State system of the Principality of Polotsk. Political structure of the Principality of Polotsk: authorities and administration. Need help studying a topic?

PRINCIPALITY OF POLOTSK - a state formation in the 10th and 2nd third of the 12th - late 13th centuries, a political entity within the Old Russian state and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The capital is the city of Polotsk. It developed in the 2nd half of the 9th - 2nd half of the 10th centuries on the basis of the early state ob-e-di-ne-niya po-lo-chan (Western Cree -vi-whose). The ancient territory of the Principality of Polotsk covered the land along the Western Dvina River and its adjacent Po-lo-te. At the beginning - the middle of the 11th century, it expanded between the Western Dvina and Lo-va-ti, about the same time as part of the Principality of Polotsk ter-ri-to-rii races of northern villages entered with centers in the city on the Mena River (see article Minsk) and on the city of “Za-mo-chek” (see the article Za-slavl), as well as the land along the Drut River. With the beginning of the 11th century, there were dan-ni-kami of the Lots-kih princes, Kur-shi and Zem-ga-ly, Lithuania and part of the Lat-ga-lov. In 1021, the cities of Us-vyat and Vi-Tebsk entered the Principality of Polotsk with ok-re-st-no-stya.

In the 2nd half of the 10th century, the ruler of the Principality of Polotsk was Prince Rog-vo-lod (according to “By the weight of time”, scandi-nav according to -is-walking). Around 978, Prince Vladimir Svyato-sla-vich made a march on Polotsk, killed Prince Rog-vo-lo-da, and forcibly took himself to death -we his daughter Rog-ne-du, and after the fall of Kiev he included the Principality of Polotsk into the composition of the Old Russian state.

Around 988, Vladimir Svyato-sla-vich gave the Principality of Polotsk to his eldest son from Rog-neda Izya-sla-vu Vla-di-mi-ro-vi-chu (? - 1001), because someone ruled there until the last quarter of the 13th century. In the reign of the princes Brya-chi-sla-va Izya-sla-vi-cha (1001 or 1003 - 1044) and All-slava Brya-chi-sla-vi-cha (1044-1067, 1071-1101) The Principality of Polotsk is quite separate from the ancient territories of the Old Russian state, according to some princes rarely participate in common Russian military actions. The Principality of Polotsk expanded to the north-of-the-pas-de-deux due to the formation of alliances and dans in the Baltic region. ti-ke, in the south - due to the sub-chi-ne-niya of the northern group of dr-go-vi-whose; in the north, during the war, the princes managed to retain two new city states . In 1069, the Principality of Polotsk was under the Ki-ev-prince Izya-slav Yaro-slav-vi-chem, who set-up the prince in Po- lotsk of his sons - Msti-sla-va Izya-sla-vi-cha (1069) and Holy Pol-ka Izya-sla-vi-cha (1069-1071).

After the death of All-glory Brya-chi-sla-vi-cha, the division of the Principality of Polotsk began between its many sons , the leading role among them in the 1100-1110s was played by the Minsk prince Gleb Vseslavich. Po-lotsk table for-mal-but os-ta-val-xia “sta-rey-shim” for Izya-sla-vi-chey, while from the Principality of Polotsk you are actually de-de- The Minsk Prince, the Druts Prince, and the Vitebsk Prince met and talked about each other. In the 1st half of the 12th century, three main lines were formed along the Lots Izya-sla-vi-chi (Min-Gle-bo-vi-chi, Drutsk Rog- vo-lo-di-chi and vi-teb-izya-slavic Holy-sla-vi-chi), represented in military-political-ly-tical -she-nii are practically equal in strength. This is why in the 12th-13th centuries, pre-ten-den-you on the table often sought support from outside. In the 1st third of the 12th century, he was slain by Ro-man Vses-sla-vich (ve-ro-yat-but, 1101-1014), Da-vid Vses-sla-vich (ve- ro-yat-no, 1114-1127 and 1128-1129), Rog-vo-lod - Bo-ris Vse-sla-vich (1127-1128). Serious pressure was exerted on Izya-sla-vi-whose by the Kiev princes Vla-di-mir Vse-vo-lo-do-vich Mo-no-mah (1113-1125 ) and Msti-slav Vla-di-mi-ro-vich Ve-li-kiy (1125-1132), who in 1116 and 1127 completed military campaigns on them. In 1129, Msti-slav Vla-di-mi-ro-vich sent the majority of the Vses-slav-va Brya-chi-sla-vi-cha into exile in Vi -zan-tiyu, about-vi-niv them in the na-ru-she-nii kre-st-no-go tse-lo-va-niya (Izya-sla-vi-chi from-ka-za-lis from teaching -stiya in the way of fishing). The lords of the Principality of Polotsk became the sons of the ki-ev-sky prince - Izya-slav Msti-sla-vich (1129-1132) and the Holy Regiment of Msti -sla-vich (1132).

