Russian tsars chronology of periods of reign. All the kings of Russia in order (with portraits): complete list
All the supreme rulers of Rus' contributed a lot to its development. Thanks to the power of the ancient Russian princes, the country was built, expanded territorially, and provided with protection to fight the enemy. Many buildings were built that today have become an international historical and cultural landmark. Rus' has been replaced by a dozen rulers. Kievan Rus finally disintegrated after the death of Prince Mstislav.
The collapse occurred in 1132. Separate, independent states were formed. All territories have lost their value.
Princes of Rus' in chronological order
The first princes in Rus' (the table is presented below) appeared thanks to the Rurik dynasty.
Prince Rurik
Rurik ruled the Novgorodians near the Varangian Sea. Therefore, it had two names: Novgorod, Varangian. After the death of his brothers, Rurik remained the only ruler in Rus'. He was married to Efanda. His assistants. They looked after the household and held courts.
Rurik's reign in Rus' took place from 862 to 879. Afterwards, two brothers Dir and Askold killed him and took the city of Kyiv into power.
Prince Oleg (Prophetic)
Dir and Askold did not rule for long. Oleg, Efanda’s brother, decided to take matters into his own hands. Oleg was famous throughout Rus' for his intelligence, strength, courage, and authority.He captured the cities of Smolensk, Lyubech and Constantinople into his possessions. Made the city of Kyiv the capital of the Kyiv state. Killed Askold and Dir.Igor became Oleg's adopted son and his direct heir to the throne.In his state lived the Varangians, Slovaks, Krivichi, Drevlyans, Northerners, Polyans, Tivertsy, and Ulichs.
In 909 Oleg met a sage-magician who told him:
“You will soon die from a snake bite because you will abandon your horse.” It so happened that the prince abandoned the horse, exchanging it for a new, younger one.
In 912, Oleg learned that his horse had died. He decided to go to the place where the remains of the horse lay.
Oleg asked:
- Will this horse cause me to die? And then, a poisonous snake crawled out of the horse’s skull. The snake bit him, after which Oleg died. The prince's funeral lasted several days with all honors, because he was considered the strongest ruler.
Prince Igor
Immediately after Oleg’s death, the throne was taken by his stepson (Rurik’s own son) Igor. The dates of the prince's reign in Rus' vary from 912 to 945. His main task was to preserve the unity of the state. Igor defended his state from the attacks of the Pechenegs, who periodically made attempts to take over Russia. All tribes that were members of the state regularly paid tribute.
In 913, Igor married a young Pskov girl, Olga. He met her by chance in the city of Pskov. During his reign, Igor suffered quite a few attacks and battles. Fighting with the Khazars, he lost all his best army. After which, he had to re-create the armed defense of the state.
And again, in 914, the prince’s new army was destroyed in the fight against the Byzantines. The war lasted a long time and in the end, the prince signed an eternal peace treaty with Constantinople. The wife helped her husband in everything. They ruled half of the state. In 942 they had a son, who was named Svyatoslav. In 945, Prince Igor was killed by the neighboring Drevlyans, who did not want to pay tribute.
Princess Saint Olga
After the death of her husband Igor, his wife Olga took the throne. Despite the fact that she was a woman, she was able to rule all of Kievan Rus. In this difficult task, she was helped by her intelligence, intelligence and courage. All the qualities of a ruler came together in one woman and helped her cope well with the rule of the state. She took revenge on the greedy Drevlyans for the death of her husband. Their city of Korosten soon became part of her possessions. Olga is the first of the Russian rulers to convert to Christianity.
Svyatoslav Igorevich
Olga waited a long time for her son to grow up. And having reached adulthood, Svyatoslav fully became the ruler of Rus'. The years of the prince's reign in Rus' from 964 to 972. Svyatoslav already at the age of three became the direct heir to the throne. But since he physically could not rule Kievan Rus, he was replaced by his mother, Saint Olga. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, the child learned about military affairs. I learned to be brave and belligerent. In 967, his army defeated the Bulgarians. After the death of his mother, in 970, Svyatoslav launched an invasion of Byzantium. But the forces were not equal. He was forced to sign a peace treaty with Byzantium. Svyatoslav had three sons: Yaropolk, Oleg, Vladimir. After Svyatoslav returned back to Kyiv, in March 972, the young prince was killed by the Pechenegs. From his skull, the Pechenegs forged a gilded pie bowl.
After the death of his father, the throne was taken by one of the sons, the prince of Ancient Rus' (table below) Yaropolk.
Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich
Despite the fact that Yaropolk, Oleg, Vladimir were siblings, they were never friends. Moreover, they constantly fought with each other.
All three wanted to rule Russia. But Yaropolk won the fight. Sent his siblings outside the country. During his reign, he managed to conclude a peaceful, eternal treaty with Byzantium. Yaropolk wanted to make friends with Rome. Many were not happy with the new ruler. There was a lot of permissiveness. The pagans, together with Vladimir (Yaropolk’s brother), successfully seized power into their own hands. Yaropolk had no choice but to simply flee the country. He began to live in the city of Roden. But some time later, in 980, he was killed by the Varangians. Yaropolk decided to make an attempt to capture Kyiv for himself, but it all ended in failure. During his short reign, Yaropolk failed to do global changes V Kievan Rus, because he was famous for his peacefulness.
Vladimir Svyatoslavovich
Novgorod Prince Vladimir was the youngest son of Prince Svyatoslav. Ruled Kievan Rus from 980 to 1015. He was warlike, courageous, possessed everything the necessary qualities, which the ruler of Kievan Rus should have had. Performed all the functions of a prince in ancient Rus'.
During his reign,
- built defenses along the Desna, Trubezh, Osetra, and Sula rivers.
- Many beautiful buildings were built.
- Made Christianity the state religion.
Thanks to his great contribution to the development and prosperity of Kievan Rus, he received the nickname “Vladimir the Red Sun.” He had seven sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav, Boris, Gleb. He divided his lands equally among all his sons.
Svyatopolk Vladimirovich
Immediately after the death of his father in 1015, he became the ruler of Rus'. Part of Rus' was not enough for him. He wanted to take possession of the entire Kyiv state and decided to get rid of his brothers. First, on his orders, it was necessary to kill Gleb, Boris, and Svyatoslav. But this did not bring him happiness. Without arousing the approval of the people, he was expelled from Kyiv. For help in the war with his brothers, Svyatopolk turned to his father-in-law, who was the king of Poland. He helped his son-in-law, but the rule of Kievan Rus did not last long. In 1019 he had to flee from Kyiv. That same year he committed suicide, as his conscience tormented him because he had killed his brothers.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich (Wise)
He ruled Kievan Rus from 1019 to 1054. He was nicknamed the Wise because he had an amazing mind, wisdom, and masculinity, inherited from his father. He built two big cities: Yaroslavl, Yuryev. He treated his people with care and understanding. One of the first princes who introduced a set of laws into the state called “Russian Truth”. Following his father, he divided the land equally between his sons: Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod, Igor and Vyacheslav. From birth, he instilled in them peace, wisdom, and love of people.
Izyaslav Yaroslavovich First
Immediately after the death of his father, he ascended the throne. He ruled Kievan Rus from 1054 to 1078. He was the only prince in history who could not cope with his responsibilities. His assistant was his son Vladimir, without whom Izyaslav would simply have destroyed Kievan Rus.
Svyatopolk
The spineless prince took over the rule of Kievan Rus immediately after the death of his father Izyaslav. Ruled from 1078 to 1113.
He had a hard time finding mutual language with ancient Russian princes (table below). During his reign, there was a campaign against the Polovtsians, in the organization of which Vladimir Monomakh helped him. They won the battle.
Vladimir Monomakh
After the death of Svyatopolk, Vladimir was elected ruler in 1113. Served the state until 1125. Smart, honest, brave, reliable, courageous. It was these qualities of Vladimir Monomakh that helped him rule Kievan Rus and be loved by the people. He is the last of the princes of Kievan Rus (table below) who managed to preserve the state in its original form.
Attention
All wars with the Polovtsians ended in victory.
Mstislav and the Collapse of Kievan Rus
Mstislav is the son of Vladimir Monomakh. He ascended the throne as ruler in 1125. He was similar to his father not only in appearance, but also in character, in the way he ruled Russia. The people treated him with respect. In 1134 he transferred the rule to his brother Yaropolk. Which contributed to the development of turmoil in the history of Russia. The Monomakhovichs lost their throne. But soon there was a complete collapse of Kievan Rus into thirteen separate states.
