Russian has over its long history had onlybhad two principal
dynasties: the House of Rurik and the House of Romanov. The
Rurik dynasty was founded by Rurick and his son Oleg, Swedish
Vikings known as the Rus. It is from their name that the name of
Russia is derived. Few European families have dominated their
country's history for such an extensive period as the Ronanovs.
The Romanovs followed the Ruriks, but it is the Romanovs that
are generally associated with Russia because they ruled in
modern tomes. The Romanov dynasty was founded by Michael Romanov
(1613-45). The first great Romanov Tsar was Michael's grandson
who we know of today as Peter I or Peter the Great (1696-1725).
Oleh during the mid-8th century became the first prince of Kiev
and founded the Rurick Dynasty. Oleh employed mercenary troops
to unite the Eastern Slavs for the first time. He introduced a
complex system combining tribute and military democracy. Oleh
also led impressive military operations against Khozzars, a
nation of Jewish origin r