لخّصلي

M.V. Lomonosov was an ardent opponent of the Norman theory.This is just one possible explanation for the term "Rus". The origin of this name is not completely clear. ? Thus, the formation of the state of Rus' (the Old Russian state or, as it is called after the capital, Kievan Rus) is the natural completion of a long process of decomposition of the primitive communal system of one and a half dozen Slavic tribal unions that lived on the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks."The "Normanists" proceed from the position of the supposed primordial insolvency of the Russian people, who, in their opinion, are incapable of independent historical creativity. It is possible, as they believe, only under foreign leadership and according to foreign models. o Historians have convincing evidence that there is every reason to assert: the Eastern Slavs had strong traditions of statehood long before the calling of the Varangians. State institutions arise as a result of the development of society. The actions of individual major individuals, conquests or other external circumstances determine the specific manifestations of this process. Consequently, the fact of the calling of the Varangians, if it really took place, speaks not so much about the emergence of Russian statehood as about the origin of the princely dynasty. o If Rurik was a real historical figure, then his calling to Rus' should be considered as a response to the real need for princely power in Russian society of that time. o In historical literature, the question of Rurik's place in our history remains controversial. Some historians share the opinion that the Russian dynasty is of Scandinavian origin, like the name "Rus" itself ("Russians" were the Finns' name for the inhabitants of Northern Sweden).o The very fact of the presence of the Varangian squads, by which, as a rule, the Scandinavians are understood, in the service of the Slavic princes, their participation in the life of Rus' is beyond doubt, as are the constant mutual ties between the Scandinavians and Russia.Archaeologists note that the number of Varangians in Rus' was small.

M.V. Lomonosov was an ardent opponent of the Norman theory.
• The very fact of the presence of the Varangian squads, by which, as a rule, the Scandinavians are understood, in the service of the Slavic princes, their participation in the life of Rus' is beyond doubt, as are the constant mutual ties between the Scandinavians and Russia.
• However, there are no traces of any noticeable influence of the Varangians on the economic and socio-political institutions of the Slavs, as well as on their language and culture. In the Scandinavian sagas, Rus' is a country of untold riches, and service to Russian princes is the surest way to gain fame and power. Archaeologists note that the number of Varangians in Rus' was small. No data has been found on the colonization of Rus' by the Varangians.
• The version about the foreign origin of this or that dynasty is typical of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Suffice it to recall the stories about the calling of the Anglo-Saxons by the British and the creation of the English state, about the founding of Rome by the brothers Romulus and Remus, etc.
• In the modern era, the scientific inconsistency of the Norman theory, which explains the emergence of the Old Russian state as the result of foreign initiative, has been fully proven. However, its political meaning is still dangerous today. The “Normanists” proceed from the position of the supposed primordial insolvency of the Russian people, who, in their opinion, are incapable of independent historical creativity. It is possible, as they believe, only under foreign leadership and according to foreign models.
​ • Historians have convincing evidence that there is every reason to assert: the Eastern Slavs had strong traditions of statehood long before the calling of the Varangians. State institutions arise as a result of the development of society. The actions of individual major individuals, conquests or other external circumstances determine the specific manifestations of this process. Consequently, the fact of the calling of the Varangians, if it really took place, speaks not so much about the emergence of Russian statehood as about the origin of the princely dynasty.
• If Rurik was a real historical figure, then his calling to Rus' should be considered as a response to the real need for princely power in Russian society of that time.
• In historical literature, the question of Rurik’s place in our history remains controversial. Some historians share the opinion that the Russian dynasty is of Scandinavian origin, like the name “Rus” itself (“Russians” were the Finns’ name for the inhabitants of Northern Sweden). Their opponents are of the opinion that the legend about the calling of the Varangians is the fruit of tendentious writing, a later insertion caused by political reasons. There is also a point of view that the Varangians-Rus and Rurik were Slavs who originated either from the southern coast of the Baltic (Rügen Island) or from the area of the Neman River. It should be noted that the term “Rus” is repeatedly found in relation to various associations both in the north and in the south of the East Slavic world.
• Origin of the name “Rus”. The name Rus' is explained by 2 options:
 By the name of the Varangian tribe - “Rus”.
 By the name of the river Ros (in Ukraine): The land of glades, as chroniclers pointed out, was also called “Rus”. Historians believe that this was the name of one of the tribes that lived along the Ros River and gave the name to the tribal union, the history of which was inherited by the glades. This is just one possible explanation for the term “Rus”. The origin of this name is not completely clear.
 Thus, the formation of the state of Rus' (the Old Russian state or, as it is called after the capital, Kievan Rus) is the natural completion of a long process of decomposition of the primitive communal system of one and a half dozen Slavic tribal unions that lived on the way “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” The established state was at the very beginning of its journey: primitive communal traditions retained their place in all spheres of life of East Slavic society for a long time.