Soon after the death of Revenge-sla-va Vla-di-mi-ro-vi-cha, Izya-sla-vi-chi returned to power in the Principality of Polotsk. In Po-lots-ka ut-ver-dil-sya Prince Va-sil-ko Svyato-sla-vich (1132 - about 1143/1144). After his death, the struggle for power in the Principality of Polotsk turned between druts-ki-mi Rog-vo-lo-di-cha-mi and min-ski-mi Gle -bo-vi-cha-mi. In the middle of the 12th century, thanks to di-na-stic marriages, they were in-teg-ri-ro-va-ny in the political life of Southern Russia: in 1143, a daughter Va-sil-ko of the Holy-sla-vi-cha became the same bu-du-sche-cher-nigov-sky and Ki-ev-sky prince of the Holy-sla -va Everything-in-lo-do-vi-cha; in the same year, the great prince Rog-vo-lod (Va-si-liy) Rog-vo-lo-do-vich (Bo-ri-so-vich) married his daughter ri re-yas-lav-sko-go (in the future ki-ev-sko-go) Prince Izya-slav-va Msti-sla-vi-cha; in the 1140s or 1150s. Vse-slav Va-sil-k-vich married the do-che-ri Smo-len-skogo (later Ki-ev-sko-go) Prince Ros-ti-slav-va Msti- sla-vi-cha. As a result, the Smolensk Ros began to have a key influence on the life in the Principality of Polotsk in the middle - 2nd half of the 12th century -sla-vi-chi (before everything, Prince Da-vid Ros-ti-sla-vich) and the black-n-go-in-se-ver-skie Ol-go-vi-chi. At the same time, Ros-ti-sla-vi-chi in the 1160-1170s made a bet on the Vi-Tebe Saints, and in the 1180s you wanted to lean on the other Horns. In turn, Ol-go-vi-chi at the end of the 1150s and in the 1190s you stood on a hundred other Horns , and in the early 1180s they acted in alliance with the Vi-you-ski-mi Holy-sla-vi-cha-mi.

The first-to-be-infantry in the fight for the Principality of Polotsk co-put-st-vo-val Rog-vo-lo-du (Va-si-liu) Rog-vo-lo-do- vi-chu (Bo-ri-so-vi-chu) (about 1143/1144 - 1151), then before the hundred-vi-te-lyu of the Min-sky Gle-bo-vi-whose Ros-ti-sla -vu Gle-bo-vi-chu (1151-1158). At the end of the 1150s, with the support of the Black Prince of St. Ol-go-vi-cha, Rog-vo-lod returned to Polotsk (Va-si-liy) Rog-vo-lo-do-vich (Bo-ri-so-vich) (1158-1161), and with usi-le-ni-em po-zi-tion Ros-ti-sla -vi-whose table was occupied by the Vi-teb prince Vse-slav Va-sil-kovich (1161-1166, 1166 - probably, not earlier than 1181 ). In 1166, his reign was briefly seized by Prince Vo-lo-da-rem Gle-bo-vi-chem .

In the 1180s, a union of the Ming Gle-bo-vi-chi and the other Rog-vo-lo-di-chi was formed, which led to the sta-bi-li-za -tions of the internal political situation in the Principality of Polotsk. Perhaps, in the early 1180s, the great prince Gleb Rog-vo-lo-do-vich lived in Polotsk for a short time (no earlier than 1181 - about 1184). Then, for a long time, the representative of the Minsk princes, Vladimir Vo-lo-da-re-vich (about 1184 - 1216). Around 1184, Vladimir Vo-lo-da-re-vich decided to Mey-nar-du to promote some-li-cism among the Livs. In 1184, 1206, 1208, 1216, the Prince of Lots actively intervened in the events in the Baltic, but was unable to -to-stand-at-the-step-of-the-way-of-the-settlements in the middle and lower reaches of the Western Movement River to the principalities of Er-si-ka and Kok-ne-se under the control of the Riga bishops.

