Monomakhovichi

Monomakhovichi or House of Monomakh was a major princely branch of the Rurikid dynasty, descendants of which managed to inherit many princely titles which originated in Kievan Rus'. The progenitor of the house is Vladimir II Monomakh (son of Vsevolod). The name derived from the grandfather of Vladimir, Byzantine emperor Constantine IX Monomachos of the Monomachos family.

Due to its dominance and conflicts within itself, the branch was subdivided into three major factions: the sons of Mstislav I of Kiev, Izyaslavichi and Rostislavichi; and the sons of Yuri Dolgorukiy, Yurievichi. The split occurred in the 12th century. By that time, Kievan Rus' has already lost its control over the Principality of Polotsk (Iziaslavichi, later Vseslavichi) and the Principality of Halych (Romanovichi), which were self-governed by other branches of the Rurikid dynasty. The Monomakhovichi were in conflict with these branches.