Yaroslav the Wise - Kiev prince, who ruledthroughout 1019-1054 Also occupied the place of the ruler of the Rostov and Novgorod lands. He was one of the sons of the Baptist of Russia, Vladimir the Great. Yaroslav's mother is the princess of Polotsk Rogneda Rogvolodovna.
Prince's biography
The future ruler was born in about 980.At baptism he was given the name George. The wife of the prince became Olav Ingigerd - the daughter of the Swedish king. After the Battle of Deciduous, domestic and foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise was aimed at increasing the popularity of Christianity among the people. Thus, he continued the work of his father.
The nickname the wise he got for hislegislative and educational affairs. In childhood, little Yaroslav was limping, since at birth one leg was a little shorter than the other. Because of this physical condition, the father did not take the boy with him to the hunt.
In order to somehow entertain himself, Jaroslav foundconsolation in reading books. Due to this, he became the first educated person who knew the letter. You can also find in ancient sources information about the prince, where he was called "Lame". True, it was not Kiev Slavs who called him that, but enemies.
The domestic and foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise was distinguished by prudence and benefited the Russian people. That is why, at that time, the correctness of the expression strengthened: “Lame means wise.”
Первым периодом жизни Ярослава стала борьба за Kiev. When he reached adulthood, Vladimir Svyatoslavich appointed him Rostov prince. After the sudden death of Vysheslav, Yaroslav the Wise became the Novgorod ruler.
Когда Владимир Великий умер, между его сыновьями there was a struggle for the throne of Kiev. The events of internecine war are described in The Tale of Bygone Years. Kiev was captured by Svyatopolk I the Accursed, who was the prince of Turov. He, having the goal to remove all rivals, kills the brothers Yaroslav the Wise. And I would get to the last, but the Kiev prince warned about the danger of his sister Predslava.
Domestic policy
At the beginning of his reign, the prince put a lot of effort into improving the literacy of his subjects. A school for boys was established in Novgorod, in which children were taught the church business.
He bought folios, and the monks translated them. Soon these books began to serve as textbooks for Slavic people. During the excavations, historians discovered manuscripts in which children studied spelling.
The internal policy of Yaroslav the Wise, in short, was also aimed at urban planning. The capital of Kievan Rus beauty, one might say, competed with Constantinople.
In honor of the long-awaited victory over the nomads in1037 was built the famous St. Sophia Cathedral. Thus, Kiev reached the same level as Byzantium, where temples with this name also existed. Not less significant cathedrals were erected in Yuriev, Pskov and other Russian cities. Also Yaroslav the Wise were founded cities such as Yaroslavl (one located in Poland, the other on the Volga).
Prince's foreign policy
Правитель Киевской Руси в первую очередь worried about the security of the inhabitants of the state, because the neighboring principalities and strove to conquer large territories. Therefore, the domestic and foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise was to strengthen the protection, but not by building castles and walls around the country, but by non-aggression treaties, hikes and bribes.
Also, the prince cared about the authority of the statein the international arena. First, Yaroslav and Mstislav made a trip to Poland, during which Cherven cities were fought off. Later he was interested in the Baltics, where the Chudi tribe lived. Here in 1030, the prince founded the city of Yuriev, now it is called Tartu.
Creating a single army of Novgorod, Kievsquads and mercenary Varyags, he dealt a devastating blow to the Pechenegs. Similar campaigns were also carried out on Lithuania, Yatvyagov, Mazovia and, of course, Byzantium. All of the above campaigns were successful, except the last. Most likely, because this campaign was headed by the son of the Wise.
A feature of his policies were dynasticmarriages. He gave his sister and children for foreign monarchs and princes. He himself was married to the daughter of the Swedish ruler Olaf. His sister married the king of Poland - Casimir, daughter Anna became the wife of Henry I, Elizabeth - wife of Harold the Bold, Anastasia - Andrey I. Sons Izyaslav and Vsevolod, in turn, became husbands of Polish and Byzantine princesses.
Development of culture in Kievan Rus
"The Tale of Bygone Years" is almostthe main source of information on the prince's educational activities. It states that the policy of Yaroslav the Wise in the field of culture was based on the translation of a large number of historical books from Greek into Russian. This is not surprising, since the ruler himself was very fond of reading, which is why he was called the Wise. Translations of books laid the foundation for the creation of the first library in the St. Sophia Church, and therefore the development of science and education among the peoples of Kievan Rus.
Grand Duke was created a collection of laws"Russian Truth". This set became the main source of legal, economic and social relations of the Slavs. During his reign, painting and architecture developed.
Building temples
The policy of Yaroslav the Wise in relation to the churchwas positive, moreover, he tried his best to spread Christianity among the people. By his order in 1036-1037. the famous Golden Gate and the Church of the Annunciation were built. In addition, the Cathedral of St. Sophia and two monasteries - Saints George and Irina were erected. An example of these structures were the architectural structures of Jerusalem and Constantinople.
Yaroslav the Wise made Illarion the first KievMetropolitan. It is not known for certain whether this event was in 1050 or in 1054, but the main thing are the acts committed by this person. Hilarion defended the independence of Russia from Constantinople and the independence of the Kiev diocese.
Historical meaning
What was the policy of Yaroslav the Wise?The conclusion from the knowledge gained can be drawn as follows: the lands of Kievan Rus flourished during the reign of the prince, this is indisputable. The actions of an intelligent ruler were for the benefit of people and for the good of the state.
Kiev strengthened the status of a strong state amongneighboring principalities, becoming the cultural, ecclesiastical and economic center of Europe. During his lifetime, he managed to leave behind not only cities and cathedrals, but also a testament for his sons with a call to avoid civil strife.
If the domestic and foreign policy of Yaroslav the Wise became, in a small part, an example for his successors, Kievan Rus could be one of the foremost states in Europe.
