Why was the Russian land called Gardarika. View question. Since ancient times, Russians loved to bathe in baths. Each family had its own bath. There were also public baths for citizens and visitors. They knew how and loved various entertainments. Free, cheerful, good-natured, he
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Russia is a young country, and the history of the early Middle Ages is deliberately distorted and partly falsified, and that's what is lying, you need to know.
Here she is - Gardarika - neither Gradorika nor Gorodorika. See map.
Country with Novgards, Belgards, Stargards and Holmgards. With the legendary city of Pillar, which our scientists, I'm sorry, don't want to find.
And Holmgard from Pomerania can be turned into Novgorod only by those who really want it. There is no other connection. Vorpommern, now in Germany, one Part in Poland. There is also a German district directly "Shlafe-Slava". But in general, this is the same Gardarike - a country with cities one on top of the other, and the city is still "garda" in Koszubian. Therefore, the Scandinavians called the country Gardarike. And the Holmgards were there, and the Nevogards, and the Starogards, and the Belgards, etc. And they still are. The local Slavs (former owners) still call the city "guard" and "guard". Their language is completely Slavic. And it looks like the language of the ancient Novgorodians. Moreover, the connection between Novgorod and Pomorye has been known for a long time, and most likely Novgorod was at first a colony of Gardarike. And I didn’t come up with it at all: the language, anthropological data, wooden log cabins, and ceramics are similar. And the fact that Gardarike is not Russia is a fact. Moreover, the fact that the Scandinavian sagas have nothing to do with our Novgorod or Kiev is also a fact. Here is their scene. At the same time, for example, there is no need to look for Borislav either: there was one such specific prince here. And so on. And Holmgard in Novgorod does not need to be redone.
Adam Bremensky:
“Slavia is ten times larger than our Saxony, if we include the Czechs in it
and the Poles living on the other side of the Odra, who DO NOT DIFFER FROM THE RESIDENTS
GLORY NEITHER BY YOUR APPEARANCE, NOR LANGUAGE…
There are many Slavic peoples.
Among them are the most western Wagris living on the border with the Transalbings.
Their city, lying by the sea Aldinburg (Stargrad). Then follow the encouragers,
who are now called reregs, and their city is Magnopolis (Velegrad is a city
Veles). To the east of us (from Hamburg) live the polabings (polabs), the city
which is called Racisburg (Ratibor - "War Forest"). Behind them are lingons
from Dolechans and RATARI by the river Pena and the city of Dymin. There is the limit of the Hamburg
diocese. Khizhans and throughpenians live north of the Pena River, Dolenchans and
RATARI - to the south. These four nations, because of their bravery, are called
wiltz, or LUTICH. There are also other Slavic tribes who
live between Laba and Odra…of all of them, THE MOST POWERFUL ARE
RATARS living in the center ...
Their city is the WORLD FAMOUS RETRA (Radigost, Radigoshch) - the seat of
idolatry, a huge temple was built there in honor of the demons, the main
which Radigost. His image is made of gold, the bed of purple.
The city itself has nine gates and is surrounded on all sides by a deep lake,
through which a log bridge was built for crossing, but through it
only those walking for the sake of sacrifice or questioning are allowed to cross
oracle ... They say that FROM HAMBURG TO THE TEMPLE IS A FOUR DAY WAY.
"Polabsky phenomenon": little-known pages of Slavic history(popular essay)
In the era of the early Middle Ages (V-XI centuries), the territory between the river. Laboy
(Elba), r. Saloi (Zale) and r. Odra was inhabited by West Slavic tribes,
received in science the conditional name of "Polabian Slavs". Most
large and stable associations of the Polabian Slavs were tribes
obodrites (bodrichs), who lived along the Baltic coast between Lower Laba and
Odra, and Lyutich, who were sitting a little to the south - along the Middle Laba. In the south of the region,
between the rivers Laba and Sala, the Serbo-Lusatian tribal union was located.
To the east of the Obodrites, in Pomerania, between the Odra and the Vistula, the Pomeranians lived.
