Principality of Chernigov: Map & History
The Principality of Chernigov or Chernihiv was one of the largest and most powerful states within Kievan Rus'.
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The Principality of Chernigov or Chernihiv was one of the largest and most powerful states within Kievan Rus'. For a time the principality was the second most powerful after the Principality of Kiev. The principality was formed in the 10th century and maintained some of its distinctiveness until the 16th century. The Principality of Chernigov consisted of regions of modern-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Chernigov
At its mapped extent, Principality of Chernigov 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 Chernigov'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 Chernigov in Depth
History
According to the Primary Chronicle, before the 11th century the principality was ruled by local tribal elders and voivodes from Kiev who were appointed by the Grand Prince to collect tribute from the local population, manage judicial trials, and defend the land from external enemies.
In 1024, Mstislav of Chernigov, son of Vladimir the Great arrived from Tmutarakan and established rule over the principality of Chernigov. Mstislav set the Dnieper river as the boundary between his sphere of influence and that of his brother, Yaroslav the Wise. This would be the first recorded attempt to settle areas of authority by agreement rather than by violence in the lands of the Rus'.
Location
Most of the Principality of Chernigov was located on the left bank of the river Dnieper, within the basins of the Desna and Seim rivers. The principality was supposedly populated by mostly Slavic tribes of Siverians and partially by the Dnieper Polans. Later the territory of the principality extended to the lands of the Radimichs and partially the Vyatichs and Drehovichs. The capital of the principality was the city of Chernigov. Other main important cities included Novgorod-Seversky, Starodub-Seversky, Trubchevsk and Kozelsk. The areas owned and influenced by the Chernigov Principality bordered the Murom-Ryazan Land to the north and the Tmutorokan Principality to the southeast.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Principality of Chernigov (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Principality of Chernigov: Key Facts
| Capital | Chernihiv |
|---|---|
| Official language | Old East Slavic |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 988 CE |
| Dissolved | 1402 |
Facts from Wikidata Q1322662 (CC0).
Principality of Chernigov Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Principality of Chernigov appears, with the other states of the time.
Principality of Chernigov Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 265,814 km² in 1082 CE.
Principality of Chernigov: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Principality of Chernigov exist?
Principality of Chernigov is dated to 1056 CE – 1240 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Principality of Chernigov?
The capital of Principality of Chernigov was Chernigov.
How large was Principality of Chernigov at its peak?
At its peak in 1082 AD Principality of Chernigov covered about 265,814 km².
How did the map of Principality of Chernigov change over time?
Principality of Chernigov 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.
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