The Kyiv rulers did a lot for the Russian people. During their reign, everyone diligently fought their enemies. The development of Kievan Rus as a whole was underway. Many constructions were completed, beautiful buildings, churches, schools, bridges, which were destroyed by enemies, and everything was built anew. All the princes of Kievan Rus, the table below, did a lot that made history unforgettable.
Table. Princes of Rus' in chronological order
|
Prince's name |
Years of reign |
|
|
10. 11. 12. 13. |
Rurik Oleg the Prophet Igor Olga Svyatoslav Yaropolk Vladimir Svyatopolk Yaroslav the Wise Izyaslav Svyatopolk Vladimir Monomakh Mstislav |
862-879 879-912 912-945 945-964 964-972 972-980 980-1015 1015-1019 1019-1054 1054-1078 1078-1113 1113-1125 1125-1134 |
For almost 400 years of the existence of this title, it was worn completely different people- from adventurers and liberals to tyrants and conservatives.
Rurikovich
Over the years, Russia (from Rurik to Putin) has changed its political system many times. At first, rulers bore the title of prince. When, after a period of political fragmentation, a new Russian state emerged around Moscow, the owners of the Kremlin began to think about accepting the royal title.
This was accomplished under Ivan the Terrible (1547-1584). This one decided to marry into the kingdom. And this decision was not accidental. So the Moscow monarch emphasized that he was the legal successor. It was they who bestowed Orthodoxy on Russia. In the 16th century, Byzantium no longer existed (it fell under the onslaught of the Ottomans), so Ivan the Terrible rightly believed that his act would have serious symbolic significance.
Historical figures such as this king influenced big influence for the development of the entire country. In addition to changing his title, Ivan the Terrible also captured the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates, beginning Russian expansion to the East.
Ivan's son Fedor (1584-1598) was distinguished by his weak character and health. Nevertheless, under him the state continued to develop. The patriarchate was established. Rulers have always paid a lot of attention to the issue of succession to the throne. This time he became especially acute. Fedor had no children. When he died, the Rurik dynasty on the Moscow throne came to an end.
Time of Troubles
After Fyodor's death, Boris Godunov (1598-1605), his brother-in-law, came to power. He did not belong to the reigning family, and many considered him a usurper. Under him, due to natural disasters, a colossal famine began. The tsars and presidents of Russia have always tried to maintain calm in the provinces. Due to the tense situation, Godunov was unable to do this. Several peasant uprisings took place in the country.
In addition, the adventurer Grishka Otrepyev called himself one of the sons of Ivan the Terrible and began a military campaign against Moscow. He actually managed to capture the capital and become king. Boris Godunov did not live to see this moment - he died from health complications. His son Feodor II was captured by the comrades of False Dmitry and killed.
The impostor ruled for only a year, after which he was overthrown during the Moscow uprising, inspired by disgruntled Russian boyars who did not like the fact that False Dmitry surrounded himself with Catholic Poles. decided to transfer the crown to Vasily Shuisky (1606-1610). During the Time of Troubles, the rulers of Russia often changed.
The princes, tsars and presidents of Russia had to carefully guard their power. Shuisky could not restrain her and was overthrown by the Polish interventionists.
The first Romanovs
When in 1613 Moscow was liberated from foreign invaders, the question arose about who to make sovereign. This text presents all the kings of Russia in order (with portraits). Now the time has come to talk about the rise to the throne of the Romanov dynasty.
The first sovereign from this family, Mikhail (1613-1645), was just a youth when he was put in charge of a huge country. His main goal was the fight with Poland for the lands it captured during the Time of Troubles.
These were the biographies of the rulers and the dates of their reign until the middle of the 17th century. After Mikhail, his son Alexei (1645-1676) ruled. He annexed left-bank Ukraine and Kyiv to Russia. So, after several centuries of fragmentation and Lithuanian rule, the fraternal peoples finally began to live in one country.
Alexei had many sons. The eldest of them, Feodor III (1676-1682), died at a young age. After him came the simultaneous reign of two children - Ivan and Peter.
Peter the Great
Ivan Alekseevich was unable to rule the country. Therefore, in 1689, the sole reign of Peter the Great began. He completely rebuilt the country in a European manner. Russia - from Rurik to Putin (in chronological order consider all the rulers) - knows few examples of an era so saturated with changes.
A new army and navy appeared. For this, Peter started a war against Sweden. The Northern War lasted 21 years. During it, the Swedish army was defeated, and the kingdom agreed to cede its southern Baltic lands. In this region, St. Petersburg, the new capital of Russia, was founded in 1703. Peter's successes made him think about changing his title. In 1721 he became emperor. However, this change did not abolish the royal title - in everyday speech, monarchs continued to be called kings.
The era of palace coups
Peter's death was followed by a long period of instability in power. Monarchs replaced each other with enviable regularity, which was facilitated by the Guard or certain courtiers, as a rule, at the head of these changes. This era was ruled by Catherine I (1725-1727), Peter II (1727-1730), Anna Ioannovna (1730-1740), Ivan VI (1740-1741), Elizaveta Petrovna (1741-1761) and Peter III (1761-1762) ).
The last of them was German by birth. Under Peter III's predecessor, Elizabeth, Russia waged a victorious war against Prussia. The new monarch renounced all his conquests, returned Berlin to the king and concluded a peace treaty. With this act he signed his own death warrant. The Guard organized another palace coup, after which Peter's wife Catherine II found herself on the throne.
Catherine II and Paul I
Catherine II (1762-1796) had a deep state mind. On the throne, she began to pursue a policy of enlightened absolutism. The Empress organized the work of the famous laid down commission, the purpose of which was to prepare a comprehensive project of reforms in Russia. She also wrote the Order. This document contained many considerations about the transformations necessary for the country. The reforms were curtailed when a peasant uprising led by Pugachev broke out in the Volga region in the 1770s.
All the tsars and presidents of Russia (we have listed all the royal persons in chronological order) made sure that the country looked decent in the external arena. She was no exception. She conducted several successful military campaigns against Turkey. As a result, Crimea and other important Black Sea regions were annexed to Russia. At the end of Catherine's reign, three divisions of Poland occurred. Thus, the Russian Empire received important acquisitions in the west.
After the death of the great empress, her son Paul I (1796-1801) came to power. This quarrelsome man was not liked by many in the St. Petersburg elite.
First half of the 19th century
In 1801, the next and last palace coup took place. A group of conspirators dealt with Pavel. His son Alexander I (1801-1825) was on the throne. His reign occurred during the Patriotic War and Napoleon's invasion. Rulers Russian state For two centuries they have not faced such a serious enemy intervention. Despite the capture of Moscow, Bonaparte was defeated. Alexander became the most popular and famous monarch of the Old World. He was also called the "liberator of Europe."
Within his country, Alexander in his youth tried to implement liberal reforms. Historical figures often change their policies as they age. So Alexander soon abandoned his ideas. He died in Taganrog in 1825 under mysterious circumstances.
At the beginning of the reign of his brother Nicholas I (1825-1855), the Decembrist uprising occurred. Because of this, conservative orders triumphed in the country for thirty years.
Second half of the 19th century
All the kings of Russia are presented here in order, with portraits. Next we will talk about the main reformer of Russian statehood - Alexander II (1855-1881). He initiated the manifesto for the liberation of the peasants. The destruction of serfdom allowed the Russian market and capitalism to develop. Economic growth began in the country. The reforms also affected judiciary, local government, administrative and conscription systems. The monarch tried to get the country back on its feet and learn the lessons that the lost beginnings under Nicholas I taught him.
But Alexander's reforms were not enough for the radicals. Terrorists made several attempts on his life. In 1881 they achieved success. Alexander II died from a bomb explosion. The news came as a shock to the whole world.
Because of what happened, the son of the deceased monarch, Alexander III (1881-1894), forever became a tough reactionary and conservative. But most of all he is known as a peacemaker. During his reign, Russia did not wage a single war.
The last king
In 1894, Alexander III died. Power passed into the hands of Nicholas II (1894-1917) - his son and the last Russian monarch. By that time, the old world order with the absolute power of kings and kings had already outlived its usefulness. Russia - from Rurik to Putin - has known a lot of upheavals, but it was under Nicholas that more than ever happened.
