EARLY RUSSIA AND THE KIEVAN RUS 800s to 1100s CE

EARLY RUSSIA EARLY RUSSIA AND THE KIEVAN AND THE KIEVAN

RUSRUS800s to 1100s CE800s to 1100s CE

Spread of Eastern European Spread of Eastern European CivilizationCivilization

864 -- Cyril and Methodius864 -- Cyril and Methodius Byzantine missionariesByzantine missionaries Successful in Russia and the BalkansSuccessful in Russia and the Balkans

Used SlavicUsed Slavic Created Cyrillic alphabetCreated Cyrillic alphabet

Eastern Orthodox religion-Eastern Eastern Orthodox religion-Eastern Europe and RussiaEurope and Russia

Jews immigrated to the regionJews immigrated to the region

Cyril and Methodius

THE KIEVAN RUS THE KIEVAN RUS

Heavily influenced by ByzantiumHeavily influenced by Byzantium Area was populated by SlavsArea was populated by Slavs 66thth and 7 and 7thth centuries – Scandinavian centuries – Scandinavian

traders appeared-Set up governments traders appeared-Set up governments along their trade routes-along their trade routes-KievKiev

855 -- Monarchy was established 855 -- Monarchy was established under Rurikunder Rurik

BYZANTIUM AND THE RUSBYZANTIUM AND THE RUS

Contacts between the two kingdoms Contacts between the two kingdoms increased steadilyincreased steadily

Kiev became a prosperous trading centerKiev became a prosperous trading center Around 1000 – Vladimir I converted to Around 1000 – Vladimir I converted to

Eastern Orthodox ChristianityEastern Orthodox Christianity Forced his subjects to convertForced his subjects to convert Controlled major church appointmentsControlled major church appointments Separate Russian Orthodox church Separate Russian Orthodox church

developeddeveloped

Kiev

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF KIEVAN RUSKIEVAN RUS

Largest single state in EuropeLargest single state in Europe Highly decentralized Highly decentralized

Yaroslav – Last of the great Kievan Yaroslav – Last of the great Kievan princesprinces Codified lawsCodified laws Built many churchesBuilt many churches Translated religious literature from Translated religious literature from

Greek to SlavicGreek to Slavic

INSTITUTIONS AND INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURECULTURE

Byzantine influenceByzantine influence Ceremonies, luxuries, and absolute power of the Ceremonies, luxuries, and absolute power of the

leaderleader Fervent devotion to GodFervent devotion to God Ornate churches filled with iconsOrnate churches filled with icons MonogamyMonogamy

LiteratureLiterature Focused on religious and royal eventsFocused on religious and royal events

No significant philosophical or scientific No significant philosophical or scientific contributionscontributions

Icons

Art- Focused on religionArt- Focused on religion Architecture- Orthodox churchesArchitecture- Orthodox churches SocietySociety

Peasants were fairly free farmersPeasants were fairly free farmers Boyars – Russian aristocratic classBoyars – Russian aristocratic class

EntertainmentEntertainment Low literacy- story tellingLow literacy- story telling Combined music, street performances, and Combined music, street performances, and

theatertheater

KIEVAN DECLINE – 12KIEVAN DECLINE – 12THTH CENTURYCENTURY Causes:Causes:

Rival princes set up regional governmentsRival princes set up regional governments Fighting within the royal family over Fighting within the royal family over

successionsuccession Asian invaders whittled away Russian territoryAsian invaders whittled away Russian territory Decline of Byzantium decreased Russian trade Decline of Byzantium decreased Russian trade

and wealthand wealth Two Mongol invasions (Mongols are called Two Mongol invasions (Mongols are called

Tartars by the Russians)Tartars by the Russians)

MONGOL CONTROL OF MONGOL CONTROL OF RUSSIARUSSIA

Lasted for over two centuriesLasted for over two centuries Consequences:Consequences:

Further separated Russia from western Further separated Russia from western EuropeEurope

Russian literature languishedRussian literature languished Trade lapsedTrade lapsed Russia was isolatedRussia was isolated

Russian Orthodox Christianity and the Russian Orthodox Christianity and the boyars were sparedboyars were spared TributeTribute

1515thth century – Tartars were forced out century – Tartars were forced out Russian culture and politics began to Russian culture and politics began to

reemergereemerge Mantle of east European leadership fell to Mantle of east European leadership fell to

Russia because of the fall of ByzantiumRussia because of the fall of Byzantium

END OF AN ERA IN EASTERN END OF AN ERA IN EASTERN EUROPEEUROPE

Byzantium and Russia were under Byzantium and Russia were under siegesiege

Eastern Europe fell on hard timesEastern Europe fell on hard times They had been ahead of western Europe They had been ahead of western Europe

during Byzantine domination, but fell during Byzantine domination, but fell behind western Europe after the fall of behind western Europe after the fall of ByzantiumByzantium