The story of Kyiv begins as far back as the 5th century A.D., when the East Slavic tribe of the Polyane moved from the Danube region to the banks of the Dnipro River. According to the ancient “The Tale of Bygone Years”, the city was founded by three brothers – Kyi, Schek, and Horiv, and their sister Lybid. The eldest brother, Kyi, became the leader of the tribal union, and it was in his honor that the great city of Kyiv was named.
The Primary Chronicle—our main source for this period—describes a struggle for Kyiv around the year 882 between different groups of Vikings. Two of their leaders Askold and Dir (the grave of Askold can still be seen in Kyiv today), were killed by Helgi, known in the chronicle as Oleg.
He seized the city supposedly on behalf of the house of Rurik, who was already ruling Novgorod in the north of present-day Russia. This account is presented in Serhii Plokhy’s book The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine from the Scythian Wars to Independence, and he assumed governance in Kyiv.
Prince Oleg started the process of union the Eastern Slavic tribes and principalities into one state.
In the Primary Chronicle, Oleg is said to have proclaimed after taking power in Kyiv: ‘Let this land be the mother of Rus’ cities.’ He went on to force other principalities, including Novgorod, to pay tribute to Kyiv. As a result, the years 811–830 are traditionally regarded as the foundation of Kyiv city.
The people of Kyiv were referred to as “Rus” in the historical context
The term Rus is believed to have come from the Old Norse word ruotsi, meaning ‘men who row,’ a reference to the Vikings who traveled the great rivers of Eastern Europe, especially the Dnipro.
More precisely, Rus is thought to be a Proto-Finnic name for Sweden, Ruotsi in Finnish, and Rootsi in Estonian, linked to the coastal region of Roslagen (earlier known as Roden) in Sweden.
By the 11th century, Kyiv had grown into one of the largest and most prosperous centers of Eastern Europe, its wealth and political influence rooted in trade. Prince Oleg continued the legacy of Kyiv’s earlier rulers, Askold and Dir, building upon the foundation they had established before his arrival.
Kyiv stood at the crossroads of the great international trade route ”from the Vikings to the Greeks”, stretching from the Baltic Sea to Constantinople. Merchants passing through the city were required to pay tolls, weaving Kyiv into the wider network of global trade.
Golden era of the Grand Prince of Kyiv – Yaroslav the Wise
During the reign of Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054), Kyiv entered a new era of flourishing. The son of Prince Volodymyr the Great, Yaroslav, was a prominent ruler of Ukraine-Rus who defeated the Pecheneg hordes—Turkic nomads who had long threatened the city—and reinforced Kyiv’s boundaries with strong fortifications.
Beyond military victories, he became known for his patronage of education, literacy, and the arts, turning Kyiv into a true cultural and political center of Eastern Europe.
Prince Yaroslav the Wise issued the first code of laws. He was a great political leader and maintained diplomatic relations with the European states. Ukrainian historians call Yaroslav the father-in-law of Europe. His daughters Alesava, Anna, and Anastasia were married respectively to Harald III of Norway, Henry I of France, and Andrew I of Hungary.
Yaroslav the Wise himself was married to a representative of the Northern European dynasty – Princess Ingegerd Olofsdotter, the daughter of the king of Sweden. After his death, his expansion of culture and military might left a powerful impact on Ukraine-Rus history.
Mongol invasion of Kyiv in 1240
The rapid rise of Kyiv came to a tragic halt with the Mongol invasion in 1240. The once-magnificent city was devastated and looted, of more than 40 monumental structures, only 5 or 6 survived; of 8,000 households, barely 200 remained, most of them rebuilt between 1240 and 1246; and from a population of 50,000, no more than 2,000 endured.
The 1240s became an era of ruin, internal strife, and decline for Ukraine-Rus, as Kyiv’s princes waged constant wars and bitter rivalries in their struggle to expand their domains.
The 1240s ushered in a period of internal dissent, destruction, and decline for Ukraine-Rus. For the next decade, Kyiv’s princes were locked in constant wars and fierce rivalries, as competing dynasties fought to expand their territories.
About the Author
Hello and welcome! My name is Victoria, and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv. Since 2016, I have been offering private tours on various topics for visitors to the capital of Ukraine. I love sharing stories. When not guiding, I write about Ukraine on my blog and my travel experiences and insights in Sweden and the Baltics.
What location should I stay in for the easiest access to good restaurants and night life? May I visit Kiev now? Please suggest a hotel, at least 3 star
I would suggest you two locations in two different neighborhoods of Kyiv. One in Upper Town near the metro station Palats Sportu. The popular hotel among my former guests there is Sky Loft. It’s very convenient to get on foot in the streets with restaurants, cafes, and bars. In the Lower Town – Podil area I would recommend Bursa Hotel, and the bars, pubs, cafes are located in the area close to the hotel.