ladimir Monomakh’s ethical and political program

Abstract

The religious grounds of Vladimir Monomakh's political views are analyzed in the arti­cle. The author reconstructs the points of the political testament of Monomakh. The main ideas of his ethic and political program are reconstructed. The Grand Duke recommended to evade sin, to be a just judge, to protect the weak, to have a mortal memory and to keep in their heart the fear of God. Actions in such paradigm imposed considerable restrictions for governors of the power because they held down them in the choice of means. The au­thor compares the ethical and political program of Monomakh with the facts of his biog­raphy. It is shown that in real political practice Monomakh retreated from his own moral program. The author concludes that Monomakh was the first Russian leader to formulate requirements to the power itself proposing an ideal image of the Christian Prince.