Also spelled Rorik, or Hrorekr, Russian Ryurik (d. c. ad879), the semilegendary founder of the Rurik dynasty of Kievan Rus Viking, or Varangian, prince. His story is told in the "Russian Primary Chronicle" (compiled at the beginning of the 12th century) but is not accepted at face value by modern historians. 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.

Some historians think that Rurik came from the Scandinavian peninsula or from Jutland (now in Denmark) and seized the town of Ladoga, on Lake Ladoga. After establishing a stronghold there (c. 855), he may have gone southward along the Volkhov and captured Novgorod. Another possibility is that Rurik and his army were mercenaries, hired to guard the Volkhov-Dnepr waterway, who turned against their employers.

Rurik's kinsman, Oleg, founded the grand principality of Kiev. Oleg's successor, Igor, believed to be Rurik's son, is considered the real founder of the Russian princely house.

The line of succession in the Rurik dynasty was from the eldest brother to the youngest brother, who was then succeeded by his eldest nephew whose father had been a grand prince. This pattern was generally followed through the reigns, (following Rurik, Oleg (not related) and Igor) of Svyatopolk (1015-19), Yaroslav (1019-54), his sons Izyaslav (1054-68; 1069-73 and 1077-78); Svyatoslav (1073-76); and Vsevolod (1078-93); and Svyatopolk II (son of Izyaslav, ruled 1093-1113). The successions were accomplished, however, amid continual civil wars. In addition to the princes' unwillingness to adhere to the pattern and readiness to seize their positions by force instead, the system was upset whenever a city rejected the prince designated to rule it. It was also undermined by the tendency of the princes to settle in regions they ruled rather than move from city to city to become the prince of Kiev. The seat of power in the region gradually moved to cities other than Kiev. Following the Mongol invasion in 1240 the Russian princes were obliged to seek a patent from the Mongol khan in order to rule as grand prince. The princes in Moscow eventually became dominant. The dynasty lasted until the male line died out in 1598 (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th ed., 1992. Chicago : Encyclopaedia Britannica, pg. 243-244).