One of the most contradictory and controversial figures among the rulers of ancient Russia was the Prince of Kiev Yaropolk I of Kiev.His biography is replete with a variety of puzzles and questions, although he ruled the country a relatively short period of time.Who is he - a tyrant and fratricide or slandered an innocent victim of the intrigues of his younger brother?
Early Years
Translation behalf Yaropolk with the Old Slavonic language linguists interpreted as a "shining among the people."The exact date of birth and the name of his mother's history is unknown.Some scientists believe the birth date of Yaropolk 945.But their opponents say that this version is completely untenable, since at the time of the generally accepted view of his father was only three years.Some experts have suggested that he was the son of Princess Ugric Predslava, like his brother Oleg.
Father Yaropolk was Grand Prince of Kiev Svyatoslav, famous for the many victories over their enemies.In particular, the great commander defeated Mighty Khazar Khanate and the Bulgarian kingdom on the Danube.
first time in the chronicles name appears Yaropolk in 968.It is in the absence of Prince Svyatoslav occurred raid Pechenegs to Kiev, during which the young prince locked himself in the palace with his grandmother Olga and brothers.
In 970, his father left him as the eldest son, manage Kiev, and he moved to the next campaign beyond the Danube.This time he had a chance to come to grips with himself emperor John Tzimiskes romeyskoy.Great Prince of Kiev Svyatoslav was forced to retreat.But on the way home was killed by the Byzantines bribed Pecheneg Khan Qurei.Russian earth began to rule his three sons, Vladimir, Oleg, Yaropolk, the latter of which became the Grand Duke.
reign of Yaropolk Yaropolk
Svyatoslavich became Grand Prince of Kiev in 972, after the death of his father.His brothers - Oleg and Vladimir began to reign, respectively, Drevlyane and Novgorod lands.But the older they initially recognized Yaropolk.
contemporaries regarded Yaropolk rather brave warrior than a wise ruler.However, despite this, he still tried to be active both internal and external policies.
direction of foreign policy
Yaropolk's foreign policy has largely been focused on the countries of Western Europe.Evidence of this is the embassy sent in 973 by Germany to the court of Holy Roman Emperor Otto II Ginger.According to one version, Yaropolk was engaged to his cousin Cunegonde.With a sufficient degree of probability it can be argued that the rapprochement with Germany was aimed at creating an alliance against the Czech Republic and Poland.
But Byzantium young prince behaved much more cautiously, remembering the treachery of the Romans towards his father.
Yaropolk Christianity
causes a lot of discussion is the question of the role of Christianity in the life of Prince Yaropolk.Many historians believe that he was baptized secretly or even openly professed Christian faith.But one thing is clear: Yaropolk Svyatoslavich pretty loyal to the Christians did not pursue them, unlike other rulers of the pagan countries, permitted to celebrate the cult that satisfactory population professing the faith of their ancestors.It is believed that the embassy to the Emperor Otto II one of its goals puts the future of the baptism of Rus.
Certainly, a significant role in relation to Christianity played Yaropolk raise his grandmother Olga, who took romeyskoy faith in Constantinople.
However, during the reburial of his brother Yaropolk and Oleg Prince Yaroslav the Wise ordered a baptism over their remains.This fact suggests either stay in paganism Yaropolk until his death, or that Yaroslav did not know about the baptism of her uncle.
Setting Yaropolk
most prominent figure in the surrounding Yaropolk was certainly Sveneld governor.Most historians agree on its Scandinavian origins.A prominent role he began to play more when Yaropolk grandfather - Prince Igor Rurik.When Svyatoslav Sveneld became one of the most powerful men in Russia, he had his own squad, collecting tribute, went with Prince hiking across the Danube.It is believed that when Yaropolk was he actually ran the affairs of state.Sveneld had two sons - Lute and taking revenge.
Fornication - one of the most important governor under Prince Yaropolk.Perhaps he brought to the role after the death Sveneld.Later this man betrayed Yaropolk.
Varyazhko - combatant Yaropolk, which, one might say, it cemented the bonds of friendship.He was extremely loyal to the prince.
Family
As mentioned above, according to one version, it is believed that Yaropolk I of Kiev was engaged to the daughter of Count Kuno von Enengena Cunegonde, but for some reason, the wedding did not take place.He also courted the daughter of Polotsk prince Rogvolod - Rogneda, but after the capture of Polotsk and the murder of her father, Vladimir himself forcibly took the princess in marriage.
