largely flat, steppe-like land to northeast of byzantine empire northern latitudes meant land was...
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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?
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