From the very moment of its birth Russia-Russia became a bridge between two worlds - Europe and Asia. And these parts of the world were really different worlds! And it is all the more interesting to understand how the state appeared, which assumed this function? The one that everyone knows as Kievan Rus.
Let's say right away that historians are not unanimous about the origin of Kievan Rus. There are two groups of researchers that are very difficult to reconcile. Some stubbornly attribute the creation of our state to the Viking Germans. The latter, with the same persistence, reject the participation of their western neighbors in this process.
Invisible footprints
The current state of science gives grounds to assert that in the first centuries the Slavic-speaking tribes occupied the area between the Dniester, Pripyat and the Upper Vistula. By the 4th century, the Slavs (then still the Wends) were divided into several groups, the largest of which were the Sklavins and Antes. The terrible events of the IV-VII centuries, known as the Great Migration of Nations, are making their own adjustments. Our ancestors are moving again. New territories are being developed, new tribal unions are being formed.
It was then that such an interesting community as a meadow entered the historical arena. Some researchers by inertia consider it just a strong tribe. It was they, on the site of the ancient settlement of Kgue, who founded Kiev, which eventually became the capital.
Now is the time to talk about the etymology of the term "rus".
There are reasons to believe that it was Polyan that was called so at a certain period. This is indicated by the most important historical documents. In the Tale of Bygone Years, for example, you can read the following: "… a clearing, even now conquering Russia."
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Let's stop. There is an obvious contradiction. According to our historical tradition, the meadow is "from the Slovenska clan" (this is an excerpt from the Laurentian Chronicle). And modern researchers are inclined to the same opinion. But you can't say that about "Rus"! Everything points (and points quite definitely) to its Germanic roots.
It must be remembered that over time, words change beyond recognition (especially if they move from one language to another). The ethnonym "Rus" is of comparatively late origin. Previously, most likely, others were used. The most plausible today is the theory according to which "Russia" is a different, later name for such a German-speaking people as the Rugi (or Rugii).
The period of independent existence of the Rugs is the 1st and 2nd centuries, but not later. In the 3rd century, they are, in fact, already a relic. The reason is the defeat in the war with the Goths. The surviving part could no longer remain in the old lands. Active resettlement began. And this means contacts with neighbors, which always end in crossbreeding.
And now new names come into use. The main ones for the 5th-6th centuries are the Ross and the Rus. The famous Gothic historian Jordan also mentions the "people of the Rossomon", in which, if desired, you can recognize the same swears.
But the glade, most likely, was not a nationality, but a strong tribal alliance, perhaps even just a military one. Its core was made up of the Slavs, specifically the Antes (who at that time were better known as the Dulebs, or Volynians). The Rus were also part of this union.
There was, of course, no complete merger. We can only talk about living in adjacent territories. But the laws of social development gradually took their toll. The two groups have coexisted for a long time. Naturally, there were mixed marriages. Very often (for example, during the war) the Rus and Slavs were forced to act together. Plus the trade that has always taken place. And in the end, what should have happened happened: the two peoples became one! And the name was kept in German. Probably because the military class (which occupied the highest position in society) at the first stage was formed from the German-speaking Rus. Then, naturally, the Slavs began to get there. This gave its result: the word "Rus" was no longer associated with a certain nationality. They began to use it to refer to everyone who carried weapons.
Hey, Normans?
But what about the Normans? What is their role in the formation of the first Russian state? Most likely not that great.
Let us ask ourselves a question: who are these Varangians? Any specific people? Not at all. The Varangians, more precisely, the Waring (literally "who swore one oath"), was the name given to the community of independent people that emerged in the Nordic countries by the beginning of the 9th century, whose main occupation was war. Yes, they sometimes gathered strong squads, but they could not decide important political issues on their own. You cannot directly link this small stratum with Russia! You can only talk about symbiosis.
Now let's turn to the chronicle. There, those invited by Novgorodians are called "Varazi Rus". Why is it so? Let's continue reading. We learn that "friends are svyye, friends are urmanes, anglyans, friends are gte taco and si". What picture do we see? All northern peoples (who were related to the "Vikings") are listed. Except for the Russians!
Only one conclusion can be drawn: the aliens were exactly the Russians. Probably the part of them that lived on the shores of the Baltic Sea. But where did the strange form of "Varyazi Rus" come from? After all, Western European chroniclers never called Scandinavians that! One can only guess here. The following option is not excluded.
In a certain historical period, Russians were called not only the descendants of the Rugs who mixed with the Balts and Slavs, but also the Danes (the ancestors of the Danes). This may confuse some researchers. After all, it is generally accepted that the Rugs and their descendants (especially those who made the island of Rugen their base) were at enmity with the Danes for a long time. Yes, but the European chroniclers did not know all the details. For them, both the Rus and the Danes were just pirates! Vikings! And here is an additional argument in favor of the fact that the Danes could also be called Rus. The argument is strong enough. The peoples of the Finno-Ugric group (and they lived in the closest proximity to the Slavs), as a rule, called the Vikings "Ruotsi".
Perhaps this term was a heavily modified name for the ancient rugs. The Danes were rightly considered the strongest of the Vikings (most likely, that is why the Novgorodians turned to them). Over time, for many Europeans the words "Danes" and "Vikings" have become almost synonymous. But these are the Vikings in Western Europe. And in the East? And in the East - Ruotsi! Well, the famous Rurik … is none other than Rorik of Jutland (as a number of historians believe).
There is one more quite plausible hypothesis. According to her, "Varyazi Rus" arrived from Sweden. The fact is that there is a historical area called Roslagen (Ruslagen).
At the head of the squad
Of course, it's better not to rush to conclusions. There are enough points of view! There is not even a consensus regarding the nationality of Rorik. Some consider him a native of Jutland, the son of the influential king Galfdan (that is, a Viking). Others - a noble Novgorodian, a descendant of the semi-legendary Gostomysl (that is, a Slav). Still others - a native of Prussia (that is, a Balt).
There is no certainty that the residents of Novgorod invited anyone. Another version looks much more believable: Rorik formed a strong squad and captured a rich, populous city!
Just do not equate the soldiers brought by the brave Dane with Russia. Russia (as an influential social stratum) already existed in 862! And she collected tribute from the East Slavic tribes regularly. And Rorik just managed to become its leader. Only due to the fact that he had the largest squad.
The emergence of a new force contributed to the quickest unification of the Slavic tribes. Roerik and his successors used the local population quite actively. For example, when seizing new lands. And besides, they encouraged marriages between Slavs and Varangians. That is why, in a short time, a strong (especially militarily) centralized state arose.
Who ultimately won? Slavs. It couldn't have been otherwise! In their development, they far outstripped the Germans. They knew how to work the land well, mastered the most important crafts. And most importantly, they chose the path of peaceful construction. Such, as practice shows, will sooner or later take a leading position. Culture always wins!
Peter VINOGRADOV