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Birth:           955 Kiev, Ukraine
Christening:     988 
Death:          15 Jul 1015 Berestow, Ukraine
Burial:         Church of the Tithes, Kiev, Ukraine

Notes
Grand Prince of Novgorod
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_the_Great
Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great or Volodymyr (Old East Slavic: ?????????? 
????????????, Volodimer? Svetoslavic?, Old Norse as Valdamarr Sveinaldsson, 
Ukrainian: ?????????, Volodymyr, Russian: ?????΄???, Vladimir, Belarusian: ?????i?
i?, Uladzimir; c. 958 – 15 July 1015, Berestove) was a prince of Novgorod, grand 
prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus' from 980 to 1015.[3][4]

Vladimir's father was prince Sviatoslav of the Rurik dynasty.[5] After the death of his 
father in 972, Vladimir, who was then prince of Novgorod, was forced to flee to 
Scandinavia in 976 after his brother Yaropolk had murdered his other brother Oleg and 
conquered Rus'. In Sweden, with the help from his relative Ladejarl Hεkon 
Sigurdsson, ruler of Norway, he assembled a Varangian army and reconquered 
Novgorod from Yaropolk.[6] By 980, Vladimir had consolidated the Kievan realm from 
modern-day Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to the Baltic Sea and had solidified the 
frontiers against incursions of Bulgarian, Baltic, and Eastern nomads. Originally a 
follower of Slavic paganism, Vladimir converted to Christianity in 988[7][8][9] and 
Christianized the Kievan Rus'.[10]

often depicted in paintings and photographs of the city

In 988, having taken the town of Chersonesos in Crimea, he boldly negotiated for the 
hand of emperor Basil II's sister, Anna.[23] Never before had a Byzantine imperial 
princess, and one "born in the purple" at that, married a barbarian, as matrimonial 
offers of French kings and German emperors had been peremptorily rejected. In short, 
to marry the 27-year-old princess to a pagan Slav seemed impossible. Vladimir was 
baptized at Chersonesos, however, taking the Christian name of Basil out of 
compliment to his imperial brother-in-law; the sacrament was followed by his wedding 
to Anna. Returning to Kiev in triumph, he destroyed pagan monuments and established 
many churches, starting with a church dedicated to St. Basil,[24] and the Church of 
the Tithes (989).

Arab sources, both Muslim and Christian, present a different story of Vladimir's 
conversion. Yahya of Antioch, al-Rudhrawari, al-Makin, Al-Dimashqi, and ibn al-Athir 
all give essentially the same account.[25] In 987, Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phocas 
revolted against the Byzantine emperor Basil II. Both rebels briefly joined forces, but 
then Bardas Phocas proclaimed himself emperor on 14 September 987. Basil II turned 
to the Kievan Rus' for assistance, even though they were considered enemies at that 
time. Vladimir agreed, in exchange for a marital tie; he also agreed to accept 
Christianity as his religion and to Christianize his people. When the wedding 
arrangements were settled, Vladimir dispatched 6,000 troops to the Byzantine Empire, 
and they helped to put down the revolt.[26]

In 988 and 991, he baptized Pecheneg princes Metiga and Kuchug, respectively.[27]

Christian reign[edit]

Vladimir then formed a great council out of his boyars and set his twelve sons over his 
subject principalities. According to the Primary Chronicle, he founded the city of 
Belgorod in 991. In 992, he went on a campaign against the Croats, most likely the 
White Croats that lived on the border of modern Ukraine. This campaign was cut short 
by the attacks of the Pechenegs on and around Kiev.

In his later years he lived in a relative peace with his other neighbors: Boleslav I of 
Poland, Stephen I of Hungary, and Andrikh the Czech (questionable character 
mentioned in A Tale of the Bygone Years). After Anna's death, he married again, likely 
to a granddaughter of Otto the Great.

In 1014, his son Yaroslav the Wise stopped paying tribute. Vladimir decided to 
chastise the insolence of his son and began gathering troops against him. Vladimir fell 
ill, however, most likely of old age, and died at Berestove, near Kiev. The various 
parts of his dismembered body were distributed among his numerous sacred 
foundations and were venerated as relics.

During his Christian reign, Vladimir lived the teachings of the Bible through acts of 
charity. He would hand out food and drink to the less fortunate, and made an effort to 
go out to the people who could not reach him. His work was based on the impulse to 
help one’s neighbors by sharing the burden of carrying their cross.[28]

Family[edit]

Main article: Family life and children of Vladimir I

Vladimir and Rogneda (1770)
The fate of all Vladimir's daughters, whose number is around nine, is uncertain.
Olava or Allogia (Varangian or Czech), speculative she might have been mother of 
Vysheslav while others claim that it is a confusion with Helena Lekapena[citation 
needed] Vysheslav (~977 – ~1010), Prince of Novgorod (988–1010)

a widow of Yaropolk I, a Greek nun Sviatopolk the Accursed (~979), possibly the 
surviving son of Yaropolk

