Yaroslav the Wise

Grand Prince of Kiev from 1019 to 1054
(Redirected from Yaroslav I the Wise)

Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Rus', known as Yaroslav the Wise (c. 978 – February 20, 1054) was Grand Prince of Novgorod and Kyiv. He brought together the two principalities for a time under his rule.

Yaroslav the Wise
Grand Prince of Kyiv Rus'
The only contemporary image of Yaroslav I the Wise, on his seal
Reign1019–1054
PredecessorSviatopolk the Accursed
SuccessorIziaslav I
Born~978
DiedFebruary 20, 1054 [aged ~76]
Wife
Issuesee the main article
Full name
Yaroslav Vladimirovich
DynastyRurikid
FatherVladimir the Great
MotherRogneda of Polotsk by the Primary Chronicle

A son of the Varangian (Viking)[1][2] Grand Prince Vladimir the Great, he was vice-regent of Novgorod at the time of his father’s death in 1015. His oldest surviving brother, Svyatopolk the Accursed, killed three of his other brothers and took power in Kyiv. Yaroslav, with the support of the Novgorodians and the help of Varangian mercenaries,[3] defeated Svyatopolk. He became the Grand Prince of Kyiv in 1019. Yaroslav started to write down the legal customs. This served as the basis for a law code called the Russkaya Pravda ("Russian Justice"). During his long reign, Rus' reached the height of its cultural flowering and military power.[3]

References

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  1. Hynes, Mary Ellen (1993). Companion to the Calendar: A Guide to the Saints and Mysteries of the Christian Calendar. LiturgyTrainingPublications. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-56854-011-5.
  2. National Geographic. National Geographic Society. 1985.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Yaroslav I (prince of Kyiv) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2012-04-07.