In the period from the 7th century. according to the 8th century among the Polabian Slavs on the basis of tribal unions
so-called. tribal principalities. Gathered around the tribal princes
permanent squads, consisting of elite warriors. By the 9th century in places
fortified cities grew up in tribal centers: Branibor (Brandenburg) -
the center of the Lutic-Gavolians, Retra is the main center of all four Lutic
tribes; Mikelin (Mecklenburg), Ljubica (Lübeck), Rarog (or Rerik) - in the ground
obodrites, and others.
conditions of military democracy, against the backdrop of continuous clashes with
German neighbors, it was hard to create a solid authoritarian government. Only
in the 11th century, after the uprising against the Germans, on the lands of the Bodrichi and Lutichi
for a short time, the Obodrite state arose, which existed until the middle. 12th century
The Baltic Slavs were good sailors: through their port cities -
Lyubica, Rarog, Szczecin, Kolobrzeg - they carried on a brisk trade with the countries
Western Europe and Russia, exporting grain, salt and salted fish from their land,
handicrafts, and carrying out transit transportation. All in all,
the Pomeranians, like all the northern merchant warriors of that time, "warmed" with might and main
the Baltic Sea, i.e. traded and piracy. In connection with this, there is
there are good reasons to believe that the Novgorod Slovenes called to
the reign of the Varangian Rurik was of Slavic, not Scandinavian origin.
Normanist historians are trying to prove that Rurik of Novgorod is none other than
as known from European chronicles, Rurik of Jutland - in the original name
it doesn’t even sound “Rurik”, but “Hrerek”. However, with the same success
connect Rurik with some lucky Polabian prince named Rerek
(after all, in Old Slavonic “rerek” means “falcon” - quite a suitable name
for the prince - remember from childhood the fairy tale "Finist-Clear Falcon"). For "Northern
Russia" he will also be "Varangian from across the sea."
And, in fact, why call on some little-known
East Slavic lands of the Varangian-Dan from small Jutland (Denmark), if
next to (!) is a glorious, rich, populous, warlike, and
the main thing is the Slavic, "overseas" land of Polabs and Pomeranians? Besides
recent historical research on "Northern Russia" traces a clear
connection of the northern East Slavic tribes (Novgorod Slovenes, Krivichi) with
Western "Baltic Slavs" - this is the name of the whole set
Polabian and Pomeranian Slavs. (Maybe our White Sea Pomors from that and
are called "pomors", what were they called before, in hoary antiquity? Maybe
did they become excellent sailors back there - in the Baltic Pomorye? Such
hypotheses are found in the works of the undeservedly forgotten Slavic scholar of the 19th
century A.F. Hilferding, who studied the folklore of Russian Pomorye.)
The Slavs of Polabye and Pomerania developed a peculiar pagan culture.
Usually pagan Slavs did not create monumental temples, preferring
to worship their gods in the open air in temples and tremies,
located in sacred groves or at sacred springs. Polabskie
Slavs in some of their cities and in some places erected
luxurious wooden temples, decorated with intricate carvings and sculptural
images of gods made of metal, stone and wood.
The most famous was the temple of the god Svyatovit in the city of Arkona on
the island of Ruyan (Rügen). It was a place of pilgrimage not only for the Slavs, but
and all neighboring pagan tribes. Perhaps the island of Ruyan became a prototype
Buyan Islands from Russian folk tales: “Past the skeleton of Buyan to the kingdom
glorious Saltan" ran the way from Western Europe - through the Baltic, Neva,
Ladoga, Volkhov, Volga, Caspian - to the Arab countries. (For reference: in
recent years of archaeological study of Staraya Ladoga, the oldest
transit port at the mouth of the Volkhov, dendrodating was received - 753).
In the land of the Luticians in the city of Retre (Radigoshche), the temple of the god Radegast was famous.
The city of Retra itself was also remarkable - according to the descriptions, it had
nine gates. All this only emphasizes the wealth of the region.
The history of the Slavs of Polabya is dramatic: being frontier residents, they
constantly under pressure from the German world. First there were
predatory raids of the Saxons and Franks-Merovingians, then, in the VIII-IX centuries. -
campaigns of Charlemagne and the invasion of the Danes (Danes). After education
East Frankish state, from ser. 9th century, a systematic
German Drang nach Osten. In the X century. representatives of the Saxon dynasty
Ottonov managed to subdue the Polabian Slavs and impose tribute on them. But in 983
an uprising broke out. Soon the Germans lost the Slavic lands they occupied
with the exception of the region of the Lusatian Serbs. By the way, in this land so far
is the city of Zerbst (Serbsk) - the capital of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst -
from which came the notorious princess Sophia Augusta Frederica -
future Catherine II.
