List of East Slavic duchies demonstrates territorial division of the Grand Duchy of Kiev through the years. The first known division of the Ruthenian territory took place in 969 when it was divided between the son of Sviatoslav I of Kiev. Until then it is believed that the Grand Prince ruled from Kiev, while Novgorod was governed by its namestnik (a viceroy/trustee/voivode). In 978-980 the first civil war was taking place between the Sviatoslav's descendants, upon conclusion of which Yaropolk was displaced by the governor of Novgorod Vladimir the Great.