He became the first elected tsar in Rus'. Who was the very first tsar in Rus'? Kievan Rus period

Over the almost 400 years of the existence of this title, it was worn by completely different people - from adventurers and liberals to tyrants and conservatives.

Rurikovich

Over the years, Russia (from Rurik to Putin) has changed many times political system. At first, rulers bore the title of prince. When after the period political fragmentation a new Russian state has emerged around Moscow, the owners of the Kremlin are thinking about accepting royal rank.

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 great 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 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. With him because of 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). IN Troubled times The rulers of Russia changed frequently.

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 Moscow was liberated from foreign invaders in 1613, the question arose of who should be made 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 began the struggle with Poland for the lands it captured during the Time of Troubles.

These were the biographies of the rulers and the dates of reign before mid-17th century 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 fraternal peoples finally began to live in the same country.

Alexei had many sons. The eldest of them Feodor III(1676-1682), died in 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.

Appeared new army and the fleet. For this, Peter started a war against Sweden. lasted 21 years Northern War. During it, the Swedish army was defeated, and the kingdom agreed to cede its southern Baltic lands. St. Petersburg was founded in this region in 1703 - new capital Russia. 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 long period instability of 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 its predecessor Peter III 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 the Volga region broke out in the 1770s. peasant revolt under the leadership of Pugachev.

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, Russia was Crimea annexed and other important Black Sea regions. At the end of Catherine's reign, three divisions of Poland occurred. So Russian Empire received important acquisitions in the west.

After death 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 was Patriotic War and Napoleon's invasion. The rulers of the Russian state have not faced such serious enemy intervention for two centuries. 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. The country has begun economic growth. The reforms also affected the 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 king had to make concessions 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 it broke out February Revolution, and the last king had to abdicate the throne. Nicholas II and his family were shot by the Bolsheviks in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg.

Although each of us studied the history of Russia in school, not everyone knows who was the first tsar in Rus'. In 1547, Ivan IV Vasilyevich, nicknamed the Terrible for his difficult character, cruelty and harsh disposition, began to be called this loud title. Before him, all the rulers of the Russian lands were grand dukes. After Ivan the Terrible became Tsar, our state began to be called the Russian Kingdom instead of the Moscow Principality.

Grand Duke and Tsar: what is the difference?

Having dealt with the one who was first named the Tsar of all Rus', we should find out why it became necessary new title. TO mid-16th century centuries, the lands of the Moscow Principality occupied 2.8 thousand square kilometers. It was a huge state, stretching from Smolensk region in the west to Ryazan and Nizhny Novgorod districts in the east, from Kaluga lands in the south to the Northern Arctic Ocean and the Gulf of Finland in the north. For so much huge territory about 9 million people lived. Moscow Rus' (as the principality was otherwise called) was centralized state, in which all regions were subordinate to the Grand Duke, that is, Ivan IV.

TO XVI century The Byzantine Empire ceased to exist. Grozny nurtured the idea of ​​becoming the patron of the entire Orthodox world, and for this he needed to strengthen the authority of his state in international level. Change of title in this issue didn't play last role. In Western European countries, the word “tsar” was translated as “emperor” or left untouched, while “prince” was associated with a duke or prince, which was a level lower.

The Tsar's childhood

Knowing who became the first tsar in Rus', it will be interesting to get acquainted with the biography of this person. Ivan the Terrible was born in 1530. His parents were the Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily III and Princess Elena Glinskaya. The future ruler of the Russian lands was orphaned early. When he was 3 years old, his father died. Since Ivan was the only heir to the throne (his younger brother Yuri was born mentally retarded and could not lead Principality of Moscow), rule of the Russian lands passed to him. This happened in 1533. For some time, his mother was the de facto ruler of the young son, but in 1538 she too passed away (according to rumors, she was poisoned). Completely orphaned by the age of eight, the future first Tsar of Rus' grew up among his guardians, the boyars Belsky and Shuisky, who were not interested in anything other than power. Growing up in an atmosphere of hypocrisy and meanness, from childhood he did not trust those around him and expected a dirty trick from everyone.

Acceptance of new title and marriage

At the beginning of 1547, Grozny announced his intention to marry into the kingdom. On January 16 of the same year he was given the title of Tsar of All Rus'. The crown was placed on the head of the ruler by Metropolitan Macarius of Moscow, a man who enjoys authority in society and has a special influence on young Ivan. The ceremonial wedding took place in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.