The death of Vla-di-mi-ra Vo-lo-da-re-vi-cha you called for a new struggle for the Principality of Polotsk. On January 17, 1223, the Smolensk troops captured Polotsk, displacing the rulers of the princes Bo-ri-sa and Gle-ba (their rulers). affiliation with one or another line of the princes is not established). The successor prince (1223-1232) was Svyatoslav Msti-slavich, the eldest son of the Kiev prince Msti-slava Ro-ma-no-vi- cha Star-ro-go. As you can see, it is precisely the Prince of Lots Svyato-Slav Msti-sla-vich and the Vi-Tebe Prince Brya-chi-slav (Va-sil-ko-vich? ) were mentioned as being sub-resinous to the tar-flax Prince of Vengeance Da-vi-do-vi-chu in his agreement with Ri- goy and “Gothic coastline” (1229).

Soon after the departure of the Holy Glorious Vengeance to the reign of Smo-lensk (1232) as the ruler of the Principality of Polotsk, the Yat-but, the prince of Brya-chi-slav (Va-sil-k-vich?) has become a Vi-teb-sky. His power was based on family and church ties with North-Eastern Russia. Back in 1209, the Vladimir Prince Vse-vo-lod Yuri-e-vich Bol-shoye Gnez-do-married 2nd to Sophia, before-che-ri vi -your-prince Va-sil-ka Brya-chi-sla-vi-cha (that is, throughout the whole vi-di-mo-sti, se-st-re Brya-chi-sla-vi-va), and in 1239, Brya-chi-slav himself gave his daughter in marriage to the new city prince Alek-san-dr. Yaro-sla-vi-cha. At the end of the 1230s, there was a sharp increase in military pressure on the Principality of Polotsk from the side of the Lithuanian princes. By-vi-di-mo-mu, for help against them until May 23, 1254, Prince Kon-stan-tin Bez-ru-kiy (no later than 1245 - about 1258) from -gave Li-von-or-de-nu rights to land in the Lower Pod-Vinye and tribute from Lat-Ga-lov.

Around 1258-1263, in the Principality of Polotsk, the prince of Lithuania, Mind-dov-ga, Tov-ti-vil, ruled (according to the word-lo-chan). In 1262, as vassal of the Grand Duke Alek-san-dr. Yaro-sla-vi-cha Nevsky, he took part in the -de to the city of Dorpat (now not Tartu). After the death of Tov-ti-vi-la in the fight with the Lithuanian prince Tre-nya-ta (Troy-on-that), the Principality of Polotsk passed into the hands of Prince Ger- de-nya (1264-1267). His power was subordinated to the Principality of Vitebsk, which caused military action against the Principality of Polotsk from its side. In 1266-1267, with the help of the Psko-Vichs and Novy-Rodians, Prince Dov-mont won a series of victories over Ger-den, who was killed in one of the battles. One day, in Po-lots-ka, the uk-re-drank you-sal of the Lithuanian prince Voy-shel-ka - Izya-slav (possibly, came from the mines -sky Gle-bo-vi-chey; it is also plausible that he is one and the same with the Svis-loch prince Izya-slav, whose dominion in 1257 destroyed the Mongol troops under the command of Noy-o-na Bu-run-dai). Confirmed, as before Ger-den, the trade-go-thief with Ri-ga and the “Gothic coastline”, Prince Izya-slav could not -deal with the neighboring Russian princes.

Essay on the history of the Krivichi and Dregovichi lands until the end of the 12th century Dovnar-Zapolsky Mitrofan Viktorovich

Chapter 4. Territory and cities of the Principality of Polotsk

Territory and cities of the Principality of Polotsk

To the west of the Smolensk Krivichi lived their relatives the Polotsk Krivichi. They also became an independent lot early on. The boundaries of this principality can be determined as follows. In the east, the Polotsk border was adjacent to Smolensk; on this side we see the Polotsk cities of Usvyat (Vsvyat), Vitebsk and to the west Lukaml, now the town of Lukoml, Mogilev province, Sennen district.