Rogneda (the daughter of Rogvolod), later upon divorce she entered a convent taking 
the Christian name of Anastasia Izyaslav of Polotsk (~979, Kiev), Prince of Polotsk 
(989–1001)
Yaroslav the Wise (no earlier than 983), Prince of Rostov (987–1010), Prince of 
Novgorod (1010–1034), Grand Prince of Kiev (1016–1018, 1019–1054). Possibly he was 
a son of Anna rather than Rogneda. Another interesting fact that he was younger than 
Sviatopolk according to the words of Boris in the Tale of Bygone Years and not as it 
was officially known. Also the fact of him being the Prince of Rostov is highly doubtful 
although not discarded.
Vsevolod (~984–1013), possibly the Swedish Prince Wissawald of Volyn (~1000), was 
perhaps the first husband of Estrid Svendsdatter
Mstislav, other Mstislav that possibly died as an infant if he was ever born
Mstislav of Chernigov (~983), Prince of Tmutarakan (990–1036), Prince of Chernigov 
(1024–1036), other sources claim him to be son of other mothers (Adela, Malfrida, or 
some other Bulgarian wife)
Predslava, a concubine of Boleslaw I Chrobry according to Gesta principum Polonorum
Premislava, (?–1015), some source state that she was a wife of the Duke Laszlo 
(Vladislav) "the Bald" of Arpadians
Mstislava, in 1018 was taken by Boleslaw I Chrobry among the other daughters

Bulgarian Adela, some sources claim that Adela is not necessarily Bulgarian as Boris 
and Gleb were born from some other wife Boris (~986), Prince of Rostov (~1010–
1015), remarkable is the fact that Rostov Principality as well as the Principality of 
Murom used to border the territory of Volga Bolgars
Gleb (~987), Prince of Murom (1013–1015), as Boris, Gleb is being also claimed the 
son of Anna Porphyrogenita
Stanislav (~985–1015), Prince of Smolensk (988–1015), possible of another wife and a 
fate of whom is not certain
Sudislav (?–1063), Prince of Pskov (1014–1036), possible of another wife, but he is 
mentioned in Nikon's Chronicles. He spent 35 years in prison and later before dying 
turned into a monk.

Malfrida Sviatoslav (~982–1015), Prince of Drevlians (990–1015)

Anna Porphyrogenita Theofana, a wife of Novgorod posadnik Ostromir, a grandson of 
semi-legendary Dobrynya (highly doubtful is the fact of her being Anna's offspring)

a granddaughter of Otto the Great (possibly Rechlinda Otona [Regelindis]) Maria 
Dobroniega of Kiev (~1012), the Duchess of Poland (1040–1087), married around 1040 
to Casimir I the Restorer, Duke of Poland
Agatha, a theoretical daughter according to Jette

other possible family Vladimirovna, an out-of-marriage daughter (d. 1044), married to 
Bernard, Margrave of the Nordmark.
Pozvizd (prior to 988–?), a son of Vladimir according to Hustyn Chronicles. He, 
possibly, was the Prince Khrisokhir mentioned by Niketas Choniates.

Significance and legacy[edit]

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the feast day of St. 
Vladimir on 15 July.[citation needed]

The town Volodymyr-Volynskyi in north-western Ukraine was founded by Vladimir and 
is named after him.[29] The foundation of another town, Vladimir in Russia, is usually 
attributed to Vladimir Monomakh. However some researchers argue that it was also 
founded by Vladimir the Great.[30]

St Volodymyr's Cathedral, one of the largest cathedrals in Kiev, is dedicated to 
Vladimir the Great, as was originally the University of Kiev. The Imperial Russian Order 
of St. Vladimir and Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in the United States 
are also named after him.

The memory of Vladimir was also kept alive by innumerable Russian folk ballads and 
legends, which refer to him as Krasno Solnyshko (the Fair Sun). The Varangian period 
of Eastern Slavic history ceases with Vladimir, and the Christian period begins. The 
appropriation of Kievan Rus' as part of national history has also been a topic of 
contention in Ukrainophile vs. Russophile schools of historiography since the Soviet 
era.[31]

During his leadership, all branches of the economy prospered under him.[32] He was 
able to mint coins and regulated foreign affairs with other countries such as trade. 
Through trade he brought in Greek wines, Baghdad spices, and Arab horses to trade 
at the markets of Kiev. These advancements shaped the future of Russian foreign 
affairs.

Parents
IGORJEWITSCH Avatislav (Svyatoslav) I ( 920 -  972)
OF LUBECK Maloucha (Malusha) (Malfreda) (Debrima) (ABT  934 - 1002)

Siblings
SWJATOSLAWITSCH VLADIMIR I "The Great" ( 955 - 15 Jul 1015)

Marriage To OF POLOTSK Rogneda (ABT  962 - 1002)
    m.  

Notes
his third

Parents
OF POLOTSK Rogvolod (ABT  936 - )
----- ----- ()

Children by OF POLOTSK Rogneda ABT  962 - 1002
____ Vladimirovna (EST  978 - 1044)
WLADIMIROWWITSCH Jaroslaw (Jaroslav) (Yaroslav) I "the Wise" Mudry ( 980 - 20 Feb 1054)

Marriage To ____ Anna Porphyrogenita (13 Mar  963 - 1011)
    m.  

Notes
his seventh

Parents
____ Romanos II ( 938 - 15 Mar  963)
____ Anastaso [chg to Theopano] (ABT  936 - )

Children by ____ Anna Porphyrogenita 13 Mar  963 - 1011
VLADIMIROVNA OF KIEV Debronega Marie (Dobronegra Mariya) (ABT 1011 - 1087)

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