1.) Prince Vladimir Monomakh's Pouchenie, also known as "Instruction to My Children," is a moral and political testament in which he advises his sons to be just, wise, and pious rulers, emphasizing the importance of humility, obedience to God, and the need to avoid internal strife and conflicts.
2.) Queen Gytha was the wife of Grand Prince Vladimir II Monomakh of Kiev. We know about her through various historical records, including the Rus Primary Chronicle, which provides information about her background, marriage, and her role in the Kievan Rus state.
3.) Some of the main settlements of early Rus included Kiev, Novgorod, and Polotsk. These settlements functioned as important trade and administrative centers, connecting the Rus people with Byzantium and other neighboring regions.
4.) The Slavic word "kneginia" means "princess" or "duchess." It is related to the word "knyaz" or "kniaz," meaning "prince" or "duke." Some translations of "knyaz" and "kneginia" can be misleading because they may imply a higher status (such as king or queen) than was actually the case in the Rus context.
5.) Elite Rus women are often referred to as "kouropalatissa" or "sebasta" in Byzantine sources, which are titles associated with high-ranking noblewomen in the Byzantine Empire.
6.) The system of succession in Rus was based on the principle of seniority, which made it difficult for elite women to assert power since they often had to contend with multiple male claimants to the throne, as well as the ever-changing political landscape.
7.) The Izbornik (Miscellany) of 1073 is a collection of religious, legal, and secular texts compiled by Grand Prince Sviatoslav Yaroslavich. Princess Oda of Stade is portrayed in the Izbornik as a wise and devout woman who helped her husband in his reign.
8.) Evidence for elite Rus women owning property comes from various sources, including legal documents, charters, and chronicles, which show that women could own and inherit land, as well as exercise control over their property.
9.) Zhiznomir was a Rus noble who was accused of plotting against the reigning prince. He was forced to flee and seek refuge in another principality.
10.) The "Polatsk Matriarchate" refers to the period in the 11th-12th centuries when the Polatsk principality was ruled by a series of women from the same family. This occurred due to the political and social conditions in the region, which allowed these women to assert their authority and maintain power.
11.) "Roman's grand princess" was Euphrosyne of Polotsk, who ruled as a regent for her minor son after her husband's death. She asserted her authority by maintaining control over her lands and actively participating in political life.
12.) Maria Shvarnovna was a prominent Rus noblewoman who played an important role in 13th-century Rus politics. She acted as a regent for her husband and later her son, and was involved in various diplomatic missions and negotiations.
13.) The evidence for the life and deeds of St. Euphrosyne of Polatsk comes from her hagiography, "The Life of Euphrosyne," as well as various historical records and chronicles. These sources provide information about her religious activities, her founding of a convent, and her role in promoting the Christian faith in Rus.