List of rulers of Belarus
History of Belarusian states can be traced far to Principality of Polotsk. From 13th century lands of modern Belarus were a major part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania which later became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In 19th century Belarus together with Lithuania formed the Northwestern Krai of Russian Empire. At the beginning of the 20th century there was a short-lived Belarusian National Republic, and in 1922 Belarus became part of the USSR as Belarusian SSR except West Belarus, which was under Polish rule, which was briefly interrupted due to Soviet occupation during Polish-Soviet War. In 1991, Belarus regained its independence.
Pre-Rurikid rulers
Non-dynastic
- Vespasius
- Ragvalod I (? - 980)
Rurikid Belarus
In 978, with the marriage of Rogneda, daughter of Ragvalod, with Vladimir I of Kiev, the Principality of Polotsk became property of the Rurik Dynasty. It was ruled by Rurikid members until the second half of the 14th century, when it was taken by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Between 978 and 1101, the Principality of Polotsk's domain was uncontested in the majority of the Belarusian territory. Polotsk possibly reached the peak of its influence with the access of Vseslav the Seer to the Kievan throne, but at the death of the latter Polotsk was split in three smaller principalities: a smaller Polotsk, the Principality of Minsk and the Principality of Vitebsk.
Rurik Dynasty
The Rurikids were descendants of Rurik (Hrørekr), a Varangian pagan konung or chieftain, who supposedly was of haplogroup N1c1, which is common among Finno-Ugric peoples and not so rare in Baltic region.[1]
Portrait | Name | Born | Reign | Marriage (s) | Death | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vladimir I the Great Vladimir Basil Sviatoslavich (Володимир Великий/Володимѣръ Свѧтославичь) Old Norse: Valdamarr Sveinaldsson |
c.958 Budyatychi Son of Sviatoslav I the Brave and Malusha/Malfrida |
978-987 | Olava/Allogia c.977 at least one son A Greek nun (widow of his brother) c.980 at least one son Rogneda of Polotsk c.978 (possibly in bigamy) eight children Adela (of Bulgaria?) at least two children (maximum four) Malfrida (of Bohemia?) Before 1000 two children Anna Porphyrogenita of Byzantium 988 Cherson three children Regelindis (?) of Saxony (granddaughter of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor) After 1011 one or two daughters Unknown two children |
15 July 1015 Berestove, Kiev aged 57–58 |
His early rule is characterized by a staunch pagan reaction but in 988 he was baptized into Orthodoxy and successfully converted Kievan Rus' to Christianity. In 987 gave Polotsk to his son Iziaslav. | |
Rogneda Рогнѣдь[2][3] Old Norse:[4][5][6] Ragnheiðr[7][8] Ragnvaldsdotter |
c.966 Daughter of Ragvalod I |
987-1000 | Vladimir I the Great c.978 eight children |
1000 aged 33–34 |
Co-ruling with her son, Iziaslav I.[9] | |
Iziaslav I Изѧславъ |
c.978 Kiev Son of Vladimir I of Kiev and Rogneda of Polotsk |
987-1001 | Unknown two children |
1001 Polotsk aged 22–23 |
Co-ruling with his mother, Rogneda.[9] | |
Izgoi Vseslav I Всеславъ сн҃ъ Изѧславль |
c.990 First son of Iziaslav I |
1001-1003 | Unmarried | 1003 Polotsk aged c.12-13 |
An izgoi (orphan protected by the church), inherited the Principality, but died still as a minor. | |
Izgoi Bryachislav I Брѧчиславъ сн҃ъ Изѧславль |
c.997 Second son of Iziaslav I |
1003-1044 | Unknown at least one son |
1044 Polotsk aged 46–47 |
An izgoi until his majority (c.1011), inherited the Principality from his minor brother. Challenged the authority of his uncle, Yaroslav the Wise. | |
Izgoi Vseslav II the Seer Vseslav Basil Bryacheslavich (Всеслав Брячиславич) |
c.1039 Polotsk Son of Bryachislav of Polotsk |
1044-1069 1071-1102 |
Unknown six sons |
24 April 1101 Polotsk aged 61–62 |
