Rurik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rurik |
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| Prince of Novgorod | |
Rurik on the monument "Millennium of Russia" in Veliky Novgorod
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| Reign | 862–879 |
| Successor | Oleg |
| Died | 879 Novgorod |
| Issue | Igor |
| Dynasty | Rurik |
Rurik (also known as Riurik or Ryurik) was a famous leader who lived a long time ago. He was a Varangian chieftain, which means he was a leader of a group of people from Scandinavia. In the year 862, he was asked to rule in a place called Novgorod.
Rurik is known as the founder of the Rurik dynasty. This was a very important family that ruled a large area called Kievan Rus'. Later, they also ruled the Tsardom of Russia. This dynasty ruled for many centuries, until the year 1598. The last ruler from this family was Vasili IV, who reigned until 1610.
Rurik's Life Story
The earliest stories about Rurik come from an old book called the Primary Chronicle. This book was written around the year 1113. It says that in 860–862, different tribes in the area, like the East Slavic and Finnic tribes, decided to stop paying tribute to the Varangians. They wanted to rule themselves.
However, after they sent the Varangians away, the tribes started fighting each other. They realized they needed someone to bring order. So, they invited the Varangians back, led by Rurik. Rurik came with his two younger brothers, Sineus and Truvor, and a big group of followers.
The chronicle says that Rurik and his group were part of the Rus' people. Most historians believe that the Rus' people originally came from Scandinavia. Many think the name Rus comes from an Old Norse word meaning "the men who row." This might refer to people from a coastal area in Sweden called Roslagen.
Rurik's brothers settled in different towns. Sineus went to Beloozero, and Truvor went to Izborsk. But his brothers died soon after. Rurik then took control of their lands. He expanded his rule across northern Russia. Some of Rurik's followers, Askold and Dir, went south to Kiev. They took control of Kiev and even attacked Constantinople in 860.
The Primary Chronicle has different versions. One old version from 1377 says Rurik first settled in Novgorod. Another version from the 1420s says he first settled in Ladoga. Then, he moved his main base to the new city of Novgorod. This city was built near the Volkhov River. Rurik stayed there until he died.
Rurik ruled until his death in 879. Before he died, he gave his kingdom to Oleg. Oleg was a relative of Rurik. Rurik also asked Oleg to take care of his young son, Igor. Oleg later moved the capital to Kiev. He took the city and started the state of Kievan Rus'. Rurik's family, including his son Igor and his descendants, ruled this state. Kievan Rus' lasted until a big event called the Mongol invasion in 1240.
Rurik's Lasting Impact
- Further information: Rurikid dynasty
The Rurik dynasty, or Rurikids, became very powerful. They ruled Kievan Rus' for a long time. Eventually, they also ruled the Tsardom of Russia until 1598. Many noble families in the lands of Kievan Rus' still say they are direct descendants of Rurik. The last Rurikid ruler of Russia was Tsar Vasily IV. He was from a branch of the Rurik family called the House of Shuysky. He ruled until 1610. The Romanovs, who ruled after the Rurikids, were also related to Rurik's family through marriage.
Scientists have studied the DNA of people who claim to be modern descendants of Rurik. Many of them have a specific type of Y chromosome called haplogroup N1a. This same DNA type has been found in other princely families who are believed to be Rurikids. However, not all people who claim to be Rurik's descendants have this specific DNA.
Other Ideas About Rurik
The name Rurik comes from an Old Norse name, Hrœrekr. Some historians have wondered if Rurik of Novgorod was the same person as a Viking leader named Rorik of Dorestad. Rorik of Dorestad was a Viking who lived in the same time period. He was known for raiding and taking lands in Europe.
Rorik of Dorestad is mentioned in old Frankish (French) records. He received lands in a place called Friesland in 850. He then started attacking nearby areas. He took the city of Dorestad in 850 and attacked Hedeby in 857. He also looted Bremen in 859. The Emperor was angry and took away his lands in 860. After this, Rorik disappears from western records for a while.
Interestingly, in 862, the Russian stories say Rurik arrived in the eastern Baltic. He built a fortress at Ladoga and later moved to Novgorod. Rorik of Dorestad reappeared in Frankish records in 870. His lands in Friesland were given back to him. In 882, the records say Rorik of Dorestad had died. The Russian chronicle says Rurik of Novgorod died in 879, which is three years earlier.
Some historians, like Boris Rybakov, thought Rurik of Rus' and Rorik of Dorestad might be the same person. However, most scholars today do not widely support this idea. Even so, there is growing support for the idea that the Rus' people had a Viking or Norse origin, rather than a Slavic one.
See also
In Spanish: Riúrik para niños
