Prince Vladimir of Kiev played a big role in the history of Russia.Biography and activities of the ruler will be discussed in this article.Svyatoslavich Vladimir, named in baptism Basil - Grand Prince of Kiev, son of Olga's housekeeper, slave Malusha and Svyatoslav Igorevich, great-grandson of Rurik, the first Russian prince.
Svyatoslav shares ownership among his sons
Intending to win definitively Bulgaria Greeks and settle on the Danube in it, Svetoslav divided his possessions among his sons: he gave Kiev Yaropolk (senior) Drevlyane region - Oleg and Vladimir sent to Novgorod,which is not very valued, because it has the power of the princes was then very limited.Svyatoslav campaign ended unsuccessfully, and he died on the way back under the blows of the Pechenegs near the threshold of the Dnieper.Young his sons began to peacefully manage their principalities.
accession to the Kiev region Drevlyane
commander Svyatoslav old Sveneld became chief among nobles Yaropolk.There was unintentional disaster: Lute son Sveneld, drove in Drevlyane area to hunt, with Oleg fell out as a result of which he was killed.Sveneld, angry, Yaropolk persuaded of the fact that he took possession of Oleg.The war began.Oleg was defeated and forced to flee.His flight was pushed into a deep ditch, when the bridge went down his soldiers.Drevlyane area Yaropolk attached to Kiev and began to woo Rogneda, daughter Rogvolda, Prince of Polotsk.
Vladimir decided to kill Yaropolk
hearing of these deeds Yaropolk, Vladimir fled to Varyags Svyatoslavich for the Baltic Sea, noting that Novgorod want to pass Yaropolk.Then the eldest brother sent immediately to Novgorod its governor.Two years have passed, and hired army of swashbuckling Vikings, returned to the city of Vladimir.Novgorod residents own retinues of its strengthened, and Vladimir, strong now decided to kill Yaropolk.
Vladimir captured Polotsk and Kiev, killed Yaropolk Yaropolk
alarmed.At this time, died Sveneld.While preparing for war Yaropolk, he moved to Kiev Saint Vladimir.He sent off the road to Polotsk prince to woo a bride for his brother.However, the proud Rogneda hand "son of the handmaid" rejected.Vladimir, humiliated, and ran to Polotsk.He took the city by storm, killed Rogvolda, as well as his two sons, and took his Rogneda force in marriage.Vladimir of Polotsk appealed to Kiev, besieged the city.Yaropolk, following the advice of fornication, his favorite, who had betrayed him, because he was bribed by the prince of Novgorod decided to flee to relatives.The famine, which began here on tightness, Yaropolk terrified that it was impossible for a long time to defend himself.Credulous prince, following convictions Fornication that must obey, he decided to go to his brother in Kiev.As soon as he came to the threshold Fornication locked the door behind him, and the unhappy prince swords pierced two warriors.
Vladimir Svyatoslavovych then announced that now he is the prince of all the Russian land, and even took a wife for himself Yaropolk's widow, who was pregnant and later gave birth to a baby Svjatopolka.His he adopted Vladimir and began peacefully reign in Kiev.
reign in Kiev, Vladimir
all expect to see in the new Lord of the fierce, brave and courageous warrior.However, Saint Vladimir was not a warlike sovereign.The weapon he used only to strengthen the Union area, subordinated to Kiev, where there were a lot of confusion in the reign of Yaropolk and after the death of Svyatoslav.Wolf Tail, the commander of his newly pacified Vyatichi and Radimichi.Vladimir and his power has subjected Yatvingians Lithuanian tribe and western Volyn towns Cherven, Przemysl and Vladimir-Volyn.Thus, having secured outside Kiev, he tried to consolidate his rule by internal orders.Vladimir laid rivers Trubezh Stugna, Sule, the island, the Desna several new towns for protection from their State of Pecheneg incursions, and to prevent the unruly inhabitants inhabited by immigrants from different places, and thereby deprived the opportunity to rebel.He left out the number who came with him from Novgorod Vikings only a few, but the unruly and violent sent to Greece, asking to take them to the service of the Emperor.Vladimir made his squads largely from the Normans and Slavs.
The worship graven images, the sons of Vladimir
Svyatoslavich Prince Vladimir in Kiev on a hill erected an idol of Perun with gold and silver head mustache.He put the other and bring in pleasing the rich priests sacrifice them.Prince ordered even after defeating Yatvagi kill two Christians in their honor.Vladimir these actions won the love of the people, the priests, the troops, so he forgave all the weaknesses: the hunt for a walk and have fun, lust, luxury.