In XI - early. XII centuries .., during the time of the obodrite princes Krutoy and Niklot,
Slavs successfully resisted German aggression. In 1147 against
Polabian and Pomeranian pagan Slavs was declared a pan-European
Goff, recognize that the religious motives of the confrontation between Christian Germans and
pagan Slavs recede into the background before economic problems
and national, facing the Germanic tribes. They are limited
poor natural resources, without coercion, they fought even with
those neighbors who accepted Christianity a long time ago.
In the second half of the XII century. the country of the Polabian Slavs was eventually
conquered. This occupied territory in modern times became the heart of
Germany. Here, a little east of the Slavic Branibor, began to grow
small town - the current Berlin.
The fate of the Polabs and Pomeranians is tragic: they to some extent restrained the German
"onslaught on the East", covering the Poles, Czechs and, possibly, the Russians. But
since they remained inveterate pagans, help from the brothers of the Slavs,
those who converted to Christianity did not wait. It turned out a vicious circle:
they did not accept Christianity, as they fought against the Christian Germans, but,
having not accepted baptism, they were left without the help of fraternal peoples.
And yet - not everything is so bad - after all, a lot of
Slavic blood. As they say: dig a Russian and you will find a Tatar, and
dig an East German and you'll find a Slav. Perhaps that is why
Catherine the Second understood Russia so easily and glorified not only herself, but
and the Russian empire. And such "Varangians" as she were always welcome in Russia.
***
Andrey POLYAEV
P.S. Especially for the Ukrainian comrades, I found the homeland of the Ukrainians. Everything is very simple.
This is Uckermark in the north of Brandenburg, on the border with Pomerania - the homeland of the Rus / Rug.
Today we’ll talk about those distant, distant times when Prehistoric Russia was called the Land of Gardarika ... Modern scientists give this name a banal explanation - they say there were many Cities in Russia, hence the name ... BUT ... at the same time, scientists and the church, they tell US, that Barbarians lived in Russia, who did not know the language and could not even speak intelligibly ... in general, savages ... Very interesting ... So they could build many Cities, but they could not speak, let alone write !!! But let's sort it out in order.
GARDARIKA - country of cities. So the Vikings called Russia. This name comes from the Old Russian word - Gard (City, City). One unknown Bavarian geographer of the 9th century wrote about Russia like this: “Show many people, they have 318 cities, Buzhans have 231 cities, Volynians have 70 cities, Northerners have 325 ... and so on ... the list is long.”
The statements of this Western anonymous are in full agreement with the ancient chronicles, in which there are similar references to the Ulichi and the Tivertsy, there are special references to the “Many Gardars” in the Chernigov and Ryazan estates (Russian-Aryan lands), which is also confirmed by archeology.
So what is Gardar?
GARDAR - the sanctuary of the ancestral fire, along with all the buildings and servants. Gardar is a place of Power where the Ardars (Ruses) live. In the literal sense, "GAR-DAR" is the bestowing fire. The ancestral Gardar was erected at the mouth of the river, where there was a place of energy power (White Pillar), and where there must be a strong spring, because each source carried the energy charge of the White Pillar. In such a place, a temple was erected with a wooden hipped roof in the form of a trihedral pyramid. The building was not only a place of worship for fire, but also a spiritual temple of the Family. An oak pillar was placed in the center of the room - serving as a finger (from the word - Scorch), for lighting the ritual ancestral fire. The floor in the temple was made of white clay.
Three magic rings (Sutugi) were mounted on the floor around the finger, increasing in diameter from the center to the periphery. Closer to the center, the ring was gold, the second was silver, and the outer one was copper. This ring possessed an unknown power that prevents people uninitiated in the secrets of magic from reaching the center. Only the priestesses of fire of Garda could enter this magic circle in order to convey to other tribes the fire revived on the finger ignited from the “Apple of the Eye”. The donors left their offerings to the temple of fire at the mysterious circle of the first outer ring of Sutuga, as they could not step over the metal hoop. The donor's body suddenly began to convulse, and he left his gift at the entrance, not daring to step over Sutuga's circle.
