Yaropolk Svyatoslavich - Grand Duke of Kiev (945-980)

One of the most controversial and controversial figures among the rulers of Ancient Rus was the Kiev prince Yaropolk Svyatoslavich. His biography is full of many riddles and questions, although he ruled the country for a relatively short period of time. Who is he - a tyrant and fratricide or an innocent slander victim of the intrigues of his younger brother?

early years

Translation of the name Yaropolk from the ancient Slavonic language is interpreted by linguists as "shining among the people". The exact date of birth and the name of his mother's history are unknown. A number of scientists consider Yaropolk's birth date to be 945. But their opponents claim that this version is completely untenable, since at that time, according to the generally accepted opinion, his father was only three years old. Some experts suggest that he was the son of the Ugrian princess Predslavy, like his brother Oleg.

Yaropolk's father was the Grand Prince of Kiev Svyatoslav Igorevich, famous for his numerous victories over his enemies. In particular, this great commander defeated the powerful Khazar Khaganate and the Bulgarian kingdom on the Danube.

For the first time in the chronicles, the name Yaropolk appears in 968. It was in the absence of Prince Svyatoslav that the Pechenegs raided Kiev, during which the young prince locked himself in the palace with his grandmother Olga and brothers.

In 970, his father left him, as his eldest son, to rule Kiev, and he moved on a regular campaign for the Danube. This time he was able to enter into a fight with the Roman Emperor John Tsimiski himself. Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatoslav was forced to retreat. But on the way home was murdered by the Pecheneg khan Kurei, bribed by Byzantines. Russian land began to rule his three sons: Vladimir, Oleg, Yaropolk, the last of whom became the Grand Duke.

The Princedom of Yaropolk

Yaropolk Svyatoslavich became the Grand Duke of Kiev in 972, after the death of his father. His brothers - Oleg and Vladimir began to reign, respectively, in the Drevlyanska and Novgorod lands. But they were the first to recognize Yaropolk as the eldest.

Contemporaries thought Yaropolk, rather, a brave warrior than a wise ruler. However, in spite of this, he nevertheless tried to pursue an active domestic as well as foreign policy.

Directions of foreign policy

Yaropolk's foreign policy was largely oriented towards the countries of Western Europe. Evidence of this is the embassy, sent in 973 to Germany to the court of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto II the Red. According to one version, Yaropolk was engaged to his relative Kunigunda. With sufficient probability, it can be argued that the rapprochement with Germany was aimed at creating an alliance against the Czech Republic and Poland.

But with Byzantium the young prince behaved much more cautiously, remembering the treachery of the Romans in relation to his father.

Yaropolk and Christianity

The question of the role of Christianity in the life of Prince Yaropolk remains a cause for much discussion. Many historians believe that he secretly received baptism or even openly professed the Christian faith. But one thing is clear: Yaropolk Svyatoslavich was rather loyal to Christians, did not pursue them, unlike other rulers of pagan countries, allowed to celebrate the cult, which aroused censure of the population professing the faith of their ancestors. There is an opinion that the embassy to Emperor Otto II one of his goals was the future baptism of Rus.

Certainly, a significant role in respect of Yaropolk to Christianity was played by the upbringing of his grandmother Olga, who adopted the Romanian faith in Constantinople.

Nevertheless, during the reburial of Yaropolk and his brother Oleg, Prince Yaroslav the Wise ordered a rite of baptism over their remains. This fact speaks either of staying in Yaropolk paganism until his death, or of the fact that Yaroslav Vladimirovich knew nothing about his uncle's baptism.

Surrounding Yaropolk

The most outstanding personality in the surroundings of Yaropolk was, of course, the governor of Sveneld. Most historians agree on his Scandinavian origin. He began to play a prominent role at the time of Yaropolk's grandfather - Prince Igor Rurikovich. Under Svyatoslav Sveneld became one of the most powerful people in Russia, had his own squad, collected tribute, went with the prince to hike the Danube. There is an opinion that under Yaropolk, he actually led the affairs of the state. Sveneld had two sons - Lutha and Mstisz.

Fornication is one of the most significant voivode under Prince Yaropolk. Probably, he moved to the first role after the death of Sveneld. Later this man betrayed Yaropolk.

Varyazhko is a volunteer of Yaropolk, with whom, one might say, he was fastened by the bonds of friendship. Was extremely loyal to the prince.