He instituted a special council of wise elders and boyars, which consulted about the dispensation of law and order.Vladimir had many sons by different wives, he did the rulers in the Principality.Yaroslav he put in Novgorod, born of Rogneda Izyaslav - in Polotsk, Rostov - Boris, Murom - Gleb in Drevlyane region - Svyatoslav, in Volyn - Vsevolod in Tmutarakan - Mstislav and adopted nephew Svyatopolk - in Turov.They are implicitly dependent on Vladimir and did not dare svoevolnichat against him, as the first Norman princes.
Vladimir chooses faith
However, God has been pleased to give glory to Saint Vladimir the Apostle of Russia.It was he finish what was started Askold and Dir.Vladimir saw that ridiculous worship of graven images.He watched the priests and deceptions gross superstition of the people.He also noticed that it was all over I will plant Christianity: in Poland, Sweden and Bulgaria, however, is still not in a hurry to take the plunge.It is said that Vladimir had long different faith, spoke with Catholic priests, Muslims and Jews, sent to Constantinople and Rome after reviewing the service, and finally decided to take on the Greek faith, which many of its citizens have professed and which could give other than Orthodoxy and sanctity, big gains in relations with the Byzantines.
first embassy in Constantinople
Prince Vladimir of Kiev to Constantinople (Constantinople) embassy, but with the stipulation that the award for the baptism of Constantine and Basil, the Greek emperor, gave his sister, Princess Anne, for him.Otherwise, they threatened war.Anna was afraid to be a wife poluvarvara and Greeks have rejected the proposal ambassadors.Vladimir, Grand Duke of Kiev, angry and gathered a large army, which went to Tauris on the Dnieper.There was Kherson (Sevastopol), a wealthy Greek city.Since it joined the Khazars and Pechenegs.The city was forced to surrender.
second embassy
new embassy with the requirements of the prince arrived in Constantinople, promising to return if adopted Kherson and threatened for refusing to invade in the very Greece.He fell silent pride of the Greeks, and the princess agreed.She was sent with his entourage in Kherson.Vladimir, Grand Prince of Kiev, was baptized, combined with Anna married and returned to Kiev.
Vladimir draws people to the Christian faith
Now residents have seen at the behest of his former gods racked, flogged, cut, dragged to the shame of the capital.On the appointed day, the prince ordered everyone to gather at the banks of the Dnieper to the adoption of the new faith.Vladimir, accompanied by Anna, the clergy and nobles, was solemnly.People entered the river, and thus the people of Kiev were baptized.At the place where he stood before the altar of Perun, he built the Church of St. Basil Prince Vladimir.The adoption of Christianity occurred in 988.In all Russian regions were sent preachers.Such an order gave Prince Vladimir and Kievan Rus adopted the Christian faith after a short resistance Gentiles (especially Rostovtsev and Vyatichi).
further the reign of Vladimir
further reign of the ruler was marked with numerous deeds.Prince Vladimir of Kiev started a school for children, issued Kormchaia (Charter of the ecclesiastical courts), erected in Kiev cathedral church and ordered to give him forever tenth of all their income, so it was called tithes.
Vladimir subsequently lived peacefully with the neighboring nations.He concluded with Boleslav, the Polish king, the union married Svyatopolk, his nephew, his daughter.
his peaceful reign lasted 27 years.The silence was broken only by the attack Pechenegs.Grown up children, Vladimir, but he obeyed.However, at the end of the life of Vladimir offended s willful Yaroslav, Prince of Novgorod, which is pleasing proud and restless Novgorod refused to pay tribute, and at the request of his father in Kiev was not.Then Prince Vladimir of Kiev gathered troops and went on a campaign himself, but fell ill and died in Berestove in 1015, on July 15.Saint Vladimir was canonized.
further reign Kievan princes were noted even greater spread of Christianity, and a desire to unite the land.
Do not confuse this with another ruler, Vladimir II.
Kiev Prince Vladimir Monomakh ruled from 1113 by 1125.As for Vladimir Svyatoslav (which was discussed in this article), the Kiev he ran for 978 in 1015.He earned the nickname Red Sun.It Vladimir I, baptized Rus (years of life - approx. 960-1015).Prince Vladimir of Kiev ll lived from 1053 by 1125.
