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Perhaps this is the most mysterious person in the history of Ancient Rus'.

Nobody knows where he came from, how he lived and where he died. But, if you believe the Tale of Bygone Years, it was this Varangian who became the founder of the Russian state, and it was from him that the dynasty that ruled our land until the end of the 16th century descended. So let's figure out who Rurik was and what he became famous for besides becoming the ancestor of the great princes.

The first Russians

By the way, before the arrival of Rurik, Russians did not live in Rus'. How do you feel about this statement? But this is really so.

The concept of “Russian”, like the name of the land itself - Rus', appeared precisely thanks to the calling of the Varangians in the 9th century. This is how The Tale of Bygone Years describes it: “And they went overseas to the Varangians, to Rus'. Those Varangians were called Rus, just as others are called Swedes, and some Normans and Angles, and still others Gotlanders - like these. The Chud, the Slovenians, the Krivichi and everyone said to the Russians: “Our land is great and abundant, but there is no order in it. Come reign and rule over us.” And three brothers were chosen with their clans, and they took all of Rus' with them, and they came and the eldest, Rurik, sat in Novgorod, and the other, Sineus, in Beloozero, and the third, Truvor, in Izborsk. And from those Varangians the Russian land was nicknamed...” So until that moment, the Slavic and Finno-Ugric peoples, although they were united into a single state, each was called in its own way: Slovenes, Drevlyans, Krivichi, Vyatichi, Chud, Mereya, Muroma, Perm, all and others. Then all these tribes began to be designated by a single word - Russians.

Well, there is still debate among historians about who the Rus are.

Scandinavian king...

As we already wrote, one of the legends says that Rurik, Sineus and Truvor are the grandchildren of Prince Gostomysl from his daughter Umila, who invited them to accept his power. But even this does not explain where the brothers came from. After all, Umila could have been the wife of both a Slavic prince and a Scandinavian king. The Joachim Chronicle states that Rurik is the son of a Varangian prince from Finland, whose wife was Gostomysl’s daughter. But, as we said in the previous article, historians dispute the authenticity of this text.

The only thing we learn from Nestor, the author of The Tale of Bygone Years, is that the Rus came from overseas. This led to the assumption that they were Vikings who came from Scandinavia.

A similar version was one of the first to be developed in the 18th century by German scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences Gottlieb Siegfried Bayer, Gerard Friedrich Miller and Friedrich Heinrich Strube de Pyrmont. Supporters of the Norman theory reinforce their arguments by the fact that most of the names of the Rus, called to reign, have a clear ancient Germanic origin: Rurik, Truvor, Askold, Dir. Even Oleg, Olga and Igor are derived from the Scandinavian Helga, Helga and Ingvar. The German version was also confirmed by archaeologists.

During excavations in Staraya Ladoga, as well as at the site of the Rurik Settlement founded by the Russians, many items that belonged to the Vikings were discovered: elements of military ammunition, iron hryvnias (neck jewelry) with Thor's hammers, bronze pendants with runic inscriptions, a silver figurine of a Valkyrie. All this dates back to the 9th-10th centuries. In addition, many noble warriors of that time were buried in mounds, and such funeral rites were also characteristic of the Vikings. Among the possible prototypes of the legendary Prince Rurik, historians name the Danish Viking Rorik of Jutland from the Skjeldung dynasty and the Swedish king Eirik Emundarson.

...or a Slavic prince?

In the same 18th century, Mikhail Lomonosov objected to the Normanists, arguing that the Rus came from Slavic lands.

He considered them Prussians who lived on the east-southern shores of the Varangian (Baltic) Sea. In this case, the Russians could also come “from across the sea.” There is also a version that the summoned Varangians came from the Polabian Slavs - the Obodrites. By the way, their largest city was called Rerik and was located on the coast of the Baltic Sea.

The Slavic version of the origin of the Varangian-Russians was expressed a couple of centuries before Lomonosov by the Austrian historian, advisor to the ambassador to Muscovite Rus', Baron Sigismund von Herberstein. He wrote: “The Russians summoned their princes from the Vagrs, or Varangians, rather than entrusting power to foreigners who differed from them in faith, customs and language.” In principle, this is quite logical, because, as the same “Tale of Bygone Years” describes, on the eve of Rurik’s calling to the Slovenes, the Krivichi, the whole and the Chud, expelled foreigners from their lands “and did not give them tribute.”

Would the tribes then begin to invite the newly expelled invaders back?