But the prince Yaropolk I of Kiev was still married to a Greek woman of some, whose name history is silent.Most likely, she was captured as a trophy of his father during the Transdanubian campaigns.The Chronicle says that at the time of the death of her husband she was pregnant and was taken as a concubine of his brother Vladimir.In this case, it turns out that her son, the future Duke of Kiev Svyatopolk the Accursed, is a child of Yaropolk.Despite this, he was adopted by Vladimir.However, according to another version, he considered his family scion.
Murder Oleg
Meanwhile, dissension broke out between Yaropolk and his brother Oleg, who ruled in Ovruch.Beginning of the conflict marked the assassination of his son Prince Drevlyansky magistrates Sveneld - Lute.Reason to believe that he was hunting without permission in favor of Oleg, that medieval norm is quite serious misconduct.
Sveneld naturally harbored anger and constantly demanded to go to war against Yaropolk's brother, in order to call to account.Finally, the Prince of Kiev, gave way.In 977, the campaign was organized, during which the squad Oleg was defeated, and he himself was killed in the confusion of battle.
Yaropolk Svyatoslavich about this a lot grieved.But here there is a question about his role in the event.According to one version, he was just a puppet in the hands of his omnipotent magistrates, and on the other - he masterminded the capture Drevlyansky land.In the second version of the truth indicates references Yaropolk himself during mourning for Oleg, he sent Lute hunt in lands brother.The purpose of such an act would be one - to provoke a fratricidal war.However, the sum of all the other evidence suggests that the most likely Yaropolk was the plaything of her surroundings.
Speech against Vladimir Yaropolk
learns about the death of Oleg in the war against Yaropolk, the prince of Novgorod, Vladimir decided that the next blow will cause the older brother of his possessions.It was therefore decided to flee to Scandinavia.There Saint Vladimir gained a strong Varangian guards and moved it to his brother.
Meanwhile Yaropolk had time to establish his authority over Novgorod.But Vladimir is easily regained the city itself.On the way to Kiev, as mentioned above, he pitched an ally of Yaropolk - Polotsk prince Rogvolod, burned his capital city, and the daughter Rogneda previously betrothed to his elder brother, married.From this marriage was born the future later Grand Prince of Kiev, Yaroslav the Wise.
Next Vladimir with his army came to Kiev.Voivod Fornication, which took place most likely dead by the time Sveneld treacherously went to conspire Novgorod Prince Yaropolk and persuaded to leave the capital city.He took refuge in a well protected small town native, on the river Ros.
Death
Yaropolk Yaropolk Vladimir besieged.The city began a severe famine.Through the mediation of Fornication Novgorod prince persuaded his brother to go to negotiate with him.Although druzhinnik Varyazhko sharply opposed it, suspecting that something was wrong.When Yaropolk came to the place of negotiations, he treacherously killed two Scandinavians of the Novgorod troops.It happened in the 978 year.
still attend debates on the role of Vladimir in the murder of his brother.Many historians are trying to idealize the image of the future Baptist of Russia and lay the blame on the arbitrariness of the Vikings.But, most likely, an order to murder was given the name of Vladimir.Anyway, his biography is full of a lot of other facts, lets say baptist Russia could easily do it.
role in the history of Yaropolk
between historians still heated debate about who was Yaropolk: main provocateur internecine conflict or the victim of the powerful politicians and magistrates predatory brothers?Rules it is much less than other Kievan princes.Table chronology of the Board devotes his reign only six years.While Oleg ran their possessions 30 years, Igor - 33 years old, Svyatoslav - 27 years, and Vladimir - as many as 37 years.
| name Prince | the reign |
| Oleg | 882-912 |
| Igor | 912-945 |
| Svyatoslav | 945-972 |
| Yaropolk | 972-978 |
| Vladimir | 978-1015 |
It also remains unclear what would happen to Christianity in Russia, is obsessed with Prince Yaropolk Svyatoslavovych victory over my brother?And all would have developed the fate of the Russian government in this case?But history does not know the subjunctive mood.One thing is clear: the identity and role of the Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatoslav Yaropolk waiting for more proper assessment of their future.
