In Russian fairy tales, epics, and ancient songs, the image of a “white swan” woman is often found - beautiful and wise, and if necessary, brave and decisive. This collective image had a real basis. Among the women of Ancient Rus' there were many outstanding personalities. Many of the women of Ancient Rus' were well educated, talented and spent their time not in idleness, but in useful work. Thus, the famous Princess Olga, after the death of her husband, Prince Igor, independently ruled all of Russia, showing extraordinary statesmanship and foresight. In addition, she was the first of the Russian rulers to decide on such an important step as accepting Christianity. And in the Polotsk land, after the Polotsk prince was captured and sent into exile, his wife, Princess Sophia, and then his daughter, Euphrosyne, became the ruler. One of the granddaughters of Yaroslav the Wise, Anna Vsevolodovna, founded the first school for girls in Rus', where she herself taught them “writing, crafts, singing, sewing and other activities useful to them.” The next book in the series tells about the most famous and outstanding wives and virgins of Ancient Rus' .