As for the Scandinavian names of Rurik’s warriors, because of the proximity to the Germans, it could easily become fashionable for the Slavs living on the Baltic coast to call their children foreign names. The same applies to Scandinavian objects found by archaeologists. Firstly, active trade was already underway in the Baltic Sea at that time, secondly, various elements of life and culture were often borrowed by neighboring peoples, and thirdly, Vikings were often hired by various rulers as warriors.

They could well have been in the service of Rurik.

Vadim vs Rurik

The Tale of Bygone Years says that Rurik and his brothers came to reign in 862, after which he sat down in Novgorod, and Sineus and Truvor settled in Beloozero and Izborsk. But two years later both brothers died, and all power went to Rurik alone. The Tale says practically nothing about what he did after that, but it is said in the Joachim Chronicle cited by the nobleman Vasily Tatishchev. It says that “After the death of his brothers, Rurik possessed all the land, without having a war with anyone. In the fourth summer of his reign he moved from the old city to the great New City near Ilmen.” Where the prince lived before this, the chronicle does not specify. But there is an indication of that in the Ipatiev Chronicle: “...And he cut down the city of Ladoga.” As mentioned above, archaeological excavations in Staraya Ladoga confirmed the presence of the Varangians there in the 9th century. It turns out that Rurik and his retinue first settled in Staraya Ladoga, and only a few years later moved to Novgorod - on Ilmen. There the prince settled in a Slovenian fortress, now known as Rurik's settlement. There is a version that it was in that place that Veliky Novgorod was previously located. After all, the modern city was founded later, and its center is located two kilometers north of the Rurik settlement.

In the Nikon Chronicle there is mention that not all Novgorodians were happy with the rule of the Varangians. Rurik demanded more and more tribute from the townspeople, and this led to a conflict with the local nobility. Vadim Brave became the leader of the rioters. But the Varangians prevailed and killed the rebels. However, Tatishchev, referring to the Joachim Chronicle, argued that Vadim, like Rurik, was one of Gostomysl’s grandchildren and claimed legal rights to the throne, for which he suffered. There is another version: Russian historian Igor Froyanov suggested that Vadim the Brave could be a local prince who was overthrown by Rurik, simply seizing power. And some historians generally believe that the Varangians did not have any conflict in Novgorod, and the story with Vadim was borrowed from a later period - the life of Yaroslav the Wise.

At the bottom or in the mound?

Ancient texts tell little about the personal life of Prince Rurik. It is only known that he had a beloved wife, Efanda, the daughter of the Prince of Urman, who gave birth to Rurik’s heir, the son Igor. There is also a version that the prince had other wives and children, but practically no information about them has been preserved. Is it possible that the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 944 includes the nephews of Igor Rurikovich - Igor and Akun.

The ancient texts do not say anything about how the life of the great Varangian ended. The Tale of Bygone Years only names the date of his death - 879, and also mentions that Rurik transferred the throne to his relative Oleg, since Igor was still too young. The Joachim Chronicle says that before his death “the great Rurik was very sick and began to be exhausted.” We also do not know the location of the prince’s burial. In oral traditions, a legend has been preserved that Rurik, in a sarcophagus lined with gold plates, was lowered to the bottom of Lake Ladoga, presumably near the Secret Tower of the Ladoga Fort. But studies of the lake bottom did not yield any results. There is also a version that the prince rests in the Korela fortress, which is located on the territory of Priozersk. According to another legend, Rurik died in battle near the Luga River in a place known as Peredolsky Pogost (Novgorod region).

This seems to be true, since it is there that the largest mound of medieval Europe, Shum Mountain, rises. Something like this could only be created over the remains of a very noble person. Excavations of this burial have not yet been carried out.

So, perhaps, it is in the depths of Shumgora that answers are hidden that can shed light on the personality of the legendary prince, from whom the Russian land came?

Rurik is the first Russian prince, his existence is confirmed by ancient chronicles. The biography of Rurik (862-879 years of life are described in various sources) is unknown for certain, and this gives rise to many versions about his origin and the events in which he participated.

Chronicle information

The branching of the Rurik family began after the death of Vladimir and intensified after Yaroslav the Wise. The princes allocated estates and allotments to their sons, and wars broke out between them for primacy and the right to the throne. In their wars and divisions, they almost lost all Russian lands during the period of the Mongol-Tatar yoke and numerous raids by neighboring states. The Rurik family gave birth to numerous offspring, who later became the founders of high-profile noble families.

