The ruler of the principality of Moscow Ivan Kalita at one time laid the foundations for the future Russian state, which was formed a century and a half later after his reign. Being a wise ruler, he, however, is considered by historians to be a very ambiguous person, since his rule was marked by rather controversial decisions. Anyway, the life of Ivan Kalita was really interesting. And what else could be the life of the prince of one of the most powerful cities of ancient Russia?
The exact year of birth of Prince Ivan Danilovich, who later became known as “Kalita”, is unknown. Most historians agree that he was born in 1283. Kalita in the old Russian language means “purse.” Why the so-called prince is unknown for certain. According to the first version, he got this nickname for his generosity towards the poor. In the second, for their diplomacy based on bribes and bribery.
The princes of those years received a label (permission) for the reign of the Tatar-Mongol invaders. Usually the label was issued for a certain period, but Ivan Kalita received it for life. Throughout his life, Ivan Kalita demonstrated loyalty to the Horde in order to maintain power in his hands and continue to lay the foundations of a centralized state. When the revolt against the Horde began in the Tver principality, Kalita suppressed the uprising, having received the right to collect the tribute from other Russian principalities from Uzbek Khan, the Horde ruler. The first stone buildings in Moscow appeared precisely in the era of the prince’s rule. The wealth of Ivan Kalita was used rationally by him – he actively bought up lands and villages, expanding the territory of the Moscow principality. The prince was married twice, leaving behind seven children.
In order to increase his influence, Ivan Kalita introduced the practice of dynastic marriages, prudently marrying daughters and thereby strengthening his position in the political arena. He also lured the metropolitan from Vladimir to Moscow, having built a spacious residence in the city and thereby turned his city into the spiritual center of Russia. The policy of devotion to the Horde pursued by Ivan Kalita led to the fact that for almost half a century there was not a single steppe raid on Russia. This has helped several generations of Russians to grow without fear of invaders. The laws of those years did not allow Ivan Kalita, as a ruler, to acquire lands in other principalities. He circumvented this prohibition with his characteristic cunning, buying up the lands he needed not for himself, but for the boyars loyal to him, whom the ban did not apply. Shortly before his death, Ivan Kalita took monastic vows, adopting the name Ananias.
