Rurik

Rurik, Riurik or Rörek was a Swedish Varangian (Viking) who gained control of Novgorod in 862. There is debate over how Rurik came to control Novgorod. The later chronicles state that he was invited in by the local tribes who wanted order, but modern scholars consider this unlikely. He probably invited himself. Rurik remained in power until his death in 879. His successors (the Rurik Dynasty), however, moved the capital to Kiev and founded the state of Kievan Rus, which persisted until 1240. The ruling dynasty of this state is named Riurikovich, after Rurik.

Preceded by: None

Rulers of Kievan Rus'

Succeeded by: Oleg