“Russia” is a relatively new name. Before this, our territory was entered into the historical annals and mapped geographical maps under completely different names.
Hyperborea
Legendary country ancient greek mythology. Many scientists claim that the Hyperboreans lived in the Russian North many thousands of years ago. It is interesting that even on many medieval maps these lands were designated as Hyperborea. Ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus described the Hyperboreans as the darlings of fate, or more precisely, the god Apollo, who often visited these lands and openly patronized Hyperborea. Diodorus wrote, not without envy: “Even death comes to the Hyperboreans as deliverance from the satiety of life, and they, having experienced all the pleasures, throw themselves into the sea.”
Sarmatia
The borders of this country extended from the Black Sea to the Urals. Some historians say that Sarmatia was settled by people from the mythological Hyperborea, who ousted the Scythians and began to rule their population. It is interesting that many clans (coat of arms) Polish nobles They believe that they originated precisely from the Sarmatians (so-called Sarmatism). By the way, Mikhailo Lomonosov, as opposed to the defenders Norman theory believed that the origins of Russian statehood should be sought precisely in the Sarmatian tradition.
Tartary
European cartographers designated the territory of our country with this harmless name right up to the 19th century. Many domestic historians optimistically associated the name “Tartaria” with Tatar people. But it is unlikely that Western European geographers of the Middle Ages would have shared such positive attitude, since they associated the name “Tartaria” with Tartarus, the hell of ancient Greek mythology, where the god Kronos (aka Saturn) and other titans were cast down. We owe the localization of this disastrous place on Russian Earth to astrologers, according to whose calculations, this particular territory is controlled by the planet Saturn with all the ensuing consequences. It is curious that Nostradamus in his “Centuries” promised a happy ending to Tartarus, claiming that the land of Saturn at the end of time would have almost a Golden Age.
Gardariki
This is what the Normans and other Vikings called the current territory of Russia. From Icelandic the word “gardariki” can be translated as “country of cities”. Considering the fact that the Normans, who had seen many countries and regions in their lifetime, only called Russia by their “city” name, we can judge high level civilization of our ancestors.
Greater Sweden
The famous Icelandic skald and politician Snorri Sturlusson, who lived at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries, called European territory current Russian Federation Great Sweden (in Icelandic - Svitjod). That is, to some extent, we, citizens of Russia, are Swedes. Only big, or great. This is how the skald describes Mother Russia in the collection of sagas “The First Circle”: “To the north of the Black Sea stretches Svitod Bolshaya or Kholodnaya. Some believe that Great Svitjod is no less than Great Serkland (Country of the Saracens), some compare it with Great Bloland (Africa). Northern part Svitod is not inhabited due to frost and cold weather. There are many large heradives (towns) in Svitjod. There's also a lot different nations and many languages. There are giants and dwarfs, there are blue people and many different amazing peoples..." Actually, not much has changed since the days of Snorri Sturlusson. Unless blue people you don't see it often.
As-Slavia
This name was given to Rus' by the Arab geographers El-Farsi and Ibn-Haukal in the 10th century. The capital of As-Slavia was the city of Salau. Many historians identify As-Slavia with the Novgorod land, and Salau with legendary city Slovensk, which was located not far from present-day Veliky Novgorod. It is interesting that Arab historians also gave several names Russian territories: Artania and Kujava. There is still debate about the localization of Artania: some historians place it in the area of modern Ryazan. Kuyava is clearly connected with the land of Kyiv.
Muscovy
Here, it seems, everything is clear: Russia was called Muscovy thanks to its capital. True, a number of sources claim that the name Muscovy comes from Mosoch (or Meshech), the grandson of Noah. They say that he was the founder of the “Muscovite” people. It is interesting that this version was written in the “Synopsis, or Brief description about the beginning of the Russian people,” which was published in 1674 within the walls of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Many historians went even further, declaring that the words “Muscovy” and “Moscow” have nothing to do with each other. If the name of the state came from a descendant of the Old Testament prophet, then the capital of this state came from a certain local god of the Merya tribe, which, as we know, were the aborigines of the land of the present Moscow region. Alas, we can no longer verify these versions in the 21st century...