Enchanted by the impregnability and mystery of the magic circle, the donor could only admire and tremble before the Priests dedicated to the Spirit of Fire standing inside Sutuga. During a severe thunderstorm, the White Pillar zone became deadly, as it emitted a cone-shaped glow, and spherical clots of energy, called RaSeya (Light of Ra), often escaped from under the finger. The fire in the Ancestral Gardar was renewed twice a year - during the spring and autumn equinoxes. It was obtained by the priestess of fire Garda from the Sun with the help of the "Apple of the Eye" (a large collecting lens made of crystal). The sun, exactly at noon, through a special hole in the roof of the temple, with its rays fell into the room, where the Priestess refracted it through Zenitz onto a specially prepared luggage on her finger, to the choral singing of Gardar's servants. There was an ignition of fuel, plunging into awe the representatives of different tribes present, who subsequently heard smoldering coals from a new fire.
The fire was carried along their communal pillars by the representatives of the tribes, the priestesses-keepers of the Fire, who were called - Garda. In everyday life, the priestess of fire wore the "Zenitz of the Eye" in a special expensive frame on her forehead. The newly formed tribes were given fire by the Nesuns (Danki Gardara). The deceased priestess of fire Garda was placed in a container made of clay and poured with a solution of lime, then this sarcophagus was shaped into a Graba shell. Hence the word: coffin. From the outside of the Coffin, a text was cut down that carried the secret knowledge received by the priestess from the World of the Spirit (as the Bitterness of knowing the Essence). Hence the mythical name of the Coffin - "Stone Bel-Flaming" (symbolizing burning tears for the deceased). The French concept "Garder" means - to store, protect. In English "Garden" - a garden, a kitchen garden. In German "Garten" means a garden, a kitchen garden.
Based on the foregoing, it will be interesting to consider a few words that are most directly related to the Gardars and the Great Country of Gardarika:
GARDA - Priestess of the Sacred Fire of Gardar. In French "Garder" - to keep, protect, follow, protect. In English, "Guard" - protection, protection, guard, guard.
GARAKA - an appeal to the Spirit of the Ancestors, in the person of Fire, which was worshiped by the Family of the Great Race. In this case, the Sacred Fire is just a small particle of the Light of the God Ra (the Sun, as the embodiment of the Spirit of the Family). The Iranians have "Gar" - to cry, shout. Alan has "Garun" - to cry, and "Garongo" - ritual lamentation for the dead, lamentation. The Goths "Kara" - grief. The ancient Scandinavians "Kara" - appeal to the justice of the Gods. In Old German, "Kara" is lamentation and "Karon" is to mourn. In French "Garer" means to cover, hide, put under cover. In Latin "Garrio" - to chat, chatter, talk nonsense.
GARONT - an ancient elder, in whom the fire of the Spirit of the Creator still burns. As a rule, the word "Garont" was used to refer to the Elders who lived for more than 100 years, and who were the Elders of the Family. The ancient Greeks under the word "Geront" meant - the elders, as the most noble people by origin, who helped the king to rule the country. In Sparta, the Gerontes are members of Gerusia, the Council of Elders, which consisted of 28 noble representatives of the Lacedaemonian clans (inhabitants of Laconia) under the leadership of two kings. This Council constituted the highest authority in Sparta.
GARYUN - a spiritual person of the Russian-Aryan tradition, who served as a missionary among the dark and gray tribes. The delinquent Priest-Confessor, appointed by the leadership of Gardar to work out his offense among the peoples of the dark tribes, became the garjun, bringing them the teachings of the White Race. This work was as difficult as it was dangerous, because Garyun, being in disgrace, had no family and family support near him, and his only source of communication with his homeland was Vestun. But Garyun was still not forgotten by Rod, if he got into serious trouble, in his defense or as retribution, Karabs (warriors of the night) came, like a punishing sword of the White Race. If the Power of the Word of Hariun was not convincing for the dark peoples, then the sharp sword of the Warrior-Karaba convinced the surviving dark people that it was very dangerous to oppose the Spirit and the Word of the White Race, for God, punishing with his Fury, would come and reward everyone according to their deserts. Those who raised their unfaithful hand against Hariun or any representative of the White Race were subject to secret and total extermination. After such retribution, rumors about the wrath of the Lord did not subside. But, at first, the Vestun came to the local population and reported on the impending punishment, which served as a sign to the action of the Sidneys (scouts-diverters) hiding there. After the Punishing Hand of the Sort of the Race did its job and the prophecies of the Vestun came true, the supreme power and army of the enemy laid down their arms and obeyed the will of the Aryan Gods.