As a 17-year-old boy, the newly-crowned king decided to get married. In search of a bride, the dignitaries traveled all over the Russian lands. Ivan the Terrible selected his wife from one and a half thousand applicants. Most of all, he liked young Anastasia Zakharyina-Yuryeva. She conquered Ivan not only with her beauty, but also with her intelligence, chastity, piety, calm character. Metropolitan Macarius, who crowned Ivan the Terrible, approved the choice and married the newlyweds. Subsequently, the king had other spouses, but Anastasia was his favorite of them all.

Moscow uprising

In the summer of 1547, a strong fire broke out in the capital, which could not be extinguished for 2 days. About 4 thousand people became its victims. Rumors spread throughout the city that the capital was set on fire by the Tsar’s relatives, the Glinskys. An angry crowd of people went to the Kremlin. The houses of the Glinsky princes were plundered. The result of popular unrest was the murder of one of the members of this noble family- Yuri. After this, the rebels came to the village of Vorobyovo, where he hid from them young king, and demanded that all the Glinskys be handed over to them. The rioters were hardly pacified and sent back to Moscow. After the uprising waned, Grozny ordered the execution of its organizers.

Beginning of state reform

The Moscow uprising spread to other Russian cities. Ivan IV faced the need to carry out reforms aimed at establishing order in the country and strengthening his autocracy. For these purposes, in 1549, the tsar created the Elected Rada - a new government group, which included people loyal to him (Metropolitan Macarius, priest Sylvester, A. Adashev, A. Kurbsky and others).

This period includes the beginning of active reform activities Ivan the Terrible, aimed at centralizing his power. For management various industries state life The first tsar in Rus' created numerous orders and huts. So, foreign policy The Russian state was led by the Ambassadorial Prikaz, headed by I. Viskovity for two decades. The Petition Hut, under the control of A. Adashev, was required to accept applications, petitions and complaints from ordinary people, as well as conduct investigations into them. The fight against crime was entrusted to the Robust Order. It served as a modern police force. The life of the capital was regulated by the Zemsky Prikaz.

In 1550, Ivan IV published a new Code of Laws, in which all existing documents were systematized and edited. Russian kingdom legislative acts. When compiling it, the changes that have occurred in the life of the state over the past half century were taken into account. The document introduced punishment for bribery for the first time. Before this, Muscovite Rus' lived according to the Code of Laws of 1497, the laws of which were noticeably outdated by the middle of the 16th century.

Church and military politics

Under Ivan the Terrible, the influence of the Orthodox Church increased significantly, and the life of the clergy improved. This was facilitated by the Council of the Hundred Heads, convened in 1551. The provisions adopted there contributed to the centralization of church power.

In 1555-1556, the first Tsar of Rus', Ivan the Terrible, together with the Elected Rada, developed the “Code of Service”, which contributed to an increase in the number of Russian army. In accordance with this document, each feudal lord was obliged to field a certain number of soldiers with horses and weapons from his lands. If the landowner supplied the Tsar with soldiers in excess of the norm, he was encouraged with a monetary reward. In the event that the feudal lord could not provide required quantity soldier, he paid a fine. The “Code of Service” contributed to improving the combat effectiveness of the army, which was important in the conditions of Ivan the Terrible’s active foreign policy.

Expansion of territory

During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the conquest of neighboring lands was actively carried out. In 1552, the Russian state was annexed Khanate of Kazan, and in 1556 - Astrakhan. In addition to this, the king’s possessions expanded due to the conquest of the Volga region and the western part of the Urals. Kabardian and Nogai rulers recognized their dependence on Russian lands. Under the first Russian Tsar, the active annexation of Western Siberia began.

Throughout 1558-1583, Ivan IV fought the Livonian War for Russia's access to the shores of the Baltic Sea. The start of hostilities was successful for the king. In 1560, Russian troops managed to completely defeat Livonian Order. However, the successfully started war dragged on for for many years, led to a worsening of the situation within the country and ended in complete defeat for Russia. The king began to look for those responsible for his failures, which led to mass disgrace and executions.