On December 14, 1937, Japanese authorities renamed the capital of China. For several centuries in a row, the Chinese themselves called the city Peiping, but the invaders decided to erase former name from all maps and gave a simpler name "Beijing", by which we still know it today. It seems that the Chinese were satisfied with this...
However, history also knows examples of a different kind, when the people inhabiting the capital want to get rid of the name imposed by someone. On December 14, but already in 2005, the people's assembly of the Chechen parliament decided to give Grozny new name - Akhmad-Kala, in honor of those who died on Victory Day during terrorist attack President of Chechnya Akhmad Kadyrov. Current Russian name city - Grozny - did not suit the deputies, since it comes from the name of the fortress "Grozny", which was founded in 1818 by General A.P. Ermolov. And then came the construction of roads from fortress to fortress, which, according to the deputies, contributed to the successful conquest of the highlanders by Russia.
But the son of the deceased President, the current head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, acted wisely, explaining to the deputies that the most better memory for his father it would be the restoration of both the capital and peaceful life in Chechnya.
However, let's return to Beijing. During the Chinese civil war 1928-1949, the nationalist Kuomintang party decided that a city in the hands of the communist enemy should be called "Peiping", that is, "Peace in the North", and not "Beijing", which in literal translation Means " Northern capital" The Japanese have resolved all disputes...
By the way, representatives of the Country Rising Sun They had a lot of experience in renaming capitals. So, Japanese port Edo (literally "Harbor Gate") was named Tokyo(“Eastern Capital”) in 1868, when the capital officially moved here. The renaming was more symbolic and reflected the end of the reign of the shoguns and the formal restoration of the emperor's power.
Trying to turn over the old one and start new page history underlies many renamings. The most striking example of this is the current Istanbul. It was founded by the Greeks, and it was then called Byzantium. Then, under the Romans, it became the New Rome, Constantinople, and then was conquered by the Ottomans - and received its current name, Istanbul. And in 1928, it was decided to forget centuries-old wars as soon as possible and “stake out” a peaceful solution to many issues of life. For this purpose they began to build new capital- Angora, which in English translates as “anchor.” A little later it was renamed Ankara, which is more familiar to Turkish ears.
From foreign names local residents certain states suffered very often. Let's say in Soviet times communist leaders decided to give the capital of Kyrgyzstan a name legendary revolutionary and commander Mikhail Vasilyevich Frunze. And no one even bothered to find out that in the Kyrgyz language there is no “ef” sound at all. Bishkek was renamed Frunze in 1926, and the Kyrgyz themselves had to call it “Prunze” right up until 1991, when the city was returned to its previous name.
Almost "neighborly" Ulaanbaatar also went through a number of renamings. The city, founded in 1639, was named by the Mongols themselves Orgoo (literally “Palace”), Russians and Europeans called it in their own way - Urga. In 1924, the rebel people renamed it Ulaanbaatar (literally “Red Hero”) in honor of Sukhbaatar, who liberated Mongolia from the troops of Baron Ungern and Chinese troops. It is difficult to say whether this name will remain in the future. Now there are certain “inclinations” to rename the capital so that it bears a name more appropriate ancient civilization. After all, purely calendar-wise, “The Red Hero” has been walking along the Mongolian steppes for some 83 years. In the history of the country, this is a hundredth of a second. That is why the hottest heads propose to rename Ulaanbaatar nothing less than Genghis Khan. But for now everything remains the same...
One of the most recent renamings is the capital of South Africa, Pretoria, in Tshwane. This happened in May 2005, and was greeted with great enthusiasm by black residents of the capital. The fact is that the word “Pretoria” was formed on behalf of the Boer settler, the commander-in-chief of the troops of the Boer settlers, Andres Pretorius. And Tswane is the name of a local leader of pre-colonial times (literally - “we are all equal”).