An izgoi until his majority (c.1055), followed the politic of his father, and reached, in 1068, the status of Prince of the Kievan Rus', being deposed in the following year. Was also deposed from Polotsk, which was ruled by the sons of Iziaslav I of Kiev unitl 1071. After his death, Polotsk was divided between his sons. | |
Mstislav I Mstislav Iziaslavich (Мстислав Изяславич) |
After 1043 First son of Iziaslav I of Kiev and Gertrude of Poland |
1069 | Unknown at least one son |
1069 less than 25-26 |
Dethroned Vseslav the Seer, but died in the same year. | |
Sviatopolk I Sviatopolk Michael Iziaslavich (Всеволод Ярославич) Old Norse: Sveinpolk Izjasleifsson (?) |
8 November 1050 Second son of Iziaslav I of Kiev and Gertrude of Poland |
1069-1071 | Unknown name (daughter of Spytihněv II of Bohemia)[10] c.1085 three children Olenna of the Kipchaks c.1094 four children |
26 April 1113 Vyshhorod aged 62 |
His descendants lost their rights to the Kievan throne. Kept the Polotsk throne until 1071, when Vseslav took it back. | |
Decline of the Principality of Polotsk
On the death of Vseslav the Seer, the Principality was divided between his sons and descendants, in three major principalities:
Principality of Polotsk Principality of Minsk Principality of Vitebsk
Rurik Dynasty
1101-1128
Ruler | Born | Reign | Death | Ruling part | Consort | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gleb I | 1060 | 1101-1119 | 13 September 1119 | Minsk | Anastasia of Turov-Pinsk 1090 four children | Son of Vseslav II. After his death his Principality was ruled by the Princes of Kiev, until 1146. | |
Rogvolod II Boris I | Before 1101 | 1101-1128 | 1128 | Polotsk | Unknown three children | Son of Vseslav II. | |
Sviatoslav I | Before 1101 | 1101-1129 | 1129 | Vitebsk | Sophia (Komnene?) five children | Son of Vseslav II. Between 1129 and 1132 Vitebsk was ruled by Kiev. | |
Vladimir II Monomakh | 1053 | 1119-1125 | 19 May 1125 | Minsk | Gytha of Wessex c.1074 five or six children Euphemia of Byzantium c.1100 six or seven children Unknown name (daughter of Aepa Ocenevich, Khan in Cumania) After 1107 no known children | Son of Vsevolod I of Kiev. Also Prince of the Kievan Rus'. | |
Mstislav II the Great | 1 June 1076 | 1125-1132 | 14 April 1132 | Minsk | Christina of Sweden 1095 ten children Liubava Dmitrievna of Novgorod 1122 two children | Also Prince of the Kievan Rus'. | |
David I | Before 1101 | 1128-1129 | 1129 | Polotsk | Unknown three children | Son of Vseslav II. | |
Iziaslav II | 1096[11] | 1129-1132 | 13 November 1154[11] | Polotsk | Agnes of Germany before 1151 five children Rusudan of Georgia[11] 1154 no children | Son of Mstislav I of Kiev. Also Prince of Kiev. Occupied Polotsk. | |
Vasilko I Sviatoslavich | ? | 1132-1144 | 1144 | Vitebsk | Unknown seven children | Son of his predecessor. | |
Yaropolk I | 1082 | 1132–1139 | 18 February 1139 | Minsk | Helena of Ossetia 1116 one child | Brother of Mstislav II. Also Prince of Kiev. | |
Sviatopolk II | After 1096 | 1132 | 20 February 1154 | Polotsk | Euphemia of Olomouc[12] 1143 or 1144 no children | Brother of his predecessor. Also Prince of Novgorod and Pskov. | |
Vasilko I Sviatoslavich | ? | 1132-1144 | 1144 | Polotsk | Unknown seven children | Son of Sviatoslav of Vitebsk, who was son of Vseslav II. | |
Vseslav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1132-1162 | 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown three children | Son of his predecessor. 1st time. | |
Viacheslav I | 1083 | 1139 | 2 February 1154 | Minsk | Unmarried before 1139 one child | Brother of his predecessor. Also Prince of Kiev. | |
Vsevolod I | 1104 | 1139-1146 | 1 August 1146 | Minsk | Maria of Rus' 1116 one child | Grandson of Sviatoslav II of Rus', married Maria, sister of Mstislav I, Yaropolk II and Viacheslav I. Also Prince of Kiev. | |
Rogvolod III Vassili | ? | 1144-1151 | After 1171 | Polotsk | Unknown five children | Son of Rogvolod II. 1st time | |
