Many facts from the life of one of the greatest rulers of Russia and up to now unknown.Princess Olga, a short biography that has many "blank spots", and today is one of the most odious people of pre-Christian Russia.
origin of Princess Olga
Historians and researchers of life and activity of Olga and today does not come to a consensus about its origins.Several sources of those years give different information about the origin of the future wife of Grand Prince Igor.
So, one of the recognized sources of those times - "The Tale of Bygone Years" - indicates that the future Princess Olga, a short biography which gives accurate data about her parents, was brought from Pskov.
Another source - "The Life of Princess Olga" - claims that she was born in the Pskov region, in the village of Vybuty.There was a commoner girl, this is why the names of her parents remained unknown.
Iokimovskaya chronicle mentions that the future wife of Prince of Kiev was a noble family Izborsk, and its roots go back to the Vikings.
Another version: Olga - the daughter of Prophetic Oleg.
Marriage
Igor Meeting his future wife also shrouded weight discrepancies and puzzles.In "Life," said that the future Princess Olga, a brief biography is sometimes contradictory served in various sources, met her future husband in Pskov, where the prince was hunting.He needed to get across the river and saw the boat, Igor got into it.When the prince found his ferryman - a beautiful girl.All grooming his passenger, she refuses.And when it came time to choose a bride to the prince, he remembered the girl in the boat and sent her messengers to the marriage proposal.Thus she became the wife of Grand Duke of Russian Olga.Princess Kiev, a brief biography is from now traced more clearly, it was a good and wise wife.Already in the short time she gave birth to son Igor - Sviatoslav.
The murder of Igor
Prince Igor was a great conqueror, he was constantly raided with his army to the neighboring land, collecting tribute from the weaker tribes.One of these campaigns was for the Russian prince fatal.In 945, Igor and his entourage went to the neighboring Drevlianys the situation tribute.Taking a lot of wealth, destroying villages and abused by the local population, ancient Russians went home.However, on the way back to the prince with a small number of soldiers decided to go back and re-rob drevlyan land.But local men, making sure that the prince is with a small army, attacked him and killed him.
Revenge Drevlianys
Upon learning of her husband's death at the hands of Drevlyane long mourned Olga.Princess Kiev, a brief biography is described in "The Tale of Bygone Years", it was a wise ruler and his wife.According to the custom of the time was acceptable vendetta.Naturally, Olga could not pass on this tradition.Gathering squad, she began to wait.Soon messengers came from Drevlyane wedding proposal for unification of Russian and Drevlyansky land.The princess agreed - and this was her revenge.
Trusting drevlyans believed her, went to the capital, but were seized, thrown into a pit and covered with earth.So, part of the most courageous and brave Drevlyane was destroyed.The second batch of ambassadors was also put to death by cunning - they burned in the bath.When Olga and his entourage came to the gate Iskorosten, the main town Drevlyane pretext to celebrate a funeral feast (funeral) of Prince she opoila his enemies and chop their squad.According to the chronicler, about five thousand Drevlyane were killed then.
In 946 Princess with the army went to drevlyan land, destroyed them, collected taxes and established a mandatory, fixed tax, but take Iskorosten she did not succeed.The city was impregnable.Then Olga burned the town to the ground by means of pigeons and sparrows, tied to their legs of burning cloth.Pupils tell who this Olga.Brief biography for children younger classes down the full story of revenge.Mainly focuses on years of her reign and the adoption of the Christian faith.
Princess Olga: a brief biography, during the reign of
After Igor's death was succeeded by their son Svyatoslav, but actually all power was concentrated in the hands of his mother, and yet he was young and after his majority.Svyatoslav was a warrior, and spent most of our time in the campaigns.Improvements of land and controlled the territory occupied by Princess Olga.Brief biography of the ruler indicates that this woman founded several towns, including Pskov.Everywhere she ennobled his land, erecting walls around the large settlements, to build a temple in honor of Christian saints.During the reign of Olga excessive taxes have been replaced by fixed charges.
Foreign policy of Princess also deserves attention.Olga has strengthened ties with Germany and Byzantium.Contributed to this, first of all, its acceptance of the Christian faith.
Christening of Princess Olga
first sign of Christianity on Russian soil named Olga.Short biography 4 class pays special attention to this event.In written sources of past years is no uniform date of the Duchess of Christianity.Some call 955 a year, while others - 957 year.
visited Constantinople, Olga not only baptized in the Christian faith, but also renewed trade agreements signed even her late husband.Princess was christened the Emperor Constantine VII and the priest Feofilakt.She called her Helen (according to Christian tradition).
returning home, Olga was trying to attach to the new faith of his son Svyatoslav, but the prince was not inspired by the idea and remained a pagan, fearing condemnation squad.And yet, his mother, he did not forbid to build cathedrals and churches.Olga remained in Kiev, participated actively in the education of grandchildren.Perhaps this fact led to the fact that the son of Svyatoslav, Vladimir, in 988 baptized Rus, thereby uniting it.
in 968 Pechenegs attacked Russian land.Olga was in the besieged capital with their grandchildren.She sent a messenger of Svyatoslav, who was at that time in the next campaign.The prince arrived home, defeated the Pechenegs, but Olga asked her son not to plan the next campaign, so how hard was ill and had a presentiment of imminent end.In 969 Princess Olga died and was buried according to Christian rites.Legend has it that the relics of Grand Duchess were incorruptible.
In the XVI century, Olga was canonized saints.