In 1904-1905 The country experienced a humiliating war with Japan. It was followed by the first revolution. Although the unrest was suppressed, the tsar had to make concessions to public opinion. He agreed to establish a constitutional monarchy and parliament.
Tsars and presidents of Russia at all times faced a certain opposition within the state. Now people could elect deputies who expressed these sentiments.
In 1914, the First World War began. No one then suspected that it would end with the fall of several empires at once, including the Russian one. In 1917, the February Revolution broke out, and the last tsar was forced to abdicate. Nicholas II and his family were shot by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.
Such a great country as Russia should naturally be very rich in history. And indeed it is! Here you will see what were rulers of Russia and you can read biographies of Russian princes, presidents and other rulers. I decided to provide you with a list of rulers of Russia, where under each one there will be a short biography under the cut (next to the name of the ruler, click on this icon “ [+] “, to open the biography under the cut), and then, if the ruler is significant, a link to the full article, which will be very useful for schoolchildren, students and anyone interested in the history of Russia. The list of rulers will be replenished, Russia really had a lot of rulers and everyone is worthy detailed review. But, alas, I don’t have that much strength, so everything will be gradual. In general, here is a list of the rulers of Russia, where you will find biographies of the rulers, their photographs and the dates of their reign.
Novgorod princes:
Kyiv Grand Dukes:
- (912 - autumn 945)
Grand Duke Igor is a controversial character in our story. Historical chronicles provide various information about him, ranging from the date of birth to the cause of his death. It is generally accepted that Igor is the son of the Prince of Novgorod, although there are inconsistencies regarding the prince’s age in different sources...
- (autumn 945 - after 964)
Princess Olga is one of the great women of Rus'. Ancient chronicles provide very contradictory information regarding the date and place of birth. It is possible that Princess Olga is the daughter of the one called the Prophetic, or maybe her ancestry comes from Bulgaria from Prince Boris, or she was born in a village near Pskov, and again there are two options: an ordinary family and the ancient princely family of Izborsky.
- (after 964 - spring 972)
Russian prince Svyatoslav was born in 942. His parents were -, famous for the war with the Pechenegs and campaigns against Byzantium and. When Svyatoslav was only three years old, he lost his father. Prince Igor collected an unbearable tribute from the Drevlyans, for which he was brutally killed by them. The widowed princess decided to take revenge on these tribes and sent a princely army on a campaign, which was led by a young prince under the tutelage of the governor Sveneld. As you know, the Drevlyans were defeated, and their city of Ikorosten was completely destroyed.
- Yaropolk Svyatoslavich (972-978 or 980)
- (June 11, 978 or 980 - July 15, 1015)
One of the greatest names in the fate of Kievan Rus is Vladimir the Holy (Baptist). This name is shrouded in legends and secrets; epics and myths were composed about this man, in which he was invariably called by the bright and warm name of Prince Vladimir the Red Sun. And the Prince of Kiev, according to the chronicles, was born around 960, a half-breed, as contemporaries would say. His father was the mighty prince, and his mother was a simple slave Malusha, who was in the service of the prince, from the small town of Lyubech.
- (1015 - autumn 1016)
Prince Svyatopolk the Accursed is the son of Yaropolk, after whose death he adopted the boy. Svyatopolk wanted great power during Vladimir’s life and prepared a conspiracy against him. However, he became a full-fledged ruler only after the death of his stepfather. He earned the throne in a dirty way - he killed all the direct heirs of Vladimir. - (autumn 1016 - summer 1018)
Prince Yaroslav I Vladimirovich the Wise was born in 978. The chronicles do not indicate a description of his appearance. It is known that Yaroslav was lame: the first version says that from childhood, and the second version says that this was a consequence of one of his wounds in the battle. The chronicler Nestor, describing his character, mentions his great intelligence, prudence, devotion to the Orthodox faith, courage and compassion for the poor. Prince Yaroslav the Wise, unlike his father, who loved to organize feasts, led a modest lifestyle. Great devotion to the Orthodox faith sometimes turned into superstition. As mentioned in the chronicle, on his order, the bones of Yaropolk were dug up and, after illumination, they were reburied in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With this act, Yaroslav wanted to save their souls from torment.
- Izyaslav Yaroslavich (February 1054 - September 15, 1068)
- Vseslav Bryachislavich (September 15, 1068 - April 1069)
- Svyatoslav Yaroslavich (March 22, 1073 - December 27, 1076)
- Vsevolod Yaroslavich (January 1, 1077 - July 1077)
- Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (April 24, 1093 - April 16, 1113)
- (20 April 1113 - 19 May 1125)
The grandson and son of a Byzantine princess went down in history as Vladimir Monomakh. Why Monomakh? There are suggestions that he took this nickname from his mother, the Byzantine princess Anna, the daughter of the Byzantine king Constantine Monomakh. There are other assumptions about the nickname Monomakh. Allegedly after a campaign in Taurida, against the Genoese, where he killed the Genoese prince in a duel during the capture of Kafa. And the word monomakh is translated as combatant. Now, of course, it is difficult to judge the correctness of one or another opinion, but it was with such a name as Vladimir Monomakh that the chroniclers recorded it. - (20 May 1125 – 15 April 1132)
Having inherited a strong power, Prince Mstislav the Great not only continued the work of his father, Prince of Kyiv Vladimir Monomakh, but also made every effort for the prosperity of the Fatherland. Therefore, the memory remained in history. And his ancestors named him Mstislav the Great. - (17 April 1132 - 18 February 1139)
Yaropolk Vladimirovich was the son of the great Russian prince and was born in 1082. No information has been preserved about the childhood years of this ruler. The first mention in history of this prince dates back to 1103, when he and his retinue went to war against the Polovtsians. After this victory in 1114, Vladimir Monomakh entrusted his son with the rule of the Pereyaslavl volost. - Vyacheslav Vladimirovich (February 22 - March 4, 1139)
- (5 March 1139 – 30 July 1146)
- Igor Olgovich (until August 13, 1146)
- Izyaslav Mstislavich (August 13, 1146 - August 23, 1149)
- (28 August 1149 - summer 1150)
This prince of Kievan Rus went down in history thanks to two great achievements - the founding of Moscow and the flourishing of the North-Eastern part of Rus'. There is still debate among historians about when Yuri Dolgoruky was born. Some chroniclers claim that this happened in 1090, while others are of the opinion that this significant event took place around 1095-1097. His father was the Grand Duke of Kiev -. Almost nothing is known about the mother of this ruler, except that she was the prince’s second wife. - Rostislav Mstislavich (1154-1155)
- Izyaslav Davydovich (winter 1155)
- Mstislav Izyaslavich (December 22, 1158 - spring 1159)
- Vladimir Mstislavich (spring 1167)
- Gleb Yurievich (March 12, 1169 - February 1170)
- Mikhalko Yurievich (1171)
- Roman Rostislavich (July 1, 1171 - February 1173)
- (February - March 24, 1173), Yaropolk Rostislavich (co-ruler)
- Rurik Rostislavich (March 24 - September 1173)
- Yaroslav Izyaslavich (November 1173-1174)
- Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich (1174)
- Ingvar Yaroslavich (1201 - January 2, 1203)
- Rostislav Rurikovich (1204-1205)
- Vsevolod Svyatoslavich Chermny (summer 1206-1207)
- Mstislav Romanovich (1212 or 1214 - June 2, 1223)
- Vladimir Rurikovich (June 16, 1223-1235)
- Izyaslav (Mstislavich or Vladimirovich) (1235-1236)
- Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (1236-1238)
- Mikhail Vsevolodovich (1238-1240)
- Rostislav Mstislavich (1240)
- (1240)
Vladimir Grand Dukes
- (1157 - June 29, 1174)
Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was born in 1110, was the son and grandson of. As a young man, the prince was named Bogolyubsky for his particularly reverent attitude towards God and his habit of always turning to Scripture. - Yaropolk Rostislavich (1174 - June 15, 1175)
- Yuri Vsevolodovich (1212 - April 27, 1216)
- Konstantin Vsevolodovich (spring 1216 - February 2, 1218)
- Yuri Vsevolodovich (February 1218 - March 4, 1238)
- Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich (1246-1248)
- (1248-1248/1249)
- Andrei Yaroslavich (December 1249 - July 24, 1252)
- (1252 - November 14, 1263)
In 1220, Prince Alexander Nevsky was born in Pereyaslav-Zalesky. While still very young, he accompanied his father on all campaigns. When the young man turned 16 years old, his father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, due to his departure to Kyiv, entrusted Prince Alexander with the princely throne in Novgorod. - Yaroslav Yaroslavich of Tver (1263-1272)
- Vasily Yaroslavich of Kostroma (1272 - January 1277)
- Dmitry Alexandrovich Pereyaslavsky (1277-1281)
- Andrey Alexandrovich Gorodetsky (1281-1283)
- (autumn 1304 - November 22, 1318)
- Yuri Danilovich Moskovsky (1318 - November 2, 1322)
- Dmitry Mikhailovich Terrible Eyes of Tver (1322 - September 15, 1326)
- Alexander Mikhailovich Tverskoy (1326-1328)
- Alexander Vasilyevich Suzdal (1328-1331), Ivan Danilovich Kalita of Moscow (1328-1331) (co-ruler)
- (1331 - March 31, 1340)
Prince Ivan Kalita was born in Moscow around 1282. But the exact date, unfortunately, has not been established. Ivan was the second son of Moscow Prince Danila Alexandrovich. The biography of Ivan Kalita before 1304 was not marked by practically anything significant or important. - Semyon Ivanovich Proud of Moscow (October 1, 1340 - April 26, 1353)
- Ivan Ivanovich the Red of Moscow (March 25, 1353 - November 13, 1359)
- Dmitry Konstantinovich Suzdal-Nizhny Novgorod (June 22, 1360 - January 1363)
- Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy of Moscow (1363)
- Vasily Dmitrievich Moskovsky (August 15, 1389 - February 27, 1425)
Moscow princes and Moscow grand dukes
Russian emperors
- (22 October 1721 – 28 January 1725)
The biography of Peter the Great deserves special attention. The fact is that Peter 1 belongs to the group of Russian emperors who made a huge contribution to the history of the development of our country. This article talks about the life of a great man, about the role he played in the transformation of Russia. _____________________________
Also on my website there are a number of articles about Peter the Great. If you want to thoroughly study the history of this outstanding ruler, then I ask you to read the following articles from my website:
_____________________________
- (28 January 1725 - 6 May 1727)
Catherine 1 was born under the name Marta, she was born into the family of a Lithuanian peasant. Thus begins the biography of Catherine the First, the first empress of the Russian Empire.
