Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh (1053-1125), Grand Duke of Kiev (from 1113).

The son of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich, on his mother’s side, is the grandson of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh, hence his nickname.

He first received an independent reign at the age of 13 in the Rostov-Suzdal land.

In 1069 he began to rule the Smolensk land.

After Vsevolod Yaroslavich was confirmed on the grand princely throne in Kyiv, Vladimir Monomakh received the reign of Chernigov. Throughout the 15 years of his father's reign in Kyiv (1078-1093), Vladimir was his main support in political and military affairs. He repeatedly led military campaigns both against the Polovtsians and against the rebellious princes who did not want to obey the Grand Duke.

Vsevolod, who died in 1093, saw Vladimir as his successor, but the Kiev veche decided otherwise, whose will the princes could not help but take into account. Formally, the eldest in the Rurik family after the death of Vsevolod Yaroslavich was Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, the grandson of Yaroslav the Wise.

Monomakh, in order to avoid internecine warfare, voluntarily retired to Chernigov, recognizing Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, who ruled in Turov until 1093, as the Grand Duke on the Kiev throne.

The 20-year reign of Svyatopolk Izyaslavich (1093-1113) was for Vladimir Monomakh a time of both great victories and serious failures and personal tragedies. In 1093 he suffered a brutal defeat from the Polovtsians on the Stugna River. During the flight of the defeated Russian army, right before the eyes of the shocked Vladimir, his younger brother Rostislav drowned.

In 1096, Vladimir lost his eldest son Izyaslav, who died in Murom during a battle with the squad of Prince Oleg Svyatoslavich, to whom in 1094 Monomakh voluntarily ceded the reign of Chernigov. He himself remained the Prince of Pereyaslavl in Pereyaslavl Russian on the Trubezh River.

In 1103, regular campaigns of Russian armies began in the Polovtsian steppe. The largest campaign was in 1111. The Russian chronicle claims that even decades after this, Polovtsian mothers frightened small children with the formidable name of Monomakh. Vladimir Vsevolodovich became the Grand Duke of Kyiv in 1113.

His reign in Rus' is the time of the last flowering of its power as a single state, stretching from the Lower Danube to Ladoga and from the Carpathians to the Volga. It is no coincidence that in the tragic “Tale of the Destruction of the Russian Land” it was Monomakh’s time that was highlighted as the happiest for Rus'.

Vladimir Monomakh became the second, following his great-grandfather Vladimir I the Saint, the prototype of the epic Vladimir the Red Sun. The glorious deeds of Ilya Muromets also go back to the era of Monomakh. Prince Vladimir entered the history of Ancient Rus' as the author of three outstanding works of literature: a letter to Oleg Svyatoslavich (1096); a story about his life, which describes his military campaigns, of which, according to Monomakh, “there were eighty and three great ones, and the rest I can’t remember the smaller ones”; as well as the Teaching addressed to the successor sons.

After his death on May 19, 1125, Vladimir Monomakh left five sons and a third wife. His first wife was Queen Gita, daughter of the last Saxon king of England, Harold II, who died in 1066 in the battle with the Normans at Hastings.

The prince's heir was his son Mstislav, who for another seven years, until his death in 1132, following the behests of his father, preserved the unity of Rus'.

The reign of Vladimir Monomakh (briefly)

The reign of Vladimir Monomakh - a brief description

Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh was born on May 26, 1052. His father was Vsevolod Yaroslavich, and his mother was Anna, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor, Constantine the Ninth. In 1067 he was put in charge of Smolensk, and from 1078 he reigned in Chernigov. From 1125 he was the Grand Duke of Kyiv. This talented ruler remained in history not only as a prince, but also as a writer, after whom we received his important literary works.

However, no matter how hard Prince Monomakh tried to maintain peace, it was often his very attempts to avoid war that led him to the battlefield. The first significant military clash in the life of Monomakh occurred in 1077, when he, obeying the order of Prince Izyaslav of Kyiv, set out with an army against the Polovtsians. Vladimir receives the Principality of Chernigov, but after in 1094 Oleg Svyatoslavich, who came under the walls of his castle, demanded that his father’s lands be given back, Monomakh, avoiding battle, leaves with his squad for Pereyaslavl.

