List of Russian monarchs

This is a list of all the rulers of Russia from its beginning until 1917. It starts with a prince named Rurik from Novgorod in the 800s and ends with Nicholas II, who stopped being the ruler in 1917. There were two main families, or dynasties, who were in charge: the Rurikids from 862 to 1598, and the Romanovs from 1613 to 1917. These rulers helped shape the story of Russia over many centuries.

Overview

Russian rulers have used many titles since the 9th century. The earliest titles were knyaz and grand prince. Over time, the title of grand prince became very important, especially for the rulers of Moscow.

Later, the title of tsar was used, meaning like a Caesar. By the mid-1600s, rulers used the title tsar of all Russia. Eventually, by the 1700s, the title changed to emperor. The emperor held many titles for the different regions they ruled.

Main article: Russian Constitution of 1906

Rurikids (862–1598)

Princes of Novgorod

Main article: Prince of Novgorod

The first ruler of Russia is thought to be Rurik, a prince who ruled Novgorod.

Grand princes of Kiev

Main article: Grand Prince of Kiev

After Rurik, his follower Oleg moved the capital to Kiev, creating a state known as Kievan Rus'. For many years, the most important leaders were the grand prince of Kiev and the prince of Novgorod, often the same person.

Feudal period

The unity of Kievan Rus' began to break apart in the 1100s after the death of Yaroslav the Wise. The power of the grand prince weakened as regional clans grew stronger. In 1097, leaders met at the Council of Liubech and agreed that the land would be split among different ruling families. This led to more fighting between the regions in the 1200s.

After the death of Mstislav in 1132, Kievan Rus' began to decline quickly. Kiev lost much of its power, and different groups of princes fought to control it.

In 1169, a group of princes led by Andrey Bogolyubsky, the grand prince of Vladimir, attacked Kiev. Andrey put his brother, Gleb, in charge of Kiev while he ruled from Vladimir-on-the-Klyazma. From then on, Vladimir became very important. In the southwest, Galicia-Volhynia grew as a successor to Kiev. After the Mongol invasions, three major areas formed: the Grand Principality of Vladimir in the northeast, which later became the Grand Principality of Moscow; the Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia in the southwest, later taken over by Poland and Lithuania; and the Novgorod Republic in the north.

Grand princes of Vladimir

Main article: Grand Prince of Vladimir

By the 1200s, the Grand Principality of Vladimir became the most powerful in the northeast. After the Mongol invasions, Russian princes paid taxes to the Golden Horde. Around 1480, Mongol rule over Russia ended.

After Alexander Nevsky died, the Grand Principality of Vladimir split into smaller areas. Daniel, Alexander's youngest son, became the first permanent ruler of Moscow. Over time, Moscow became stronger, and its rulers took the title of grand prince of Vladimir.

Ivan I helped Moscow grow stronger by collecting taxes for the Golden Horde and buying land. He also brought the Russian Orthodox Church to Moscow. Ivan's son Simeon was the first to call himself grand prince of both Moscow and Vladimir.

After Ivan II died, there was a fight for the title between different princes. Dmitry Ivanovich, later called Dmitry Donskoy, took control in 1363. The Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 showed that the prince of Moscow was now the leading ruler.

When Dmitry Donskoy died, the title went to the prince of Moscow, taking away the khan’s right to choose. The grand princes of Moscow later called themselves sovereign and grand prince of all Russia, uniting other areas under their rule.

Grand princes of Moscow

Tsars of Russia

Main article: Tsar of all Russia

Ivan IV took the title of tsar in 1547. Ivan IV gave his powers to another ruler for a short time but took them back. When he died in 1584, his son Feodor took over but died without children, ending the Rurik dynasty.

Time of Troubles (1598–1613)

Tsars of Russia

In 1581, Ivan the Terrible sadly lost his son Ivan Ivanovich, which led to problems when his other son Feodor I died without children. This started a difficult time called the Time of Troubles. During this time, many people claimed to be the rightful ruler. One of these claimants was Boris Godunov, who was chosen by a group of leaders. There were also foreign rulers who tried to control Russia. Finally, in 1613, Michael Romanov was chosen as the new ruler, beginning the Romanov dynasty.

Romanovs (1613–1917)

Tsars of Russia

Main article: Tsar of all Russia

The time of trouble ended in 1613 when Michael Romanov was chosen as tsar. Although Michael’s father, Patriarch Filaret of Moscow, had real power until 1633, Michael’s family would rule Russia. First as tsars and later as emperors, they continued until the Russian Revolution in 1917. After Michael, his son Alexis became tsar, followed by Feodor.

When Feodor died, there were two boys, Ivan and Peter, who could be tsars. Both were young, and different families supported each of them. For a time, both were rulers together, with Peter’s sister Sophia helping to govern. But Peter later took full control when he was older.

Emperors of Russia

Main article: Emperor of Russia

In 1721, Peter the Great changed the title from tsar to emperor, showing Russia’s growing power in Europe. Peter made his own rules for choosing the next ruler, allowing the current ruler to decide their successor.

The Romanov family ruled until the Russian Revolution in 1917. After Peter the Great, there were some confusing times with different rulers. Elizabeth, a daughter of Peter the Great, was the last direct Romanov ruler. She chose her nephew, Peter, to be next, but he was not popular and was removed from power. His wife then became ruler as Catherine the Great. Later, Paul I made clear rules about who would be next in line to rule.

Pretenders after Nicholas II

Further information: Restoration of the Russian monarchy

After the last Romanov ruler, there have been questions about who could be the next ruler. Some believe Kirill Vladimirovich and his family have a claim, but the old rules are not very clear. Also, there has not been a Russian throne for over a hundred years.

Timeline of monarchs

This section lists all the rulers of Russia from the mid-800s until 1917. It starts with Rurik of Novgorod and ends with Nicholas II, who stopped being ruler in 1917. There were two main families, or dynasties, that ruled Russia: the Rurikids, from 862 to 1598, and the Romanovs, from 1613 to 1917.