- (7 May 1727 - 19 January 1730)
Peter 2 was born in 1715. Already in early childhood he became an orphan. First, his mother died, then in 1718, Peter II’s father, Alexei Petrovich, was executed. Peter II was the grandson of Peter the Great, who was absolutely not interested in the fate of his grandson. HE never considered Peter Alekseevich as the heir to the Russian throne.
- (4 February 1730 - 17 October 1740)
Anna Ioannovna is known for her difficult character. She was a vindictive and vindictive woman, and was distinguished by her capriciousness. Anna Ioannovna had absolutely no ability to conduct government affairs, and was not even simply inclined to do so.
- (17 October 1740 - 25 November 1741)
- (November 9, 1740 – November 25, 1741)
- (November 25, 1741 – December 25, 1761)
- (December 25, 1761 – June 28, 1762)
- () (28 June 1762 - 6 November 1796)
Many will probably agree that the biography of Catherine 2 is one of the most fascinating stories about the life and reign of the amazing, strong woman. Catherine 2 was born on April 22\May 2, 1729, in the family of Princess Johanna-Elizabeth and Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerb. - (November 6, 1796 – March 11, 1801)
- (Blessed) (March 12, 1801 – November 19, 1825)
- (December 12, 1825 – February 18, 1855)
- (Liberator) (February 18, 1855 – March 1, 1881)
- (Peacemaker) (March 1, 1881 – October 20, 1894)
- (20 October 1894 – 2 March 1917)
The biography of Nicholas II will be quite interesting to many of the residents of our country. Nicholas II was the eldest son of Alexander III, the Russian emperor. His mother, Maria Fedorovna, was Alexander's wife.
Nicholas II (1894 - 1917) Due to the stampede that occurred during his coronation, many people died. Thus, the name “Bloody” was attached to the kindest philanthropist Nikolai. In 1898, Nicholas II, caring for world peace, issued a manifesto calling on all countries in the world to completely disarm. After this, a special commission met in The Hague to develop a number of measures that could further prevent bloody clashes between countries and peoples. But the peace-loving emperor had to fight. First in the First World War, then the outbreak Bolshevik coup, as a result of which the monarch was overthrown and then shot along with his family in Yekaterinburg. The Orthodox Church canonized Nikolai Romanov and his entire family as saints.
Rurik (862-879)
The Novgorod prince, nicknamed Varangian, as he was called to reign over the Novgorodians from across the Varangian Sea. is the founder of the Rurik dynasty. He was married to a woman named Efanda, with whom he had a son named Igor. He also raised Askold’s daughter and stepson. After his two brothers died, he became the sole ruler of the country. He gave all the surrounding villages and suburbs to the management of his confidants, where they had the right to independently conduct justice. Around this time, Askold and Dir, two brothers who were in no way related to Rurik by family ties, occupied the city of Kyiv and began to rule the glades.
Oleg (879 - 912)
Prince of Kyiv, nicknamed the Prophetic. Being a relative of Prince Rurik, he was the guardian of his son Igor. According to legend, he died after being bitten in the leg by a snake. Prince Oleg became famous for his intelligence and military valor. With a huge army at that time, the prince went along the Dnieper. On the way, he conquered Smolensk, then Lyubech, and then took Kyiv, making it the capital. Askold and Dir were killed, and Oleg showed the clearings little son Rurik - Igor as their prince. He went on a military campaign to Greece and with a brilliant victory secured the Russians preferential rights to free trade in Constantinople.
Igor (912 - 945)
Following the example of Prince Oleg, Igor Rurikovich conquered all the neighboring tribes and forced them to pay tribute, successfully repelled the raids of the Pechenegs and also undertook a campaign in Greece, which, however, was not as successful as the campaign of Prince Oleg. As a result, Igor was killed by neighboring conquered tribes of the Drevlyans for his irrepressible greed in extortions.
Olga (945 - 957)
Olga was the wife of Prince Igor. She, according to the customs of that time, very cruelly took revenge on the Drevlyans for the murder of her husband, and also conquered the main city of the Drevlyans - Korosten. Olga was distinguished by very good leadership abilities, as well as a brilliant, sharp mind. Already at the end of her life, she converted to Christianity in Constantinople, for which she was subsequently canonized and named Equal to the Apostles.
Svyatoslav Igorevich (after 964 - spring 972)
The son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga, who, after the death of her husband, took the reins of power into her own hands while her son grew up, learning the intricacies of the art of war. In 967, he managed to defeat the army of the Bulgarian king, which greatly alarmed the Byzantine emperor John, who, in cahoots with the Pechenegs, persuaded them to attack Kyiv. In 970, together with the Bulgarians and Hungarians, after the death of Princess Olga, Svyatoslav went on a campaign against Byzantium. The forces were not equal, and Svyatoslav was forced to sign a peace treaty with the empire. After his return to Kyiv, he was brutally killed by the Pechenegs, and then Svyatoslav’s skull was decorated with gold and made into a bowl for pies.
Yaropolk Svyatoslavovich (972 - 978 or 980)
After the death of his father, Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich, made an attempt to unite Rus' under his rule, defeating his brothers: Oleg Drevlyansky and Vladimir of Novgorod, forcing them to leave the country, and then annexed their lands to the Principality of Kyiv. He managed to conclude a new agreement with Byzantine Empire, and also attract the horde of the Pecheneg Khan Ildea into his service. Tried to establish diplomatic relations with Rome. Under him, as the Joachim manuscript testifies, Christians were given a lot of freedom in Rus', which caused the displeasure of the pagans. Vladimir of Novgorod immediately took advantage of this displeasure and, having agreed with the Varangians, recaptured Novgorod, then Polotsk, and then besieged Kyiv. Yaropolk was forced to flee to Roden. He tried to make peace with his brother, for which he went to Kyiv, where he was a Varangian. Chronicles characterize this prince as a peace-loving and meek ruler.