To the south of the border of the Polotsk possessions indicated by us, there was a line along the watershed between the Dnieper and Vabich, a tributary of the Druta, which flows into the Dnieper at Rogachev. The border ended, in any case, south of the town of Golovchina, Mogilev district, in which they see the ancient Golotichesk, under which Yaropolk defeated Vseslav of Polotsk. On the Drut, in its upper reaches, on the borders of the Mogilev and Orsha districts, we see Drutsk, undoubtedly Dryutsk, a specific city of the Polotsk principality. Near the mouth of the Vabich, the line takes a direction from east to west.

We also note the following published modern geographical nomenclature on the eastern Polotsk border: Gorodets on Luches, Orsha district, Nizhny Gorodets in Sennen district on the Usitsa River, flowing into the Ulla, Gorodets on the Druti, below the confluence of the Vabich, Gorodets on Grezla, a tributary of the Druti.

The southern border starts from the mouth of the Vabich or a little further south. From here the line went to the Berezina, which it crossed at the Svisloch River, where there was the ancient Vsvisloch, mentioned in the 13th century and probably existed in the 12th century. Further, the border headed, perhaps, to the upper reaches of Ptich, a tributary of the Pripyat, and the Usa River, a Neman tributary, and then moved to the upper reaches of its tributary Sula, taking a northern direction. On the southern border of the Polotsk possessions, in addition to the mentioned Drutsk, we see Borisov, now a district town; Logozhesk, now Logoisk, a town in Borisov district; then Minsk, now a provincial city; Izyaslavl, now the town of Zaslavl, Minsk district; Novgorodok Lithuanian.

From the data of modern geographical nomenclature on this border, we note the following: Gorodno, Borisov district on the Bobr River; Gorodets on the Sula River, a tributary of the Olsa; A town on Ptich, south of the road from Bobruisk to Slutsk; Town in Bobruisk district; A town north of Minsk, between it and the town of Logoisk on the Usyazha River, a tributary of the Gaina, which flows into the Berezina north of Borisov, south of Minsk, on the border of its district and Igumensky; Rubles and Rubezhi on the Oressa River in Bobruisk district, a tributary of Ptich, on it to the south are Malye and Bolshiye Gorodyatichi; An ancient settlement on the Vessa River, which flows into the Sluch above Slutsk; then Velikiye Krivichi near the upper reaches of the Neman Berezina; Rubezhevichi of Minsk district on the Suda, a tributary of the Neman.

The western border of the Principality of Polotsk probably began on the upper reaches of the Neman and its tributaries: Sule, Bystraya, Islachi (now Isloch. - Ed.) and Berezina, where in the 12th century we see the Polotsk city of Gorodets, bordering Lithuania. In the west, the Polotsk Krivichi bordered on Lithuania, about which reliable information has been available almost only since the half of the 13th century; As a result, determining the Polotsk borders in the west and north-west is very difficult.

On this border, a quiet colonization of the Krivichi into the Lithuanian land was constantly taking place. Therefore, the border changed frequently. Until the 13th century, Lithuanians had almost no cities, so the Krivichi, for their part, did not have to fence themselves off from their neighbors, warlike clashes with whom began only at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries. There is fragmentary news about the existence of the possessions of Russian princes in Lithuania in the 12th century. But they, again, belong to the colonization movements of the Krivichi tribe and did not constitute the permanent territory of the principality. Thus, in the first years of the 13th century, the Germans encountered the Krivichi princes Veszeke from Kokeinos and Vissewalde from Gersike.

We will return later to the colonization issue, and now we note that the border of the Polotsk possessions from the upper reaches of the Neman tributaries indicated by us went to the upper reaches of the Velikaya in the Sebezh district of the Vitebsk province; where it ended is difficult to determine, but on Velikaya we see the Pskov city of Ostrov. This border could change in accordance with the colonization movements of the Krivichi. The northern boundary went from the upper reaches of the Velikaya to the upper reaches of the Lovat. On this line there was the Polotsk border city of Yemenets and Velikiye Luki, the Novgorod city.

Let us now turn to the definition of the cities of the Principality of Polotsk.

The main city of the land is Poltesk (Polotsk), mentioned already on the first pages of the chronicle among the oldest and most significant cities of Rus'. It is located at the confluence of the Polota River and the Dvina on an elevated cape formed by the named rivers, which makes the city’s position very beautiful. Its central position in the land of the Polotsk Krivichi, at the connection of two rivers, of which the Dvina brings it closer, through the land of the Smolensk Krivichi, on the one hand with the Volga region and the extensive trading activities carried out in ancient times in this area, on the other hand with the Kiev region, and through it with Byzantium; The Dvina also connected Polotsk with Novgorod and the Baltic Sea.

