The Grand Duke of Kyiv Vsevolod wanted his son to rule the Grand Duchy after him, as the story goes. Vladimir Monomakh, however, did not want civil strife to arise and voluntarily renounced the throne, passing it to his cousin Svyatopolk II Izyaslavich. He went with him on campaigns against the Polovtsians and supported his rule. However, the will of Vsevolod was still destined to come true. Svyatopolk died in 1113.
Beginning of reign
After the death of Svyatopolk, the people revolted against usurers. The noble elite of Kyiv called on Vladimir to reign in the hope of ending the unrest and unrest. He agreed and, as expected, put down the rebellion. Then the new ruler of Kyiv decided to look into the reasons for the discontent of the people. He acted as a mediator of the contradictions of different social strata of the population. By his will, a number of norms regarding the law of debt were adjusted.
Vladimir Monomakh issued a charter, thanks to which the situation of the poor class of people greatly improved - the arbitrariness of usurers was prohibited, enslavement due to debts was stopped. Kyiviansfor many years they wanted to see him as the prince of Kyiv, and their expectations were justified.
Vladimir Monomakh: years of reign
From 1067 and 1078, he became the prince of Smolensk and Chernigov, respectively. He was also a writer and military leader. Prince Vladimir Monomakh, whose reign was 1113-1125, ruled the state for 12 years. His mother was Greek. Anna (Maria) Konstantinovna was the daughter of the emperor of Byzantium Constantine IX Monomakh, hence the nickname of the great Kievan prince. The reign of Vladimir was marked by the political and economic strengthening of Russia, there was a flourishing in the field of literature and culture. It was the time of the construction of churches, the creation of chronicles, the Caves Patericon began to be written, which included the lives of many Russian princes. During this period, Daniel describes his journey to Jerusalem.
Vladimir Monomakh was a comprehensively developed and educated person, had a penchant for literary activity. In his “Instruction”, the prince of Kyiv left wise advice to his descendants, he condemned civil strife and called for unity and being a single unshakable people. He did not forget about legislative work, and after Yaroslav the Wise, he finalized it.
Prince's family
Historians suggest that Vladimir had three wives in total. He also had ten sons. He bequeathed the reign to the younger, whose name was Mstislav Udaloy, he ruled for seven years. Vladimir Monomakh, whose reign was marked by a noticeable upsurge in the life of the whole people,was one of the last rulers under whom Russia was united. His sons won many victories and made successful campaigns, were brave warriors and captured cities. These exploits glorified the prince throughout Europe. Vladimir Monomakh, whose portrait is presented below, always stood up for the people, for which the latter respected him very much.
Government policy
Vladimir Monomakh, whose years of rule became one of the calmest for the state, has always been for maintaining peace and against civil strife. As a wise man, he understood that internal discord only harms the state. However, in his desire to keep the peace, he often found himself at the center of controversy. In 1078, he was a participant in the battle on Nezhatina Niva during the resolution of an internecine dispute, the cause of which was the ascension of his father to the throne.
After that, Vladimir became the Prince of Chernigov. Then he handed over the city to Oleg Svyatoslavovich, who wanted to attack and arrange a fight. But Vladimir left Chernigov and moved to Pereslavl. Here the people were very happy with his principality, because in his person they received protection from the excesses of the Polovtsians. Later, Pereslavl was transferred to his younger brother Rostislav, and Vladimir himself moved to Smolensk. He always tried to maintain peace with the princes of specific lands, helped them resist external enemies, was among the initiators and an active participant in congresses.
Of course, Vladimir Monomakh, whose reign was one of the most successful, was decisive and wise, aware of the need to avoid strife andinternecine disputes. Also, the prince was cruel, but fair. He did not tolerate willful rulers who threatened to shake the borders of Russia. He did not hesitate a bit and stopped aggression from both external and internal enemies. Other rulers feared him - the Greek emperor, realizing the growing power of Kievan Rus, presented Vladimir with gifts, among which were a scepter, a hat, ancient barmas and an orb. These items later began to symbolize the reign.
Result of government
Thanks to the reign of Monomakh, Russia has grown stronger, its authority in the eyes of other states has increased. Many Kievans hoped that Vladimir's reforms would affect the system of succession to the throne. However, as a wise ruler, Monomakh saw what could follow such changes in the state foundation - a series of wars and a struggle between all the princes who would not want to lose the right to take over.
Vladimir lived for 73 years. In 1125, on May 19, he went to a church on the banks of the river Alt. It was once built by his own order. He died at the entrance to his beloved church. In the same place, Prince Boris was once killed. The great ruler was buried in the Kiev Sophia Cathedral.