Later, while already reigning in Solensk, Vladimir actively tried to help neighboring princes in the fight against enemies. In 1097 and 1100 he was one of the initiators of meetings of appanage princes.

After the death of Vsevolod Yaroslavich, Monomakh was in no hurry to take the Kiev throne. Moreover, he transfers it (despite his father’s will) to Svyatopolk Izyaslavich. Also, to the best of his ability, he always tried to provide military assistance to the new prince on campaigns. Monomakh became the Grand Duke of Kyiv only in 1113. The Kiev nobility, fearing an uprising of the people against moneylenders, called him to reign. Thanks to Monomakh, the uprising was suppressed, and the prince himself, having found out the reasons for its occurrence, established rules of debt law to prevent conflicts in the future. The princely charter contributed to simplifying the fate of purchases (hired workers and debtors).

Also, the reign of Prince Monomakh was marked by confrontations with the Polovtsians (nomads). Vladimir himself repeatedly concluded peace agreements with them and was the organizer of raids into the Polotsk territories in order to attract the people's militia. It should be noted that such a peaceful policy is what made Monomakh so popular among the people.

In 1116, Monomakh provided military assistance to his son-in-law Emperor Diogenes, who opposed Byzantium (this conflict ended a little later than the death of Diogenes himself). In 1120, the Pechenegs were completely expelled from Russian lands.

Main events of the reign of Vladimir Monomakh:

A descendant of the Greek emperors, Vladimir Monomakh, left an important mark on the history and culture of Rus'. Fighter for independence and unity of the state, for peace and prosperity...

From Masterweb

12.06.2018 00:00

One of the most significant characters in the history of the Russian state, Vladimir Monomakh, is one of those individuals about whose life and activities there is enough important evidence left. Therefore, it is very difficult to talk briefly about Vladimir Monomakh. But let's try to do this.

Personality of Vladimir Monomakh

Briefly from the biography. Vladimir Vsevolodovich is the son of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich of Kyiv. At baptism he received the name Vasily. The nickname Monomakh stuck to him because of his relationship with Emperor Constantine Monomakh (he was his own grandson). Vladimir's mother was Anna, a Byzantine princess.

Vladimir Vsevolodovich was an educated and intelligent person, a talented writer. A far-sighted politician, a wise ruler and legislator, a brave and experienced warrior. An honest and fair person. He was an ardent opponent of civil wars and oppression of the poor. He advocated the unification of Ancient Rus'.

How Vladimir Monomakh came to power

Beginning of the 11th century was characterized by a change in the external enemy: instead of the Pechenegs, who were pushed away from the borders of the state, the Polovtsians began to cause great trouble to the Russian lands. Being, like the Pechenegs, nomads, they moved perfectly on horseback, wielded bows and arrows, spears and lassos. Their onslaught was swift, powerful and accompanied by a terrifying scream. Quickly disappearing after the raid, they took with them a huge number of prisoners and left ruins on the site of settlements and scorched arable land.

The first raid on Rus' by Polovtsian detachments was resisted by the united squad of the Yaroslavichs. However, the battle on the Alta River was lost by Russian soldiers. And the Kiev prince Izyaslav Yaroslavich refused to continue the war, citing personal reasons as arguments. This decision of the prince caused discontent and rebellion among the people of Kiev. Izyaslav was forced to flee to Poland, where he gathered a strong army and returned to Kyiv, accompanied by him. But he was soon expelled again. It's already final.

After the death of the last son of Yaroslav the Wise, the Kiev throne was received by Izyaslav's son Svyatopolk, to whom he was entitled by right of seniority. When he died, the people of Kiev called upon Vladimir Vsevolodovich, whom they respected; by that time he was already 60 years old.

Briefly about the reign of Vladimir Monomakh: foreign policy

During the reign of Vladimir Monomakh, the main efforts of Kyiv's foreign policy were aimed at fighting the Polovtsians and resolving issues with Byzantium. Solving the first task, the prince acted not only as a warrior and commander, but also as a successful diplomat: about 20 times he personally concluded profitable treaties with the Polovtsians. In addition, Monomakh considered active military operations in the form of raids into Polovtsian lands, as well as agitation in the enemy camp, to be important.

