The history of Ancient Rus is a solid myth that we have believed since childhood. What is surprising: this myth was created about three centuries ago … by the Germans. Until now, schools teach the "German version" of the history of Russia.
Foreign educators
Many foreign, mostly German, scientists participated in the writing of Russian history. The most famous academicians of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences are Bayer, Miller, Fischer, Schletzer. Many worked on the question “where did the Russian land come from”, although some did not even know Russian. They published their works in German or Latin, usually abroad.
Gerhard Friedrich Miller.
At the request of Gerhard Friedrich Miller in 1732, the Academy of Sciences began to publish a collection of monuments on Russian history, albeit in German. In 1734, the Academy decided to publish the chronicles in Russian "without any changes." But it did not work out: the Holy Synod forbade it with the wording "the chronicles are full of lies."
Only a hundred years later, in the 1830s, the publication of the Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles began, but this work has not yet been completed.
The Germans were not only "the first Russian scientists", but also the pioneers of academic education in Russia. Under the leadership of Gottlieb Siegfried Bayer, the first Academic Gymnasium for boys was opened in St. Petersburg in 1726. German professors taught in Latin - after all, they did not know Russian!
Promotional video:
Gottlieb Siegfried Bayer.
Why did they want to execute Lomonosov
Russian scientists fought against the "German dominance" in the Academy, the most fierce enemy was Mikhail Lomonosov. He considered Bayer a priest "fumigated with bleached and dope", about Miller he said that "on every page the Russians are beaten, robbed safely", and he "notices only spots on the clothes of the Russian body, not noticing its decorations." German scientists considered Lomonosov a "rude ignoramus".
The war in the Academy of Sciences was not for life, but for death. In April 1743, Lomonosov was arrested for his impudent behavior during academic strife. The created commission demanded the death penalty for the scientist (!) - for "disrespectful, dishonorable and disgusting actions in relation to the Academy and to the German soil." Lomonosov spent eight months under arrest. In January 1744, he was released, obliged "for prejudice from the professors to ask for forgiveness" and cutting his salary in half.
However, it was German scientists who laid the foundation for the Russian history that is being studied in school today.
Come Own Us
One of the main reasons for discord between scientists was the question of the origin of Russia. Disputes were about Rurik - the chronicle Varangian, the founder of the Rurik dynasty.
German scientists (founder - Bayer) invented and substantiated the Norman theory of the origin of Rurik. Its essence is that the people "Rus" originate from Scandinavia, and the Old Russian state was founded by the Normans (Scandinavian Varangians-Vikings).
The "German version" is taught in Russian schools and is often presented as the main one. The textbooks say that in 862 the Slavs could not independently arrange their lives, so they asked the overseas Varangians: “Our land is great and abundant, but there is no order (government) in it. Yes, go to reign and govern us. " Three brothers responded to the invitation - Rurik, Sineus and Truvor.
Lomonosov spoke out against this theory, seeing in it the thesis of the backwardness of the Slavs and the unpreparedness for the formation of a state. He claimed that Rurik was from the Western Slavs. This theory is called "anti-Normanist". Its supporters do not recognize the significant influence of the Scandinavians on the creation of the Old Russian state.
Author: Elena Rotkevich
Who was Rurik
Until now, scientists argue who could be the chronicle Varangian Rurik. As well as a hundred years ago, there are several diametrically opposed points of view. Some believe that this is the Danish king Rörik. Others are sure that Rurik came from Sweden. Still others are convinced that it did not exist at all.
Norman theory
Proceeding from the fact that in the annals Rurik is called a Varangian, supporters of the Norman concept consider Rurik and his entire squad to be Vikings-Vikings from Scandinavia.
Rörik from Denmark
According to one version, Rurik "The Tale of Bygone Years" is the Viking Rorik of Jutland, one of the most successful Danish kings.
Eirik from Sweden
Supporters of the Slavic theory believe that Rurik is the leader of one of the West Slavic tribes of encouragement who lived on the shores of the Baltic.
Varangian warrior
Rurik could be hired by merchants of furs and other goods for armed protection. They did not need a prince, did not seek to
expand the borders - it was important for them to control trade routes. It was the merchants who founded the state in the north of the Russian Plain, and the legendary Rurik became the defender of their interests, the historian Alexander Lebedev believes.
We suggest you look at the infographic "Who was Rurik":