What are the social strata in ancient Russia?

Old Russian society was socially heterogeneous, and it can be divided into two large categories – the upper classes and the lower classes.

The upper strata of society included the clergy and princes. In turn, these categories were subdivided. The clergy were represented by the wise men, priests, and after 988 by the Orthodox clergy.

The upper class included vigilantes and boyars (descendants of the tribal nobility).

The lower class was subdivided into free community members, dependent categories, which included slaves, smerds, and ryadovichs. Merchants and artisans belonged to the city people.