As for the second task, he led successful joint military operations with the empire, becoming an ally of Emperor Diogenes. He was helped in this by the decision to marry his daughter Maria to him.

"Vladimir Vsevolodovich's Charter" as an important legislative act

This document was created in the very first years of the prince’s reign on the Kiev throne. Vladimir Monomakh briefly but succinctly outlined the main positions related to changes in the internal policy of the state. With his help, he wanted to end the internecine feud. The slightest disobedience resulted in severe punishment. And Monomakh made his sons appanage princes in Novgorod, Smolensk, Rostov and Suzdal.

In addition, an important aspect of the Charter was associated with making life easier for various types of debtors, and it also limited the power of moneylenders over them and their arbitrariness. According to the Charter, moneylenders could not determine the interest rate on a loan at more than 20%. Debtors who worked for the person who lent them money had the right to leave the lender in order to earn this money elsewhere and give it to him. The charter did not allow free people to be enslaved for debt.

Vladimir II Vsevolodovich Monomakh very briefly :

• Prince of Smolensk (1073-1078),
• Chernigov (1078-1094),
• Pereyaslavsky (1094-1113),
• Grand Duke of Kiev (1113-1125).

Vladimir Monomakh is an outstanding statesman, one of the most famous royal persons in the history of Rus'. Lived 1053-1125. Father - Grand Duke of Kyiv Vsevolod. During his father's life, Vladimir reigned in Smolensk and Chernigov. He had great power and was actually considered a co-ruler of the parent.

“Monomakh” is a nickname that he received due to the fact that Vladimir’s mother was the daughter of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomakh (1000-1055).

Grandson, son of Prince Vsevolod Yaroslavich.

During the reign of Vladimir Monomakh, the unification of the Russian land took place. He devoted a lot of energy and time to protecting his state from the constant raids of the Polovtsians. Under this name, as well as under the name Komans (among the Byzantines), Kuns (among the Hungarians), Kipchaks (among the Georgians), this nomadic people who lived in the southern Russian steppes is found in ancient Russian chronicles, in Polish, Czech, Hungarian, German, Byzantine, Georgian, Armenian, Arabic and Persian written sources.

Becoming

The future ruler of Kyiv spent his childhood and youth at his father’s court in Pereyaslav-Yuzhny. At the age of 13, the boy entered the combat field, where he was taken by his father to study military affairs. At the same time, he began to reign independently in the Rostov-Suzdal lands, acquiring his first experience in government.

And this experience came in handy when Vladimir Monomakh was appointed to reign in Smolensk in the period from 1073 to 1078. The Smolensk prince was not able to deal with only worldly affairs. Every now and then there were battles with the Polovtsians. Monomakh helped his neighbors, realizing that in this way he would also protect his lands.

Military campaigns were frequent. In 1076, Monomakh and Oleg Svyatoslavich supported the Poles, taking part in a campaign against the Czechs. Later, together with his father and Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, he twice went against Vseslav of Polotsk.

In 1078, his father, Vsevolod Yaroslavich, began to reign in Kiev. His 25-year-old son Vladimir Monomakh got Chernigov. To protect his estate, the young nobleman was forced to repeatedly repel the devastating raids of the Polovtsians. For a decade and a half, the son was his father’s right hand. He helped him in solving various political issues and more than once became the head of the grand ducal squads, which made campaigns to pacify the rebellious princes or destroy the Polovtsian hordes.

In 1093, Vladimir's father died. By right of seniority, the throne in Kyiv passed to his cousin Svyatopolk Izyaslavich.

These two decades, from 1093 to 1113, Vladimir Monomakh knew both the joy of victories and the bitterness of defeats. In battles he lost his eldest son and younger brother. In 1094 he gave the Chernigov lands to Oleg Svyatoslavovich, leaving behind the more “modest” Principality of Pereyaslavl.

Vladimir Monomakh and the Polovtsy

Vladimir Monomakh continued to fight with the Polovtsians in Pereyaslavl. The Pereyaslavl principality stood on the edge of the Wild Field, or, as it was then called for a whole century, the Polovtsian steppe.

