Volodymyr Monomakh (1053-1125) is an iconic figure of the Ukrainian Middle Ages. The grandson of Yaroslav the Wise and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX Monomakh, long before ascending the throne of Kiev, he lived as a defender of the n land, inflicting devastating blows on the Polovtsian hordes, and becoming Grand Duke put an end to their destructive raids. His talent as a peacemaker and statesman was fully manifested after his establishment on the throne of Kiev: the settlement of inter-princely quarrels led to the unification of most of the scattered Russian lands around Kiev. However, these actions were not decisive for the appropriation of the name of Vladimir Monomakh by the imaginary heirs of the Kyivan-Russian heritage.