Break with the Chosen Rada, oprichnina

Adashev, Sylvester and other figures Elected Rada did not support the aggressive policy of Ivan the Terrible. In 1560, they opposed Russia’s conduct of the Livonian War, for which they aroused the wrath of the ruler. The first tsar in Rus' dispersed the Rada. Its members were persecuted. Ivan the Terrible, who does not tolerate dissent, thought about establishing a dictatorship in the lands under his control. To this end, in 1565 he began to pursue a policy of oprichnina. Its essence was the confiscation and redistribution of boyar and princely lands in favor of the state. This policy was accompanied by mass arrests and executions. Its result was the weakening of the local nobility and the strengthening of the power of the king against this background. The oprichnina lasted until 1572 and was ended after the devastating invasion of Moscow by Crimean troops led by Khan Devlet-Girey.

The policy pursued by the first tsar in Rus' led to a severe weakening of the country's economy, devastation of lands, and destruction of estates. Towards the end of his reign, Ivan the Terrible abandoned execution as a method of punishing the guilty. In his will of 1579, he repented of his cruelty towards his subjects.

Wives and children of the king

Ivan the Terrible married 7 times. In total, he had 8 children, 6 of whom died in childhood. The first wife Anastasia Zakharyina-Yuryeva gave the Tsar 6 heirs, of which only two survived to adulthood - Ivan and Fedor. His second wife, Maria Temryukovna, gave birth to a son, Vasily, to the sovereign. He died at 2 months. The last child (Dmitry) was born to Ivan the Terrible by his seventh wife, Maria Nagaya. The boy was destined to live only 8 years.

The first Russian Tsar in Rus' killed the adult son of Ivan Ivanovich in 1582 in a fit of anger, so Fedor turned out to be the only heir to the throne. It was he who took over the throne after the death of his father.

Death

Ivan the Terrible ruled the Russian state until 1584. In the last years of his life, osteophytes made it difficult for him to walk independently. Lack of movement, nervousness, and unhealthy lifestyle led to the fact that at the age of 50 the ruler looked like an old man. At the beginning of 1584, his body began to swell and emit an unpleasant odor. Doctors called the sovereign’s illness “blood decomposition” and predicted his quick death. Ivan the Terrible died on March 18, 1584, while playing chess with Boris Godunov. Thus ended the life of the one who was the first tsar in Rus'. Rumors persisted in Moscow that Ivan IV was poisoned by Godunov and his accomplices. After the death of the king, the throne went to his son Fedor. In fact, Boris Godunov became the ruler of the country.

« History itself speaks for us. Strong kings and states have fallen, but our Orthodox Rus' is expanding and prospering. From scattered small principalities, the largest Kingdom in the World was formed, the head of which decides the destinies of not only his own people, but whose word is also listened to by the rulers of other kingdoms"(Pyatnitsky P.P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P.3)

