The Rurik dynasty was the first dynasty of the Eastern Slavs, founded by Rurik, a leader of the Normans (Varyags) in Northern Europe. The dynasty ruled the East Slavic region for more than 700 years, from 862 (some say 882) to 1598. The territory of the Rurik dynasty roughly corresponded to parts of present-day Russian Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Belarus. The dynasty was originally based in Kiev and was also known as Kievan Rus'.
During the reign of the Rurik dynasty, Russia was in a state of fragmentation of large and small principalities, and its development was relatively slow. However, the rulers of the Rurik dynasty had an important impact on Russian history. One of the most important rulers was Rurik, the founder of the Rurik dynasty, a Norman from Northern Europe who captured the core cities of East Slavia in the mid-9th century, beginning the history of the Rurik dynasty. Another important ruler was Vladimir in the 10th century, who married a princess of the Eastern Roman Empire and introduced Orthodox Christianity, bringing cultural and religious influences to Russia.
The Rurik dynasty ended in 1598, and after the death of the last Tsar, Fyodor Ivanovich, the dynasty's ruling line became extinct. However, Catherine II, the famous empress of the Russian Romanov dynasty, was related to the Rurik dynasty, she was a descendant of the Rurik dynasty.
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