Largely flat, steppe-like land to northeast of Byzantine empire Northern latitudes meant land was not strong for farming Greater reliance on trade Crossed.

Emergence of Russian Identity

Largely flat, steppe-like land to northeast of Byzantine empire

Northern latitudes meant land was not strong for farmingGreater reliance on

tradeCrossed by many

prominent riversGood for trade

Where was Kievan Russia?

Large population of SlavsCommon to much

of eastern EuropeLargely an

agrarian peopleVikings moved into

area after being lured by tradeVikings became

early ruling class“Rus” were Slavic

peoples ruled by Viking nobles

Who lived in Kievan Russian land?

Important trading partner with Byzantine empireCity of Kiev was important trade outpost for

both Silk Road and Mediterranean (by way of Constantinople) trade

Predecessor of more modern Russian identityBecame base of Eastern Orthodox Christianity

after collapse of ConstantinopleEastern Orthodox religion became central to

Russian identity

Why was Kievan Russia important?

Geographic location made it heavily influenced by Byzantine Empire

Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine) missionaries were very active in Rus regionMissionaries Cyril and Methodius created Cyrillic

alphabet to help spread Christianity into regionBecame the basis for modern slavic/Russian language (252

million people) In 980 Vladimir I became Grand Prince of Kiev

Converted Christianity and made it religion of his stateImitated culture of Byzantine Empire

Churches, art, architecture, Cyrillic alphabetDestroyed all pagan statues

After conversion by Vladimir, spread of Christianity was slow

How did Christianity spread into Russia?

Center of power was Kiev until 1200’s, Moscow from 1300’s on

Agrarian and Craftsmen basedStrong patriarchy

Women could be sold in to slavery

Upper class women were isolated in certain areas of the home

Feudal form of government even stronger than Western EuropeSerfs (peasant class) even

more restricted than W. Europe

What was early Russian society like?

Kievan Russia declined by 1100Attacks by nomadic neighbors (Huns,

Mongols/Tartars)Decline of Byzantine empire reduced trade revenues

Fell under rule of Mongol (aka Tartar) in 13th centuryMongols were tolerant of ChristianityRussian leader Ivan III ends Mongol rule and moves

Russian capital to MoscowMoscow became major center of Christendom after

collapse of Byzantine empireEastern Orthodox church moved here after fall of

ConstantinopleMoscow claimed to be “3rd Rome”

How did early Russian state develop?