Let's not go far from the south African continent. Thus, the capital of Zimbabwe, neighboring South Africa, founded in 1890, for a long time bore the name Salisbury, which means nothing to the Zimbabwean ear. Now the city is proudly called Harare, in honor of the great leader of the Shona people - Harare (literally - “the one who never sleeps”).
After Kazakhstan gained independence, it was decided to move the capital from Almaty to Astana(former names Akmolinsk - from 1830 to 1961, Tselinograd - from 1961 to 1992, Akmola - from 1992 to 1998). This was done for several reasons. Firstly, Almaty is located in a geographical dead end, which complicates connections with other regions of the republic. Secondly, the city is located extremely close to the Chinese border and, finally, in danger zone seismic activity.
To some extent, the transfer turned out to be justified. Moreover, the former Tselinograd is the second largest city in the republic, and with the transfer of the capital here, almost all contradictions were removed. On the other hand, new investments in the new capital of Kazakhstan should pay off handsomely. And even though the plan to transform the city into the Kazakh Venice turned out to be a failure (and it turned out that there is not much water in the Ishim River, and digging canals is a troublesome task), but the transfer gave a powerful impetus not only to the development of the capital, but also to the whole of Kazakhstan...
Let's move now to Scandinavia. Specifically to Sweden, it’s not without reason Stockholm unofficially considered the capital of all Scandinavia. The city got its name from the island of Stadsholmen, where in 1187 a fortified point began to be built on the site of a fishing settlement. The mouth of the strait connecting Lake Mälaren with Baltic Sea, was important strategic importance. The first mention of Stockholm as a city dates back to 1252. However, there is a more “Russian” version, they say, the city was named simple addition two words: “stock” - log and “hill” - small island.
The capital of Sweden has never changed its name. Unlike the capital of Finland - Helsinki, which was built by the same Swedes (King Gustav Vasa in 1550) and inhabited by several hundred residents of the town of Parvoo, which is located 50 km from the current capital. By the way, this city bore the Swedish name Helsingfors for a long time. What’s even more surprising is that the Swedes themselves have long considered the city of Turku to be the capital of Finland.
But the capital is different Scandinavian country- Norway - Oslo has changed its name over its almost 953-year history. From 1624 to 1925 it was called Christiania or Christiania in honor of King Christian IV, who, after a fire in early XVII century as King of Denmark and Norway (then it was common state) moved the city to the site of present Oslo. However, at that time Christiania was considered a small provincial town, and “rose” only after the union of Norway with Sweden. By the way, despite the not very large platform for the “battle,” showdowns between Sweden and Denmark existed throughout almost the entire history of these two countries. Nowadays the dispute is: “Who is the boss in Scandinavia?” seems to have faded away.
Concluding the tour of Scandinavia, one cannot help but mention the capital of Denmark, founded in 1043. Copenhagen at that time was called Havn, which means “pier”, here the majority of the population worked fishing. The following two centuries of fishing and trade transformed the small fishing village into a thriving city. In 1343 A.D. King Waldemar the Great made Copenhagen the capital of Denmark. The name has not changed since then...
Now we are transported to other islands - to Great Britain. Capital of Great Britain - London- was not always called that way. When in 43 AD. During the invasion of Britain by the Romans, led by Emperor Claudius, a city was founded; it was named in the Latin manner - Londinium. In the 5th century, when the Romans left Londinium and the Britons began to settle in it, they gave the place a different name - Lundenburg. The new name - London - was apparently given to the city by William the Conqueror. By the way, last time the occupier's foot set foot on the streets of London almost a thousand years ago - in 1216, when the city was captured french king Louis VIII.
But the capital of Ireland is Dublin- never changed its name.))))