Gatal - great, majestic, magnificent. In the Old Russian tradition, the word "G-ATAL" denotes not just something "Majestic" and "Great", but has a more specific definition - the Abyss of the Light Spirit of Fire, inherent in the Priests-Magi, worshiping God Agun. Gatal is the Highest initiation in the Fire worship tradition.
And of course, it is impossible to get around at least a brief attention to the ancient capital of Gardariki and the ancient Russian-Aryan State - Gelon.
GELON is the oldest sacred city of the Scythians-Skolots, in the Northern Black Sea region, which was burned by the Persian king Darius during his unsuccessful campaign in Scythia, in 513 BC, and after which he returned to Asia only with the remnants of his guard. The city of Gelon (Golun, Helios) was then rebuilt in another place, and for a long time was the capital of Ruskolani (Rase). Translated from Old Russian, the word "G-EL-ON" is the Place of the Spirit of Fire (in the person of God Ra-Sun), as the Divine Essence of the entire Genus of the White Race. Simply put, "GELON" is a Sunny City. After all, according to ancient legends, in Gelon there was the main Temple of God Aguna (Spirit of Fire).
The father of history, Herodotus, described it this way: “The wooden city of Gelon is located in the lands of the Budins. Each side of the city wall is 30 stadia (6 km.) long. The city wall is high and all wooden. Houses and shrines were also built of wood. There are sanctuaries of the Hellenic gods with statues... After being expelled from the trading settlements, the Hellenes settled among the Budins. They speak partly in the Scythian language, and partly in Hellenic, but the Budins have a different language than the Gelons ... ".
Gelons for the Romans "Geloni" are the Scythian-Sarmatian tribes living to the North of the Black Sea. In Latin, “Gelu” means frost, cold, snow, and “Gelum” means to become stiff from the cold. The Northern Gelons, among the Romans, were also called the Cold Getae. This is already on the issue of Getah-Russians (Etruscans) ...
http://www.proza.ru/2011/03/16/101
The ancient Roman poet Virgil, in his works, mentions the Gelons as good archers: "And that Scythian tribe is not slow when it takes up its quivers with strong arrows ...".
Virgil writes about the Gelonian arrows for a reason, for the Romans were perfectly aware of what skillful archers the Gelons were, in addition to this, they also wielded a spear well. But the Getae remained in the memory of the Romans as excellent warriors wielding a sword. On the island of Sicily, in the city of Syracuse, in the 5th century BC, the tyrant Gelon ruled. Almost all Roman and Ancient Greek authors identify the Gelons with the Getae, but at the same time, nevertheless mentioning them separately, as related, but differing in significance from each other peoples.
“Militant Mars is the first to not lazily drive his Odrian horses to a terrible detachment, with which he usually confuses the Gelons or Getae ...” (Claudius Claudian).
On the site PROZA.ru this article was deleted by the moderators...
Like the article "Artania - Aryan Rus" on the site POINTS.ru ...
GUARDS. RUSSIA - THE COUNTRY OF CITIES
* Gardariki - (country of cities) the former European name of Northern Russia with the capital Staraya Ladoga - the predecessor of Novgorod.
* Gardar, or Gardariki is the name of Ancient Russia in general, and not of its cities.
* The ancient Scandinavians called Kievan Rus Gardarika - "Country of cities". And for good reason, the German Bishop Titmar of Merserburg counted about 400 churches alone in Kyiv during the time of St. Vladimir.
* The country of cities - Gardarika - was the name of Ancient Russia in the Scandinavian sagas of the 9th century. The most ancient cities of the northwest were the shield of our land. Until now, they are witnesses of glory, wealth, greatness and spiritual strength.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, says: Gardariki (Isl. Garðaríki, Garðaveldi, Swedish Gårdarike) is the ancient Scandinavian name of the Old Russian state, known to the Vikings in the Middle Ages. The term is translated as "country of cities". Peter Dikman wrote in one of his gothic novels: "Golmogardia and Gordoriki, an area lying between Ladoga and Peipus (Chudskoye) lakes, in which the main city of Oldengoburg"
The toponym Gardariki is first found in a geographical work of the last quarter of the 12th century. It was also reflected in the codes of royal sagas recorded in the first third of the 13th century. According to F. A. Brown, the form Garðaríki is the creation of the Icelanders who wrote down the sagas (starting from the end of the 12th century). Until that time (in the 10th-12th centuries), the form Garđar was used to designate Russia throughout the Scandinavian peninsula. This is how Russia is represented in skaldic poems of the 9th-12th centuries, as well as in runic inscriptions on stones.
