mayor appear together with the state and city in ancient Russia, its main purpose was to carry out such policies in their respective cities, which would be exactly the same as the interests of the Grand Duke and the city aristocracy.
necessary management functions
Old Russian state originates in the ninth century, as a result of successful and vigorous action Novgorod prince Oleg there a single state - Kievan Rus.The territory of the state grew, and there is a need for special people who have represented the prince in the cities.Since the end of the ninth century, of particular importance in the ancient possessions of Novgorod played at one time even speaking rival Kiev on part of the championship in Russia.Unlike other towns, he did not become the lot of a princely family, and retained independence and stood alone among all the possessions of the Grand Prince of Kiev.In order to control the city, Kiev rulers sent their sons there, but it was not always, none of the grand offspring could not gain a foothold there, and there to get the greatest effect posadnicheskoe management and Popular Assembly.It is in the Novgorod and Pskov, these people used the greatest power and could even openly confront the Grand Duke.Thus, posadniki - is, in modern terms, the mayors of ancient Russia.
Features Old Russian control
Why in Novgorod such force had posadniki.There are several reasons.The first is that the city originally emerged as a trade and craft center, and it was due to its natural and geographical location.Vast forests were given a lot of goods that are in demand, the abundance of waterways trade business is very profitable, and, among other things, Novgorod after calling the Vikings and the Swedish-German crusaders had not experienced major external hazards, so the power of the princes, who acted as military commanders andthe judges, the people of Novgorod was not for special need.Therefore, very early became Novgorod mayor elected from among the local population, of course, the most prosperous part at a public meeting - Chamber.Interests major nobility were here in the first place, and in the case of pressure from all Novgorod Kyiv were consolidated front.Identical orders were formed, and in other important centers of Novgorod.
etymology of the term
Generally, the term appeared in the late tenth century and is found in the "Tale of Bygone Years".First Kievan princes sent their representatives to the city, it is of particular importance, and the word comes from the verb "plant".Sometimes there is the term "Posazhennikov" ie "posadniki", a corruption of the word, emphasizing the subordination of certain human prince.For example, Posazhennikov Yaropolk - I mean the mayor appointed grand prince of Kiev Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich.If at the initial stage of the existence of Kievan Rus specially sent to Novgorod grand leaders, the role later posadniks performed and the sons of Russian rulers.But it is in the city on the Volkhov characteristic emphasized it was also called Posadnik, although originally he was a prince, and all the way to the town of feudal fragmentation has always shown its special status, and Kievan rulers were forced to reckon with.
Autonomy northwest Russia and its elimination
In the period of feudal fragmentation Novgorod even more segregated, and from that period, except for the invitation of Alexander Nevsky to reflect the German-Swedish invasion, Novgorod mayor - is only the localknow.Changing city leaders in Russia from Kiev to Vladimir, from Vladimir to Moscow, Novgorod but continues to maintain its fairly broad autonomy, and even the invasion of the Tatars could not fundamentally change this tradition.In the fifteenth century, instead of one mayor elected six, each of which was in charge of specific areas of the urban economy, as well as the chief burgomaster, who was involved in the coordination and the work of all employees, in fact, in modern terms, it was the mayor's office with all its powers.Everything changes with the gradual rise of the Moscow principality, unifying the policies pursued by his princes, could not get around this outpost of medieval liberties.By the end of this century the liberty of Novgorod was crushed Ivan III, who did not want to be in the state self-governing units, the last Governor's Wife Martha Boretsky was with assembly bell taken to Moscow, and from this period the position of mayor was abolished.
new historical realities
As for the other cities, there were posadniki appointment of the central authorities and any meaningful autonomy in the conduct of affairs did not possess.Duties of mayor were not very high, in particular, these include primarily serviceable ensuring receipt of taxes, justice and violence against the local population, respect for law and order in the territory assigned to them, the protection of the city and its beautification.That's what this posadnik in ancient Russia.However, it should be noted that the use of this term is most appropriate in relation to Novgorod and his land, particularly Pskov.With the strengthening of the central government, the post was abolished throughout the territory of Russia, in its place came the magistrates and governors.