Let's now look at southwest Europe. Lisbon- the capital of Portugal - received its real name from the ancient Phoenicians, who 1200 years before the birth of Christ made their commercial stop at the intersection sea routes dubbed "Alis Ubbo" (blessed bay). By the way, the Phoenicians did nothing but name the city, but no one in its more than 30-century history found a reason to “rewrite” the name of the capital for any hero or some historical event. Although Portugal itself in those distant times, together with Southern Spain was called "Lusitania" from the Lusitanian tribe who lived here. But the name remained Phoenician...
But spanish capital - Madrid- in the first years of its foundation it was called Mantua Carpetana, then, years later, Majirit, and only then it turned into “Madrid”, which is more familiar to our ears. By the way, this city did not become the main city of Spain right away, but more than six centuries after its founding...
But Amsterdam became the capital of Holland against all odds. Antwerp was considered the main city, but when the Spaniards captured it, most of the rich merchants rushed to Amsterdam, which began to grow by leaps and bounds and was recognized as the capital. And as if by a smile from history, Antwerp today is the second largest city in... Belgium.
And in conclusion about Paris. There are also a lot of interesting things connected with it. Firstly, the city was founded in the 3rd century BC, and only a third of its history is called Paris, and before that the city was known as Lutetia. Secondly, Paris haunts no one, it insidious seducer. You can list the small “Paris”. There are cities and towns with this name in Chelyabinsk region and Bashkiria, as well as in Belarus. The Slovaks were more modest, calling the river Paris. And the most “Parisian” Paris is, naturally, in the United States. Guess with three letters which state? It's not hard to do - in Texas, of course. Cowboys know what they are guiding star hiding at the top of the Eiffel Tower...
Russia - ancient country. And on its territory there are many cities whose age has exceeded a thousand years. Historical and cultural heritage, which they preserved, is an invaluable gift from generations already gone to future generations.
We present to you the oldest cities in Russia.
The official founding date of one of the cities that now make up golden ring Russia is considered to be 990. And the founder is Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich.
Under the leadership of Vladimir Monomakh and Yuri Dolgoruky city became an important stronghold for the defense of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality. And under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, Vladimir became the capital of the principality.
During the Tatar raids (1238 and later), the city surprisingly did not suffer much. Even the Golden Gate has survived to this day, although in a slightly different form from its original form.
On the territory of Vladimir there is the Vladimir Central prison, glorified by Mikhail Krug, built under Catherine II. It contained the following famous personalities, like Vasily Stalin, son of Joseph Stalin, Mikhail Frunze and dissident Julius Daniel.
9. Bryansk -1032 years
It is not known exactly when exactly the city of Bryansk arose. The approximate date of its foundation is considered to be 985.
In 1607, the city was burned so that it would not fall to False Dmitry II. It was rebuilt and for the second time survived the siege of the troops of the “Tushinsky Thief”.
In the 17th century, Bryansk was one of the most important shopping centers Russia. And now it is important industrial center countries.
8. Pskov – 1114 years
The founding date of Pskov is considered to be 903, when the city was first mentioned in " Laurentian Chronicle" Olga, the first Christian princess in Rus' and wife Prince of Kyiv Igor Rurikovich, originally from Pskov.
For a long time Pskov was one of the most major cities Europe and was an impregnable barrier on the western borders of the country.
And in March 1917, while at Pskov station, the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II abdicated the throne and became simply a Romanov citizen.
7. Smolensk - 1154 years
In September, beautiful and ancient Smolensk will celebrate its anniversary - 1155 years since its founding. It is only one year behind its closest rival in terms of mention in the chronicles (863 versus 862 for Murom).
For many centuries, this “key city” protected Moscow from attacks by a number of European countries. IN Time of Troubles residents of Smolensk heroically held a siege for 20 months in the fortress that was besieged Polish troops. Although the Poles still managed to take the city, King Sigismund III, who spent all his money on the siege, had to abandon the idea of going to Moscow. And not receiving military assistance The Moscow garrison of Poles surrendered to the Russian militia under the leadership of Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin.
6. Murom – 1155 years
This small town, standing on the left bank of the Oka, is mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years. Its name supposedly came from the Muroma tribe, although historians do not exclude inverse relationship. One of the main characters of the Russian epic epic, legendary hero Ilya Muromets, originally from the city of Murom. The townspeople are proud of this and even erected a monument to the hero in the city park.