Rostislav I Glebovich | ? | 1146-1151 | 1165 | Minsk | Sophia of Volhynia before 1158 seven children | Son of Gleb I. 1st time. | |
Volodar I Glebovich | c.1090 | 1151-1159 | c.1180 | Minsk | Richeza of Poland 1135 or 1136 three children | Brother of his predecessor, 1st time. | |
Rostislav I Glebovich | ? | 1151-1159 | 1165 | Polotsk | Sophia of Volhynia before 1158 seven children | Son of Gleb of Minsk, who was son of Vseslav II. | |
Rostislav I Glebovich | ? | 1159-1165 | 1165 | Minsk | Sophia of Volhynia before 1158 seven children | 2nd time. | |
Rogvolod III Vassili | ? | 1159-1162 | After 1171 | Polotsk | Unknown five children | Son of Rogvolod II. 2nd time | |
Vseslav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1162-1167 | 1186 | Polotsk | Unknown three children | Son of Vasilko I. 1st time. | |
Roman I Bryachislavich | ? | 1162-1165 | 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown three children | Kinsman of his predecessor. | |
Volodar I Glebovich | c.1090 | 1165-c.1180 | c.1180 | Minsk | Richeza of Poland 1135 or 1136 three children | 2nd time. The inheritance of his heir (Vladimir Volodarovich) to Polotsk made a possible reunion of the two principalities. | |
David I | 1140 | 1165-1167 | 23 April 1197 | Vitebsk | Unknown three children | Son of Vseslav II. | |
Volodar I Glebovich | c.1090 | 1167 | c.1180 | Polotsk | Richeza of Poland 1135 or 1136 three children | Son of Gleb of Minsk, who was son of Vseslav II. | |
Vseslav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1167-c.1180 | 1186 | Polotsk | Unknown three children | 2nd time. | |
Bryachislav II Vasilkovich | ? | 1168-1175 | After 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown two children | Brother of Vseslav III. 1st time | |
Vseslav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1175-1178 | 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown three children | 2nd time. | |
Bryachislav II Vasilkovich | ? | 1178-1181 | After 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown two children | 2nd time. | |
Boris II Davidovich | ? | c.1180-c.1185 | c.1185 | Polotsk | Unknown five children Sviatocna (Elisabeth?) of Pomerania one child | Son of David Sviatoslavich of Vitebsk, who was grandson of Vseslav II. | |
Vladimir III Volodarovich | Between 1135 and 1150 | c.1180-1216 | 1216 | Minsk | Unknown | Son of Volodar I Glebovich. Possibly co-ruling in Minsk with his brother. | |
Vasilko I Volodarovich | Between 1135 and 1150 | c.1180-1216 | 1222 | Minsk | Unknown | Brother of his predecessor. Possibly co-ruling in Minsk with his brother. | |
Vseslav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1181-1186 | 1186 | Vitebsk | Unknown three children | 3rd time. | |
Vasilko II Bryachislavich | ? | 1186-1221 | c.1221 | Vitebsk | Unknown two children | 2nd time. | |
Vladimir II Volodarovich | Between 1135 and 1150 | c.1185-1216 | 1216 | Polotsk | Unknown | Son of Volodar I Glebovich. | |
Vasilko II Volodarovich | Between 1135 and 1150 | 1216-1222 | 1222 | Polotsk | Unknown | Brother of his predecessor. | |
Bryachislav III Vasilkovich | ? | 1221-1232 | c.1255 | Polotsk | Unknown five children | Son of Vasilko II Bryachislavich. Also Prince of Polotsk. After his death Vitebsk was annexed to Lithuania. | |
Sviatoslav I Mstislavich | ? | 1222-1232 | 1239 | Polotsk | Unknown | Son of Mstislav III of Kiev. | |
Bryachislav II Vasilkovich | ? | 1232-c.1255 | c.1255 | Polotsk | Unknown five children | Son of Vasilko Bryachislavich of Vitebsk, descendant of Vseslav II. After his death Polotsk was annexed to Lithuania. |
Lithuanian Princes of Polotsk
- Palemonid dynasty
- Mingayl (Mingaila) (? – 1192)
- Ginwill (1192–1199)
- Boris II of Polotsk (1199 – 12??)
- Gleb of Polotsk (12?? - 12??)
- Iziaslav of Polotsk (12?? – 1281)
- Daumont (1281–1285)
- Gediminid dynasty
- Vainius (1315 – 13??)
- Narimont (Narimantas) (13?? - 13??)