Versions of origin

There are many versions of where Prince Rurik came from. A brief biography and scant information enable historians and linguists to use their imagination, relying on fragments of phrases, lengthy or professional interpretations of ancient sources and their own knowledge. Origin options:

• Scandinavian. In support of the version, there is a consonance with the name of the Scandinavian ruler Rurik of Jutland, several interpretations of inscriptions on stones from the Shui hill, dating from the same years when Rurik ruled in Novgorod.
• According to another version, the Varangian family from which Rurik came is of French origin, and, therefore, the full name of the Russian ruler is Rurik of Friesland.
• Baltic origin. Some scientists claim that Rurik comes from the people who inhabited the island of Ruyan (now Rügen). The version is supported by the story that Rurik came to Rus' through Ladoga.
• Slavic origin. When studying “The Tale of Bygone Years” it becomes clear that there are no linguistic differences between the Varangian princes and the ancient peoples of Rus', everyone understood each other without a translator, the names of ancient cities are still understandable today - Beloozero, Ladoga, Novgorod, etc. Gumilev argued, that the Varangians are not an ethnic group, but a profession. In the same chronicle there is a phrase: “And from those Varangians it was nicknamed the Russian Land, Novugorodians, they are the people of Novugorod from the Varangian family.” That is, it turns out that the Novgorodians are Slavs, which means the Varangians are also Slavs.

The given list of versions of the origin of the first Russian prince is far from complete. The right to be called the country from which the ruler came is claimed by the Swedes, Germans and other peoples of Europe. Historical science has not come to a consensus on the origin of Rus' and the emergence of princes; disputes are ongoing, and, probably, will not subside even after the birth of a new document. It is not possible to trace with precision what the biography of Rurik was over the course of many years; moreover, many historians raise the question: did Rurik exist?

The reign of Rurik and his brothers, the first princes of Ancient Rus', is considered one of the most mysterious phenomena in history, which is overgrown with legends, guesses and disputes.

Whether he was a Varangian or whether he and his brothers were born on the territory of modern Russia - scientists are still arguing about this.

One thing is clear, it was with Rurik that the dynasty of the great ancient Russian rulers began.

Prince Rurik - years of life and reign, brief biography

The date of birth of Rurik is attributed to 817. The details of the young man’s life before coming to Rus' are practically unknown; one can only guess who he and his brothers, Sineus and Truvor, were.

One thing is absolutely clear - in 862 the Slavs called on the Varangians to rule their lands and protect them from the raids of other tribes, including the Vikings, who devastated the lands of Europe for several centuries in a row. This date is the beginning of the future Russia.

The Varangian ruled until his death in 879, after which power passed to his friend and warrior Oleg, who was also of Varangian origin.

Disputes about the origin of Rurik

At the moment, there are many theories about the origin and nationality of the first prince, even to the point of completely denying the existence of him and his brothers.

According to the Norman version of origin, the first prince was the Danish Viking Rorik of Jutland, brother of the exiled king, Harald Klak from the city of Hedeby. In the Scandinavian chronicles there are references to the fact that the warrior participated in campaigns against King Horik, and also carried out raids with other Vikings in Frisia, and tried to conquer Jutland.

According to Swedish scientists, in the 60s of the 9th century, Rorik raided the territory of the Slavs and conquered them. Around these years, all information about Rorik disappears, which speaks in favor of the theory about the Scandinavian origin of the prince.

Worth noting: one of Rurik's wives was the Norwegian queen Efanda, the mother of the future Prince Igor. Also, some historians consider her the sister of the legendary Prince Oleg, which again speaks in favor of the Norman theory.

There is a theory that the first Russian prince has West Slavic roots and comes from the Vagrian tribe. He is of Novgorod origin through his mother Umila, his father is an unknown Finnish prince. After the death of his father, the Finnish lands passed to his sons - Rurik, Sineus and Truvor. This version raises doubts among many historians, many even consider it a falsification.

There is a version that Rurik did not really exist. Historians suggest that this was the name of the Varangian tribal clan Rerek. Thus, one of the Obodrite dynasties bore the name Rerek.

Recently, contemporaries have come to the conclusion that Rurik was the Danish Rurik of Jutland.

Reign of Rurik

According to the Novgorod Chronicle, the Viking first ruled in Staraya Ladoga, and then conquered Ancient Novgorod. Chronicle sources contain little information about the reign of the first prince, however, a brief historical portrait can be drawn up.

He himself ruled only in Staraya Ladoga and Novgorod, his brothers in Izborsk and Beloozero. The legendary warriors of Rurik, Askold and Dir, were sent to Kyiv.

Interesting fact: Askold and Dir conquered Kyiv, and then went on a campaign against Byzantium, where, according to the chronicles, they adopted Christianity. Later, the Prophetic Oleg dealt with the Varangians and captured Kyiv, making it the capital of the Old Russian state.