5. Rostov the Great - 1156 years
Its official chronology Rostov is the current center Yaroslavl region- dates back to 862. After its founding, the city became one of the most important settlements Rostov-Suzdal land. And he got the prefix “Great” thanks to the Ipatiev Chronicle. In it, when describing the events of 1151 (the victory of Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich over Yuri Dolgoruky), Rostov was called the Great.
4. Veliky Novgorod – 1158 years
At the beginning of June 2018 Veliky Novgorod will celebrate 1159 years since its founding. Here by official version Rurik was called to reign. And in 1136 Novgorod became the first in history feudal Rus' free republic. The city avoided the fate of many Russian cities and was not affected Mongol invasion. Precious architectural monuments of Rus' from the pre-Mongol period have been preserved in it to this day.
3. Old Ladoga - over 1250 years old
In 2003, the village of Staraya Ladoga celebrated its 1250th anniversary. Until 1703, the settlement was called “Ladoga” and had the status of a city. The first mention of Ladoga dates back to 862 AD (the time of the calling of the Varangian Rurik to reign). There is even a version that Ladoga is the first capital of Rus', because Rurik reigned there, and not in Novgorod.
2. Derbent - over 2000 years
If you conduct a survey about which is the most old town in Russia, then the majority educated people will be called Derbent as such. This sun-drenched city, the southernmost in Russia, located in the Republic of Dagestan, officially celebrated its 2000th anniversary in September 2015. However, many Derbent residents, as well as some scientists conducting excavations on the territory of Derbent, are confident that the city is 3000 years older.
The Caspian Gate - that’s exactly what it is ancient name Derbent - how geographical feature mentioned back in the 6th century. Don e. in the works of the ancient Greek geographer Hecataeus of Miletus. And the beginning modern city was founded in 438 AD. e. Then Derbent was the Persian fortress of Naryn-Kala, with two fortress walls blocking the path along the shore of the Caspian Sea. And the earliest mention of Derbent as a stone city was in 568 AD or the 37th year of the reign of Shah Khosrow I Anushirvan.
The date of 2000 years is not exact, but more of an anniversary date, and refers to the time of the appearance of the first fortifications in Caucasian Albania.
Until 2014, when Crimean peninsula returned to Russia, the title of the oldest of Russian cities wore Derbent. However, in 2017, the Rambler / Saturday media reported that The Academic Council of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences recognized Kerch as the most ancient city in Russia. The ruins of the ancient Greek colony of Panticapaeum have been preserved on the territory of the city. Historically, Kerch is the heir of Panticapaeum and its age has exceeded 2600 years.
According to archaeological research, the foundation of Kerch dates back to the time range from 610 to 590 BC. e. Historical and architectural monuments belonging to different eras. These include: mounds with Bronze Age burials, the ruins of the city of Nymphaeum, the ancient settlement of Myrmekiy, etc.
Kerch did not immediately receive its current name, after Panticapaeum ceased to be historical and cultural center Black Sea region.
- In the 8th century the city came under the rule Khazar Khaganate and was renamed from Panticapaeum to Karsha or Charsha.
- In the 10th century Northern Black Sea region came under Russian control. The Tmutarakan principality appeared, which included the city of Karsha, named Korchev. It was one of the most important sea gates of Kievan Rus.
- In the 12th century, Korchev came under Byzantine rule, and in the 14th century it became part of the Black Sea Genoese colonies, and was called Vospro, as well as Cherchio. The local inhabitants also retained the name Korchev in everyday use.
- In the 15th century, the merchant and diplomat Josaphat Barbaro, in one of the chapters of his work “Travels to Tana,” named the city Chersh (Kersh).
- In 1475, the Turks captured the Genoese colonies, and Cerchio became part of Ottoman Empire. The city began to be called Cherzeti. He repeatedly suffered from raids by Zaporozhye Cossacks.
