The old Russian state is the cradleEuropean culture. It is thanks to him that the Eastern Slavs became famous all over the world and entered their names over the centuries. This state was founded by immigrants from Scandinavia. They brought to the land of modern Ukrainians, the northern culture, laws and example of government. Such assimilation was not in vain, already at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century, the Old Russian state was comparable with the descendant of the great Roman Empire - Byzantium.
Old Russian state and its princes
A process unprecedented for those times of evolution wasdue to the activities of the ancient princes, who by all means tried to raise their country to a new level. Something succeeded, something not. Today it is safe to say that, thanks to the activities of the very first princes of the Rurik dynasty, the foundation was laid for the further “conquest” of the place under the sun. It should be noted that the domestic and foreign policy of the first princes was carried out in an atmosphere of constant civil strife with other Slavic tribes and raids of nomadic tribes. One can speak about the activity of princes for a very long time, but from among them one should single out the most wise and successful in terms of political confrontation.
Who is prince Oleg?
The most interesting and no less mysteriousthe person in all history is the first grand duke Oleg. Reliable statements about him almost did not survive. The historical image of this prince is based on the “Tale of Bygone Years” and the “Novgorod Chronicle”, as well as on stories about his legendary deeds, through which domestic and foreign policies were carried out. Oleg can be compared with the great leader of the Huns, Attila, since his whole life was also covered with secrets.
Oleg's origin
To date, there are two main theoriesorigin of Oleg. Each of them is represented in two famous chronicles: the Novgorod and Tale of Bygone Years. However, from the entire array of statements, which are given in these ancient writings, we can single out the most rational grain, which tells us at least a little about Oleg's appearance on the stage of the historical theater of the Old Russian state.
Oleg's domestic and foreign policy waslargely due to its putative origin. According to the chronicles, Oleg came to the Old Russian land with Rurik. After the death of the latter, Oleg began to reign as regent of his minor son Rurik. Modern scientists still have not learned why the unknown future prince had such a high position. There are also two legends here. The first one says that Oleg was a relative of Rurik, and the second tells about his high post near the Scandinavian leader as a military leader. Anyway, in 882 the rule of the Grand Duke begins.
Oleg's domestic and foreign policy
Having come to power, the prince begins to conquer alltribes that resisted or disobedience. At that time, Oleg was the prince of Novgorod, not of Kiev, since in the latter, Askold and Dir were seated. After several years of uninterrupted war, the prince was able to conquer many Slavic tribes, namely: the Slovenes, the whole, Chud, Merya and Krivichi. Together with the warriors of the conquered tribes and the Varangians, Grand Duke Oleg began to advance down the Dnieper. In this campaign, he was able to capture cities such as Smolensk and Lyubech.
After these events, nothing prevented himgo to Kiev. However, the prince did not take the city under siege and did not use other military techniques. Oleg applied a trick. He called Askold and Dir to a meeting outside the city walls. On it, the prince presented the true heir of Rurik - Igor, and then killed the Kiev princes. On this, their rule in the city on the Dnieper was over. Why the Novgorod prince did just that, no one knows.
Since that time, Oleg has united the North andEastern Russia, creating the Old Russian state, or Kievan Rus, as it is called. The domestic and foreign policy of Prince Oleg was based on the achievement of the most positive result for Russia. At the same time, he went on the most "courageous", if one may say so, steps from the point of view of politics.
Byzantine trips
The main directions of internal and externalThe policies of Prince Oleg were also due to the personal considerations of the Prince, regarding the progressive role of Kievan Rus. The largest contribution to domestic politics was made at the end of the 9th century, when Oleg united Novgorod and Kiev into one state. Subsequent events indicate the prince’s intentions to equate the country with the progressive states of the time.
The sea neighbor of Russia at that time was rich andinfluential country of Byzantium. Understanding the danger and at the same time the attractiveness of such an enemy, Oleg decides to start a war with this state. The first campaign happened in 907 year. According to legends, he was one of the most massive and great. Then the myth of the invincibility and omnipotence of Byzantium was completely destroyed.
In 911, the prince is no longer sending an army, butambassadors to extend peace and conclude a new treaty. There were even more positive moments for the ancient Russian traders and the Russian state as a whole.
So, we saw that the inner and the outerThe policy of Prince Oleg is inscribed in history with the help of legendary acts. The Grand Duke marked the beginning of a new era by combining war and politics. It was thanks to the first ruler of Kiev that the foundation was laid for the further actions of the ancient Russian princes. Thus, Oleg's domestic and foreign policy helped him to immortalize his name, as well as to build the great and glorious state of Kievan Rus.
