Vladimir Monomakh - historical portrait of the Grand Duke of Kiev

In the history of Kievan Rus there are rulers who are remembered from different angles. Someone more diplomatically literate, someone better commander of his time. Monomakh, perhaps, combines these two best qualities. Vladimir Monomakh, whose historical portrait can be briefly considered in this article, remained forever in the history of Kievan Rus as a great ruler.

Childhood and the beginning of the reign of Vladimir Monomakh

Since childhood, Monomakh was attached to the affairs of his father Vsevolod Yaroslavich. He led a part of the army, carried out campaigns with him and fought along with other military men. Vladimir Monomakh briefly, accurately and cleverly coped with the assignments that his father assigned him.

In 1076 he participated in a campaign against the Czechs. This trip was successful. The activities of his father and father were so successful that in 1078 his father became the prince of Kiev. Vladimir Monomakh sits at this time in Chernigov. He had to repeatedly repel the Polovtsian raids and protect the borders of his patrimony. When Vladimir Monomakh is recollected in history textbooks, his ability to resist external aggression complements his historical portrait.

After the death of his father, he could occupy the throne of Kiev, but voluntarily gave it to his brother Svyatopolk. He said that if he sits on the throne of Kiev, then he will have to fight with his brother. Vladimir Monomakh did not want this.

Monomakh - Grand Duke of Kiev

In 1113 there was an event that changed the political component of the internal structure of Kievan Rus. Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatopolk, brother of Monomakh, died. When in school textbooks Vladimir Monomakh is recollected, his historical portrait in this period is described colorfully. The authors often say that it was such a prince that Kiev needed during this difficult time. And Monomakh sent to Kiev.

In Kiev at this moment, a popular uprising begins, the boyar nobility does not know how to proceed. They turned their eyes towards Vladimir Monomakh, who at that moment ruled in Chernigov. They invited him to the reign and he agreed.

First of all, Vladimir Monomakh suppressed the uprising and established peace in Kiev.

He created the "Charter of Vladimir Monomakh", in which he mitigated the punishment for the various faults of the population. "The Charter" was partially included in the "Russian Truth" by Yaroslav the Wise.

The period of Monomakh's rule is the strengthening of the power of Kievan Rus. Vladimir, like his distant predecessor, Svyatoslav Igorevich, planted on specific lands to rule his sons, whom he completely trusted. This allowed him to control more than 75% of the lands of Kievan Rus.

In 1117, under the rule of Vladimir Monomakh , the second edition of The Tale of Bygone Years was created. It is she who has reached our days.

War against False 2

In the XII century under the rule of Monomakh there was a clash with Byzantium.

In 1114, an impostor appeared in Byzantium, who posed as the murdered son of the Byzantine emperor. His name was Felodiogen 2. Initially, Vladimir Monomakh in every possible way pretended that he "recognizes" and believes that he is the real son of Roman 4. He even married him to his daughter Maria, with the goal of peace between Byzantium and Kievan Rus.

However, in 1116 Vladimir Monomakh goes on a campaign against Byzantium. The reason is to return the throne to the legitimate prince. Vladimir Monomakh did not act independently, but with the Polovtsi, who were interested in the richness of the Byzantine fairy tale at that time.

Vladimir Monomakh easily managed to seize the cities that were controlled by Byzantium. He did not stop there and went deep into the country. False 2 was killed, and between Byzantium and Kievan Rus in 1123 a truce was signed. The result is the dynastic marriage of the granddaughter of Vladimir Monomakh with the new Byzantine emperor. He became emperor precisely because Vladimir Monomakh with Polovtsy was able to defeat and kill False Diogenes 2.

"Teachings for children"

Vladimir Monomakh was remembered not only as a legislator, diplomat and military man, but also as a writer.

He has 4 literary works in his literary heritage: "The Instruction of Vladimir Monomakh", "Putyah and Lovah", "Letter to Brother Oleg", "The Charter of Vladimir Vsevolodovich".

The most vivid and memorable work of Vladimir Vsevolodovich Monomakh is "Teachings for children".

The name speaks for itself. The Grand Duke of Kiev understood that his time was coming to an end. He can not rule forever, even if he wanted to. He decides that it is necessary to leave to his heirs the "last word", in which he will talk about the principles of governing the state and the advantages of living in a world without war.

He asked his children not to go on each other, not to organize wars and live in understanding. These were the true and wise words of a man who saw war and peace. Peace and understanding in the family and the state seemed to him much preferable to war.

However, his "Instruction" was not implemented. After Vladimir's death, his sons began a fierce war for the Kiev throne. But Vladimir Monomakh, whose historical portrait became completely different at this moment, leaves for eternal peace.

Results of the Board

Vladimir Monomakh in the history of Kievan Rus is a significant figure, which was repeatedly set as an example to other successor princes.

He managed to combine the ability to fight, to stop in time and appreciate the peace in the state. Despite his militancy and external campaigns, Vladimir Monomakh most of all wished that the borders of Kievan Rus remained untouched.

When Vladimir Monomakh is mentioned in the textbooks of history, the historical portrait and his name are remembered solely as a glorification of wisdom in Russia.