The Rise of Russia

9D1

Notes

The Slavs

In AD 500, the Slavs in Russia were hunter-gatherers.

They were few in number, disorganized, and not a threat to the Byzantine Empire.

Notes

The Rus

In AD 800, the Vikings conquered the Slavs in Russia.

They were called the Rus because they had long red hair and beards.

The Rus organized the Slavs in a kingdom around Kiev.

The Slavs became strong under the Rus and threatened the Byzantine Empire.

Notes

The Byzantine Missionaries

The Byzantines thought they could quietly “conquer” the Slavs if they converted them to Christianity.

The Byzantines sent out missionaries to convert the Slavs to Christianity.

One was named Cyril, who arrived in Russia around AD 860.

Notes

Cyril adapted his Greek alphabet to the Slavic language, creating the Cyrillic alphabet.

Allowed the Slavs to translate Greek Bibles into the Slavic language.

Many Slavs converted to Christianity because of his work.

Notes

Vladimir the Great

The Byzantines often brought Russian princes to Constantinople to “wow” them.

The Russian princes who went often wanted to be the friends of the Byzantine Empire.

Vladimir the Great asked to marry the sister of the emperor in AD 989.

Notes

The emperor demanded that the Russians convert to Christianity as part of the deal.

Vladimir and his people converted to Christianity that year.

The Eastern Orthodox Church became the state religion of Russia for the next 900 years.

Notes

Yaroslav the Wise

The Russians emulated the Byzantine Empire.

Yaroslav the Wise (ruled AD 1019 to AD 1054).

– Set up schools to teach the Slavs about Byzantine culture.

– Built the Cathedral of St. Sophia, emulating the architecture of the Hagia Sophia.

– Wrote the Pravda Russkaya, Russian Justice, based on the Code of Justinian.