The first Russian Tsar, son of Grand Duke Vasily III and Grand Duchess Elena Glinskaya, Ivan IV, born in 1530. After the death of his father, Vasily III in 1533, and the short reign of his mother, during which there was a struggle with appanage princes, the future king witnessed a fierce political struggle for power mainly between the most noble and powerful boyar groups, the princes Shuisky and Belsky in the period from 1538-1547. And only by 1547 Ivan IV became an autocratic ruler huge country inherited from his ancestors. But the young ruler not only had to ascend the throne, he was assigned the role of becoming the first king to be crowned king. Now " ancient rite initiation into the kingdom in Russia, expressed by “seating on the table,” finally ceases, giving way to new form royal wedding “according to the ancient Tsaregrad order, with the addition of confirmation” (Pyatnitsky P. P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P.5). But what were the reasons for such changes? The answer to this question should be sought long before the future king was born.
It is worth remembering the time when the Russian lands and principalities were in a state of political fragmentation. When the final unification of the lands into a single, strong power required a number of wars, diplomatic calculations and many other factors, which ultimately led to what appeared Russian state, in which Moscow was and remains an important political center. However, it was not enough to just unite the lands around a single strong center, it was still necessary to reinforce and provide reasonable arguments in favor of rapid concentration in the hands of the Grand Duke of Moscow. It was in order for everyone to understand the increased importance of the Moscow state and its role that it was necessary to find and substantiate those ideas that would later constitute an ideology. Thus, the beginning of the formation of the ideology of a unified Moscow state can be considered the end. XV beginning XVI century, the period of the reign of Grand Duke Ivan III and his son Vasily III. At this time, it is just taking shape “in the spaces Eastern Europe powerful Russian state" (Froyanov I. Ya. Drama of Russian History. M., 2007. P. 928) What place could it take in the world? And what is its further role in human history? All these questions needed to be answered. In such conditions, the theory of autocracy of the Moscow great princes, “Moscow-Third Rome” appears, associated with the name of Philotheus, the elder of the Pskov Eleazar Monastery.
In this theory, a significant role was assigned Orthodox faith. It should be noted that “ideas about Rus' in Christendom began to take shape soon after its adoption of Christianity” (Cultural heritage of Ancient Rus'. M., 1976, pp. 111-112) Previously, Russian people believed in pagan gods, but after the baptism of Rus' they were equated with all other Christian countries. But as history has shown, not all Christian countries could maintain the faith in its original form. In 1054, there was a “separation of the Roman Church from Ecumenical Orthodoxy” (Tsypin V. Course of Church Law. Klin. p. 159) In 1439, the Patriarch of Constantinople concluded the Union of Florence with the Roman Church. In 1453, Constantinople fell to the Turks. These events influenced the further development of not only European countries, but also Russia. It was with the fall of Constantinople, a once strong and powerful Christian state, that a rethinking of the role of Russian rulers in events and further development world history. “From the very moment of the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, the Moscow great princes began to consider themselves successors of the emperors or kings of the Byzantine” (Golubinsky E. E. History of the Russian Church. T. 2. M., 1900. P. 756) The Russian state gradually strives to occupy by this time the place that previously belonged to Byzantium.
From the middle of the 15th century. The words "about" special purpose“chosen by God” Russian land, not only are not new, but on the contrary acquire a new, even deeper meaning: “the new position of Rus' was the result of the retreat of the Greek rulers from Orthodoxy and at the same time - a consequence of the strengthening of “ true faith"in the Russian land" (Cultural heritage of Ancient Rus'. M., 1976. pp. 112-114) It is in such conditions that the idea of ​​​​the chosenness of the Moscow state receives its meaning in the idea of ​​​​"Moscow - the Third Rome." “Old Rome, the church fell through unbelief..heresy, the second Rome, the city of Constantine..the Hagarians cut with axes..cut..now the third, new Rome,..as the entire kingdom of the Orthodox Christian faith has descended into your one kingdom” (Library of Literature of Ancient Rus' . T.9. St. Petersburg, 2000. P.301-302) - Philotheus wrote to Grand Duke Vasily III. The main ideas of this theory boiled down to the following: 1. everything that happens in the lives of people and nations is determined by God's providence. 2. two Romes fell, Old Rome itself and Constantinople, Moscow - last third Rome. 3. The Russian Tsar is the only heir to the power of the rulers in the two previous fallen states. Thus, Moscow, as it were, becomes not only a global political center, but also a church center, and the Moscow kings are now the successors of the Byzantine emperors.
We see that the 16th century is becoming a turning point in people's consciousness. “The Russian Orthodox Kingdom is being formed, a country in which the life of everyone, from the tsar to the last serf, is subordinated to one goal - to be worthy great mission, which befell Russia, is to complete the course of world history” (Shaposhnik V.V. Church-state relations in Russia in the 30-80s of the 16th century. St. Petersburg, 2006) The Russian state as a future power is aligned with the European ones countries. Thus, Russia at that time was called upon to play a special historical role, moreover, she was supposed to become the only guardian of true Christianity.
It was precisely these views on the changes that had taken place in the Orthodox world that Ivan IV faced. On January 16, 1547, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, the solemn crowning ceremony of Grand Duke Ivan IV took place, “the signs of royal dignity - the cross of the Life-Giving Tree, the barma and the cap of Monomakh - were placed on Ivan by the Metropolitan. After the communion of the Holy Mysteries, John was anointed with myrrh "(Pyatnitsky P. P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P. 8-9) That this event did not remain just a beautiful rite, but was deeply perceived by the tsar, it can be explained by the fact that ten years after the wedding, Ivan IV, in order to strengthen his position, began to “take care to ask Eastern Church blessing for your wedding,” the fact is that the coronation took place in 1547 without the blessing of the ecumenical patriarch and, therefore, in the eyes of foreign sovereigns was considered illegal. In 1561, a conciliar letter was sent to Moscow from Patriarch Joseph, signed by the Greek metropolitans and bishops” (Pyatnitsky P.P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P.9) This letter indicated the relationship of the Moscow Tsar with the Greek princess Anna and the role of Vladimir. The letter stated that since “the Moscow Tsar undoubtedly comes from the line and blood of a truly royal one, namely from the Greek Queen Anna, sister of Basil Porphyrogenitus, and, moreover, the Grand Duke Vladimir was crowned with a diadem and other signs and clothes of the Tsar’s dignity, sent from Greece, then the patriarch and the council, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, allowed John to be and be called crowned” (Pyatnitsky P. P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P. 9-10)
Thus, we can conclude that upon ascending the royal throne, Ivan IV was really aware of his position. As you know, “from ancient times kings were called “God’s anointed ones.” This very name indicates that tsars are not the people’s henchmen” (Pyatnitsky P.P. The Legend of the Wedding of Russian Tsars and Emperors. M., 1896. P.3) In given time this most accurately emphasizes the position of the young king. After all, he received not just a royal title, which he used in external documents, in relations with Western states, he received the right to become the first ruler who realized the importance of his stay on the royal throne, and without the spiritual prosperity of the country, Moscow as the center of the Russian state would not have been able to in every sense become the successor of Byzantium.

