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
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