Tell us about the main population groups of the Old Russian state.

In the hierarchy of the ancient Russian state, two large groups of the population are distinguished: the upper and lower classes. The upper classes include various ministers of cults, such as priests, wise men, after the adoption of Christianity, the clergy. The boyars and princes also belong here, these estates occupied the highest administrative positions. There were also warriors, these were the closest wars to the princes and boyars. The lower classes include smerds (free people), slaves who were deprived of their freedom for debts and servants, these are prisoners of war. There were merchants and artisans in the city.