Russian game of thrones: who framed the Prince of Kiev Svyatopolk, called the accursed

In 1015 the murder of the princes Boris and Gleb, which became the first in Russian history, the Holy martyrs. The brothers do not resist evil, even though they knew what awaits them. Thus, they have become an example of Christian humility. Ancient records called the murderer of the older brother in Russian Cain of Prince Svatopluk, whose name is already a thousand years cursed. However, the analysis of materials and logic shows that he was framed.

In July 1015, the Baptizer of Rus and the Great Prince Vladimir of Kiev dies. Several wives he had 11 sons, seven of whom, at the time of death of his father was alive. They are all in his name ruled in different cities of Russia. Vladimir was a wise ruler, but not left instructions about who is the Kiev throne after him. This situation gave rise to the conflict.

Power in the capital took one of the older brothers — Svyatopolk, which was not native to Vladimir, and was a nephew-stepson was considered and adopted. By the time of the death of Prince Svyatopolk was sitting in the Kiev prison, where he was imprisoned Vladimir. Maybe he was plotting for the transition of Russia from the Byzantine rite for the Roman one.

To jail with him were his wife, daughter of the Polish king Boleslaw the Brave and the Latin Bishop of Reinberg. By the time of the death of Vladimir Sviatopolk was the closest to the throne and with the support of local boyars took control.

Svyatopolk peacefully rules, minted coins, and religion have not changed. However, the event began, which became one of the most mysterious pages of ancient history. One by one, killed three younger son of Vladimir. In the "tale of bygone years" was written that the Rostov Prince Boris was killed in the tent on the way to Kiev, and then killed Gleb of Murom who killed the cook.

The murder of Saint Boris. Clamy on Hagiographical icon of the "Holy Prince Boris and Gleb"

After this alignment drevlyan Prince Svyatoslav was afraid for his life and ran away, but the killer had overtaken him. The record is clear: the killer Prince Svyatopolk. Yaroslav, who ruled in the distant Novgorod, is fratricide war. For 4 years the neighborhood of Kiev becomes a battlefield. Yaroslav leads the Vikings, and Svyatopolk — first, Pechenegs, and later of the Polish army of the king Boleslav.

The murder of Saint Gleb. Clamy on Hagiographical icon of the "Holy Prince Boris and Gleb"

In the end, Jaroslav wins, and the murderer of his brother escapes to the West, where dying in the desert "between lyahy and Chachi". Svatopluk in Russia curse, and his name became taboo. Yaroslav is Kyiv table, collects books, it published the first ancient code of laws, Russkaya Pravda, and the daughters of Prince gives for European monarchs. In the nineteenth century, Yaroslav was given the nickname "Wise."

Saints Boris and Gleb

Chroniclers wrote that Boris and Gleb had known about the plan of the brother, but refused to resist, and Jaroslav made them the first Russian saints martyrs.

Boris and Gleb — little brothers and the traditions of ancient succession to power they could not qualify. However, they are the only sons of Vladimir, who was born Christians. It Boris Vladimir saw the heir that did not suit the older brother Sviatopolk and Yaroslav, who during the life of the father began to fight.

For the attempted coup Vladimir put Svatopluk in prison. Unrest was in the North. In Novgorod married to the daughter of the powerful Swedish king Yaroslav refused to pay the annual tribute to the father of 2 thousand hryvnias and hired squads of the Vikings. Vladimir was going to punish the rebellious, but died before the release of the troops.

When Svyatopolk conquered Kiev, Boris and Gleb as humble Christians refused to fight for power, and said they would honor of the new Prince as a father. At this time, the other brothers — Brjachislav and Mstislav against him. It turns out that to kill Boris and Gleb, Sviatopolk was not profitable: they are allies who acknowledged his seniority.

Historians of chess and Likhachev believe that the bulk of the "Tale of bygone years" was written in 1037, that is, during the life of Yaroslav the Wise. And as you know, history is written by the winners. The chronicle describes the biased and Svatopluk bloodthirsty demonic figure, which is for the sake of power is ready to kill everyone.

Monk Nestor the chronicler, the author of "the Tale of bygone years"

However, the events of the past have been recorded not only in Russia, but also in Scandinavia. In the nineteenth century historian and Professor of Philology Osip Senkovsky translated into Russian language Icelandic "Saga Amanda". It was told that the team of Amanda and his sister Ragnar was hired by the king (Prince) Jaroslav (Yaroslav) of Holmgard (Novgorod).

When the father of Jaroslava died, he started a war with his brother. By order of the employer Amond and his men ambushed and killed the enemy. Description of the assassination from ambush in the Prince's tent suspiciously similar to the circumstances of the death of Prince Boris described in the "tale of bygone years".

In this case, the picture of the murder the next. Svyatopolk is Kyiv table, and main competitors, the brothers Boris and Gleb, recognize his authority. Yaroslav of Novgorod, who planned the struggle for power during the life of the father, this situation is not arranged. He sends the brothers, the killers, and the blame shifts to "usurper." This confirms the theory that the brothers, who opposed the government of Svyatopolk escaped.

Need Yaroslav version was recorded by the "manual" chroniclers. And so there's no doubt in this story Gleb and Boris canonized and assign the saints-martyrs. To confirm the theory and subsequent events. After the death of Svyatopolk, Boris, Gleb, and Sviatoslav, Prince of the drevlyani war between brothers ends.

Reconstruction of the appearance of Yaroslav the Wise made anthropologists Gerasimov skull Prince

Already the Prince of Kiev Yaroslav planted brother Sudislav Pskov to prison for life. In prison he spent 23 years and only came back after the death of the Grand Duke. Subsequently, Sudislav became a monk. Yaroslav long fought another brother, Mstislav of Tmutarakan. He died on a hunting trip, and then Yaroslav became the only Duke and United under his hand all the lands of Russia: from the Baltic to the Black seas.

Thus, Jaroslav really was wise. He pulled a long con, and by treachery, intrigues and military forces have eliminated one brother after another. Interestingly, the first code of laws of Yaroslav the "Russian truth" — almost the price list where each crime has had a price. For the murder of Lord relied penalty 80 UAH for artisan — 12, and slave — 5.

Silver medieval Kiev hryvnia weight of 157.2 g

Even plucked a tuft of beard that was considered high for men to shame, relied penalty 12 USD. At the same time to pay, had not the victim, and the state in the person of the Prince. Thus, Jaroslav legalized murder, provided it is financial compensation.