And Elena Glinskaya gave birth to the long-awaited heir John, who in 1547 became the first Russian Tsar to be officially crowned on the throne.

The era of Ivan IV became the peak of development of the Moscow principality, which won a higher status of the kingdom through military and diplomatic means.

After the death of his father, three-year-old Ivan remained in the care of his mother, who died in 1538, when he was less than 8 years old. Ivan grew up in an environment palace coups, the struggle for power of those warring among themselves boyar families. The murders, intrigues and violence that surrounded him contributed to the development of suspicion, vindictiveness and cruelty in him. Already in his youth, the tsar’s favorite idea was the idea of ​​unlimited autocratic power. In 1545, Ivan came of age and became a full-fledged ruler, and in 1547 he was crowned king.

Thanks to the transformation of Muscovy into a kingdom and the establishment of the autocratic principle of power, the policy of centralization carried out by the Moscow ruling house over the centuries, has reached its logical conclusion. Over the course of several decades, a number of studies have been carried out internal reforms(mandatory, judicial, zemstvo, military, church, etc.), the Kazan (1547–1552) and Astrakhan (1556) khanates were conquered, a number of Russian territories on the western borders were returned, penetration into Siberia began, Russia’s position on the international arena etc.

However, the well-being of the kingdom was largely undermined by the ruinous and unsuccessful for Russia Livonian War(1558–1583) and the oprichnina that began in 1565.

Tsar Ivan IV Vasilievich was one of the most educated people of his time, had a phenomenal memory, and was an erudite in theology. He entered the history of Russian literature as the extraordinary author of numerous letters (in particular, to A. M. Kurbsky, V. G. Gryazny). The Tsar wrote the music and text of the service for the feast of Our Lady of Vladimir, the canon to the Archangel Michael. He probably had a great influence on the compilation of the series literary monuments middle XVI V. ( chronicle vaults; “The Sovereign's Genealogist”, 1555; “Sovereign Discharge”, 1556); played an important role in organizing book printing. On his initiative, the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow was also carried out, and the paintings of the Chamber of Facets were created.

In Russian historiography, the activities of Ivan IV received mixed assessments: pre-revolutionary historians characterized the tsar negatively, while Soviet historians emphasized positive aspects in his activities. In the second half of the 20th century. a deeper and more specific study of the domestic and foreign policies of Ivan IV began.

We are all familiar with the last royal dynasty of the Romanovs. A who was the first Russian tsar? And why did Russian rulers begin to call themselves tsars?

How did kings appear in Rus'?

The king is highest title monarchical power in Rus'. In order for Russian rulers to bear this title, the Russian Empire played an important role. Orthodox Church. The royal title is not just verbal expression of the highest degree authorities, but also a whole philosophy created by the Church.

The Orthodox Church became the heir to the Greek Church and Byzantine Empire. The royal title officially went to the Moscow princes from Constantinople (Constantinople). This happened around the 16th century. From that time on, all Russian sovereigns called themselves heirs of the divinely crowned Byzantine basileus.

