There are several versions of the origin of the Slavs. During the Great Migration of Nations, a huge number of tribes from central and eastern Europe headed west. Various hypotheses suggest that the Slavs descended from the Antes, Wends and Sklavens in the 5th-6th centuries. Over time, this large mass was divided into three groups: western, southern and eastern. Representatives of the latter settled on the territory of modern Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Eastern Slavs were not a single people. This was not possible due to differences in climate and living conditions. There were 15 tribal unions of the Eastern Slavs. Despite their relative kinship and close proximity, their relationship was not always friendly.
For the convenience of classification, researchers often group the tribal unions of the Eastern Slavs. The table will help to understand the numerous names of these prototypes of states. In the IX-X centuries. they all united in Russia under the leadership of the princes of Kyiv.
| Northern tribal unions | Slovene, Krivichi, Polotsk |
| Central tribal unions | Dregovichi, Radimichi, Vyatichi |
| Western tribal unions | Volynians, white Croats, Buzhans |
| Southern tribal unions | Drevlyans, dulebs, glade, northerners, street, Tivertsy |
Northern tribal unions
Slovenes lived in the very north of this ecumene. In historiography, the definition of "Ilmensky" was also fixed - by the name of the lake around which they settled. Later, a large city of Novgorod would appear here, which, along with Kyiv, became one of the two political centers of Russia. This tribal union of the Eastern Slavs was one of the most developed due to trade with neighboring peoples and countries on the shores of the B altic Sea. Their frequent conflicts with the Varangians (Vikings) are known, which is why Prince Rurik was invited to reign.
South settled another tribal union of Eastern Slavs - Krivichi. They settled in the upper reaches of several large rivers: the Dnieper, the Western Dvina and the Volga. Their main cities were Smolensk and Izborsk. Polotsk and Vitebsk lived Polotsk.
Central tribal unions
Vyatichi lived on the largest tributary of the Volga - the Oka. It was the easternmost tribal union of the Eastern Slavs. Archaeological monuments of the Romano-Borshchev culture remained from the Vyatichi. They were mainly engaged in agriculture and trade with the Volga Bulgars.
To the west of the Vyatichi and south of the Krivichi lived Radimichi. They owned land between the Desna and Dnieper rivers in modern Belarus. There are almost no written sources left from this tribe - only mentionsmore developed neighbors.
Dregovichi lived even west of the Radimichi. To the north of them began the possession of the wild people of Lithuania, with whom the Slavs had constant conflicts. But even such a relationship had a great influence on the Dregovichi, who adopted many B altic habits. Even their language has changed and borrowed new words from their northern neighbors.
Western tribal unions
Volhynians and White Croats lived in the far west. They were even mentioned by the Byzantine emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus (in his book "On the Management of the Empire"). He believed that it was this tribal union of the Eastern Slavs that was the ancestor of the Balkan Croats who lived on the borders with his state.
Volynians are also known as Buzhans, who got their name from the Western Bug River. They were mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years.
Southern tribal unions
The Black Sea steppes have become home to the streets and Tivertsy. These tribal unions ended up on the southern borders of the settlement of the Eastern Slavs. They lived in the steppe and constantly fought with local nomads of Turkic origin - the Pechenegs and Polovtsy. The Slavs failed to win this confrontation, and in the second half of the 10th century they finally left the Black Sea region, settling in the lands of the Volhynians and mixing with them.
Northerners lived in the southeast of the Slavic ecumene. They differed from other tribesmen in the narrow shape of the face. They were greatly influenced by their steppe nomad neighbors, with whom the northerners mutually assimilated. Until 882 thesethe tribes were tributaries of the Khazars until Oleg annexed them to his state.
Drevlyane
Drevlyans settled in the forests between the Dnieper and Pripyat. Their capital was Iskorosten (now there is a settlement left of it). The Drevlyans had a developed system of relationships within the tribe. In fact, this was an early form of state with its own prince.
For some time, the Drevlyans argued with their neighbors-polyans for supremacy in the region, and the latter even paid tribute to them. However, after Oleg united Novgorod and Kyiv, he also subjugated Iskorosten. His successor, Prince Igor, died at the hands of the Drevlyans, after he demanded surplus tribute from them. His wife Olga brutally took revenge on the rebels by setting Iskorosten on fire, which was never restored.
The names of the tribal unions of the Eastern Slavs often have analogues in different sources. For example, the Drevlyans are also described as the Duleb tribal union, or Dulebs. They left the Zimnovskoye settlement, which was destroyed by the aggressive Avars in the 7th century.
Meadows
The middle course of the Dnieper was chosen by the clearing. It was the strongest and most influential tribal union. Excellent natural conditions and fertile soil allowed them not only to feed themselves, but also to successfully trade with their neighbors - to equip fleets, etc. It was through their territory that the path “From the Varangians to the Greeks” passed, which gave them big profits.
Kyiv, located on the high bank of the Dnieper, became the center of the glades. Its walls served as a reliable defense against enemies. Who were neighborstribal unions of the Eastern Slavs in these parts? Khazars, Pechenegs and other nomads who wanted to impose tribute on a settled people. In 882, Prince Oleg of Novgorod captured Kyiv and created a unified East Slavic state, moving his capital here.
