck with its wealth and splendor. It was built around 989 at the expense of taxes. For its construction, the best masters from Byzantium were brought. She was also magnificently decorated from the inside. The number of mosaics, frescoes and icons still can not be counted. Feudal fragmentation was the beginning of its collapse.

Modern Kiev architecture

The history of ancient Kiev has been preserved in architecture to this day. The most striking example is the St. Sophia Cathedral. The first stones were laid in 1037. Constantinople and Slavic architects worked on it. In the XVII-XVIII century the cathedral was rebuilt in the style of Ukrainian baroque. In 1934 he became a museum - the Sophia Reserve.

Scientists are still arguing about who was the initiator of the idea of building a temple - Vladimir or his son Yaroslav.

The Golden Gate is another architectural monument of Russia, which pleases today. In addition to cultural significance, the construction carried a protective function. The city was actively built and demanded defensive fortifications. The name comes from an analogue in Constantinople.

Architecture is a time machine that will show the ancient Kiev. Photos of objects can be found in the article, but it's best to see everything with your own eyes.