Rurik
Early Life
Rurik, also known as Rurik of Novgorod, was a Varangian chieftain who is believed to have founded the Rurik Dynasty in the 9th century. The primary sources of information about Rurik are the Primary Chronicle, also known as the Tale of Bygone Years, and the writings of the 12th-century historian Nestor the Chronicler. According to these sources, Rurik was a Scandinavian prince who was invited by the Slavs and Finns of Novgorod to rule over them and bring order to their lands.
Ascension to Power
In 862, Rurik and his two brothers, Truvor and Sineus, arrived in the lands of the Ilmen Slavs. They established themselves in Novgorod, Izborsk, and Beloozero, respectively. After the deaths of his brothers, Rurik consolidated his power and became the sole ruler of these territories. He built the town of Ladoga, which served as a major trading center between the Varangians and the Greeks.
Rule and Expansion
Rurik's rule marked the beginning of organized political structures in the region. He established a system of tribute collection, which was a significant step towards the formation of a centralized state. Under his rule, Novgorod grew in importance as a political and economic center. Rurik also expanded his territories to include the lands of the neighboring Finnic and Baltic tribes.
Succession
Rurik died in 879 and was succeeded by his kinsman Oleg, who acted as regent for Rurik's young son, Igor. Oleg continued Rurik's policies of expansion and consolidation, eventually moving the capital from Novgorod to Kiev and establishing the state of Kievan Rus' that would be ruled by Rurik's descendants for the next three centuries.
Legacy
Rurik's legacy lies in the establishment of the Rurik Dynasty, which ruled over Kievan Rus' and its successor states, including the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Tsardom of Russia, until the 17th century. The modern nations of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus all trace their historical roots to Rurik and his dynasty.