- Lubart (Liubartas) (13?? – 1342)
- Wigund (Vygantas, Andrius; son of Olgierd (Algirdas)) (1342–1387)
- Skirhajla (1387–1397)
Grand Dukes of Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Title: Grand Duke ("Вялікі князь" in Belarusian, "Wielki książę" in Polish, "Kunigaikštis" or "Didysis Kunigaikštis" in Lithuanian)
- Mindouh 1236 - 1263
- Treniota 1263–1264
- Vojšalk (Vojszalak, Vaišelga, Vaishyalga, Vaišalgas, Woyszwiłk) 1264 - 1267
- Svarn (Shvarno, Švarnas, Ioann) 1267–1269
- Trajdzien (Traidenis) 1269–1282
- Daŭmont of Lithuania (Dowmont, Daumantas) 1281–1285
- Budzikid (Butigeidis) 1285 – ca. 1291
- Putuver (Pukuwer, Butvydas) ca. 1291 – ca. 1295
- Vyten' (Vytenis) 1295–1316
- Hedymin (Giedymin, Gediminas) 1316–1341
- Jaŭnut (Jewnut, Jawnut, Jaunutis) 1341–1345
- Alherd (Olgierd, Algirdas) 1345–1377
- Jahaila (Władysław II Jagiełło, Jogaila) 1377–1381, 1382–1392, also crowned as the Polish King
- Kiejstut (Kejstut, Kęstutis) 1381–1382
- Vitaūt the Great (Witold, Vitawt, Vytautas) 1392–1430
- Śvidryhajla (Swidrygiello, Švitrigaila) 1430–1432
- Sigismund Kęstutaitis (Žyhimont I Kejstutavicz, Sigismund Kestutian, Žygimantas I Kęstutaitis, Zygimont Kejstutavicz) September 1, 1432 – 1440
- Casimir IV Jagiellon (Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk, Kazimieras I Jogailaitis) 1440–1492 also crowned as the Polish King
- Alexander (Alaksandr, Aleksander Jagiellończyk, Aleksandras I) 1492–1506 also crowned as the Polish King
- Sigismund I the Old (Žyhimont II Stary, Zygmunt I Stary, Žygimantas II Senasis) 1505–1548 also crowned as the Polish King
- Sigismund II Augustus (Žyhimont III Aŭhust, Zygmunt II August, Žygimantas III Augustas) 1545–1572 also crowned as the Polish King
Elected kings of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
- Henri Valois (1572–1573)
- Stefan Batory (1576–1586)
- Sigismund III Vasa (1587–1632)
- Ladislaus IV of Poland (1632–1648)
- John II of Poland (1648–1668)
- Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki (1672–1673)
- John III of Poland (1675–1696)
- August II of Poland (1697–1704)
- Stanisław Leszczyński (1704–1709)
- August II of Poland (1704–1733)
- Stanisław Leszczyński (1733)
- August III of Poland (1733–1763)
- Stanisław August Poniatowski (1764–1795)
Leaders of Belarus since 1918
Belarusian National Republic (1918–1920)
Chairmen of the Rada
- Ivan Mikitavich Syerada (9 March – May 1918)
Chairman of the Provisional Revolutionary Workers–and–Peasants' Soviet Government
- Zmicier Zhylunovich (1 January – 4 February 1919)
Chairmen of the Central Executive Committee
- Aleksandr Fyodorovich Myasnikov (4–27 February 1919)
- Pyotr Antonavich Krechewski (13 December 1919 – November 1920) (Chairman of Government)
- Jan Mikitavich Syerada (December 1919 – July 1920) (Rival Government)
Belarusian National Republic in Exile (1920–present)
Presidents
(In Vilnius to 1925, then in Prague, presently in Canada)
- Pyotr Antonavich Krechewski (November 1920 – 8 March 1928)
- Vasil Ivanavich Zakharka (8 March 1928 – 6 March 1943)
- Mikalay Syamyonavich Abramchyk (6 March 1943 – 29 May 1970)
- Vikentsiy Zhuk-Hryshkyevich (May 1970 – November 1982)
- Jazep Sazhych (November 1982–1997)
- Barys Rahula (1997) (acting)
- Ivonka J. Symaniec-Survilla (1997–present)
West Belarus under Polish rule (1919-1939)
- Józef Piłsudski as Chief of State (14 November 1918 – 11 December 1922)
- Gabriel Narutowicz (11 December 1922 – 16 December 1922)