- In the 16th century, ambassadors of the Moscow tsars going to Crimean Khan, knew the city as “Kerch”.
- In 1774, Kerch (already under its final name) became part of Russian Empire. This happened as a result Russian-Turkish War 1768-1774
In order for Kerch to officially top the list of the oldest cities in Russia, it is necessary to obtain the approval of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian government. The management of the East Crimean Nature Reserve prepared the relevant documents last year.
Young and old, big and small cities influenced by certain historical events tend to change their name. Sometimes names change more than once, and not so rarely the first name of a city returns after a change again. We will look at 10 such Russian cities and talk about the events that preceded the renaming.
The most famous cities in Russia that changed their name:
1. St. Petersburg
From 1703 to 1914 the city was called St. Petersburg. The city was called Petrograd for only 10 years and in 1924, after the death of Lenin, it was renamed Leningrad. The city bore the name in honor of Lenin until 1991, when its historical name returned.
2. Sochi
1838 - Fort Alexandria, a year later - Navaginsky fortification. In 1964, the city was named Post Dakhovsky, and 10 years later - Dakhovsky Posad. Modern name The city has been named since 1896 in honor of the Sochi River.
3. Volgograd
Tsaritsyn has been the name of the city since 1589. Since 1925 it was renamed in honor of Stalin to Stalingrad. At the request of the workers, the city was renamed again in 1961, the name being tied to the Volga River flowing nearby.
4. Togliatti
This city was founded in 1737 and was called Stavropol or Stavropol-on-Volga. Renamed in 1964 and began to bear the name of the Italian Communist Party Secretary Palmiro Togliatti.
5. Kaliningrad
In 1946 german city Koenigsberg became Soviet city and was renamed Kaliningrad in honor of party leader Mikhail Kalinin. The city had its first name back in 1225.
6. Makhachkala
In 1844, the Petrovskoye fortification was founded; since 1857, the settlement began to be called Port-Petrovsk or port city Petrovsk in honor of Peter I. In 1918 the city was renamed Shamil-Kala, in honor folk hero Dagestan Shamil, and the city was named Makhachkala in 1921, in honor of another Dagestan - Makhach Dakhadaev.
7. Kirov
1181 - formed locality Khlynov. In 1347 it was renamed Vyatka, 110 years later - again to Khlynov, and from 1780 to 1934 the city was called Vyatka. In December 1934, the city was renamed in honor of the revolutionary and Leninist Sergei Mironovich Kirov (Kostrikov).
8. Novosibirsk
The settlement was first named in honor of the emperor. Alexandra III and the village of Alexandrovsky began to be called, and a year later - the village of Novo-Nikolaevsky, in honor of the new Tsar Nicholas II. Since 1903, the village became the city of Novonikolaevsk, and since 1925 - Novosibirsk.
9. Yoshkar-Ola
Like most cities in Russia, at first there was a first name (Tsarevokokshaysk, 1584), then with the advent of Soviet power the city changed its name (Krasnokokshaysk, 1918). And the city usually receives its third name in the middle or at the end of the 20th century. Yoshkar-Ola received this name in 1927.
10. Syktyvkar
The original name is associated with the place where the mouth of the Sysola River is located. The city had the name Ust-Sysolsk from 1780 to 1930. The new name has not changed its meaning, since Syktyvkar is translated from the local language as “city on Sysol” (“Syktyv” - “Sysola”, “kar” - “about”).
Many cities changed their names only during the Soviet period: Ekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Nizhny Novgorod(Gorky), Vladikavkaz (Ordzhonikidze, Dzadzhikau), Orenburg (Chkalov), Perm (Molotov), Samara (Kuibyshev), Tver (Kalinin), Elista (Stepnoy) and others. Basically the renaming was in honor of writers and politicians. Sometimes names were changed only because the cities were named after Russian monarchs, whom they hated Soviet power. Many historical names were returned in the 1990s after the collapse of the USSR.
