Why Was Rurik Important?

He built the Holmgard settlement near Novgorod in the 860s and founded the first significant dynasty in Russian history called the Rurik Dynasty. ... Rurik and his heirs also established a significant geographical and political formation known as Kievan Rus', the first incarnation of modern Russia.

How did Rurik come to power?

According to the chronicle, the people of Novgorod, tired of political strife, invited the Varangians about ad 862 to establish an orderly and just government there. Hence, Rurik came with his two brothers and a large retinue (druzhina) and became ruler of the city and region of Novgorod.

What was the Rurik dynasty in Russia?

Rurik Dynasty, princes of Kievan Rus and, later, Muscovy who, according to tradition, were descendants of the Varangian prince Rurik, who had been invited by the people of Novgorod to rule that city (c. 862); the Rurik princes maintained their control over Kievan Rus and, later, Muscovy until 1598.