Principality of Smolensk: Map & History
The Principality of Smolensk, also known as the Grand Principality of Smolensk, was a Russian principality with its capital in Smolensk.
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The Principality of Smolensk, also known as the Grand Principality of Smolensk, was a Russian principality with its capital in Smolensk.
Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Smolensk
At its mapped extent, Principality of Smolensk 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 Smolensk'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 Smolensk in Depth
History
Located on the upper Dnieper, Smolensk emerged as a center of the Krivichi, an East Slavic tribe. It controlled access from Veliky Novgorod and Polotsk to the Dnieper downstream towards Kiev. Smolensk was therefore linked to the Baltic, the Gulf of Finland, and with the main routes east and west.
In the last four decades of the 11th century, it was a dependency of Kiev (i.e. it was governed by an appointee of the prince of Kiev). The descendants of Yaroslav I of Kiev governed the principality until 1125, starting with Vyacheslav Yaroslavich from 1054. For most of the last quarter of the 11th century and the first quarter of the 12th century, it was a possession of Vladimir II Monomakh.
Economy
The famous trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks passed through the principality and was an important source of income for its rulers. Trade with Riga and Visby developed during the second half of the 12th and 13th centuries. Wax was the main export followed by honey and furs; the main imports from Europe were textiles and later, salt, delicacies and wine.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Principality of Smolensk (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Principality of Smolensk: Key Facts
| Capital | Smolensk |
|---|---|
| Official language | Old East Slavic |
| Founded | 1010 |
| Dissolved | 1508 |
Facts from Wikidata Q1483495 (CC0).
Principality of Smolensk Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Principality of Smolensk appears, with the other states of the time.
Principality of Smolensk Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 151,033 km² in 1309 CE.
Principality of Smolensk: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Principality of Smolensk exist?
Principality of Smolensk is dated to 1056 CE – 1406 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Principality of Smolensk?
The capital of Principality of Smolensk was Smolensk.
How large was Principality of Smolensk at its peak?
At its peak in 1309 AD Principality of Smolensk covered about 151,033 km².
How did the map of Principality of Smolensk change over time?
Principality of Smolensk appears on 4 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1100 CE to 1400 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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