Plan of ancient Polotsk (according to L. Alekseev)

We have already seen that direct routes to Novgorod through Polota and to the Kiev region through the Berezina passed through Polotsk. Finally, we must also remember that Polotsk was the closest significant city to Lithuania, and therefore, naturally, Russian and German trade with the latter went through it. The fame of his wealth spread in ancient times far beyond the borders of Rus'; he was well known to the Scandinavians, and in their sagas he is known as Pallteskja.

Unfortunately, our sources are too poor in indicating the internal location of the city at a given time. From the “Tale of Igor's Campaign” we know about the church of St. that existed there. Sofia. And from the life of St. Euphrosyne - about the monastery of St. Savior, which was later rebuilt into a stone one from wood, in a suburban episcopal village called Seltse; this area was located two miles from the city; in the monastery of St. Savior is the famous cross of its founder. In addition, in the city itself there was a convent into which St. Euphrosyne.

The chronicle indicates that there was an old church in Polotsk. Mother of God in 1159, therefore, there was a new one. There was a brotherhood attached to this church already at that distant time. In the Tver Chronicle, under the year 1001, the news of the transfer of the remains of the keel of Izyaslav and Vseslav to the “Holy Mother of God” was recorded, which probably refers to the above-mentioned “old” church of St. Mother of God. Not far from the city there was the village of Belchitsi (Belchitsy), in which the princes of Polotsk had their residence. This is all that the sources have preserved for us about the topography of ancient Polotsk.

To the north of the Dvina lay the following cities.

All Holy- now a town in the Velizh district of the Vitebsk province. I) at the time in question it is mentioned already in 1021: Yaroslav gave this city and Vitebsk to Bryachislav of Polotsk. Thus, both cities belonged until 1021, probably temporarily to Kyiv, but from this year they forever formed part of the Polotsk land.

Vidbesk- now the provincial city of Vitebsk on the Dvina at the confluence of the Vitba. First mentioned in 1021.

Polotsk during the time of Prince Vseslav

Church of St. Sophia in Polotsk (reconstruction by G. Shtender)

Strezhev. In 1151, this city was allocated as a special inheritance: Rogvolod Borisovich, having taken possession of Polotsk, gave it to Vsevolod, who was expelled from there. Researchers usually determine the location of Strezhev as the town of Streshin in the Mogilev province on the Dnieper. This definition is made on the basis that when describing the campaign of 1127–1128. Mstislav, the son of Monomakh, the chronicle of the Polotsk princes says that Mstislav “told Vsevolod Olegovich to go with his brother to Streshev to Borisov.”

But the consonance between Strezhev and Streshin is not very suitable. Moreover, there is absolutely no need to look for him on the way to Borisov. The expression “to Strezhev” indicates only the direction of the journey, and not to a passing city, just as we say: to Moscow, to Kyiv, although this place is closer. Meanwhile, Strezhev’s position is completely determined by Lake Strizhev in the Lepel district of Vitebsk province; On the peninsula of this lake a castle was built and a large mound was raised. This area is located just beyond Borisov, therefore, the expression “on Strezhev to Borisov” is quite understandable.

Principality of Polotsk (according to L.V. Alekseev)

Yemenets- David passed through it after concluding peace with the Polotsk people; The location is determined by Lake Emenets and the Emenka River, 6 versts from the city of Nevel.

Nekloch - Novgorodians reached it in 1128 during the campaign of Mstislav Monomashich against the Polotsk princes. Currently there is Lake Nekloch, from which the Polota River originates.

Gorodets- lay on the borders with Lithuania or even among the Lithuanians themselves. Volodar Vseslavich, who reigned there, as the chronicle says, “walked near Lithuania.” Gorodets was in the second half of the 12th century. independent reign. Due to the fact that there are many Gorodki on the border with Lithuania, it is difficult to associate any of them with the chronicle. It is usually confined to the town of Gorodka, south of Molodechno, on the upper reaches of the Neman Berezina, with the remains of ancient city buildings preserved to this day.

