Civilizations & archaeology

Origins of Kyiv

c. 482 CE

Kyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, situated on the Dnieper river. According to the medieval chronicle known as the Primary Chronicle, it was founded by the brothers Kyi, Shchek and Khoriv and their sister Lybid, though the exact date and circumstances are uncertain, and archaeology shows earlier settlement. The city became the centre of Kievan Rus in the ninth century, and in 988 Prince Volodymyr adopted Christianity there for his realm. It was devastated by the Mongols in 1240, later fell under Lithuanian, Polish and Russian rule, and became the capital of independent Ukraine in 1991. St Sophia Cathedral and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are World Heritage Sites.

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This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 5th century.