A thousand-year-old domestic tradition connects the name of Rurik with the founding of the Old Russian state and the Rurik dynasty, which ruled for many centuries. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, it was he and his two brothers, Sineus and Truvor, who were called to rule by the Eastern European tribes. By right of seniority, Rurik became the first prince, and since both of his brothers soon died, he became the founder of the dynasty. The ancient chronicler passes over in silence the origins of the prince and important details of his life, which is why he still remains one of the most controversial and mysterious figures in Russian history. The historian M. Seryakov, wondering who Rurik and his brothers were, talks about the state of affairs that developed in the north of Eastern Europe in the 9th century before the calling of the Varangian princes, and about the specific reasons that prompted the local tribes to make just such a choice.< /p>