Dates: March 13, 963 - 1011
Known for: married to Vladimir I "the Great" of Kiev; her marriage was the occasion of the conversion of Vladimir to Christianity and thus the Christianization of Russia
About Anna: Anna was a Byzantine princess, probably the daughter of the Byzantine Empress Theophano and Byzantine Emperor Romanus II, and thus the sister of Basil II (though occasionally identified as Basil's daughter). Basil arranged for Anna to be married to Vladimir I of Kiev, called "the Great," in 988. This marriage is sometimes credited for Vladimir's conversion to Christianity (as has the influence of his grandmother, Olga) -- his previous wives had been pagans as he had been before 988.
After the baptism, Basil tried to back out of the marriage agreement, but Vladimir invaded the Crimea and Basil relented.
Anna's arrival brought significant Byzantine cultural influence to Russia. Their daughter married Karol "the Restorer" of Poland. Vladimir was killed in an uprising in which some of his former wives and their children participated.
Places: Byzantine, Kiev, Russia
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