Vladimir Svyatoslavovich (978 or 980 - 1015)
Vladimir was the youngest son of Prince Svyatoslav. He was the Prince of Novgorod from 968. Became Prince of Kyiv in 980. He was distinguished by a very warlike disposition, which allowed him to conquer the Radimichi, Vyatichi and Yatvingians. Vladimir also waged wars with the Pechenegs, with Volga Bulgaria, with the Byzantine Empire and Poland. It was during the reign of Prince Vladimir in Rus' that defensive structures were built on the boundaries of the rivers: Desna, Trubezh, Osetra, Sula and others. Vladimir also did not forget about his capital city. It was under him that Kyiv was rebuilt with stone buildings. But Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became famous and remained in history thanks to the fact that in 988 - 989. made Christianity the state religion of Kievan Rus, which immediately strengthened the country’s authority in the international arena. Under him, the state of Kievan Rus entered its period of greatest prosperity. Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich became an epic character, in which he is referred to as “Vladimir the Red Sun.” Canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, named Prince Equal to the Apostles.
Svyatopolk Vladimirovich (1015 - 1019)
During his lifetime, Vladimir Svyatoslavovich divided his lands between his sons: Svyatopolk, Izyaslav, Yaroslav, Mstislav, Svyatoslav, Boris and Gleb. After Prince Vladimir died, Svyatopolk Vladimirovich occupied Kyiv and decided to get rid of his rival brothers. He gave the order to kill Gleb, Boris and Svyatoslav. However, this did not help him establish himself on the throne. Soon he himself was expelled from Kyiv by Prince Yaroslav of Novgorod. Then Svyatopolk turned for help to his father-in-law, King Boleslav of Poland. With the support of the Polish king, Svyatopolk again took possession of Kiev, but soon circumstances developed such that he was again forced to flee the capital. On the way, Prince Svyatopolk committed suicide. This prince was popularly nicknamed the Damned because he took the lives of his brothers.
Yaroslav Vladimirovich the Wise (1019 - 1054)
Yaroslav Vladimirovich, after the death of Mstislav of Tmutarakansky and after the expulsion of the Holy Regiment, became the sole ruler of the Russian land. Yaroslav was distinguished by a sharp mind, for which, in fact, he received his nickname - the Wise. He tried to take care of the needs of his people, built the cities of Yaroslavl and Yuryev. He also built churches (St. Sophia in Kyiv and Novgorod), understanding the importance of spreading and establishing the new faith. It was he who published the first set of laws in Rus' called “Russian Truth”. He divided the plots of the Russian land between his sons: Izyaslav, Svyatoslav, Vsevolod, Igor and Vyacheslav, bequeathing them to live in peace among themselves.
Izyaslav Yaroslavich the First (1054 - 1078)
Izyaslav was the eldest son of Yaroslav the Wise. After the death of his father, the throne of Kievan Rus passed to him. But after his campaign against the Polovtsians, which ended in failure, the Kievans themselves drove him away. Then his brother Svyatoslav became the Grand Duke. Only after the death of Svyatoslav did Izyaslav return to the capital city of Kyiv. Vsevolod the First (1078 - 1093) It is likely that Prince Vsevolod could well have been a useful ruler, thanks to his peaceful disposition, piety and truthfulness. Being himself an educated man, knowing five languages, he actively contributed to enlightenment in his principality. But, alas. Constant, incessant raids of the Polovtsians, pestilence, and famine did not favor the rule of this prince. He remained on the throne thanks to the efforts of his son Vladimir, who would later be called Monomakh.
Svyatopolk the Second (1093 - 1113)
Svyatopolk was the son of Izyaslav the First. It was he who inherited the Kiev throne after Vsevolod the First. This prince was distinguished by a rare lack of spine, which is why he was unable to calm the internecine friction between the princes for power in the cities. In 1097, a congress of princes took place in the city of Lyubich, at which each ruler, kissing the cross, pledged to own only his father’s land. But this fragile peace treaty was not allowed to come to fruition. Prince Davyd Igorevich blinded Prince Vasilko. Then the princes, at a new congress (1100), deprived Prince David of the right to own Volyn. Then, in 1103, the princes unanimously accepted Vladimir Monomakh’s proposal for a joint campaign against the Polovtsians, which was done. The campaign ended in Russian victory in 1111.
Vladimir Monomakh (1113 - 1125)
Despite the right of seniority of the Svyatoslavichs, when Prince Svyatopolk the Second died, Vladimir Monomakh was elected Prince of Kyiv, who wanted the unification of the Russian land. Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh was brave, tireless and stood out from the rest with his remarkable mental abilities. He managed to humble the princes with meekness, and he fought successfully with the Polovtsians. Vladimir Monoma is a vivid example of a prince serving not his personal ambitions, but his people, which he bequeathed to his children.
Mstislav the First (1125 - 1132)
The son of Vladimir Monomakh, Mstislav the First, was very similar to his legendary father, demonstrating the same remarkable qualities of a ruler. All the disobedient princes showed him respect, fearing to anger the Grand Duke and share the fate of the Polovtsian princes, whom Mstislav expelled to Greece for disobedience, and in their place he sent his son to reign.
Yaropolk (1132 - 1139)
Yaropolk was the son of Vladimir Monomakh and, accordingly, the brother of Mstislav the First. During his reign, he came up with the idea of transferring the throne not to his brother Vyacheslav, but to his nephew, which caused turmoil in the country. It was because of these strife that the Monomakhovichs lost the throne of Kiev, which was occupied by the descendants of Oleg Svyatoslavovich, that is, the Olegovichs.
Vsevolod the Second (1139 - 1146)
Having become the Grand Duke, Vsevolod the Second wanted to secure the throne of Kiev for his family. For this reason, he handed over the throne to Igor Olegovich, his brother. But Igor was not accepted by the people as a prince. He was forced to take monastic vows, but even the monastic robe did not protect him from the wrath of the people. Igor was killed.
Izyaslav the Second (1146 - 1154)
Izyaslav the Second fell in love with the people of Kiev to a greater extent because with his intelligence, disposition, friendliness and courage he very much reminded them of Vladimir Monomakh, the grandfather of Izyaslav the Second. After Izyaslav ascended the Kiev throne, the concept of seniority, accepted for centuries, was violated in Rus', that is, for example, while his uncle was alive, his nephew could not be the Grand Duke. A stubborn struggle began between Izyaslav II and Rostov Prince Yuri Vladimirovich. Izyaslav was driven out of Kyiv twice during his life, but this prince still managed to retain the throne until his death.
Yuri Dolgoruky (1154 - 1157)
It was the death of Izyaslav the Second that paved the way to the throne of Kyiv Yuri, whom the people later nicknamed Dolgoruky. Yuri became the Grand Duke, but he did not reign for long, only three years later, after which he died.
Mstislav the Second (1157 - 1169)
After the death of Yuri Dolgoruky, as usual, internecine strife began between the princes for the Kiev throne, as a result of which Mstislav the Second Izyaslavovich became the Grand Duke. Mstislav was expelled from the Kyiv throne by Prince Andrei Yuryevich, nicknamed Bogolyubsky. Before the expulsion of Prince Mstislav, Bogolyubsky literally ruined Kyiv.
Andrey Bogolyubsky (1169 - 1174)
The first thing Andrei Bogolyubsky did when he became Grand Duke was to move the capital from Kyiv to Vladimir. He ruled Russia autocratically, without squads or councils, persecuted everyone who was dissatisfied with this state of affairs, but in the end he was killed by them as a result of a conspiracy.
Vsevolod the Third (1176 - 1212)
The death of Andrei Bogolyubsky caused strife between ancient cities (Suzdal, Rostov) and new ones (Pereslavl, Vladimir). As a result of these confrontations, Andrei Bogolyubsky’s brother Vsevolod the Third, nicknamed the Big Nest, became king in Vladimir. Despite the fact that this prince did not rule and did not live in Kyiv, nevertheless, he was called the Grand Duke and was the first to force an oath of allegiance not only to himself, but also to his children.
Constantine the First (1212 - 1219)
The title of Grand Duke Vsevolod the Third, contrary to expectations, was transferred not to his eldest son Constantine, but to Yuri, as a result of which strife arose. The father’s decision to approve Yuri as Grand Duke was also supported by Vsevolod the Big Nest’s third son, Yaroslav. And Konstantin was supported in his claims to the throne by Mstislav Udaloy. Together they won the Battle of Lipetsk (1216) and Constantine nevertheless became the Grand Duke. Only after his death did the throne pass to Yuri.
