"fortified settlement"). A volost consisted of several vervs or hromadas (commune or community). A local official was called a volostel or starosta. Yaroslav the Wise assigned a priority to the major principalities to reduce familial conflict over succession. Kyiv and Novgorod, for the eldest son (Iziaslav in his case), who became grand prince (velykyi kniaz) Chernihiv and Tmutorokan (Sviatoslav) Pereiaslav and Rostov-Suzdal (Vsevolod) Smolensk (Viacheslav) Volhynia (Ihor) Not mentioned by Yaroslav were Polatsk, ruled by Yaroslav's older brother Iziaslav that was to remain under his descendants, and Galicia, eventually taken by the dynasty of his grandson Rostyslav. Other principalities included Siversk, and smaller territories like the lands of the Polianians (also called Rus'), Drevlian and Turiv-Pynsk (Turaŭ-Pinsk) lands. 11th century Novgorod Land 862–1478 the allied territory of Kievan Rus'; from 1136 the Novgorod Republic Rostov Principality until 1125; became Vladimir-Suzdal Principality in 1155 9th century – 14th century (separatist territory, partial suzerainty under Kievan Rus') Principality of Minsk from 1054 Principality of Pereyaslavl Principality of Volhynia Principality of Kiev from 1132 to 1399 Principality of Galicia Principality of Turov and Pinsk Principality of Chernigov Murom-Ryazan Principality until 1078 Principality of Novgorod-Seversk City of Tmutarakan from 988 until some time in the 12th century Belaya Vezha from 965 until some time in the 12th century Southern dependencies''' Oleshky, New Galich, Peresechen' Drevlian territories annexed to Rus' by Oleg ?–884; 912–946 (vassal of Rus' from 914, Drevlians Uprising in 945) Major cities Belgorod Kievsky, capital of Rus' under Rurik Rostislavich Chernigov, capital along with Kiev from 1024 to 1036 (joint rule between Yaroslav and Mstislav) Halych Kiev Minsk, centre of Principality of Minsk Murom Pereyaslavets, capital of Rus' from 969 to 971 (in present-day Romania) Polotsk Rostov Veliky Ryazan Smolensk Staraya Ladoga Suzdal Tmutarakan Novgorod Vladimir Vyshgorod, princes' residence and royal library (at Mezhyhirya) Historical assessment Kievan Rus', although sparsely populated compared to Western Europe, was not only the largest contemporary European state in terms of area but also culturally advanced. Literacy in Kiev, Novgorod and other large cities was high; as birch bark documents attest, inhabitants exchanged love letters and prepared cheat sheets for schools. Novgorod had a sewage system and wood pavement not often found in other cities at the time. The Russkaya Pravda confined punishments to fines and generally did not use capital punishment. Certain rights were accorded to women, such as property and inheritance rights. The economic development