The Mechanisms of the Old Russian State Genesis

In the process of comparative study of different types of historical sources two groups of mechanisms of hierarchy formation and power legitimation in the Ancient Rus were defined: 1) 'plutocratic' (trading), genealogical, military-resistance, treating (contracting), military-integrative mechanisms; 2) military-repressing ('ritual conflict'), legislative, military-conquering, marriage-relative, ideological, military-defensive, integrative-demographical mechanisms. Mechanisms of the first group functioned during the period of consolidation of different types of chiefdoms into 'barbarian' power with two-level hierarchy (the second half of the 9th century). Mechanisms of the second group appeared during the process of transformation of ` barbarian' power into the early state (the second half of the 10th century). The first group is connected with the struggle between the Varangians that exploited tribes and chiefdoms ('kniazeniya') along the 'East Way' and local nobility for treasury and sovereignty. Ancient Rus was created as a result of treaty between the local elite and part of the Varangians and was greatly expanded during Oleg's reign. The second group of mechanisms begins by the 'ritual' massacre of seceded Drevlian' chiefdom and was immediately followed by Olga's reforms. The centralizing activity of two sons of Swiatoslaw was followed by complex reforms of Vladimir I and was finalized by legislative activity of Yaroslav the Wise that finally formalized social structure and hierarchy of Old Russian early state.