Izyaslavl- this name is associated with the legendary story in the chronicle about Rogneda and the construction of this city for her and for her son Izyaslav by Vladimir Svyatoslavich. Izyaslavl is now a town in the Minsk district - Zaslavl. Legends and names of the tract indicate Rogneda’s connection with this city. Thus, legend says that the rivers Chernitsa and Knyaginka were named in honor of Rogneda; near the city itself there was a lake (now a swamp) called “Rogned”. People also point to Rogneda’s grave. There are many mounds preserved near the city; some of them were excavated in 1878 by R.G. Ignatiev. In 1128, it was plundered during Mstislav’s campaign against the Polotsk princes; even then he represented an appanage reign.

Borisov- now a district town of the Minsk province. During the famous campaign of Mstislav Vladimirovich against the Polotsk princes in 1124, Vsevolod Olgovich was sent to attack him. This city, which did not play a significant role in antiquity, was fortunate in the assumptions /authors/ who wrote about the time of its foundation. Stryikovsky started these conclusions, but all of them, as they are not based on actual facts, are of no importance.

Ancient Vitebsk

Ancient Vitebsk

Plan of ancient Minsk (according to E.M. Zagorulsky)

Logozhsk - now the town of Logoisk, Borisov district on Gaine. During the campaign of Mstislav Vladimirovich, he already had an appanage prince.

Lukaml (Lukoml) - now a town in the Mogilev province of the Sennen district on Ulla. The city also has a lake of the same name, near which it stands, and there are traces of ancient fortifications.

Menescus- the most important city of the Polotsk land, now a provincial city on the Svisloch, a tributary of the Berezina. Being the most important city of the Principality of Polotsk on the southern border, it was often attacked by the Kyiv princes. In 1066, it was taken by the Yaroslavichs - Izyaslav, Svyatoslav and Vsevolod, and plundered, the entire male population was killed, and the women and children were captured: Vladimir Monomakh says that he left “neither servants nor cattle” in the city.

In connection with the city of Menesko there is the Nemiza River. The location of the river is determined differently. Tatishchev, Artsybashev and Karamzin see Nemiza as the Neman. Nadezhdin and Nevolin think that Nemiza should be looked for north of Minsk and point to Nemonitsa near Borisov and Nemoika near Senno. Barsov in his “Materials for the Historical and Geographical Dictionary of Russia” (1865) points to Nemezh (Niemez), a village in the Vilna province and district, 10 versts from Vilna, which Balinsky had pointed out even earlier. But the same Barsov, in his “Essays on Russian Historical Geography” (1885), recognizes a stream located in Minsk itself as the Nemiza. Khodakovsky first pointed out this stream, but, despite the similarity of names, did not recognize it as the chronicle Nemiza.

Indeed, the similarity of the names in the chronicles of the Nemiza and the stream in Minsk is very tempting, but it is difficult to identify both of these names unless we assume that this stream in ancient times was a more or less decent river; Currently, almost only one name remains from Nemiza in Minsk.

The eastern part of the Minsk Detynets. Reconstruction of E.M. Zagorulsky

Entrance gate of ancient Minsk

Meanwhile, the chronicle says this: The Izyaslavichs took Minsk “and went to Nemiza; and Vseslav went against"; On March 3, Vseslav was defeated and fled. The Izyaslavichs were content with this, moved from here, obviously, to the Dnieper and stood “on Rshi near Smolensk,” as the chronicle puts it. Already in July, they lured Vseslav to themselves: “he, hoping to kiss the cross, moved to Lodya across the Dnieper,” therefore, they stood behind the Dnieper, on the Smolensk side, and Vseslav negotiated from this side of the Dnieper. The singer of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” speaks about this same Nemiza and the bloody battle that took place on it:

Never mind the bloody breeze, don’t sow the bologom, sow it with the bones of Russian sons.”

From the above content of the chronicle passage it is clear: if Nemiza was in Minsk, then the Izyaslavichs would already be on it and they would not need to go to Nemiza; since present-day Nemiza is located in the center of old Minsk, troops would occupy it during a siege.

After the battle with Vseslav, the princes went to the Smolensk possessions and stopped at Orsha; it is very possible that, in view of the defeat of Vseslav and in view of the approaching spring, they moved straight from Nemizi to Orsha. Thus, it seems to us that, in any case, Nemiza was not in Minsk itself, but probably somewhere between Minsk and the Dnieper and Dvina. Let us add that in the list of cities Nemiga is located between Drutesk and Rsha, followed by Svisloch, Lukaml, Logozhsk, etc.

