Interest in the history of the Slavic tribes, in particular the eastern branch, is growing every day today. Regularly, theories and hypotheses appear in the press that break the established facts, refute them or confirm them. Disputes go around the question of which city bore the title of the capital of ancient Russia. Let's try to figure it out.
The legends of antiquity deep
If you believe the legends and chronicles that have come down to us from time immemorial, it was Kyiv that was the mother of Russian cities. The Polyana princes united the tribes of the Slavs and founded a city on the mountain, which they declared their residence. From about the fifth century (the date of the founding of the modern Ukrainian capital), the city grew and developed, and the country grew stronger with it. When the Varangians landed on the steep banks of the Dnieper, Kyiv was already a well-known trading center in the region. The Ruriks did a lot for the founding 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 andfounded 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 we alth and power of Kyiv faded away, there were a large number of cities that began to call themselves capital cities. Instead of the Kyiv principality, which had lost its primacy, others entered the world arena: Smolensk, Novgorod-Seversk, Ryazan, Chernigov, Vladimir-Suzdal, and later Moscow. Therefore, the capital of ancient Russia was not alone.
Golden-domed Kyiv
If a teacher at a history lesson asks a student, name the capital of ancient Russia, he will not hesitate to answer that it is Kyiv. The golden-domed 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 until the time of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and its destruction by Batu Khan, it played an exceptional role in the life of the region. Therefore, in 1020, the capital of ancient Russia is Kyiv.
Rising from the ashes, although he became dependent on stronger neighbors, he still grew and developed without losing his beautiful face. However, all the same, the city remained the main one in the memory of the people, since cultural and spiritual life was concentrated in it.
Veliky Novgorod
Its story begins around the turn of the ninth and tenth centuries. Although archaeologists suggest that people settled on the territory of modern Novgorodmuch earlier than is commonly thought. This city, founded by the Slavs, was built following the example of Kyiv. A similar Sophia Cathedral was erected here, a courtyard, a spacious square for public gatherings. This capital of ancient Russia from the moment of its foundation acted as a rich trading city with a special culture, democracy and customs. But still, he paid tribute to Kyiv and sent his warriors at the request of the capital princes.
When Kyiv 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 and sank in luxury for a long time.
Other capitals
Some researchers identify four capitals of ancient Russia. This is:
Kyiv
We have considered the first two cities. In the XI century (1020), the capital of ancient Russia was the city of Kyiv, and it was the main one until the Mongols captured it in 1240. Since then, the medieval state has ceased to exist, and therefore talking about its main cities is meaningless.
Ladoga and Vladimir-on-Klyazma
Staraya Ladoga today is a small village where Rurik settled for two years before he was called to Novgorod. It is the stay of the legendary prince that gives the right to attribute the city to the number of capitals of the ancient state. However, there is one thing, as archaeologists confirm that the city was founded by the Varangians, andThe population consisted mainly of immigrants from Scandinavia. The rest of the ancient capitals of Russia, such as Novgorod, Vladimir and Kyiv, were erected and inhabited by the Slavs, therefore they have more rights to be called the main cities. Yes, and the state as such did not yet exist, it arose later, when Prophetic Oleg entered the city of Kiya.
Vladimir is the city that Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky chose for himself after his campaign against Kyiv. The principality at that time was powerful and rich, so the title of capital city gave Vladimir-on-Klyazma even greater prosperity. This was the beginning of the construction of cathedrals and temples, luxurious 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 its de facto supremacy, but formally remained the capital.
Instead of afterword
We examined the ancient capitals of Russia, which were officially recognized as such. These are ancient settlements with a rich history and beautiful legends. On their territory, even today you can see majestic buildings that will remind you of the past 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 attractions that were built by the best craftsmen in Europe.
What is the capital of Ancient Russia? You will not hear a single answer, because every city is worthy to bear this title, like many other cities that were the capitals of specific principalities, they are still pearls on the world map today.