It is noted that in 864 there was an uprising against the Varangians. It was raised by the Novgorod boyars and traders, dissatisfied with the Viking policies. The uprising was brutally suppressed.

Rurik's brothers

Sineus and Truvor, the Varangian brothers of Rurik, are even more mysterious than the Novgorod prince himself. According to the Nikon Chronicle, these are Rurik’s brothers, who reigned together with their brother: Sineus - in Beloozero, Truvor - in Izborsk.

From chronicle sources it becomes clear that the brothers died suddenly 2 years after their calling. The elder brother annexed their lands to his principality under a single authority.

Some historians believe that the brothers did not exist at all. They explain this by an incorrect translation from Old Swedish. Sineus means “one’s kind”; Truvor’s translation is “faithful squad”. That is, Rurik came along with Sineus - “his family” and Truvor - “faithful squad”.

This theory was popular for a long time, until the philologist and Scandinavian scholar Melnikova completely refuted this theory, proving that Sineus and Truvor are personal names often found in Scandinavian runes.

The arrival of Rurik in Rus'

The episode of the calling of the Varangians was described in the “Tale of Bygone Years” of the 11th century and inspires complete confidence among historians. According to it, the Slavic and Finnish tribes: Chud, Krivichi, Slovenians, Meri paid tribute to the Scandinavians - the Vikings, who devastated the lands of Europe everywhere.

In the 9th century, the tribes fought back against the Vikings and stopped paying them. This event gave rise to civil strife and internal squabbles between the tribes. To stop the disputes, the tribes agreed and decided to invite an outside ruler. The choice fell on the Varangians.

Death of the founder of the dynasty of Russian princes

The prince died in 879. According to legend, he died during the battle and was buried on the northern bank of the Luga River. A horse, a gilded saddle and 40 barrels of silver were buried with the body. Scientists still cannot find the exact burial place of the legendary prince.

One of the proposed places is Shum Mountain in the Novgorod region.

The sacred mound with its intricate runes and boulders is a site of national importance. The date of creation of the burial mound is approximately the 8th-10th centuries.

Did you know that: The administration and local residents are categorically against conducting research and excavations on the territory of the mound. And local residents talk about amazing phenomena and sounds, similar to crying, emitted by the mound.

What Rurik did for Rus'

The sources contain little information about Rurik and the years of his reign.

We can highlight several of the prince’s main achievements:

1. The foundation of a dynasty of kings, with the accompanying signs of power passed on by inheritance.
2. Suppression of the uprising in Novgorod in 864. According to the story of bygone years, Vadim “The Brave”, together with the boyars and merchants, raised an uprising, which was successfully suppressed.
3. The unification of tribes, lands and cities into a single state under the rule of one person.
4. Protection from attacks by other Varangians. From the sources it becomes clear that during the reign of Rurik the Scandinavians did not raid Slavic lands.

Perhaps the prince did more, but chronicle sources are extremely stingy in their presentation.

Who ruled after Rurik

After the death of the prince in 879, Oleg, a warrior (maybe a relative) of Rurik, began to rule as regent for the young son of the first Varangian, Igor. Oleg received the nickname Prophetic, which means wise, foreseeing the future.

During his activities, Prophetic Oleg conquered Kyiv, making it the capital and uniting it with Novgorod and Ladoga. Having gathered an army, he marched on Constantinople, where he concluded a duty-free trade agreement that was very beneficial for Rus'. As proof of the conquest of the city, Prophetic Oleg nailed his shield to the gates of Constantinople.

The death of the prince is no less mysterious than the calling of the Varangians to Rus' as a whole. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Prince Oleg died from a snake bite.

Foreign and domestic policies of Rurik - basic data in the table

The results of the reign of the first prince can be divided into the following areas:

The personality of Rurik is a historical mystery that not only Russian historians, but also Scandinavian scientists are struggling with. The great Varangian did not rule for long, but left behind another great and wise ruler, Prophetic Oleg, who not only conquered Kyiv, but also strengthened the power of the Rurikovichs throughout the territory of Ancient Rus'.

Rurikovich. Gatherers of the Russian Land Burovsky Andrey Mikhailovich

Chapter 1 Who is Rurik and where did he come from?

Who is Rurik and where did he come from?

3. Where did the double-headed eagle on Russian coins come from? It is believed that the double-headed eagle appeared on Russian coins no earlier than 1472, p.54. The history of its appearance is as follows. It first appeared on the seal of Ivan III in 1497. Some experts explain his appearance by his marriage in 1472