Legacy of the Byzantine Empire

Row historical events led to the fact that in the second half of the 15th century, after the fall of Constantinople, political map world, a new Russian state was formed - Moscow. Savage Moscow not only received sovereign power, but also freed itself from the yoke of the Golden Horde, becoming an all-Russian sovereign center and uniting most of the fragmented Russian lands. Then he sat on the throne Grand Duke Ivan III the Great (Rurik), who, after the recognition of Moscow, began to call himself “Sovereign of All Rus'.” Thanks to him, palace life “acquired” forgotten Byzantine rituals and splendor. Ivan III the Great got himself a grand-ducal seal, on one side of which he was depicted double headed eagle, on the other, a warrior-rider slaying a dragon (the original version of the seal depicted a Lion (symbol Principality of Vladimir), tormenting a snake).

According to the Russian chronicle of the 15-16th centuries. “The Tale of the Princes of Vladimir”, the Moscow princely house was closely connected with the Roman Emperor Augustus, on whose behalf northern lands The Roman Empire, located on the banks of the Vistula, was ruled by his legendary relative Prus. His descendant is considered to be no less legendary founder princely family of Rurik. It was he who was invited by the Novgorodians to the princely throne in 862. Consequently, Ivan the Great was his distant descendant, and, therefore, a descendant of the Roman emperors, whose power was sanctified ancient tradition succession to the throne. That is why Ivan the Great and his Moscow State were recognized by all European dynasties.

In addition, according to the same “Tale”, the Grand Duke of Kiev Vladimir Monomakh received as a gift from the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX royal regalia (a diadem, a gold chain, a crown, a carnelian bowl, the “cross of the Vital Tree” and royal barmas), which, according to legend, belonged to , to the Roman Emperor Augustus himself. From this we can conclude that ancient Russian princes The Byzantine Empire even then considered them its heirs. Subsequently, these regalia were used during the coronation of the first Russian Tsar.

Many historians question the fact of receiving gifts for the coronation, because all the predecessors of the first Russian Tsar never wore them.

Royal wedding

Since the emergence of the Moscow kingdom, all sovereigns, starting from the 15th century, bore the title of grand duke. Then where did the kings come from in Rus'? AND who was the first Russian tsar?

Despite the fact that historians cite the diplomatic correspondence of Ivan III the Great, in which the title “tsar” is used along with the imperial title, in official address the princes did not use the verbal expression of the highest power until, in January 1547, Ivan (Ioan) IV the Terrible was crowned king, calling himself the Tsar of All Rus'.

This step became important not only in political life Russian state, but also a serious reform, since it elevated the Russian sovereign above all European monarchs and significantly raised Russia in relations with Western Europe. Initially, the title of Grand Duke was perceived by European courts as the title of “prince” or “grand duke,” and the title of tsar allowed the Russian ruler to stand on a par with the only European emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

Chroniclers understood this event in their own way - they considered Rus' the political heir of Byzantium after the fall of Constantinople, as a result of which the Russian Tsar preserved Christian Orthodox traditions and the importance of the Church.

The young Tsar Ivan the Terrible was crowned by Metropolitan Macarius. The wedding ceremony took place in the Assumption Cathedral with special pomp. The coronation of the new king consisted of communion with the Holy Mysteries, anointing with myrrh and placing on the autocrat the royal regalia - the barma, Monomakh's cap and the cross of the Life-Giving Tree, which, according to legend, belonged to the Roman Emperor Augustus.

The young Russian Tsar was not recognized in Europe and the Vatican for a long time, until Patriarch Joasaph II of Constantinople issued confirmation of the status of the new sovereign in 1561. Thus, the idea of ​​​​divine origin was realized royal power, closely connecting royal and spiritual interests.

The need for Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich to accept the royal title was caused not only by the desire of the Church to maintain its dominion over the Russian lands, but, above all, by constant internecine bloody clashes between the largest aristocratic families, which led to the decline of law and order.

Only thanks to the Church and some Russian aristocrats, young Ivan IV was chosen for great goal- end the era of lawlessness. For this purpose, an excellent idea was invented and implemented - to exalt the ruler highly above all the nobility, elevating him to the royal rank, and marry him to a representative ancient family Anastasia Zakharyina-Yuryeva.

Having become tsar and received a new status, Ivan IV acquired not only the role of the head of the family, but also the sovereign of the Orthodox world, towering above the Russian aristocratic clans.