A family

As mentioned above, according to one version, it is believed that Yaropolk Svyatoslavich was engaged to the daughter of Count Kuno von Henningen Kunigunda, but for some reason the wedding did not take place. He also wooed to the daughter of Polotsk prince Rogvolod - Rogneda, but after capturing Polotsk and murdering her father Vladimir, he himself forcibly took the princess to wife.

But Prince Yaropolk Svyatoslavich was still married to some Greek woman, whose name is silent. Most likely, she was captured as a trophy by his father during the Transdanubian campaigns. The chronicle tells that at the time of her husband's death she was expecting a child and was taken as a concubine by his brother Vladimir. In this case, it turns out that her son, the future prince of Kiev, Svyatopolk the Damned, was the child of Yaropolk. Despite this, he was adopted by Vladimir. However, according to another version, he is considered his native offspring.

Murder of Oleg

Meanwhile, a division broke out between Yaropolk and his brother Oleg, who ruled in Ovruch. The conflict was initiated by the murder of the son of the governor of Svenelda-Luty by the prince of Drevljansk. The reason was that he hunted without a demand in Oleg's lands, which according to medieval standards was considered a serious offense.

Sveneld, naturally, concealed anger and constantly demanded from Yaropolk to go to war with his brother in order to call him to account. Finally, the Kiev prince yielded. In 977 a campaign was organized, during which Oleg's team was defeated, and he himself was killed in the turmoil of the battle.

Yaropolk Svyatoslavich on this occasion much grieved. But here comes the question of his role in this event. According to one version, he was just a puppet in the hands of his all-powerful governor, and on the other, he himself planned the seizure of the Drevlyansky lands. The truth of the second version is mentioned by Yaropolk himself when weeping for Oleg, that he directed Liuta to hunt in his brother's land. The purpose of such an act could be one - to provoke the beginning of a fratricidal war. However, the sum of all other facts allows us to say that, most likely, Yaropolk was a toy in the hands of its surroundings.

Speech by Vladimir against Yaropolk

Upon learning of the death of Oleg in the war with Yaropolk, the Novgorod prince Vladimir decided that the next blow the elder brother would inflict on his possessions. Therefore, it was decided to flee to Scandinavia. There Vladimir Svyatoslavovich scored a strong Varangian squad and moved her to his brother.

In the meantime Yaropolk managed to establish its authority over Novgorod. But Vladimir easily returned the city to himself. On the way to Kiev, as mentioned above, he defeated the ally Yaropolk - Polotsk prince Rogvolod, burned his capital city, and his daughter Rognedu, previously matched for his elder brother, took his wife. From this marriage the future grand duke of Kiev, Yaroslav the Wise, was subsequently born.

Then Vladimir and his army approached Kiev. Voevoda Blud, who took the place, most likely, died by the time Svenelda, treacherously conspired with the Novgorod prince and persuaded Yaropolk to leave the capital city. He took refuge in a well-protected small town of Rodney, on the river Ros.

Death of Yaropolk

Vladimir besieged Yaropolk. A strong famine began in the city. Through the mediation of Blud, the Novgorod prince persuaded his brother to enter into negotiations with him. Although the druzhinik Varyazhko sharply opposed this, suspecting something was wrong. When Yaropolk came to the place of negotiations, he was traitorously killed by two Scandinavians from the Novgorod army. It happened in 978 year.

There are still disputes about the role of Vladimir in the murder of his brother. Many historians are trying to idealize the image of the future Baptist of Russia and blame the arbitrariness of the Varangians. But, most likely, the order for the murder was given by Vladimir. In any case, his biography is full of many other facts, which make it possible to say that the Baptist of Russia could do it.

The role of Yaropolk in history

Between historians there are still heated debates about who Yaropolk was: the main provocateur of internecine conflicts or a victim of the policy of an imperious commander and predatory brothers? He rules much less than other princes of Kiev. The table of the chronology of government assigns it to the reign only six years. While Oleg controlled his possessions for 30 years, Igor - 33 years, Svyatoslav - 27 years old, and Vladimir - for 37 years.

It also remains unclear whether the adoption of Christianity in Russia would happen , Prince Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich defeated his brother? And how would the fate of the Russian state develop in this case? But history does not know the subjunctive mood. One thing is clear: the personality and role of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Yaropolk Svyatoslavich is still waiting for his proper assessment in the future.