Old Russian Elite of the X-XI Centuries: Questions of Genealogy

The article is dedicated to the study of the genealogy of the Old Russian boyars and, in particular, its highest aristocratic stratum during the formation of the statehood of Rus’. The article notes the lack of sources and the complexity of studying this aspect, but emphasizes the importance of personal and genealogical research for understanding the social structure of that time. The article examines three key noble families: the supposed descendants of Oleg the Prophet; Sveneldichs and Ostromirovichs, who were supposedly one noble family; as well as the genealogy of the Malkovichs. Meanwhile, chronicle data are analyzed and conclusions are made about possible relation between these families. Issues of origin, social status and the role of these families in the context of the relationship between the boyars and princely power are discussed. For example, the probable genealogical connection of Oleg and Olga, as well as a number of noble persons of the subsequent period, highlights the relationship between the princely and boyar status using the example of the closest relatives of the ruling dynasty. The data about the Sveneldichs and Ostromirovichs illustrate the phenomenon of rises and falls among the aristocracy, as well as the influence of personal biographies on the development of political relations. The genealogy of the Malkovichs an example of effective socialization in aristocratic circles through family relation with the princely dynasty. The article provides an extensive analysis of the genealogy of the boyars of the X–XI centuries and demonstrates the ways in which the ruling elite functioned in this era. It is emphasized that the aristocracy was mainly formed on the basis of family relation in the princely squad, and attention is also focused on the interaction of the principles of blood and service in the formation of the elite. It is concluded that the struggle between these principles will become characteristic of the further development of the Russian aristocracy. The article has practical value for historians and researchers interested in the genealogy of the aristocracy, as well as for studying social changes in early Rus’. The article can serve as a basis for further research in the field of source studies and social history, deepening the understanding of the structure of power and its changes in the context of ancient Russian society.

1. Gorsky A. A. Old Russian squad: On the history of the genesis of class society and state in Rus’. Moscow: Prometheus; 1989. 124 p. (In Russ.).

2. Stefanovich P. S. Boyars, youths, squads: The military-political elite of Rus’ in the 10th-11th centuries. Moscow: Indrik; 2012. 566 p. (In Russ.).

3. Alekseev S. V. Aristocracy of Old Rus’ in the 9th-12th centuries. Moscow: Academic project; 2020. 277 p. (In Russ.).

4. Veselovsky S. B. Research on the history of the class of service landowners. Moscow: Nauka; 1969. 583 p. (In Russ.).

5. Zimin A. A. Formation of the boyar aristocracy in Russia in the second half of the 15th — first third of the 16th century. Moscow: Nauka; 1988. 352 p. (In Russ.).

6. Volodikhin D. M. Social composition of the Russian voivode corps under Ivan IV. St. Petersburg: Petersburg oriental studies; 2011. 300 p. (In Russ.).

7. Alekseev S. V. Rus’ and Eastern Slavs in the 9th century: Sources and history. Moscow: IPO “Radetel”; 2025. 840 p. (In Russ.).

8. Old Rus’ in light of foreign sources. Vol. III. Eastern sources. Comp. T. M. Kalinina, I. G. Konovalova, V. Y. Petrukhin. Moscow: Russian Foundation for Assistance to Education and Science; 2009. 264 p. (In Russ.).

9. Alekseev S. V., Plotnikova O. A. From Tradition to literature: Oral historical and epic tradition in the most ancient monuments of slavic literature. Moscow: Academic Project; 2021. 750 p. (In Russ.).

10. Old Rus’ in light of foreign sources. Vol. V. Ancient Scandinavian sources. Comp. G. V. Glazyrina, T. N. Jackson, E. A. Melnikova. Moscow: Russian Foundation for Assistance to Education and Science; 2009. 384 p. (In Russ.).

11. Bibikov M. V. Byzantinorossica: A Corpus of Byzantine Testimonies about Rus’. Vol. II. Narrative Monuments. Moscow: Manuscript Monuments of Ancient Rus’; 2009. 528 p. (In Russ.).

12. Leo the Deacon. History. Trans. M. M. Kopylenko, comment. M. Ya. Suzyumov, S. A. Ivanov. Moscow: Nauka; 1988. 240 p. (In Russ.).

13. Milyutenko N. I. Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal to the Apostles, and the Baptism of Rus’: The earliest written sources. St. Petersburg: Oleg Abyshko Publishing House; 2008. 576 p. (In Russ.).

14. Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles. Vol. III. Novgorod First Chronicle of the Senior and Junior Editions. Nasonov A. N., ed. Moscow: Languages of Slavic Culture; 2000. XII + 720 p. (In Russ.).

15. Gorsky A. A. Yan Vyshatich: A guide to the history of Rus’ in the 11th century. St. Petersburg: Nestor-History; 2021. 192 p. (In Russ.).

16. Gimon T. V. Yan Vyshatich and oral sources of the Old Russian Primary Chronicle. In: The Oldest states of Eastern Europe. 2011: Oral tradition in written text. Moscow: Russian Foundation for Assistance to Education and Science, 2013:5–117. (In Russ.).

17. Monuments of Russian Law. Issue 1. Monuments of Law of the Kiev State of the 10th-12th Centuries. Comp. A. A. Zimin, ed. by S. V. Yushkov. Moscow: State Publishing House of Legal Literature; 1952. 288 p. (In Russ.).

18. Shakhmatov A. A. Research on the Oldest Russian Chronicle Codes. St. Petersburg: Print. M. M. Alexandrov, 1908. XX + 687 p. (In Russ.).

19. Stolyarova L. V. Corpus of records of scribes, artists and bookbinders of ancient Russian parchment codes of the 11th-14th centuries. Moscow: Nauka; 2000. 543 p. (In Russ.).

20. Complete collection of Russian chronicles. Vol. 42. Novgorod Karamzin Chronicle. Ed. Y. S. Lurye, comp. A. G. Bobrov, Z. V. Dmitrieva. St. Petersburg: Dmitry Bulanin, 2002. 224 p. (In Russ.).

21. Complete collection of Russian chronicles. Vol. I. Laurentian Chronicle. Karsky E. F., ed. Moscow: Languages of Russian Culture; 1997. 496 p. (In Russ.).

22. Complete collection of Russian chronicles. Vol. VI. Issue 1. Sofia First Chronicle of the Older Edition. Moscow: Languages of Russian Culture, 2000. VIII+312 p. (In Russ.).

23. Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles. Vol. II. Ipatiev Chronicle. Shakhmatov A. A., ed. Moscow: Languages of Russian Culture, 1998. 648 p.

24. Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. Moscow: Science; 1974. 448 p.