Yaroslav the Wise :: History Ukraine Ukranian Essays

Yaroslav the Wise Yaroslav, son of Vladimir, took over full control of Kyiv in the year 1036. This did not occur until after the deaths of his father and many brothers. Upon Vladimir’s death in 1015 his son Sviatopolk rushed in and took control over Kyiv, killing three of his own brothers in the process. Yaroslav could not let this stand. Joined by Mstislav, another brother, and hired Scandinavian mercenaries, they ousted Sviatopolk and split the empire between themselves. Mstislav controlled Chernigov and Yaroslav went to Novgorod, as he preferred that to Kyiv. Mstislav died in 1036, and at that time Yaroslav became the undisputed ruler of all Kyivan Rus lands. At this time he moved his capital back to the traditional city of Kyiv. [2] Yaroslav did much for the betterment of the Ukrainian state during his reign. He settled the problem of having unruly neighbors to the south. He led a sound defensive stand against an attack of the marauding Pechenegs.[3] These southern folk had been a pestering nuisance for a number of years. After the defeat of these troublesome foes, there was nothing else to worry about in the south because the people that moved in next were much more peaceful. He could now worry about the Polish problem in the east. The Poles were not happy about there western land holdings. They wanted to annex the Ukrainian lands to the west of them. Yaroslav lead an expedition in the late 1920’s and dominated the Polish army, plundered their cities and took many prisoners.[4] After this the Polish peoples revolted and threw out old hierarchy of government and getting rid of Christianity. He later married his sister to the new king of Poland and for the time being the trouble with Poland was over. During this time period it was a great honor to be married to the family of a foreign countries monarchy. It was also a wise governing decision as it made connections and allies out of countries that otherwise may have been foes. Yaroslav the Wise :: History Ukraine Ukranian Essays Yaroslav the Wise Yaroslav, son of Vladimir, took over full control of Kyiv in the year 1036. This did not occur until after the deaths of his father and many brothers. Upon Vladimir’s death in 1015 his son Sviatopolk rushed in and took control over Kyiv, killing three of his own brothers in the process. Yaroslav could not let this stand. Joined by Mstislav, another brother, and hired Scandinavian mercenaries, they ousted Sviatopolk and split the empire between themselves. Mstislav controlled Chernigov and Yaroslav went to Novgorod, as he preferred that to Kyiv. Mstislav died in 1036, and at that time Yaroslav became the undisputed ruler of all Kyivan Rus lands. At this time he moved his capital back to the traditional city of Kyiv. [2] Yaroslav did much for the betterment of the Ukrainian state during his reign. He settled the problem of having unruly neighbors to the south. He led a sound defensive stand against an attack of the marauding Pechenegs.[3] These southern folk had been a pestering nuisance for a number of years. After the defeat of these troublesome foes, there was nothing else to worry about in the south because the people that moved in next were much more peaceful. He could now worry about the Polish problem in the east. The Poles were not happy about there western land holdings. They wanted to annex the Ukrainian lands to the west of them. Yaroslav lead an expedition in the late 1920’s and dominated the Polish army, plundered their cities and took many prisoners.[4] After this the Polish peoples revolted and threw out old hierarchy of government and getting rid of Christianity. He later married his sister to the new king of Poland and for the time being the trouble with Poland was over. During this time period it was a great honor to be married to the family of a foreign countries monarchy. It was also a wise governing decision as it made connections and allies out of countries that otherwise may have been foes.