2. Russian tradition places the beginning of Russia, Kievan Rus' as 862 AD. Oral traditions, and the Russian Primary Chronicle tells the story of Russia's emergence as a nation and how the house of Riurik became the rulers. This story tells how the Slavs, after driving out the Varangians and forcing them to return to Scandinavia, were faced with such disorder that they requested the return of the Varangians to rule them. At this request, three brothers returned, Riurik, Sineus and Truvor. Each took a different city to rule. Riurik became the prince of Novgorod and when the other two died he gained control of their cities also. Prince Riurik 862-879
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4. Prince Riurik and Prince Oleg (879-912) When Riurik died, his son, Prince Igor, was recognized as the heir. However, he was too young to rule and a man named Oleg was chosen to rule instead until Prince Igor was old enough to rule. Oleg greatly expanded the borders of the fledgling country. One of the cities he conquered was Kiev, which became the control center. With this, Kievan Rus' began.
6. Prince Oleg and Prince Igor Prince Oleg’s shield on gate of Tsargrad Prince Oleg’s warriors
7. Prince Oleg is talking to a magus. Prince Oleg is at the skeleton of his horse. Funeral of Prince Oleg. Prince Igor and princess Olga are sitting on the hill.
63. Ivan III– the Great (1462- 1505) His descendants followed this practice and by the reign of Ivan the Great, a free Russia was beginning to form. By this time, the Grand Princes had moved to Moscow. Ivan the Great began what came to be known as "the gathering of the Russian land." He set out to conquer all of the lands that had been a part of Kievan Rus'. Ivan the Great gained control of Novgorod, Tver, and parts of Poland. He was however, still paying tribute to the Tatars. They could see that he was quickly gaining more power than them and sent troops to Moscow to take the city. Ivan the Great sent his troops to meet the Tatars, but a battle never happened.
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67. Ivan IV- the Terrible (1533-1584) With Feodor's death, Russia was, for the first time left without any legitimate heirs to the throne. A time of troubles hit Russia, as various princes and boyars fought to gain power and war and famine spread throughout Russia. Ivan IV‘ s reign had left Russia weak and without a strong ruler to maintain the country.