In the Scandinavian sources of the XIV century, the principalities of Gardariki are called Holmgard, Kenugard, and Palteskja.
The Slavic chronicle of Helmold contains the following description: “The Danes also call Russia Ostrogard for the reason that, being located in the east, it abounds with all blessings. It is also called Hunigard, because the Huns first lived in these places ... ... Its main city is Hue.
Lands of Gardariki-Rus - Varangians. Kolbyagi. Russia. Slavs. Merya. Bulgars. Khazars. 
Gardariki is a country of many cities... Indeed, there were many cities in Russia. Here are just the most important of them: Kyiv, Novgorod, Belozersk, Murom, Polotsk, Rostov, Smolensk, Pskov, Chernigov, Uglich, Bryansk, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Kursk, Ryazan, Vladimir, Moscow, Kostroma, Pereslavl, Tver. In them, beavers, beekeepers, 
trappers, tar smokers, lycoders and other "industrialists".
Monuments of ancient Russian literature have preserved relatively few local names, which inseparably include the word "gorod", - Novgorod (Novgorod the Great and Novgorod "in the land of Rustei", that is, Novgorod Seversky), Vyshgorod, Zvenigorod, Belgorod - but it is implied with any such name as Pereyaslavl, Vsevolozh, Glebl, Volodimer (Vladimir Volynsky), that is, the city of Pereyaslav, Vsevolod, Gleb, etc.
All the free people of Gardariki were somehow involved in trade relations. Some produced goods in the form of hemp, flax, linen fabrics, others were engaged in beekeeping, others hunted fur animals, the fourth grew bread, the fifth smelted ore, the sixth made the necessary products from wood in the form of kitchen utensils and tableware, as well as chests, tubs and barrels in which honey was transported. And everywhere merchants lived or came, buying goods for sale. There were no lands in Gardarik-Rus that were not covered by trade relations.
The Byzantines give the earliest idea of how trade was conducted in Russia. Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus at the beginning of the tenth century describes the life of a Russian merchant in this way.
With the first cold weather, as soon as it became possible to move around the non-torque Russian expanses on a sleigh, the merchants left the cities and rushed into the outback. There, in places specially adapted for "guests" - churchyards - they bought up everything that the villagers mined and produced during the year: hemp, wax, honey, furs, iron products, woolen cloth and linen, ropes, canvas, hops, lard and beef fat, sheepskins and skins. Even walrus tusks. In harvest years - also grain.
"From the Greeks" they brought wine, silk, art objects - icons and jewelry, fruits and glassware to Russia. However, for all the importance of trade with the southern neighbor, the Russians and other countries were not neglected. From the countries of the East, they brought spices, precious stones, silk and satin fabrics, weapons of the famous Damascus steel and horses. Some of these goods settled in Russia, some went further west through the largest trading center in Northern Europe - Novgorod. In response, the Europeans supplied Russia with fabrics, needles, weapons, glassware, wine, salt, beer and metals - iron, copper, tin, lead.
Large merchant ships and boats adapted for the carriage of goods sailed along the rivers and seas. Large ships reached the shores of many countries, and merchants could buy goods in bulk directly at the place of their manufacture, thereby saving money on price differences.
In addition to the fact that Russia was called Gardarika, the country of many cities, it is equally important to remember that it is also Garda Rica - a country surrounded by the Serpentine Wall. It was a reliable shield against the raids of nomads from the south in the form of a colossal defensive rampart, which went down in history as Zmiev Val.
The structure of the shaft consisted of hundreds of layers. The core of the structure is a palisade made of mature oak, up to 49 cm in diameter. Inside the shafts there was a wooden structure that gave stability, strengthened the earth embankment and gave the shaft the necessary height and steepness. The logs were stacked in log cabins and covered with earth, and wooden walls also stood directly on the ramparts themselves. The total height of the fortifications reached in places up to 12 meters. Scientists have calculated that just for the construction of just one kilometer of the shaft, at least 3 thousand cubic meters of wood would be required.