Yuri the Second (1219 - 1238)
Yuri successfully fought with the Volga Bulgarians and Mordovians. On the Volga, on the very border of Russian possessions, Prince Yuri built Nizhny Novgorod. It was during his reign that the Mongol-Tatars appeared in Rus', who in 1224, at the Battle of Kalka, defeated first the Polovtsians, and then the troops of the Russian princes who came to support the Polovtsians. After this battle, the Mongols left, but thirteen years later they returned under the leadership of Batu Khan. Hordes of Mongols devastated the Suzdal and Ryazan principalities, and also defeated the army of Grand Duke Yuri II in the Battle of the City. Yuri died in this battle. Two years after his death, hordes of Mongols plundered the south of Rus' and Kyiv, after which all Russian princes were forced to admit that from now on they and their lands were under the rule of the Tatar yoke. The Mongols on the Volga made the city of Sarai the capital of the horde.
Yaroslav II (1238 - 1252)
The Khan of the Golden Horde appointed Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich of Novgorod as Grand Duke. During his reign, this prince was engaged in restoring Rus', devastated by the Mongol army.
Alexander Nevsky (1252 - 1263)
Being at first the Prince of Novgorod, Alexander Yaroslavovich defeated the Swedes on the Neva River in 1240, for which, in fact, he was named Nevsky. Then, two years later, he defeated the Germans in the famous Battle of the Ice. Among other things, Alexander fought very successfully against Chud and Lithuania. From the Horde he received a label for the Great Reign and became a great intercessor for the entire Russian people, as he traveled to the Golden Horde four times with rich gifts and bows. was subsequently canonized.
Yaroslav the Third (1264 - 1272)
After Alexander Nevsky died, his two brothers began to fight for the title of Grand Duke: Vasily and Yaroslav, but the Khan of the Golden Horde decided to give the label to reign to Yaroslav. However, Yaroslav failed to get along with the Novgorodians; he treacherously called even the Tatars against his own people. The Metropolitan reconciled Prince Yaroslav III with the people, after which the prince again swore an oath on the cross to rule honestly and fairly.
Vasily the First (1272 - 1276)
Vasily the First was the prince of Kostroma, but laid claim to the throne of Novgorod, where the son of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry, reigned. And soon Vasily the First achieved his goal, thereby strengthening his principality, previously weakened by division into appanages.
Dmitry the First (1276 - 1294)
The entire reign of Dmitry the First took place in a continuous struggle for the rights of the grand duke with his brother Andrei Alexandrovich. Andrei Alexandrovich was supported by Tatar regiments, from which Dmitry managed to escape three times. After his third escape, Dmitry nevertheless decided to ask Andrei for peace and, thus, received the right to reign in Pereslavl.
Andrew the Second (1294 - 1304)
Andrew the Second pursued a policy of expanding his principality through the armed seizure of other principalities. In particular, he laid claim to the principality in Pereslavl, which led to civil strife with Tver and Moscow, which, even after the death of Andrei II, was not stopped.
Saint Michael (1304 - 1319)
The Tver prince Mikhail Yaroslavovich, having paid a large tribute to the khan, received from the Horde a label for the grand reign, bypassing the Moscow prince Yuri Danilovich. But then, while Mikhail was waging war with Novgorod, Yuri, conspiring with the Horde ambassador Kavgady, slandered Mikhail in front of the khan. As a result, the khan summoned Mikhail to the Horde, where he was brutally killed.
Yuri the Third (1320 - 1326)
Yuri the Third married the khan's daughter Konchaka, who in Orthodoxy took the name Agafya. It was for her premature death that Yuri insidiously accused Mikhail Yaroslavovich Tverskoy, for which he suffered an unjust and cruel death at the hands of the Horde Khan. So Yuri received a label to reign, but the son of the murdered Mikhail, Dmitry, also laid claim to the throne. As a result, Dmitry killed Yuri at the first meeting, avenging his father's death.
Dmitry the Second (1326)
For the murder of Yuri the Third, he was sentenced to death by the Horde Khan for arbitrariness.
Alexander Tverskoy (1326 - 1338)
The brother of Dmitry II - Alexander - received from the khan a label for the Grand Duke's throne. Prince Alexander of Tverskoy was distinguished by justice and kindness, but he literally ruined himself by allowing the Tver people to kill Shchelkan, the Khan’s ambassador, hated by everyone. Khan sent a 50,000-strong army against Alexander. The prince was forced to flee first to Pskov and then to Lithuania. Only 10 years later, Alexander received the khan's forgiveness and was able to return, but at the same time, he did not get along with the Prince of Moscow - Ivan Kalita - after which Kalita slandered Alexander Tverskoy in front of the khan. Khan urgently summoned A. Tverskoy to his Horde, where he executed him.
John the First Kalita (1320 - 1341)
John Danilovich, nicknamed “Kalita” (Kalita - wallet) for his stinginess, was very careful and cunning. With the support of the Tatars, he devastated the Tver Principality. It was he who took upon himself the responsibility of accepting tribute for the Tatars from all over Rus', which also contributed to his personal enrichment. With this money, John bought entire cities from appanage princes. Through the efforts of Kalita, the metropolis was also transferred from Vladimir to Moscow in 1326. He founded the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. Since the time of John Kalita, Moscow has become the permanent residence of the Metropolitan of All Rus' and becomes the Russian center.
Simeon the Proud (1341 - 1353)
The Khan gave Simeon Ioannovich not only the label for the Grand Duchy, but also ordered all the other princes to obey only him, so Simeon began to call himself the Prince of All Rus'. The prince died without leaving an heir from a pestilence.
John the Second (1353 - 1359)
Brother of Simeon the Proud. He had a meek and peace-loving disposition, he obeyed the advice of Metropolitan Alexei in all matters, and Metropolitan Alexei, in turn, enjoyed great respect in the Horde. During the reign of this prince, relations between the Tatars and Moscow improved significantly.
Dmitry the Third Donskoy (1363 - 1389)
After the death of John the Second, his son Dmitry was still small, so the khan gave the label for the grand reign to the Suzdal prince Dmitry Konstantinovich (1359 - 1363). However, the Moscow boyars benefited from the policy of strengthening the Moscow prince, and they managed to achieve grand reign for Dmitry Ioannovich. The Suzdal prince was forced to submit and, together with the rest of the princes of northeastern Rus', swore allegiance to Dmitry Ioannovich. The relationship between Rus' and the Tatars also changed. Due to civil strife within the horde itself, Dmitry and the rest of the princes took the opportunity not to pay the already familiar quitrent. Then Khan Mamai entered into an alliance with the Lithuanian prince Jagiell and moved with a large army to Rus'. Dmitry and other princes met Mamai’s army on the Kulikovo field (next to the Don River) and at the cost of huge losses on September 8, 1380, Rus' defeated the army of Mamai and Jagiell. For this victory they nicknamed Dmitry Ioannovich Donskoy. Until the end of his life, he cared about strengthening Moscow.
Vasily the First (1389 - 1425)
Vasily ascended the princely throne, already having experience of rule, since even during his father’s life he shared the reign with him. Expanded the Moscow Principality. Refused to pay tribute to the Tatars. In 1395, Khan Timur threatened Rus' with invasion, but it was not he who attacked Moscow, but Edigei, the Tatar Murza (1408). But he lifted the siege from Moscow, receiving a ransom of 3,000 rubles. Under Vasily the First, the Ugra River was designated as the border with the Lithuanian principality.
Vasily the Second (Dark) (1425 - 1462)
Yuri Dmitrievich Galitsky decided to take advantage of Prince Vasily’s minority and declared his rights to the grand ducal throne, but the khan decided the dispute in favor of the young Vasily II, which was greatly facilitated by the Moscow boyar Vasily Vsevolozhsky, hoping in the future to marry his daughter to Vasily, but these expectations were not destined to come true . Then he left Moscow and assisted Yuri Dmitrievich, and he soon took possession of the throne, on which he died in 1434. His son Vasily Kosoy began to lay claim to the throne, but all the princes of Rus' rebelled against this. Vasily the Second captured Vasily Kosoy and blinded him. Then Vasily Kosoy’s brother Dmitry Shemyaka captured Vasily the Second and also blinded him, after which he took the throne of Moscow. But soon he was forced to give the throne to Vasily the Second. Under Vasily the Second, all metropolitans in Rus' began to be recruited from Russians, and not from Greeks, as before. The reason for this was the acceptance of the Florentine Union in 1439 by Metropolitan Isidore, who was from the Greeks. For this, Vasily the Second gave the order to take Metropolitan Isidore into custody and appointed Ryazan Bishop John in his place.
