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Volodymyr the Great facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Coin of Vladimir the Great (obverse)
A coin showing Volodymyr's image

Volodymyr the Great (born around 958, died July 15, 1015) was a very important ruler. He was the Prince of Novgorod and later the Grand Prince of Kyiv. He ruled a large area called Kyivan Rus' from 980 to 1015. Volodymyr is famous for bringing Christianity to Kyivan Rus' in 988. Because of this, the Orthodox church declared him a saint, calling him Saint Volodymyr.

The Life of Prince Volodymyr

Volodymyr was the son of Prince Sviatoslav I of Kyiv. His family belonged to the Rurik dynasty, a powerful ruling family. After his father died in 972, Volodymyr faced a challenge. His brother Yaropolk had killed their other brothers to gain power in Kyiv.

To stay safe, Volodymyr left Novgorod and went to Scandinavia. While there, he gathered a strong army of Varangians. These were Viking warriors from the North. With their help, Volodymyr returned and took Novgorod back from his brother Yaropolk. By the year 980, Volodymyr had united the lands of Kyivan Rus'. This kingdom included parts of what are now Ukraine, Belarus, and some areas of modern Russia.

Volodymyr's Military Actions

Volodymyr was also a skilled military leader. In 981, he captured the Cherven towns from the Poles. Between 981 and 984, he fought and conquered several Slavic tribes. These included the Vyatychi and Radymychi tribes. In 985, Volodymyr led a war against the Volga Bulgars. These actions helped him expand and secure the borders of Kyivan Rus'.

Images for kids

  • Vasnetsov Bapt Vladimir

    The Baptism of Saint Prince Vladimir, by Viktor Vasnetsov (1890)

  • Khazarfall1

    The Pontic steppes, around 1015

  • Anton Losenko. Vladimir and Rogneda

    Vladimir and Rogneda (1770)

  • 1 hryvnia 2006 front

    Volodymyr the Great on the front of a ₴1 bill from around 2006

  • 1000 Vladimir 2

    Volodymyr the Great on the Millennium of Russia monument in Novgorod

  • Ruler of Ukraine statuette Volodymir bright

    A statue in London showing Volodymyr as a symbol of Ukrainian nationalism. It says: "St Volodymyr – Ruler of Ukraine, 980–1015, erected by Ukrainians in Great Britain in 1988 to celebrate the establishment of Christianity in Ukraine by St. Volodymir in 988"

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vladimiro I de Kiev para niños

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