According to historian S.M. Solovyov, even during the reign of his father, Vladimir Monomakh won 12 victories in battles over the Polovtsians. Almost all of them are on the steppe border of the Russian land.

Beginning in 1103, Vladimir Monomakh became the leader of joint campaigns against the Polovtsians, and thus victorious battles took place:

• on Suteni in 1103
• on Salnitsa at 1111,
• Also in 1107, Bonyak and Sharukan were defeated on Pereyaslavl soil.

After the second victorious campaign of Russian squads to the Wild Steppe in 1116, the Polovtsy migrated from the Russian borders.

Rus' under Vladimir Monomakh

After the death of Svyatopolk Izyaslavich in 1113, Vladimir Monomakh came to Kyiv and was received as the new Grand Duke of Kiev.

Monomakh turned out to be a reformer. He supplemented the code of laws “Russian Truth”, written by his grandfather Yaroslav the Wise. Revenge for murder was prohibited and replaced with a fine. He also forbade turning a slave into slavery for outstanding debts. And he made the very situation of the common people easier. This was the internal policy of Vladimir Monomakh.

The position of the Great Prince of Kyiv was so strengthened that no one dared to challenge his seniority. Monomakh controlled three quarters of the state's territory.

Grand Prince of Kiev Vladimir Monomakh (1113-1125)

The reign of Vladimir Monomakh in Kyiv is connected with another very interesting historical fact. At that time, Kyiv had its own civil strife - Jews were being crushed. The new prince demanded that the riot be stopped immediately and that Jews no longer be killed. The people of Kiev were promised a fair solution to the issue of the Jewish community.

And indeed, at the princely congress in Vydobych this issue was raised. Monomakh stated that the Jews acquired their property through unjust means, but it would not be confiscated. The Jews were demanded to leave the Kyiv lands immediately and under escort. Thus, in 1113, Westernism disappeared in Rus'.

During his reign in the capital city of Kyiv, Vladimir Monomakh managed to unite most of the Russian land around himself. At the princely congress in the city of Lyubech, which took place in the fall of 1097 (according to the chronicle - “in the year 6605 from S.M.Z.H.”), Monomakh convinced the Russian princes, who had the greatest power, to unite squads to fight the Polovtsian danger.

It was decided to “establish peace” on the land of the Fatherland by ending civil strife. He was the organizer and inspirer of a number of joint campaigns of Russian princes against the Polovtsians. The largest of them were the campaigns of 1103, 1107, 1111.

Monomakh strove for the unity of Ancient Rus', and for this it was necessary first of all to put an end to the princely civil strife within the country. He did not always succeed in this, and if he succeeded, it was only for a short time. Sometimes he had to use armed force, in alliance with other princes, to punish disobedient people. But all this was done not with the aim of expanding their own possessions, but to strengthen the Russian principalities in the face of a common danger in the face of the Wild Field.

Vladimir Monomakh was born on May 26, 1053. His father was Vsevolod Yaroslavich. Even in his youth, in his biography, Vladimir Monomakh became the prince of Rostov. Then he ruled Smolensk, and later Chernigov.

After the death of Vsevolod Yaroslavich, he gave up the throne to Svyatopolk, his brother. The great merit of Prince Vladimir Monomakh in his biography was the defeat of the Polovtsians. Monomakh lost Chernigov to Oleg Svyatoslavich. The Polovtsians regularly attacked the Pereyaslav Principality, where Monomakh settled. At the Lyubech congresses, Vladimir tried to unite Rus' to confront the Polovtsians. After several defeats of the Polovtsians, Rus' was liberated.

When Svyatopolk died, Vladimir Monomakh suppressed the Kiev uprising and took charge of the country. At the same time, the famous “Charter of Vladimir Monomakh” was published. Considering the short biography of Vladimir Monomakh, it should be noted that the period of his reign was generally favorable for Rus'. Civil strife stopped.

Throughout his biography, Vladimir Monomakh wrote several works. For example, “Teaching”, “Letter to Oleg Svyatoslavich”, “Prayer”. The Grand Duke died on May 19, 1125.

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