THE RURIK DYNASTY. (2019) Episode 1. In Russian with English subtitles.

Conquest and the struggle of power, victory and defeat, love and betrayal, the rise of culture and the ashes of conflagration - these are just some of the elements of the Rurik dynasty. Founded by Viking/Varangian princes, the Rurik dynasty ruled the territory of Kievan Rus from 882, and later, several neighboring principalities including the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Their rule continued until 1610 and the Time of Troubles, after which they were succeeded by the Romanovs. Throughout their rule, the Rurikids fortified, defended and expanded their territory - sometimes with fierce and terrifying battles, sometimes with reconciliation and peace treaties. Most importantly, however, it was under their rule that Russian culture developed, and the Russian nation emerged to become the vast transcontinental and multi-ethnic state that exists today.

Episode 1 deals with Rurik. According to the chronicle, he came "from beyond the sea", from where waves of northern pirates, the Vikings, rolled over Europe, but he came not as a conqueror, but as a mercenary. The inhabitants of Ladoga called him because they needed an experienced warrior and an independent ruler who could prevent strife. Together with his squad, Rurik concluded an agreement with Ladoga and gave the Ladoga residents an oath of allegiance. It is this moment - according to the annals, 862 AD, that is considered the starting point of the Russian state.

The first episode also covers the reigns of Igor Rurikovich, his uncle Oleg, and Princess Olga. The first prince of Rurikoviches, Igor, was on the throne as a baby: Rurik died when his son was barely a year old. The guardian and regent for the young prince was the trusted governor Oleg, who went down in history as the Seer. For almost forty years, Prince Igor accompanied him on all campaigns. Before Igor's eyes, Oleg created a state - he subjugated the tribes, collected lands, went to Tsargrad (Constantinople). But Igor's own rule ended in a catastrophe that cost him his life. His widow, Princess Olga, did what her husband could not do: she strengthened the crumbling state and improved relations with the Byzantine Empire.