Yaropolk Vladimirovich, whose years of life date back to 1082-1139, was the son of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir Monomakh (before that, Prince of Smolensk, Chernigov, Pereyaslavsky). Under his rule, the once united Old Russian state, called Kievan Rus, collapsed. According to approximate data, Yaropolk was born in Chernigov. Monomakh in 1113, having received the throne of Kyiv, a year after the death of his son Svyatoslav, makes Yaropolk the prince of Pereyaslavsky, who becomes a participant in numerous campaigns against the Polovtsians. And in 1116 they together opposed Prince Gleb of Minsk. Yaropolk maintained a close relationship with his already elderly father. He and his eldest son Mstislav Monomakh were entrusted with the command of the troops.
Yaropolk Vladimirovich: a brief description of his life
In 1116, Yaropolk married Elena, who gave him a son, Vasilko Yaropolkovich. After Prince Mstislav died in 1132, who inherited the throne after his father, the people of Kiev called Yaropolk to the capital and declared him their sovereign. He was then 49 years old, and it was already quite an advanced age for those years.
After that, Yaropolk Vladimirovich cedes Pereyaslavl to the son of Mstislav Vsevolod. However, this prince, who did not have time to appear there, was exiled literally a few hours later by his uncle, Prince Yuri Vladimirovich of Suzdal and Rostov (nicknamed Dolgoruky), who was in an allied agreement with his brother Andrei. Yuri was afraid that in the end Yaropolk would choose Vsevolod as his heir. But Yaropolk reassures his brothers by giving this land to another nephew, Prince Izyaslav Mstislavovich of Polotsk. And he decided to send Vsevolod to the specific principality to the Ladoga, Novgorod and Pskovites, but they also did not want to accept him at first, but then changed their minds, returned their exile, but limited his power.
Yaropolk Vladimirovich: domestic and foreign policy
Kyiv and its environs were under the control of Yaropolk, who was a courageous and strong warrior and no less gifted commander, but a very weak politician. Yaropolk 2 Vladimirovich could not prevent the collapse of the state into separate small principalities. At the same time, when Izyaslav left to reign in Pereyaslavl, the Polotsk squads, taking advantage of this moment, expelled his brother Svyatopolk from the throne and recognized Prince Vasilko Rogvolodovich as their ruler.
Such changes have become an occasion for discontent and unrest throughout the district. In order to please the brothers, Yaropolk Vladimirovich makes Izyaslav Mstislavovichcede Pereyaslavl in order to give him Minsk, Turov and Pinsk in return. Pereyaslavl was taken over by Yuri Dolgoruky, for which he paid with part of the Suzdal and Rostov lands.
Apple of Discord
From that moment on, a strong enmity began between the descendants of Vladimir Monomakh (the Monomashichs) and the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavovich (the Olgoviches). This became the main sorrow of Russia, as continuous internecine wars began, which continued for a whole century.
Novgorodians, reconciling others, often themselves could not get along with each other. As a result, they gathered the Ladoga and Pskov townspeople and decided to condemn and expel Prince Vsevolod Mstislavovich. They kept him under arrest in the bishop's house for seven weeks. He was released only when Svyatoslav Olgovich, elected by the people, came to Novgorod to reign. But a riot arose in the city almost immediately, which was organized by supporters of Vsevolod.
Irreconcilable enmity
Novgorodians did not want to hear anything about Vsevolod, but the Pskovites accepted him with sincere respect. Then Svyatoslav, having called Gleb from Kursk and the Polovtsy to his allies, temporarily separates Novgorod from Pskov, thanks to which the newly minted Pskov principality was formed, the throne of which was first taken by Vsevolod-Gabriel, and then after his death in 1138 - Svyatopolk Mstislavovich.
Novgorodians, having elected Prince Svyatoslav as their ruler, declare themselves enemies of Yaropolk. And then they also expel Svyatoslav, but fearing the revenge of the Olgovichi,the boyars and the princess are left as a pledge and Monomakh's grandson, Rostislav Georgievich (son of Dolgoruky), is called to Novgorod.
Reconciliation
For a very long time the war between the clans of the Olgovichi and Monomashich continued. The Olgovichi were especially rampant in the southern part of Russia and soon took the city of Priluki in order to get closer to Kyiv and besiege it. But Yaropolk made a return move and threw them away, and he himself approached Chernigov. The townspeople prayed to Prince Vsevolod Olgovich to reconcile with Yaropolk, and then peace was concluded.
After that, Yaropolk returns to his capital city of Kyiv, where he dies at the age of 57 on February 18, 1139. His throne passes to his brother Vyacheslav.
According to the ancient chroniclers, the reign of Yaropolk was also marked by the fact that the Principality of Galicia with the capital Galich was formed on the banks of the Dniester. The ambitious son of Volodar, Vladimirko (Vladimir), sat on his princely throne.
Conclusion
Unlike his father and older brother Mstislavovich, Yaropolk was not a good diplomat and did not have the authority to be able to keep his state from disintegrating. Bold and courageous in his youth, in his advanced years he became overly cautious in making important decisions, and therefore could not prevent the struggle of two forces.
By the time of his death, such cities as Novgorod, Polotsk and Chernihiv were out of his control. Only the Rostov-Suzdal Principality remained loyal to Kyiv.