John the Third (1462 -1505)
Under him, the core of the state apparatus and, as a consequence, the state of Rus' began to form. He annexed Yaroslavl, Perm, Vyatka, Tver, and Novgorod to the Moscow principality. In 1480 he overthrew Tatar-Mongol yoke(Standing on the Ugra). In 1497, the Code of Laws was compiled. John the Third launched a large construction project in Moscow and strengthened the international position of Rus'. It was under him that the title “Prince of All Rus'” was born.
Vasily the Third (1505 - 1533)
“The last collector of Russian lands” Vasily the Third was the son of John the Third and Sophia Paleologus. He was distinguished by a very unapproachable and proud disposition. Having annexed Pskov, he destroyed the appanage system. He fought with Lithuania twice on the advice of Mikhail Glinsky, a Lithuanian nobleman whom he kept in his service. In 1514, he finally took Smolensk from the Lithuanians. He fought with Crimea and Kazan. In the end, he managed to punish Kazan. He recalled all trade from the city, ordering from now on to trade at the Makaryevskaya fair, which was then moved to Nizhny Novgorod. Vasily the Third, wishing to marry Elena Glinskaya, divorced his wife Solomonia, which further turned the boyars against themselves. From his marriage to Elena, Vasily the Third had a son, John.
Elena Glinskaya (1533 - 1538)
She was appointed to rule by Vasily the Third himself until their son John came of age. Elena Glinskaya, as soon as she ascended the throne, dealt very harshly with all the rebellious and dissatisfied boyars, after which she made peace with Lithuania. Then she decided to repel the Crimean Tatars, who were boldly attacking Russian lands, however, these plans were not allowed to come true, since Elena died suddenly.
John the Fourth (Grozny) (1538 - 1584)
John the Fourth, Prince of All Rus', became the first Russian Tsar in 1547. Since the late forties, he ruled the country with the participation of the Elected Rada. During his reign, the convening of all Zemsky Sobors began. In 1550, a new Code of Law was drawn up, and reforms of the court and administration were carried out (Zemskaya and Gubnaya reforms). conquered the Kazan Khanate in 1552, and the Astrakhan Khanate in 1556. In 1565, the oprichnina was introduced to strengthen the autocracy. Under John the Fourth, trade relations with England were established in 1553, and the first printing house in Moscow was opened. Lasted from 1558 to 1583 Livonian War for going to Baltic Sea. In 1581, the annexation of Siberia began. The entire internal policy of the country under Tsar John was accompanied by disgraces and executions, for which the people called him the Terrible. The enslavement of peasants increased significantly.
Fyodor Ioannovich (1584 - 1598)
He was the second son of John the Fourth. He was very sickly and weak, and lacked mental acuity. That is why very quickly the actual control of the state passed into the hands of the boyar Boris Godunov, the tsar’s brother-in-law. Boris Godunov, surrounding himself with exclusively devoted people, became a sovereign ruler. He built cities, strengthened relations with the countries of Western Europe, and built the Arkhangelsk harbor on the White Sea. By order and instigation of Godunov, an all-Russian independent patriarchate was approved, and the peasants were finally attached to the land. It was he who in 1591 ordered the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry, who was the brother of the childless Tsar Feodor and was his direct heir. 6 years after this murder, Tsar Fedor himself died.
Boris Godunov (1598 - 1605)
The sister of Boris Godunov and the wife of the late Tsar Fyodor abdicated the throne. Patriarch Job recommended that Godunov’s supporters gather Zemsky Sobor, at which Boris was elected king. Godunov, having become king, was afraid of conspiracies on the part of the boyars and, in general, was distinguished by excessive suspicion, which naturally caused disgrace and exile. At the same time, boyar Fyodor Nikitich Romanov was forced to take monastic vows, and he became the monk Filaret, and his young son Mikhail was sent into exile to Beloozero. But it was not only the boyars who were angry with Boris Godunov. A three-year crop failure and the ensuing pestilence that struck the Muscovite kingdom forced the people to see this as the fault of Tsar B. Godunov. The king tried as best he could to ease the lot of the starving people. He increased the earnings of people working on government buildings (for example, during the construction of the bell tower of Ivan the Great), generously distributed alms, but people still grumbled and willingly believed rumors that the legitimate Tsar Dmitry had not been killed at all and would soon take the throne. In the midst of preparations for the fight against False Dmitry, Boris Godunov suddenly died, and at the same time managed to bequeath the throne to his son Fedor.
False Dmitry (1605 - 1606)
The fugitive monk Grigory Otrepiev, who was supported by the Poles, declared himself Tsar Dmitry, who miraculously managed to escape from the murderers in Uglich. He entered Russia with several thousand people. An army came out to meet him, but it also went over to the side of False Dmitry, recognizing him as the rightful king, after which Fyodor Godunov was killed. False Dmitry was a very good-natured man, but with a sharp mind; he diligently dealt with all state affairs, but caused the displeasure of the clergy and boyars because, in their opinion, he did not sufficiently respect the old Russian customs, and completely neglected many. Together with Vasily Shuisky, the boyars entered into a conspiracy against False Dmitry, spread a rumor that he was an impostor, and then, without hesitation, they killed the fake tsar.
Vasily Shuisky (1606 - 1610)
The boyars and townspeople elected the old and inexperienced Shuisky as king, while limiting his power. In Russia, rumors about the salvation of False Dmitry again arose, in connection with which new unrest began in the state, intensified by the rebellion of a serf named Ivan Bolotnikov and the appearance of False Dmitry II in Tushino (“Tushino thief”). Poland went to war against Moscow and defeated Russian troops. After this, Tsar Vasily was forcibly tonsured a monk, and a troubled time of interregnum came to Russia, lasting three years.
Mikhail Fedorovich (1613 - 1645)
Certificates of the Trinity Lavra, sent throughout Russia and calling for protection Orthodox faith and the fatherland, did their job: Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, with the participation of the Zemstvo head of Nizhny Novgorod, Kozma Minin (Sukhorokiy), gathered a large militia and moved towards Moscow in order to clear the capital of rebels and Poles, which was done after painful efforts. On February 21, 1613, the Great Zemstvo Duma met, at which Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected Tsar, who, after much denial, nevertheless ascended the throne, where the first thing he did was to pacify both external and internal enemies.
He concluded a so-called pillar agreement with Kingdom of Sweden, in 1618 he signed the Treaty of Deulin with Poland, according to which Filaret, who was the Tsar’s parent, was returned to Russia after a long captivity. Upon his return, he was immediately elevated to the rank of patriarch. Patriarch Filaret was an adviser to his son and a reliable co-ruler. Thanks to them, by the end of the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich, Russia began to enter into friendly relations with various Western states, having practically recovered from the horror of the Time of Troubles.
Alexey Mikhailovich (Quiet) (1645 - 1676)
Tsar Alexei is considered one of the the best people ancient Russia. He had a meek, humble disposition and was very pious. He absolutely could not stand quarrels, and if they happened, he suffered greatly and tried in every possible way to reconcile with his enemy. In the first years of his reign, his closest adviser was his uncle, boyar Morozov. In the fifties, Patriarch Nikon became his advisor, who decided to unite Rus' with the rest of the Orthodox world and ordered everyone from now on to be baptized in the Greek manner - with three fingers, which created a split among the Orthodox in Rus'. (The most famous schismatics are the Old Believers, who do not want to deviate from the true faith and be baptized with a “cookie”, as the Patriarch - Boyarina Morozova and Archpriest Avvakum ordered).
During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, every now and then different cities riots broke out, which were suppressed, and the decision of Little Russia to voluntarily join the Moscow state provoked two wars with Poland. But the state survived thanks to the unity and concentration of power. After the death of his first wife, Maria Miloslavskaya, in whose marriage the tsar had two sons (Fedor and John) and many daughters, he married a second time to the girl Natalya Naryshkina, who bore him a son, Peter.