Archaeologists have concluded that the ramparts were created over a millennium. Kyiv researcher A.S. Bugai repeatedly removed coal from the base of the ramparts, which got there during the construction period. The results of the analyzes showed that the age of the finds is very solid and is determined (for various samples taken from different shafts) from 2100 to 1200 years! In other words, the ramparts surveyed by A.S. Bugai were built in the period from the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD, that is, long before the emergence of Kievan Rus ... Serpent ramparts are huge structures, the total length of which is several times greater than the Troyan ramparts .
Novgorod, which arose on the river, becomes the northern capital of Gardariki-Rus. Volkhov, near the lake Ilmen. This city is the main trading center of the northern part of Russia. From here began the trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. As in all cities of Russia, there was a fortress in Novgorod. The Novgorod Kremlin is a typical fortification for storing merchant goods, for protecting the population in case of enemy raids and other needs.
Kievan Rus arose on the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" on the lands of the East Slavic tribes - the Ilmen Slovenes, Krivichi, Polyans, then covering the Drevlyans, Dregovichi, Polochans, 
radimichi, northerners, vyatichi.
According to the chronicle legend, the founders of Kyiv are the rulers of the Polyan tribe - the brothers Kyi, Shchek and Khoriv. According to archaeological excavations conducted in Kyiv in the 19th-20th centuries, already in the middle of the 1st millennium AD. e. there was a settlement on the site of Kyiv. Arab writers of the 10th century (al-Istarkhi, Ibn Khordadbeh, Ibn-Khaukal) later speak of Kuyab as a large city. Ibn Haukal wrote: "The king lives in a city called Kuyaba, which is larger than Bolgar ... Russ constantly trade with Khazar and Rum (Byzantium)."
From Hyperborea, Gardariki-Rus inherited a lot of secret Knowledge, which was used by the Magi. They helped merchants and the entire population to live a full and interesting life. So in Ancient Russia there was a secret calendar, which guided many residents. Singers-guselniki moved around all the lands, bringing news to the people about what was happening in Russia and abroad. 
From the lips of the Magi, kalik passersby, storytellers and epic writers, the people knew about the ancient cities of the Northern Land, like Arkaim, and built their cities in the form of circles, including a fortified settlement and adjacent economic sites, a burial ground and a number of unfortified settlements.
Since ancient times, Russians loved to bathe in baths. Each family had its own bath. There were also public baths for citizens and visitors. They knew how and loved various entertainments. Free, cheerful, good-natured, they loved a joke and a sharp word.
Old Russian baths
Our ancestors have never been indifferent to beauty. For their beloved children, there were the most affectionate, most significant names taken from the ancient sources about the Goddesses and Gods they worshiped, names of spiritual significance. Svetozar (glor.) - illuminating with light, Svyatoslav - consecrated with glory, Yaroslav (glory.) - shining with glory, Mikhail<Михей>- similar to God, Ilya - the fortress of the Lord, Vladimir (Slavic) - to own the world, Anna - mercy, Grace, Lyudmila (Slavic) - dear to people, Olga (Scand.) - saint, Rada (Old Russian) - joyful, Lada (peace, well-being).
No matter how people of other countries call ancient Russia, no matter how they attribute alien features to it, or no matter how they attract it to their history, Russia remains Russia - the direct heir of Hyperborea, Ruskolani! And the Russian people are the direct descendants of the Hyperboreans, Aryans-Rus, who have absorbed the best features of their ancestors - pride, honor, dignity, readiness for a feat, gullibility, responsiveness, tolerance, and, most importantly, spirituality.
For the ancient peoples of Europe and Asia, Russia was so great and immense that many took it for several different states. Sarmatia, Gardariki, As-Slavia - these are far from all the names that other peoples endowed this country with.
1. Hyperborea
Hyperborea in ancient Greek mythology is a certain legendary northern country. Some historians are inclined to assert that it was located in the Northern Urals, in Karelia or on the Taimyr Peninsula. On some medieval maps, this particular part of Russia was referred to as hyperborea.
2. Guards
The ancient Scandinavians called the territory of present-day Russia Gardariki. From Icelandic "gardariki" is translated as "country of cities". Initially, the Varangians called Veliky Novgorod the capital of Gardariki, and then this meaning spread to the southern lands of Russia. By the way, the Scandinavian "guard" was transformed into the Slavic "city", which then became a "city".
