Princess Olga was the first female ruler in Kievan Rus. She is remembered by future generations for her wisdom and firmness in making decisions discretion and activity in the implementation of the reforms.
Olga was the wife of Prince Igor. After the tribe Drevlians brutally and cowardly killed Igor, it was very difficult to assert Olga`s authority in the lands conquered by her husband. But she had to do it for the next ruler of Kievan Rus, her son Sviatoslav the First Brave. Olga revenged for her husband, having burnt the town of Drevlians.
A legend says that after a long siege, which lasted a whole year, Olga asked the Drevlians to bring her а sparrow from the every house. Olga promised to stop the besiege of the town immediately. The inhabitants gladly agreed on this condition. Olga`s soldiers tied a pieces of the tissue to the legs of the birds, burnt it and let the birds go. Of course, the birds returned to the nests, bringing the fire and spreading it throughout the city. It was a tough but necessary measure, once and forever forced the citizens to obey her. So Olga demonstrated her strength and cunning.
It is said that Olga was a very beautiful and attractive woman, after the death of Igor the Drevlianian Prince Mal, and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine wooed her. A legend about how Olga denied the marriage to Constantine is very interesting. Olga reject him, could not directly that time it could be the cause of the war. Then the princess said that the couple should be one of faith, to go to the same church, she wanted to be baptized and asked Constantine to be her godfather. Constantine agreed. After the christening Olga took the name Elena. And only much later Konstantin realized that he was outwitted. Godfather and goddaughter could not be a husband and a wife. It should be noted that Constantine was not angry, he sent Olga home with rich gifts.
Olga was committed to the ideals of Christianity until the end of her life; she invited the bishop and the priests to Kiev. Olga was not only the first female ruler in Kievan Rus, but also the first Christian ruler. Olga is considered to be the founder of the city Pskov. The names, such as Olginska embankment, Olginsky bridge, associated with her life survived up to now. During her reign (945-964 years), she streamlined the gathering of taxes in Kievan Rus, established in the territory of Kiev’s power the strongholds, and signed an agreement with Constantinople.
All this time Olga raised a son Sviatoslav, who became famous later on his courage. 964 year is considered to be the first year of self-reign of Sviatoslav in Kiev. Olga continued to help the son with advices, participated in the education of young grandchildren. In 968, during the attack on Kiev of the Pechenegs, Igor was in Pereyaslavets on the Danube and Olga with young grandchildren, organized the defense of Kiev. The princess died in the following year and was buried according to Christian tradition. Her son was not a Christian and did not become him for a lifetime, but deeply respected the faith of his mother’s last will.
The Order of the Princess Olga was established in Ukraine in the year 2000. The Order is awarded to the women who have achieved a great success in the industrial, political, social activities, as well as parenting and work for the good of the family. In the center of Kiev is a monument to Princess Olga. As well as a monument to her is installed in Pskov. This is further evidence that for centuries Olga is for Ukrainians the personification of Ukrainian female beauty, strength, courage, love of mother to a child, and love to the Motherland.