The Rurikids were a dynasty that ruled over parts of Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, from the 9th to the 16th centuries. They are believed to have descended from Rurik, a Varangian prince who established his rule in Novgorod around 862 AD. The dynasty played a crucial role in the formation of the early Russian state and the spread of Christianity in the region. Throughout their reign, the Rurikids produced many notable rulers, including Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia. The dynasty's influence waned in the late 16th century, leading to the Time of Troubles, a period of political instability. The Rurikids eventually ended with the death of Feodor I in 1598, paving the way for the Romanov dynasty.