Thanks to the Russian “priesthood” and the royal title, the Russian Tsar successfully carries out a series of reforms, as a result of which order reigns in the country, and the young Moscow state is recognized in Europe.

Who would be the first Russian Tsar?

To the question “ Who was the first Russian Tsar? "You can give two answers. First of all, we should not forget about the period when Russia was ruled by Grand Duke Ivan III the Great from the Rurik dynasty. It was under his rule that the disparate Russian lands were united into single state. He was the first in various state acts and diplomatic documents to be called not Ivan, but John, and assigned himself the title of autocrat. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire, John III considered himself the successor of the Byzantine emperors, having become related to his niece for this purpose last emperor Byzantium - Constantine. According to the right of inheritance, the Grand Duke shared with his wife the autocratic Byzantine heritage and began to introduce into the Kremlin Byzantine palace rituals, court etiquette and the splendor that reigned in the collapsed empire. Everything underwent changes, including the appearance of Moscow, the Kremlin, palace life, and even the behavior of the Grand Duke himself, which became more majestic and solemn.

Despite such innovations, Ivan III never officially called himself “Tsar of All Rus'”. Until the middle of the 15th century, only Byzantine emperors and Golden Horde khans were called kings in Ancient Rus', under whose control were Russian lands that paid tribute to the Tatars for several hundred years. It was possible to become a tsar only when the Russian princes got rid of the khan's debt, which happened in the 16th century, when the Tatar yoke came to an end.

By the end of the 15th century, Ivan III began to seal important political documents with a seal, on one side of which a double-headed eagle was depicted - the coat of arms of the Byzantine imperial house.

However, despite all his efforts, it was not John III who became the first Russian Tsar. Who would be the first Russian Tsar? The official crowning took place in 1547 and Ivan IV the Terrible became the first Russian Tsar. After him, all rulers began to bear the royal title, which was inherited through the male line. Noble title"Grand Duke/Princess" was automatically assigned to all royal heirs at birth, like the title of "prince".

Therefore, the first official Russian Tsar recognized by European royal houses was the grandson of Ivan III, Ivan IV the Terrible.

Origin of the word "king"

Tsar of All Rus' - this was the title they bore Russian monarchs in the period 1547-1721. The first Russian Tsar was Ivan IV the Terrible (from the Rurik dynasty), the last was Peter I the Great (Romanov dynasty). The latter subsequently changed the royal title to the title of emperor.

It is believed that the word “king” comes from the Roman “Caesar” (Latin - “Caesar”) or “Caesar” - this was the title borne by Roman emperors during the Roman Empire. The word "Caesar" comes from the name of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, from whom all Roman emperors subsequently received their power. Despite this connection between the two words “king” and “Caesar,” Julius Caesar himself did not seek to call himself a king, remembering the sad fate of the last seven kings of Ancient Rome.

• The word “Caesar” was borrowed from the Romans by their neighbors (Goths, Germans, Balkans and Russians) and called their supreme rulers that way.
• In the ancient Slavic lexicon, the word “Caesar” came from the Goths and was gradually shortened to “king”.
• The word “tsar” was first mentioned in writing in 917 - this title was borne by the Bulgarian Tsar Simeon, who was the first to accept this title.

In addition to this version, there is another version of the origin of the word “tsar”, which is given by one of the representatives of Russian literature of the 17th century. Sumarokov. He writes that the words “Tsar” and “Caesar” do not mean “King,” as many Europeans thought, but “Monarch,” and the word “king” comes from the word “father, from which the word Father is made.”

On the other hand, the outstanding Russian historian N.M. Karamzin also disagrees with the Roman origin of the word “tsar”, not considering it to be an abbreviation for “Caesar”. He claims that the "king" has more ancient origin, not Latin, but eastern, referring to such names of Assyrian and Babylonian kings as Nabonassar, Falassar, etc.

IN ancient Russian history The informal title of king has been used since the 11th century. The systematic use of the royal title, mainly in diplomatic documents, occurs during the reign of Ivan III. Who was the first Russian Tsar? Despite the fact that Ivan III’s heir, Vasily III, was content with the title of Grand Duke, his son, Ivan III’s grandson, Ivan IV the Terrible, having reached adulthood, was officially crowned (1547) and subsequently began to bear the title “Tsar of All Rus'.”

With the adoption of the imperial title by Peter I, the title “tsar” became semi-official and was in use until the overthrow of the monarchy in 1917.