Fedor Alekseevich (1676 - 1682)
During the reign of this tsar, the issue of Little Russia was finally resolved: its western part went to Turkey, and the East and Zaporozhye to Moscow. Patriarch Nikon was returned from exile. They also abolished localism - the ancient boyar custom of taking into account the service of their ancestors when occupying government and military positions. Tsar Fedor died without leaving an heir.
Ivan Alekseevich (1682 - 1689)
Ivan Alekseevich, together with his brother Pyotr Alekseevich, was elected tsar thanks to the Streltsy revolt. But Tsarevich Alexei, suffering from dementia, did not take any part in state affairs. He died in 1689 during the reign of Princess Sophia.
Sophia (1682 - 1689)
Sophia remained in history as a ruler of extraordinary intelligence and possessed all the necessary qualities of a real queen. She managed to calm the unrest of schismatics, curb the archers, conclude an “eternal peace” with Poland, very beneficial for Russia, as well as the Nerchinsk Treaty with distant China. The princess undertook campaigns against the Crimean Tatars, but fell victim to her own lust for power. Tsarevich Peter, however, having guessed her plans, imprisoned his half-sister in the Novodevichy Convent, where Sophia died in 1704.
Peter the Great (1682 - 1725)
The greatest tsar, and since 1721 the first Russian emperor, statesman, cultural and military figure. He carried out revolutionary reforms in the country: collegiums, the Senate, political investigation bodies and state control. He made divisions in Russia into provinces, and also subordinated the church to the state. Built a new capital - St. Petersburg. Peter's main dream was to eliminate Russia's backwardness in development compared to European countries. Taking advantage of Western experience, he tirelessly created manufactories, factories, and shipyards.
To facilitate trade and for access to the Baltic Sea, he won the Northern War against Sweden, which lasted 21 years, thereby “cutting through” a “window to Europe.” Built a huge fleet for Russia. Thanks to his efforts, the Academy of Sciences was opened in Russia and the civil alphabet was adopted. All reforms were carried out using the most brutal methods and caused multiple uprisings in the country (Streletskoye in 1698, Astrakhan from 1705 to 1706, Bulavinsky from 1707 to 1709), which, however, were also mercilessly suppressed.
Catherine the First (1725 - 1727)
Peter the Great died without leaving a will. So, the throne passed to his wife Catherine. Catherine became famous for equipping Bering on a trip around the world, and also established the Supreme Privy Council at the instigation of the friend and comrade-in-arms of her late husband Peter the Great, Prince Menshikov. Thus, Menshikov concentrated in his hands virtually all state power. He persuaded Catherine to appoint as heir to the throne the son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, to whom his father, Peter the Great, had sentenced Peter Alekseevich to death for his aversion to reforms, and also to agree to his marriage with Menshikov’s daughter Maria. Before Peter Alekseevich came of age, Prince Menshikov was appointed ruler of Russia.
Peter the Second (1727 - 1730)
Peter the Second did not rule for long. Having barely gotten rid of the imperious Menshikov, he immediately fell under the influence of the Dolgorukys, who, by distracting the emperors in every possible way with amusements from state affairs, actually ruled the country. They wanted to marry the emperor to Princess E. A. Dolgoruky, but Peter Alekseevich suddenly died of smallpox and the wedding did not take place.
Anna Ioannovna (1730 - 1740)
The Supreme Privy Council decided to somewhat limit the autocracy, so they chose Anna Ioannovna, the Dowager Duchess of Courland, daughter of Ivan Alekseevich, as empress. But she was crowned on the Russian throne as an autocratic empress and, first of all, having assumed her rights, she destroyed the Supreme Privy Council. She replaced it with the Cabinet and instead of the Russian nobles, she distributed positions to the Germans Ostern and Minich, as well as the Courlander Biron. The cruel and unjust rule was subsequently called “Bironism.”
Russia's intervention in the internal affairs of Poland in 1733 cost the country dearly: the lands conquered by Peter the Great had to be returned to Persia. Before her death, the empress appointed the son of her niece Anna Leopoldovna as her heir, and appointed Biron as regent for the baby. However, Biron was soon overthrown, and Anna Leopoldovna became the empress, whose reign cannot be called long and glorious. The guards staged a coup and proclaimed Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great.
Elizaveta Petrovna (1741 - 1761)
Elizabeth destroyed the Cabinet established by Anna Ioannovna and returned the Senate. Issued a decree abolishing the death penalty in 1744. She established the first loan banks in Russia in 1954, which became a great boon for merchants and nobles. At Lomonosov's request, she opened the first university in Moscow and in 1756 opened the first theater. During her reign, Russia fought two wars: with Sweden and the so-called “seven years”, in which Prussia, Austria and France took part. Thanks to the peace concluded with Sweden, part of Finland was ceded to Russia. The “Seven Years” War was brought to an end by the death of Empress Elizabeth.
Peter the Third (1761 - 1762)
He was absolutely unsuited to governing the state, but he was of a complacent disposition. But this young emperor managed to turn absolutely all layers of Russian society against himself, since, to the detriment of Russian interests, he showed a craving for everything German. Peter the Third, not only made a lot of concessions in relation to the Prussian Emperor Frederick the Second, but also reformed the army according to the same Prussian model, dear to his heart. He issued decrees on the destruction of the secret chancellery and the free nobility, which, however, were not distinguished by certainty. As a result of the coup, because of his attitude towards the empress, he quickly signed an abdication of the throne and soon died.
Catherine the Second (1762 - 1796)
Her reign was one of the greatest after the reign of Peter the Great. Empress Catherine ruled harshly, suppressed Pugachev's peasant uprising, won two Turkish wars, which resulted in the recognition of the independence of Crimea by Turkey, and Russia lost its shores Sea of Azov. Russia acquired the Black Sea Fleet, and active construction of cities began in Novorossiya. Catherine the Second established the colleges of education and medicine. Cadet corps were opened, and the Smolny Institute was opened to train girls. Catherine the Second, herself possessing literary abilities, patronized literature.
Paul the First (1796 - 1801)
He did not support the reforms that his mother, Empress Catherine, started in state system. Among the achievements of his reign, one should note a very significant improvement in the life of serfs (only a three-day corvee was introduced), the opening of a university in Dorpat, as well as the emergence of new women's institutions.
Alexander the First (Blessed) (1801 - 1825)
The grandson of Catherine the Second, upon ascending the throne, vowed to rule the country “according to the law and heart” of his crowned grandmother, who, in fact, was involved in his upbringing. At the very beginning, he took a number of different liberation measures aimed at different sections of society, which aroused the undoubted respect and love of people. But external political problems distracted Alexander from internal reforms. Russia, in alliance with Austria, was forced to fight against Napoleon; Russian troops were defeated at Austerlitz.
Napoleon forced Russia to abandon trade with England. As a result, in 1812, Napoleon nevertheless, violating the treaty with Russia, went to war against the country. And in the same year, 1812, Russian troops defeated Napoleon’s army. Alexander the First established the State Council in 1800, ministries and the cabinet of ministers. He opened universities in St. Petersburg, Kazan and Kharkov, as well as many institutes and gymnasiums, and the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. Made the life of the peasants much easier.
Nicholas the First (1825 - 1855)
He continued the policy of improving peasant life. Founded the Institute of St. Vladimir in Kyiv. Published a 45-volume complete collection of laws Russian Empire. Under Nicholas the First in 1839, the Uniates were reunited with Orthodoxy. This reunification was a consequence of the suppression of the uprising in Poland and the complete destruction of the Polish constitution. There was a war with the Turks, who oppressed Greece, and as a result of Russia's victory, Greece gained independence. After the break in relations with Turkey, which was sided with England, Sardinia and France, Russia had to join a new struggle.
The emperor died suddenly during the defense of Sevastopol. During the reign of Nicholas the First, Nikolaevskaya and Tsarskoye Selo railways, great Russian writers and poets lived and worked: Lermontov, Pushkin, Krylov, Griboyedov, Belinsky, Zhukovsky, Gogol, Karamzin.
Alexander II (Liberator) (1855 - 1881)
Alexander II had to end the Turkish war. The Paris Peace Treaty was concluded on very unfavorable terms for Russia. In 1858, according to an agreement with China, Russia acquired the Amur region, and later Usuriysk. In 1864, the Caucasus finally became part of Russia. The most important state transformation of Alexander II was the decision to free the peasants. He died at the hands of an assassin in 1881.