Golden Age of Kievan Rus

Prince Vladimir has twelve sons.

Each of them had own city and lands.

But the Kievan throne was considered as the main thing and to occupy it each prince dreamed.

In struggle between brothers was won Novgorod prince Yaroslav and began to rule in all Russian lands individual in 1019-1054 .

Yaroslav has united all Russian lands (except for Polotsk) in the uniform state.

He has finally crushed Pechenegs near Kiev and has strengthened his capital.

Yaroslav has strengthened as well external connections of Rus having become related with royal houses of Europe.

He has married his daughters to kings of Norway, Hungary, France.

Yaroslav has given to Kievan Rus the written law - " The Russian Truth ".

On that place where Russian soldiers have for ever crushed Pechenegs Yaroslav has ordered to erect the Cathedral of St. Sofia.

By its beauty and riches this temple competed with Constantinople churches.

At Yaroslav has arisen Pechersky monastery and well-known Golden Gates were constructed.

Chroniclers named Kiev of Yaroslav's times the ornament of the East.

Yaroslav loved books, collected and kept them in the Cathedral of St. Sofia.

For it he was nicknamed Wise.