Yaroslav I the Wise

Vladimir I the Great died on July 15th, 1015. After the internecine war for succession to the throne in 1019, Yaroslav the Wise became the new ruler. Under his reign Kievan Rus reached the highest development. Kiev was turned into a major European city.

That period saw the appearance of the first Russian monasteries that became the centers of culture and education, where first Russian chronicles were written. Under Yaroslav the Wise Russia was recognized internationally.