The position of Dudutok, mentioned in the “Tale of Igor’s Campaign”, is also unclear: “jump (Vseslav) along to Nemiga from Dudutok.” Barsov believes that this hint of the Word refers to the famous flight of Vseslav from Kyiv, and therefore, Dudutki should mean the outermost city of Kiev. But it seems to us that what is being said here is not about the flight of Vseslav, but about the fact that, having learned about the capture of Minsk by the Izyaslavichs, from Dudutki, where he stood with the troops, he quickly moved to Nemiga, where he met with the Izyaslavichs: this explains the chronicle expression “ I'll go against it." In this case, Dudutki should have been looked for north of Minsk, near Polotsk, where, as in the center of the earth, Vseslav, perhaps, gathered a militia with which he moved against Izyaslavich.

Drutesk- now Drutsk on the upper reaches of the Druga River, which flows into the Dnieper at Rogachev. For the first time it is mentioned in chronicles in 1092. In 1116, during the famous campaign against Gleb of Minsk, it was taken by David and Yaropolk, and all its inhabitants were taken south to the Pereyaslavl principality, where Yaropolk built the city of Zheldi for them. During the defeat of the Polotsk princes, Mstislav sent his brother Rostislav to Dryutesk, although it is not known whether the city was taken then.

Crooked City on Viliya - the western outpost of Polotsk

In the middle of the 12th century, he already played a prominent role in Polotsk civil strife; In an effort to have a separate appanage prince, the Druchians expel Gleb, the son of the Polotsk prince Rostislav, and invite Rogvolod to join them. At the end of the 12th century, Drutesk, fighting with the main cities of the land of Polotsk, submitted to the protectorate of the Smolensk princes. The struggle between Polotsk and the suburbs was very serious: the Chernigov princes also took part in it. The Chernigov and Smolensk princes fought for influence over the principality, which was decaying from civil strife.

Holotic- whose location is currently undetermined. It is mentioned only once in 1071: under it Yaropolk Izyaslavich defeated Vseslav Bryachislavich. More often Golotichesk is equated with the town of Golovchina, 32 versts from Mogilev, but this has little credibility.

Odrsk - mentioned in the teaching of Monomakh. Currently, it is defined by the Odrov River, which flows into the Dnieper on the right side, not far from Kopys.

Orsha And Kopys, both on the Dnieper, belonged to the Principality of Polotsk until 1116.

Finally Izborsk, had significance already in the era of the calling of the Varangians, but was subsequently not mentioned until almost half of the 13th century. Barsov points to the village of Izborsk in the Pskov province and the district southwest of Pskov. Judging by its position, one can think that already in the first era of historical life it went to the Novgorod possessions.

We indicated the cities that at the time in question constituted the indigenous territory of Polotsk. Of course, some of the named cities lying in the west of the principality, perhaps, represented traces of earlier colonization, like the border Gorodets, Izyaslavl, but at least in this period they already constituted a completely Slavic territory, on which, although there were traces of the Lithuanian element , but already significantly or completely Russified.

At the turn of the XIII century. and in the first half, its sources name several cities that represent the result of a new colonization among the Lithuanian tribe, which was carried out, obviously, before the eyes of history, with a surrounding purely Lithuanian element; this is Novgorodok of Lithuania (now Novogrudok. - Ed.). In the XIII century. this city was mentioned for the first time in 1255, but at that time it was already one of the significant cities bordering Lithuania, with a vast territory drawn to it. Subsequent history indicates that its origins must be attributed to a more distant time, but there is no basis to attribute its founding to Yaroslav during his campaign against Lithuania in 1044. Also mentioned: Nesvizh, Kukeinos, Gersike and others; We will talk about them in the chapter on colonization.

The indicated territory of the Polotsk land, the independence of which we already see on the first pages of the chronicles, in turn was divided in a very early period into numerous appanages. It is not possible to determine the boundaries of the appanages, because the sources mention only the main appanage cities. We will only name them, indicating the time from which one or another destiny becomes known.

Minsk inheritance- known since 1104.

Izyaslavsky inheritance- known since 1128, Logozhsk also belonged to it at that time.

Srezhevsky inheritance- since 1159. Since the same year it has been known Drutsky inheritance.

Gorodets inheritance- known since 1162.

Vitebsk as a destiny- in 1163 belonged to the Smolensk prince.