Period of Statehood (879 - 1360), Детальна інформація

and assassinations between his sons ensued, resulting in victory for

prince Yaroslav in 1019.

Yaroslav the Great consolidated nearly whole of his father's

territory, defeated Pechenegs and became one of the most powerful rulers

in Europe. A church hierarchy was established, headed (at least since

1037) by the metropolitan of Kyiv, who was usually appointed by the

patriarch of Constantinople. Yaroslav promoted family ties with other

kingdoms, built many churches, improved Kyiv's fortifications,

introduced laws and established courts.

However, same as his forefathers, he divided the country between

his sons, who after his death in 1054 started to fight among themselves

and divide their land between their sons. This resulted in small

principalities who not only fought each other, but also had to defend

themselves from marauding Turkish and Polovetsian hordes, who plundered

the countryside.

In 1097 all princes agreed to stop fighting between themselves. In

1103 they united their forces under leadership of prince Monomakh (one

of the grandsons of Yaroslav the Great) and defeated Polovetsian hordes.

However constant warfare weakened country's economic strength and caused

near collapse of cultural and political system of Ukraine.

After death of Monomakh in 1125 Ukraine remained fragmented into

numerous principalities, having their own customs and rules, with only

nominal allegiance to the Prince of Kyiv ( this position was occupied by

sons of Monomakh on rotational basis). Gradually Kyiv lost it's power

and influence; many principalities separated.

An outstanding chronicle of events was compiled in Old Church

Slavonic language by Venerable Nestor in 1136.

In 1169 prince Andrey Bogolyubski conquered and destroyed Kyiv and

established his capital in Vladimir near present site of Moscow, thus

originating present Russian state.