Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna rules in Kievan Rus after the death of her husband, Igor Rurikovich before age son Svyatoslav.Has Christianity named Elena.History does not keep the information about the date of birth of the princess, but in the degree of the book it is reported that she died probably in eighty years.Impeccable and wise policy of Princess Olga made her famous historical figure virtually worldwide.
Life Path
Reliable information about the place of her birth is not.Chroniclers and modern historians put forward various suggestions on this matter.As close to the truth is the adoption of Nestor the Chronicler in the "Tale of Bygone Years", it comes from a simple family, who lived in a small village Vybuty located on the Pskov land.But no matter where Olga was born and of whatever tribe it belongs, the wisdom of its policies and actions are an essential part of Slavic history.
Before the death of Igor virtually no information about the princess not.The death of her husband pushed her into first place in the life of Kievan Rus, because Svyatoslav was three years, and the princes of it, of course, was not fit.She took over the management of the state, who was at that time in an extremely difficult situation, and for 19 years, fully cope with all the problems.The internal and external policies of Olga created a unified state with an international reputation.
Revenge Drevlianys
beginning of her reign may be considered vengeance on the murderers of Igor, which consisted of four parts.The first place was the burial of Princess Ambassadors Drevlyansky alive.The reason was their offer to marry off her their prince Mal.Then she burned alive in the bath Drevlyane nobles who arrived after the first.The third time, Olga opoila 5000 on funeral feast their fellow man, and then it all broke in a small squad.The final stage of revenge was burning city Iskorosten.
In these acts, in addition to the cruel vengeance, there is also a deeper meaning.Olga was supposed to show how well-wishers and enemies that she was not a weak woman, and strong ruler."The hair is long and short minds" - so said about women in those days.Therefore, it had to demonstrate their wisdom and knowledge in military affairs, in order to prevent the occurrence of any conspiracy behind her.The second time the Princess did not want to get married, she chose to remain a widow.
Thus, it became clear that internal and external policies of Olga will be wise and fair.In fact, this bloody revenge was aimed at the abolition of the power of the dynasty Mala, submission Drevlyane Kiev and the suppression of the nobility of the neighboring principalities.
reforms and the introduction of Christianity
after revenge Drevlianys Princess set clear rules for the collection of tribute.It helped to prevent outbreaks of discontent, as a result of one of them killed her husband.Close to large cities were introduced graveyards.It is in these administrative and economic power and the cells collected tribute.
external and internal policies Olga has always aimed at centralization of government, as well as consolidation and strengthening of the Russian lands.
The name Olga bind not only the construction of St. Nicholas Church, and the church of St. Sophia in Kiev.Although she was the first to adopt Christianity, began to read its holy presumably not before the XIII century.
external and internal policies, Olga describes it not as a defenseless woman, but as a strong and wise ruler who firmly and confidently holds the authority over the whole country.She wisely defended his people from enemies, for what people loved and respected.In addition, the sovereign of which had already mentioned a lot of positive qualities, she was still attentive and generous to the poor people.
Domestic Policy
While the Empress was in power in Kievan Rus was peace and order.Domestic policy of Princess Olga was closely intertwined with the dispensation of spiritual and religious life of the Russian people.
One of the most important of its achievements has been the introduction of organized items to collect tribute, on which later, after the adoption of Christianity ruler, local graveyards began to erect the first churches and temples.Since then began the development of stone construction.The first such buildings become rural and urban tower palace belonging to the Empress.Remains of walls and foundations have been excavated by archaeologists only in the early 70-ies of XX century.
Internal policy of Princess Olga is inextricably linked to strengthening the country's defense.Cities then literally overgrown with oak and stone walls.
relations with neighboring kingdoms
Of particular note is the foreign policy of Olga.The table below contains the main acts princess.
When the ruler of the state of affairs established in Kievan Rus, she began to strengthen the international prestige of the country.Foreign policy of Princess Olga was diplomatic, unlike her husband.
At the beginning of his reign, she was baptized, and her godfather was the Byzantine emperor.These developments have contributed to raising the prestige of Kievan Rus among the rulers of other countries, for godfathers get into such a man seemed unreal.
Basically, the foreign policy of Princess Olga was aimed at improving relations with Byzantium.And it is she good at it.For what part of the Russian troops took part, together with the Byzantine army in combat, while maintaining the independence of the state.
in 968 Kiev was attacked by the Pechenegs.Defense of the city led the Princess herself, so he was relieved of the siege.
During the reign of Olga were formed conditions created by the advantage of conducting foreign policy of peace before the war, if such was necessary.
attempts to establish relations with the German Empire
Over time, friendly relations with the Byzantine Empire began to weaken, and Olga decided to find a strong ally.His choice she stopped to Germany.
In 959 Princess sent Russian embassy to Otto I with a request to provide priests for the introduction of Christianity in Kievan lands, as well as the proposal of friendship and peace.
He responded to the appeals of Olga, and in 961 it arrived a few priests, headed by Adalbert.However, its activities expand in the Kiev area they did not succeed, because the end of his life, Olga has had such an impact as before.
In 964, power shifted to Svyatoslav, which radically changed the tactics of public policy.Moreover, it must be said, not for the better.
