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• Historic reference
  • Primitive communal system and the early Middle Ages
  • The Belarusian Lands in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
  • The Belarusian Lands in Rzeczpospolita
  • The Belarusian Lands in the Russian Empire
  • The Belarus in the USSR
  • The Republic of Belarus (1991 – present days)

Primitive communal system and the early Middle Ages

Belarus during the period of primitive communal system and in the early Middle Ages

The Belarus’s territory settlement dates back to the period of the Middle Paleolith (100-40 thous. years B.C.), first settlements appeared 27-24 thous. years ago. The Belarusian ethnic group began to form in the 6th-8th centuries – they were the Slavonic unions of Krivichi, Dregovichi, Rodimichi. The first State formations appeared in Belarus were Polotsk, Turov and Smolensk Princedoms. The history of the town of Polotsk dates back to 862. The first prince of Polotsk, who reigned in the late 10 century, mentioned in chronicles, was Ragvolod.  The greatest power was reached by the Polotsk Principality in 11 century during the reign of Vseslav Charodey (Vseslav the Wizard).

The second half of the 9 century saw an amalgamation of the East Slavs. The amalgamation was headed by the Rurik Dynasty with the head-town of Kiev. The territory of contemporary Belarus was at the western part of the Kievan Rus. At first there were the Polotsk and Turov Principalities. As far as feudal relations were developing particular principalities attempted to get out of hand the Kiev power. One of the first to begin separation was Polotsk.

In 1050 Polotsk saw the construction of the Sofia cathedral – the first monumental facility on the Belarusian lands. In 1161, Lazar Bogsha, the Polotsk master-jeweler created a unique masterpiece of ancient Belarusian art – the Cross of Efrosinia of Polotsk. Kirill Turovski was among Christian writers-preachers who became famous as the author of the “words” – sermons. Turovski’s evangel dated back to 11 century is preserved till nowadays. The Belarusian language began to form in the first half of 8 century.

Polotsk and Kiev were struggling against each other for the period of 100 years with breaks. The Polotsk princes twice occupied Novgorod, were fighting for Pskov and Smolensk.

The Turov Principality was founded on the territory of the southern Belarus in the Pripyat river basin. Turov, the Principality’s capital was mentioned in chronicles in 980. The Turov Principality was developing independently till the late 10 century.