- Maciej Rataj (acting) (16 December 1922 – 22 December 1922)
- Stanisław Wojciechowski (22 December 1922 – 14 May 1926)
- Maciej Rataj (acting) (14 May 1926 – 4 June 1926)
- Ignacy Mościcki (4 June 1926 – 30 September 1939)
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (1920–1991)
First secretaries of the Byelorussian Communist Party
- Vilgelm Knorinsh (9 August 1920–1923) (1st time)
- Aleksandr Osatkin-Vladimirsky (1923–1924)
- Aleksandr Krinitsky (13 May 1924 – 22 December 1925)
- Nikolay Goloded (22 December 1925 – 7 May 1927)
- Vilgelm Knorinsh (7 May 1927 – 4 December 1928) (2nd time)
- Yakov Gamarnik (4 December 1928 – 3 January 1930)
- Konstantin Gey (3 January 1930 – 18 January 1932)
- Nikolay Gikalo (18 January 1932 – 18 March 1937)
- Vasily Sharangovich (18 March – 17 July 1937)
- Yakov Yakovlev (27 July – 8 August 1937) (acting)
- Aleksei Alekseyevich Volkov (11 August 1937 – 18 June 1938)
- Panteleimon Ponomarenko (18 June 1938 – 7 March 1947) (in exile in Russian SFSR since June 1941 until 1944)
- Nikolai Gusarov (7 March 1947 – 31 May 1950)
- Nikolai Patolichev (31 May 1950 – 8 March 1953) (1st time)
- Ivan Klimov (1952–1953) (b. 1903 – d. 1991)
- Mikhail Zimyanin (8 March – 25 June 1953)
- Nikolai Patolichev (25 June 1953 – 28 July 1956) (2nd time)
- Kirill Mazurov (28 July 1956 –30 March 1965)
- Pyotr Masherov (30 March 1965 – 4 October 1980)
- Tikhon Kiselyov (15 October 1980 – 11 January 1983)
- Nikolay Slyunkov (13 January 1983 – 6 February 1987)
- Yefrem Sokolov (6 February 1987 – 30 November 1990)
- Anatoly Malofeyev (30 November 1990 – August 1991)
Republic of Belarus (1991–Present)
Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet
- Stanislav Shushkevich (15 August 1991 – 26 January 1994) (acting to 18 September 1991)
- Vyacheslav Nikolayevich Kuznetsov (26–28 January 1994) (acting)
- Myechyslaw Hryb (28 January – 20 July 1994)
President/Dictator
- Alexander Lukashenko (20 July 1994 – present)
See also
References
- ↑ DNA Testing of the Rurikid and Gediminid Princes
- ↑ Лаўр., 56;
- ↑ Іпац., 53;
- ↑ Рыдзевская Е. А. Древняя Русь и Скандинавия IX—XIV вв. / Отв. ред. И. П. Шаскольский // Древнейшие государства на территории СССР. Материалы и исследования. 1978 г. — М.: Наука, 1978. — 240 с.
- ↑ Джаксон Т. Н. Глава 8. «Palteskja ok þat ríki allt, er þar liggr til» // Austr í Görðum: древнерусские топонимы в древнескандинавских источниках. — М.: Языки русской культуры, 2001.
- ↑ Duczko W. Ruś Wikingów. Historia obecności Skandynawów we wczesnośredniowiecznej Europie Wschodniej. — Warszawa, 2007. — S. 108.
- ↑ Рогнедь // Этимологический словарь русского языка / М. Р. Фасмер. — М.: Прогресс, 1964—1973.
- ↑ Михеев С. М. Легенда о Владимире и Рогнеде и скандинавская традиция (к параллели с легендой о сыновьях Хейдрека) // Именослов. История языка. История культуры. — СПб., 2010. (Труды Центра славяно-германских исследований. I.) — С. 169—179.
- 1 2 As was the Norse royal custom, she was sent with her elder son to govern the land of her parents, i.e. Polotsk.
- ↑ According to A. Nazarenko. It was thought not long ago that the first wife of Sviatopolk was Barbara Komnene, a supposed daughter of Alexios I Komnenos. However, the lack of tradition of such a name in the Byzantine Empire led to doubt. Today she may be considered fictional.
- 1 2 3
- ↑ Л.Войтович КНЯЗІВСЬКІ ДИНАСТІЇ СХІДНОЇ ЄВРОПИ
- "Rulers of Belarus". worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2006-03-21.