Tribal union of the Eastern Slavs. 15 tribal alliances

There are several versions of the origin of the Slavs. During the Great Migration of Nations, a huge number of tribes of central and eastern Europe headed west. Various hypotheses suggest that the Slavs originated from Antes, Wends and Scribes in the V-VI centuries. Over time, this large mass was divided into three groups: western, southern and eastern. Representatives of the latter settled in the territory of modern Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

The Eastern Slavs were not a single people. This was impossible due to the differences in climate and living conditions. There were 15 tribal alliances of the Eastern Slavs. Despite their relative affinity and close neighborhood, their relationship was not always friendly.

For the convenience of classification, researchers often group tribal alliances of the Eastern Slavs. The table will help to understand the numerous names of these prototypes of states. In the IX-X centuries. All of them united in Rus under the leadership of the Kiev princes.

Northern tribal unions

In the north of this oikumene lived Slovenian. Historiography also fixed the definition of "ilmen" - by the name of the lake around which they settled. Later, there will appear a large city of Novgorod, which, along with Kiev, is one of the two political centers of Russia. This tribal union of the Eastern Slavs was one of the most developed due to trade with neighboring peoples and countries on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Known for their frequent conflicts with the Vikings (Vikings), because of which Prince Rurik was invited to the reign.

The other tribal alliance of the Eastern Slavs - krivichi - was located to the south. They settled in the upper reaches of several large rivers: the Dnieper, the Western Dvina and the Volga. Their main cities were Smolensk and Izborsk. Polotsk residents lived in Polotsk and Vitebsk.

Central tribal unions

On the largest tributary of the Volga - Oka - lived Vyatichi. It was the easternmost tribal alliance of the Eastern Slavs. From vyatichi there were archaeological monuments of the Romano-Borshchev culture. They mainly engaged in agriculture and trade with the Volga Bulgars.

To the west of the Vyatichi and to the south of the Krivichi lived Radimichi. They owned land in the interfluve of the Desna and Dnieper in modern Belorussia. From this tribe, there are almost no written sources - only references to more developed neighbors.

Dregovichi lived even west of the Radimichi. To the north of them began the possession of the wild people of Lithuania, with which the Slavs had constant conflicts. But even such a relationship had a great influence on the Dregovichi, who adopted many Baltic habits. Even their language changed and borrowed new words from their northern neighbors.

Western tribal unions

In the far west lived the Volhynians and white Croats. They were even mentioned by the Byzantine emperor Konstantin Pahrynorodny (in his book "On the Management of the Empire"). He believed that it was this tribal union of the Eastern Slavs that was the ancestor of the Balkan Croats who lived on the borders with his state.

Volhynians are also known as Buzhane, who received their name on the Western Bug River. They were mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years.

Southern tribal unions

The Black Sea steppes became the home of the ulcers and tivertsy. These tribal alliances found themselves on the southern borders of the settlement of the Eastern Slavs. They lived in the steppe and constantly fought with local nomads of Turkic origin - Pechenegs and Polovtsians. In this confrontation the Slavs could not be defeated, and in the second half of the 10th century they finally left the Black Sea area, settling in the lands of the Volhynians and mixing with them.

In the south-east of the Slavic oikumene lived northerners. From the other tribesmen, they were distinguished by a narrow face. They were greatly influenced by steppe nomadic neighbors, with whom the northerners mutually assimilated. Until 882, these tribes were tributaries of the Khazars, until Oleg annexed them to his power.

Drevlyane

Derevlyane settled in the forests between the Dnieper and Pripyat. Their capital was Iskorosten (now there is a hill from it). The Drevlyans had a system of interrelations within the tribe. In fact, this was an early form of state with its own prince.

For some time the Drevlyane argued with their neighbors-glades for the supremacy in the region, and the latter even paid tribute to them. However, after Oleg united Novgorod and Kiev, he subordinated himself and Iskorosten. His successor, Prince Igor, died at the hands of the Drevlyans, after demanding from them a surplus of tribute. His wife Olga cruelly took revenge on the rebels, betraying the fire of Iskorosten, which was never restored.

The names of the tribal unions of the Eastern Slavs often have analogies in different sources. For example, drevlyane is also described as a Dulebian tribal union, or duleb. From them remained the Zimnovsky fort, which in the VII century was destroyed by aggressive avars.

Glade

The middle course of the Dnieper was chosen by the glade. It was the strongest and most influential tribal alliance. Excellent natural conditions and fertile soil allowed them not only to feed themselves, but also successfully trade with their neighbors - to equip fleets, etc. It was through their territory that the path "From the Varangians to the Greeks" took place, which gave them a great profit.

The center of the glades was Kiev, which was on the high bank of the Dnieper. Its walls served as a reliable defense against enemies. Who were the neighbors of the tribal unions of the Eastern Slavs in these parts? Khazars, Pechenegs and other nomads, who wanted to impose a tribute on the settled people. In 882 the Novgorod prince Oleg captured Kiev and created a single East Slavic state, moving his capital here.