Principality of Kiev: Map & History
The inner Principality of Kiev was a medieval principality centered on the city of Kiev.
Wikipedia Encyclopedic Compendium
Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The inner Principality of Kiev was a medieval principality centered on the city of Kiev.
Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Kiev
At its mapped extent, Principality of Kiev covered territory in 2 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Principality of Kiev's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Principality of Kiev in Depth
History
During the era of Kievan Rus', the princely clan was assumed to maintain the unity of the state under the reign of their senior who held the grand princely throne of Kiev; however, the state disintegrated due to rivalry between the clans.
The region of the Kievan Rus' fragmented in the early 12th century and several semi-autonomous successor states arose. Kiev remained the core of the country and was the centre of spiritual life with the office of the Metropolitan of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Kiev.
Following the death of Mstislav I of Kiev in 1132, the semi-autonomous states were de facto independent and so led to the emergence of the Principality of Kiev as a separate state.
The importance of the Kievan Principality began to decline.
Geography
The inner Principality of Kiev occupied land areas on both banks of the Dnieper River, bordering the Principality of Polotsk to the north-west, the Principality of Chernigov to the north-east, Poland to the west, the Principality of Galicia to the south-west and Cumania to the south-east. Later, Kiev would be bordered by the separated Principality of Turov-Pinsk to the north and the joined Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia to the west.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Principality of Kiev (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Principality of Kiev: Key Facts
| Capital | Kyiv |
|---|---|
| Official language | Old East Slavic |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currency | zlatnik |
| Founded | 5th century |
| Dissolved | 1471 |
Facts from Wikidata Q1483430 (CC0).
Principality of Kiev Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Principality of Kiev appears, with the other states of the time.
Principality of Kiev Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 147,669 km² in 1128 CE.
Principality of Kiev: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Principality of Kiev exist?
Principality of Kiev is dated to 1056 CE – 1240 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Principality of Kiev?
The capital of Principality of Kiev was Kiev.
How large was Principality of Kiev at its peak?
At its peak in 1128 AD Principality of Kiev covered about 147,669 km².
How did the map of Principality of Kiev change over time?
Principality of Kiev appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1100 CE to 1200 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Cusco
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Niani, Kangaba