Kiev was first mentioned in Russian chronicles in 860. Its name isbelieved to be derived from that of its legendary founder, Prince Kii.From 860 to 1169, Kiev was the capital of Kievan Rus', a state that wasthe historic ancestor of both Russia and Ukraine. Its rulers wereconverted to Orthodox Christianity in the 10th century, and the citybecame a great religious and cultural center of the eastern Slavicpeoples, as well as a major trading center of eastern Europe. Kiev'sgradual decline after the capital was transferred to Vladimir in 1169ended in the devastating Mongol invasion of 1240. In the 14th century itwas taken by Lithuania and later passed under Polish rule until it wasannexed by Russia in the 17th century. Under Russian and Soviet rule itreemerged as an important commercial city. With the dissolution of theUSSR in 1991, it became the capital of a newly independent Ukraine.
The city's oldest surviving church, St. Sophia's (Holy Wisdom) Cathedral,dates from 1037 and contains the tomb of Yaroslav the Wise, the11th-century ruler of Kiev. {yah-roh-slahv'}
Yaroslav I, known as the Wise, 980-1054, grand duke of Kiev, consolidatedthe power of Kievan Russia, which reached its cultural apex during hislong reign (1019-54). He was vice-regent in Novgorod in 1015, when hisfather, Vladimir I, died, and he seized the throne of Kiev in 1019following a bloody civil war in which he deposed his brother Svyatopolk(r. 1015-19).
Yaroslav defeated the Poles (1031) and the Pechenegs (1036) and organized(1043) an unsuccessful expedition against Constantinople. He codifiedlaws, encouraged the spread of Christianity, and built new edifices,including the Cathedral of Saint Sophia at Kiev. After his death civilwar broke out as his five surviving sons (who had been assigned separateprincipalities) contended for control of Kievan Russia.
K. M. Smogorzewski
Vladimir I, b. c.956, d. July 15, 1015, grand duke of Kiev (c.978-1015),converted from paganism to Eastern Orthodox Christianity, therebytransforming the religious history of Russia. A descendant of theVarangian rulers of Kiev and a son of Svyatoslav I, who sent him (970) togovern Novgorod, Vladimir became grand duke after killing his brotherYaropolk; he thus united Kiev and Novgorod. Vladimir was initiallyanti-Christian, but about 988 he converted and subsequently marriedPrincess Anna, sister of Byzantine Emperor Basil II. Requiring hissubjects to undergo baptism, Vladimir also advanced Christianity bybuilding churches, promoting religious charity, and establishing canonlaw. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox church. Feast day: July 15.
K. M. Smogorzewski
