The flourishing of the ancient Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise: history

Surprisingly, but his nickname Wise Yaroslav was not in life, but only in the 60s of the XIX century. During his lifetime he was called Khromtsom. As studies show, he had a leg cut, so he limped. At that time, such a defect was considered a sign of wisdom, intelligence, providence, and therefore the word "Chromec" as a nickname could be regarded as close in meaning to the word "wise". And they began to call Yaroslav - Wise. The deeds of this prince speak eloquently for themselves. The flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise is a confirmation of these words.

Unification of Russia

Yaroslav did not immediately become the ruler of Kiev, he had long enough to fight with his brothers for the throne of Kiev. After 1019, Yaroslav united under his authority practically all the lands of the ancient Russian state, thereby contributing to the overcoming of feudal disunity within the country. In many areas his sons became governors. So the flourishing of the Old Russian state began with Yaroslav the Wise.

Russian truth

An important step forward for the internal policy of Yaroslav was the drafting of a general code of laws, which was called the "Russian Truth". This is a document that defined common rules for all inheritance, criminal, procedural and commercial legislation. The flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise was impossible without this document.

These laws contributed to the strengthening of relations within the state, which as a whole contributed to overcoming feudal disunity. After all, now every city did not live by its own rules - the law was common for all, and this certainly contributed to the development of trade and created the opportunity to maximally stabilize relations within the state.

The laws of the "Russian Truth" reflected the social stratification of society. For example, fines for killing a smerd or slave were several times less than payments for killing a free person. Fines supplemented the state treasury.

The heyday of Kiev

The very appearance of the "Russian Truth" was a giant step forward in overcoming feudal disunity, the unification of different parts of the country. Active flowering of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise took place. History reports that Kiev has become truly the center of the country. The development of crafts promoted trade relations. Merchants who offered their goods flocked to the city. Kiev was rich, and the glory of it was spread across many cities and countries.

Foreign Policy of Yaroslav the Wise

The outpouring of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise also affected foreign policy. Events in this period were aimed at strengthening borders, developing relations with neighboring countries, primarily with Western Europe. This affected the increase in the authority of the state. Relations with other countries reached a higher level.

Despite the fact that the flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise, the historical events were not only positive. Rus still suffered from the raids of nomads. But soon this trouble was solved. In 1036 the troops of Yaroslav the Wise defeated the Pechenegs, who after that stopped attacking Russia for a long time. By order of the prince on the southern border, cities were built to protect the borders.

Dynastic Marriages

In different directions the flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise was on. History reports that in 1046 he succeeded in signing a peace treaty with the Byzantine state. This document was important, as political and cultural relations were beneficial for both countries. The peace treaty with Byzantium was reinforced by a dynastic marriage. Vsevolod Yaroslavich married the daughter of Constantine Monomakh.

The flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise was strengthened by the dynastic marriages of the prince's children. Undoubtedly, they contributed to strengthening ties between Kievan Rus and Europe. On the German princesses, the sons of Yaroslav the Wise were married: Svyatoslav, Igor and Vyacheslav. Elizabeth's daughter was married to the Norwegian Prince Harold, Anna - for the French King Henry I, Anastasia - for the Hungarian King Andrew I. Such dynastic marriages, first, demonstrated the attractiveness of Russia for Europe, and secondly, were useful for the Kiev state, Since they gave more opportunities for cultural and economic development, contributed to the flourishing of the ancient Russian state.

The spread of Christianity under the Yaroslav the Wise

The year of the baptism of Rus is 988. But the state did not become Christian in one year, it took a lot of effort to spread the faith throughout the country. And much for this was done during the reign of Yaroslav: in Kiev, about 400 churches were built, in the place where Yaroslav's army defeated the Pechenegs, St. Sophia Cathedral, the temple of wisdom and divine reason was built, cathedrals were built in Polotsk and Novgorod, the church of the Great Martyr George and St. Irina. It was under Yaroslav that the first Russian monasteries appeared, among them the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery, in the walls of which the chronicle began to develop, books were translated and rewritten.

In 1054, the head of the Russian church was first raised not by the Greek, but by the Russian Metropolitan Hilarion. It was necessary to make the Russian church independent of Byzantium. The "Word of Law and Grace" written by him in solemn form announces that the Christian faith will bring peace and joy to the state.

Enlightenment of Kievan Rus under Yaroslav the Wise

As the chronicles tell, Yaroslav the Wise possessed several foreign languages, read many books. The princely library was the richest. It was with this prince that the ancient Russian state flourished. Yaroslav the Wise was one of the most enlightened rulers of the Kiev state.

The beginning of the Russian chronicle is attributed to the years of the reign of Yaroslav the Wise. According to research, the first chronicle was created around 1037. On its basis, the Kiev-Pechersky monk Nestor created later the Tale of Bygone Years. The creation of the chronicles pursued the goal of uniting Rus around Kiev.

Yaroslav the Wise created the first public library where everyone could take a manuscript and read freely. The prince invited translators from Byzantium who translated ancient, mostly church manuscripts. In many monasteries, educated monks engaged in rewriting books. Theological and historical works, books of Greek and Byzantine authors spread through monasteries, thereby bringing Rus to the culture of the ancient world.

The prince paid attention to education. At many monasteries schools were formed. Yaroslav the Wise himself chose young men in Kiev and Novgorod for training in schools. Created a kind of vocational schools.

All these events fixed the glory of the Enlightener for the prince. The flourishing of the Old Russian state under Yaroslav the Wise was incredible. Briefly historical events of the time are described in this article.

Unfortunately, after the death of the prince, Kievan Rus gradually began to decline. But those events, which managed to implement Yaroslav the Wise, gave Russia a lot. The reign of Yaroslav the Wise - the flourishing of Kievan Rus.