Who is Ivan from Russka: The Novel of Russia and what is their importance?

Ivan is Olga and Igor's son. The family lives in Kiev, the capital of Russia. In 1066, Ivan is twelve-years-old. He has two brothers, Boris, who is sixteen, and Svietopolk, who is eighteen and married. Ivan's mother is a Slav, and his father is a descendant of the Alans. When his father's attempts to arrange a marriage for him fail, his father tries to send him on a trade caravan which his partner Zydovyn the Khazar is leading, but they decide he is too young. Ivan is described as a dreamer, but he hopes to be accepted as a warrior. As a member of a noble family, Ivan expects to have a brilliant future following his father and brother into the druzhina. His family is dressed in the finest clothing for the trip to the cathedral, but Ivan is told to wear a plain linen shirt. He is unaware that his father has betrayed him and has chosen a religious life for him. His father takes him to a monastery and introduces him to Father Luke. When he meets Father Luke, Ivan realizes what his father has done. He feels betrayed and rejected by his father.

Father Luke, however, decides that Ivan should not become a priest. His father tries to place him in a princely household but fails. Ivan is separated from his family during a revolt, and he hides with the family of his father's partner. Ivan eventually enters the druzhina of Prince Vladimir, receiving Russka as his share of his father's wealth. He marries Emma, the prince's ward, and they have three sons.