Matveyev Kurgan
Matveyev Kurgan () is a rural locality (a settlement) and the administrative center of Matveyevo-Kurgansky District, Rostov Oblast, Russia. Demographics Its population has grown over the decades: History The Russians started settling this territory district in the beginning of the 18th century under the orders of Peter I. The Mius river basin was settled especially in the second half of the 1770s and early 1780s. Thus, the history of the village of Matveev Kurgan dates to 1780. It was founded by the Cossack Ataman Ilovaiskiy. These places are mentioned in the legend of "The Word about Igor's regiment". The eighteenth century saw the colonization of Russia's southern territories. Runaway serfs who were attracted by the favorable climate and proximity to seas and rivers migrated to Matveyev Kurgan. Matvey was one of those settlers. He was known as "Terrible", because he was a terror to all passing carts. This legendary image is reminiscent of Robin Hood. Like the latter Matvey robbed passing merchants and helped the poor, for which he was hated by the first and idolized by the second. Matvey lived in the steppes of Primiusye, uniting hundreds of like-minded people, and became their leader – Ataman. According to the