Themes Themes in Russian Historyin Russian History

Expansion by conquest.Expansion by conquest.

Need for warm-water ports.Need for warm-water ports.

The necessity of a strong, The necessity of a strong, central government.central government.

Kievan Rus

• Begun by invasion of Viking tribes – also known as Slavs – from north of the Baltic.

• Both trade partner and sometime enemy of the Byzantine Empire.

Kievan RusDuring Roman times, the Slavs expanded into southern Russia. Like the Germanic peoples who pushed into western Europe, the Slavs had a simple political organization divided into clans. They lived in small villages, farmed, and traded along the rivers that ran between the Baltic and the Black seas.

In the 700s and 800s, the Vikings steered their long ships out of Scandinavia. These expert sailors were as much at home on Russian rivers as on the stormy Atlantic. The Vikings, called Varangians by later Russians, worked their way south along the rivers, trading with and collecting tribute from the Slavs. They also conducted a thriving trade with Constantinople.

Located at the heart of this vital trade network was the city of Kiev. In time, it would become the center of the first Russian state.

Viking Invasions

Kievan Rus

Rulers of the Kievan Rus Vladimir I (980)

(980) Vladimir I – Extremely war-like ruler of Kiev. Invited missionaries from Judaism, Islam and Christianity to offer reasons for conversion.Married the Byzantine emperor’s sister.Brought Christianity and Greco-Roman civilization to Russia.

Rulers of the Kievan RusYaroslav I (1010 – 1054)

Created a Russian law code Created a Russian law code based on Justinian’s Code.based on Justinian’s Code.

Instituted a Golden Age of Instituted a Golden Age of Kievan Russia. Built Kievan Russia. Built churches and a new capital churches and a new capital city.city.

Allied Russia with the restAllied Russia with the rest of Europe by marrying his of Europe by marrying his children to European rulers.children to European rulers.

Early Byzantine Influences:Early Byzantine Influences:Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox Christianity

Expansion of Byzantine culture northward was through conversion of Kiev to Orthodox Christianity

Early Byzantine Influences:Early Byzantine Influences:Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox Christianity

Religious artifacts included churches, icons, and liturgical music as expressed in Byzantine culture

Influenced by Byzantine Politics

• Russia adopted the concept of divinely inspired monarchy with close relations to state-controlled church

• Were unable to adopt the Byzantine trained bureaucracy however

Early Byzantine Influences:Early Byzantine Influences:Cyrillic AlphabetCyrillic Alphabet

Byzantine missionaries, Cyril and Methodius sent to convert eastern Europe and the Balkans created the script

Alexander Nevsky: 1220-1263Alexander Nevsky: 1220-1263

Battle on the IceBattle on the Ice(Neva River) (Neva River) Against the Against the

SwedesSwedes

TeutonicTeutonicKnightKnight

Russian ExpansionRussian Expansion

The Mongols Invade RussiaThe Mongols Invade RussiaTartars conquered Russian cities during the 13th century and left Russian church and aristocracy intact, as long as tribute was paid.

“Third Rome”

• Russians re-emerged after Mongol control ended in the 15th century and claimed to be the successors of the Roman and Byzantine states

• Moscow was considered to be the “Third Rome”

Rulers of the Kievan RusIvan the Great (1462-1505)

(1462-1505) Ivan III or Ivan the Great – absolute ruler. Took the title of czarCzar – Absolute ruler of Russia: from Roman word – CaesarDefeated the Mongols, who had gained control of RussiaExtended Russian territory

Byzantine Influence on Russia

• Kiev small Viking state on Dnieper River– River provided easy access to sea promotes trade and

cultural diffusion– Lays foundations for modern Russia

Byzantine Influence on Russia

• Olga, Vladimir, & Conversion to Christianity– Princess Olga visits Constantinople in 957 and converts to

Christianity– Vladimir

• Olga’s grandson• Decides his realm should adopt an official religion• Commissions a report on the three major religions

– Christianity, Judaism, and Islam– Adopts Christianity

» Baptizes all citizens of Kiev in the Dnieper River» Imports teachers from the Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Influence on Russia

• Government– Autocracy– Czar (Tsar)

Byzantine Influence on Russia

• Architecture– Onion Dome