Welcome to Russian History Retold.

Episode 346, the Rurikid Dynasty

Dynasty.

Last time, we recounted the Russian imperial era. Today, we go further back in time to the first

dynasty of the people known as the Rus. Starting in 862 with Rurik, the dynasty would last until

the death of Fyodor I in 1598.

While not amongst the longest dynasties in world history,

the Rurikids led Russia from what most experts believe began in 862

with the arrival of the Varangian Rurik.

This claim, though, has been argued against by many historians,

some even claiming that Rurik was not just a legendary person.

He was actually an entire fictional character.

As the famous Russian historian, Nicholas Razanovsky puts it, quote,

No Keevan sources anterior to the primary chronicle, which was early 12th century, knew of Rurik.

In tracing the ancestry of Kiven princes, they usually stopped with Igor.

Some actually say that the real beginning of the dynasty was with the ascension of Vladimir

the Great in 978.

According to the Hypatian Codex of 1425, which is a combendium of three Rus chronicles, which included the

primary chronicle, Kievan Chronicle, and Galician Volian Chronicle. Its list of Kinyas, or

rulers of Kiev, starts with, quote, dear and Ascold, then Oleg, then Igor, up to 1240, and does not mention

Rourik anywhere. It was not until the 16th century in the book of royal decrees put together

by Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow, according to which the reigning Danilovich House,

...