History of the Russian State. Volume 2

9 hrs. 43 min.

Language Russian

Author Nikolai Karamzin

Narrator Ilya Prudovsky

We offer readers the chance to listen to the second volume, covering the period from the reign of the Grand Prince Svyatopolk (1015–1019) to 1169, when the great Prince Mstislav Izyaslavich ruled.

In the second volume, the history of Russia is considered as the history of Kievan Rus’. And again, the author contrasts historical reality with fiction. The truthfulness of the artist and the scholarly conscientiousness of Nikolay Mikhailovich Karamzin allow him to reveal the poetry of everyday life without embellishing it.

In the second volume, the betrayal of monarchs who fight for the throne is vividly shown; fratricides are described; scenes of people’s suffering, numerous wars and campaigns, and uprisings are depicted. At the same time, the author points to the wisdom and generosity of monarchs, and their love for the people.

Each chapter of the second volume is devoted to the reign of a specific monarch. His state affairs, conquests, the building and fall of cities, the struggle for the throne, internecine conflicts, and the conclusion of marriages are covered. A standout is the third chapter, devoted entirely to Russkaya Pravda— the code of laws of Yaroslav the Wise. Along with presenting the full text of Russkaya Pravda, which includes criminal laws, civil legal norms, tax codices, descriptions of punishments for offenses, parameters for choosing judges and jurors, and much more, the author provides a historical explanation and evaluation of many points from the collection of laws.

Contents

Chapter 01. Grand Prince Svyatopolk. 1015–1019.
Chapter 02. Grand Prince Yaroslav, or George. 1019–1054.
Chapter 03. Russkaya Pravda, or Yaroslav’s laws.
Chapter 04. Grand Prince Izyaslav, baptized as Dmitry. 1054–1077.
Chapter 05. Grand Prince Vsevolod. 1078–1093.
Chapter 06. Grand Prince Svyatopolk-Michael. 1093–1112.
Chapter 07. Vladimir Monomakh, baptized as Vasily. 1113–1125.
Chapter 08. Grand Prince Mstislav. 1125–1132.
Chapter 09. Grand Prince Yaropolk. 1132–1139.
Chapter 10. Grand Prince Vsevolod Olgovich. 1139–1146.
Chapter 11. Grand Prince Igor Olgovich.
Chapter 12. Grand Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich. 1146–1154.
Chapter 13. Grand Prince Rostislav-Michael Mstislavich. 1154–1155.
Chapter 14. Grand Prince George, or Yury Vladimirovich, nicknamed Dolgorukiy. 1155–1157.
Chapter 15. Grand Prince Izyaslav Davidovich of Kyiv. Prince Andrey of Suzdal, nicknamed Bogolyubsky. 1157–1159.
Chapter 16. Grand Prince Rostislav-Michael, second time in Kyiv. Andrey in Vladimir of Suzdal. 1159–1167.
Chapter 17. Grand Prince Mstislav Izyaslavich of Kyiv. Andrey of Suzdal, or Vladimir. 1167–1169.

1. History of the Russian State, Vol. 1 (narrated by Ilya Prudovsky) 1-12. History of the Russian State in 12 Volumes (narrated by Ilya Prudovsky, Vladimir Gerasimov, Vladimir Samoylov, Stanislav Fedosov) 2. History of the Russian State. Volume 2 3. History of the Russian State, Vol. 3 (narrated by Vyacheslav Gerasimov) 4. History of the Russian State. Volume 4 (narrated by Vyacheslav Gerasimov)