 |
Gleb RostislavichPrince of Smolensk
Date of Birth: .
|
Content:
- Prince Gleb of Smolensk: A Historical Overview
- A Time of Conflict
- Censuses and Administration
- Succession and Family
- - (?) Vsevolod Glebovich (d. after 1314)
Prince Gleb of Smolensk: A Historical Overview
Early Life and AscensionPrince Gleb of Smolensk, born after 1240, was the son of Rostislav Mstislavich (according to one version) or the grandson of Vladimir Rurikovich of Ovruch (according to another). Little is known about Gleb's early life. He assumed the throne of the Principality of Smolensk after the death of Prince Vsevolod Mstislavich in 1249.
A Time of Conflict
In 1270, Gleb joined forces with Grand Prince Yaroslav Yaroslavich of Vladimir to assault Novgorod Veliky. In 1274, Khan Mengü-Timur of the Golden Horde led a campaign against Lithuania through Smolensk, marking the beginning of the principality's subordination to the Horde. Gleb participated in the campaign, reaching as far as Novgorodok-Litevsky. Subsequently, at the behest of the Tatars, he attacked Galician Prince Lev Danilovich.
Censuses and Administration
In 1275, coinciding with the second census in Northeastern Rus, Smolensk conducted its first census. Gleb's reign also witnessed administrative reforms, including the establishment of a new system of governance in the principalities of Smolensk, Mstislav, and Toropets.
Succession and Family
Gleb died in 1278, leaving the throne to his younger brother, Mikhail Rostislavich. His wife's identity remains unknown, but historian L. Vovtoyich suggests she may have been Olga, the daughter of Oleg Romanovich of Bryansk. Gleb had several sons who later became notable princes:
- Alexander Glebovich (d. 1313): Prince of Mstislav (1281-1313), Prince of Smolensk (1281)
- Roman Glebovich (d. after 1301): Prince of Novgorod (1293), Prince of Mstislav (1281)
- Svyatoslav Glebovich (d. 1310): Prince of Mozhaisk (?-1303), Prince of Bryansk (1303)