3. Sarmatia
Borders Sarmatia stretched from the Black Sea and the Sarmatian Mountains (Carpathians) to the Urals. This name is mentioned in the 1st century BC. e. A little later, Ptolemy will describe Asian and European Sarmatia in detail. Mikhail Lomonosov was an ardent supporter of the theory that the origins of the Russian state must be sought precisely in Sarmatia.
4. Greater Sweden
Before the start of the Mongol invasion, Scandinavian figures called Russia Great Sweden. Snorri Sturlusson, an Icelandic politician, at the beginning of the 13th century described the current territory of Russia as "Svitjod". In one of the collections of sagas, Russia is described as follows: “To the north of the Black Sea, Svitiod Bolshaya or Kholodnaya stretches. The northern part of Svitiod is not inhabited due to frost. There are many big kheradivs (cities) in Svityod. There are also many different peoples and many languages. There are giants and dwarfs there, there are many different amazing peoples ... "
5. As-Slavia
As-Slavia called one of the three centers of Russia by the Arabs in the X century. The geographers El-Farsi and Ibn-Khaukal considered the capital of As-Slavia to be the city of Salau (Slovensk), which was located not far from Veliky Novgorod. The other two centers of Ancient Russia in the view of the Arabs were Artania and Kuyava. If historians have not yet come to a consensus about the location of the first, then Kuyava was the Kyiv land.
6. Muscovy
It would seem that the harmonious "Muscovy" comes from the name of the capital. But some historians argue that this name goes back to the name of Mosokh or Meshech, the grandson of the Old Testament Noah and the founder of the “Muscovites” people. In support of this theory, "Synopsis, or a Brief Description of the Beginning of the Russian People", published in 1674 in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, is given. For Western Europe, Muscovy was a neutral synonym for the word Russia or Ruthenia. This concept began to acquire a negative connotation because of the Commonwealth, which did not accept the claims of the Principality of Moscow to some lands.Not only chronicles, but also fairy tales and legends help to learn about the existence of ancient countries. These
There were a lot of cities in ancient Kievan Rus. That is why Western European chronicles call it Gardarika, or the country of cities.
In the written sources of the 9th-10th centuries that have come down to us, at least 24 Russian cities are mentioned, but scientists believe that there were much more of them. The names of ancient Russian cities are mostly Slavic: Beloozero, Vyshgorod, Przemysl, Novgorod... By the end of the 12th century, there were already 238 urban settlements in Russia.
The place for the city was chosen for reasons of its security. The fortified part of the settlement (the Kremlin) was located on a hill, some distance from the river. But the development of crafts and trade as if by itself pulled people to the hem, that is, to the lowlands, to the river. And so it happened: the ancient Russian city consisted of a richer and more protected citadel (the central part) and a trade and craft hem - a part that was less safe, but more convenient.
Urban settlements (foothills) arose in Russia at the end of the 10th - beginning of the 11th centuries. It was then that the words denoting the urban population were born: city dweller, citizen, citizen.
Almost all the cities of Kievan Rus (unlike Western European ones) had not stone, but wooden fortifications. That is why our ancestors did not say “build a city”, but “cut down”. City fortifications were wooden log cabins filled with earth, which were attached one to the other, forming a protective ring. From this, the word "city" had several meanings in those days: a fortress, a fortress wall, a fence, a settlement.
To get to such a settlement, one had to pass through the gate.
The number of gates depended on the size of the city. So, Kyiv had five gates. The main, the most beautiful, are Golden. The so-called gate church was even built above them. How many legends are associated with the Golden Gate! To show their strength, the enemy rushed to these gates, and not to others. Through this "door" the most honored guests entered the city in the most solemn atmosphere.
All the major city buildings were located in the citadel, the main among which was the cathedral, which was erected in the middle of the square. The city treasury was stored here, ambassadors were received, the library was located, scribes worked. Here they "put on the table" the prince. Finally, the temple has always been the last frontier of city defense.
In general, it really was the main building, the heart of the city. The inhabitants of Novgorod said so: "Where is St. Sophia (the main Novgorod temple) - there is Novgorod."
Bargaining has always been an equally important part of the city. Usually the rows surrounded the Kremlin walls and were, as it were, a link between the authorities and the common people living "in the suburbs. However, the trading square was not only a busy place, but also restless. Therefore, a church was often built on it, the very presence of which restrained passions .
In addition, the control over the correctness of weights and measures belonged to the church - trade measures were kept in such temples.
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