What they didn't teach you in school: Vladimir the Great had multiple harems and baptized Rus not out of love for faith.

On a July day in 988, an event occurred that forever changed the course of history. Prince Vladimir, known for his martial prowess and pagan traditions, embraced Christianity, transforming Kievan Rus into a powerful medieval state.

The renowned historian Yaroslav Zatilyuk revealed lesser-known facts about this pivotal transformation. "Telegraph" also uncovered many intriguing details.

Background: The Roots of Christianity in the Rurik Dynasty

Long before Vladimir, the first Christians had already appeared on the territory of Rus. His grandmother, Princess Olga, who adopted Christianity much earlier, played a significant role in this process. According to historical sources, this took place around 957 during her trip to Constantinople.

Interestingly, Olga's decision was motivated by both personal and deeply political reasons. After the death of her husband, Prince Igor, she sought to establish a peace treaty with the Byzantine Empire and maintain crucial trade routes. Not to mention, she aimed to strengthen her own position as a ruler.

The Path to Baptism: From Paganism to Christianity

Olga's son, Prince Svyatoslav, remained a pagan. However, Vladimir not only accepted Christianity but also made it the state religion.

Yet, behind the beautiful literary narrative lies a pragmatic political calculation. Kievan Rus had close ties with Byzantium—the most powerful state of that time. Adopting Christianity from Byzantium was a logical geopolitical move.

The Place and Circumstances of Baptism

There are several versions regarding the place of Vladimir's baptism:

• Kiev;
• The area near Vasilyev;
• Chersonesus (modern-day Khersones)

The chronicler leans towards the last version and associates the baptism with the prince's military campaign to Chersonesus, which took place at the request of the Byzantine emperor.

An interesting detail is the prince's new name. During his baptism, Vladimir received the name Basil in honor of Emperor Basil II, who provided him with church hierarchy.

Personal Transformation

The historian notes the remarkable change in the prince's character. From a warlike pagan, Vladimir transformed into a pious Christian with one wife. Before embracing Christianity, Vladimir had numerous harems. In Vyshgorod, he had 300 concubines, another 300 in Belgorod, and 200 in Berestove. However, he advises a critical approach to the annals' accounts, as they often resemble literary works more than precise historical documents.

Previously, "Telegraph" discussed the most mysterious murders of the Kievan Rus era. How poison determined the fates of princes.