EARLY RUSSIA AND THE KIEVAN RUS 800s to 1100s CE RUSSIAN PRIMARY CHRONICLE Gives us much of our history of early Russia Written by anonymous monks

Spread of Eastern European Civilization 864 -- Cyril and Methodius Byzantine missionaries Successful in Russia and the Balkans Used Slavic Created Cyrillic alphabet Eastern Orthodox religion-Eastern Europe and Russia Jews immigrated to the region CYRIL AND METHODIUS They failed in Czech and Slovak republics because Roman Catholicism was more successful there Poles, Czechs, and Hungarians converted to Roman Catholicism, along with some southern Slavs (Croats, Serbs, Bulgarians) Succeeded in Balkans and southern Russia Cyrillic alphabet Alphabet created by the missionaries derived from Greek letters Wanted Slavs to be able to read the Bible in their own language SPREAD OF EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY Missionaries were willing to have local languages used in church services (Roman Catholicism insisted on using Latin) COMPETITION BETWEEN EASTERN ORTHODOX AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM There was a lot of competition between the two religions in eastern Europe JEWS Many migrated away from the Middle East and fled intolerance in Western Europe Poland gained the most Jews Eastern Europe’s Jews were largely barred from agriculture by the Christian majority, so they gained strength in commerce Culture was distinguished by emphasis on extensive education and literacy, which set them apart from other Eastern European and world societies at the time This was primarily for males

Cyril and Methodius

THE KIEVAN RUS Heavily influenced by Byzantium Area was populated by Slavs 6th and 7th centuries – Scandinavian traders appeared-Set up governments along their trade routes-Kiev 855 -- Monarchy was established under Rurik BYZANTIUM Also influenced the rest of northeastern Europe SLAVS Nomads who moved from Asia into the sweeping plains of Russia and Eastern Europe during the height of the Roman Empire Measured wealth in fur and slaves Continually at war with the Byzantines Byzantines persuaded them to convert to Christianity Used iron Extended agriculture in Ukraine and western Russia Maintained an animist religion with gods for the sun, thunder, wind, and fire Rich tradition of oral legends SCANDINAVIAN TRADERS Worked through the Slavic lands, moving along Russia’s rivers (like the Dnieper) Dnieper (duh NYEE eh pur) Rivers run south to north Oleg, a Viking, settled in Kiev Flourishing trade developed between Constantinople and Scandinavia Luxury products from Byzantium and the Arab world traveled north in return for furs and other crude products Scandinavians were militarily superior to the Slavs RURIK Danish prince PRINCIPALITY Loosely organized through alliances with regional, landed aristocrats MEANING OF “RUSSIA” May have come from the Greek word for red (which was the hair color of many Scandinavian traders)

BYZANTIUM AND THE RUS Contacts between the two kingdoms increased steadily Kiev became a prosperous trading center Around 1000 – Vladimir I converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity Forced his subjects to convert Controlled major church appointments Separate Russian Orthodox church developed KIEV Had a central location Many Russians visited Constantinople from Kiev VLADIMIR I Married the sister of the Byzantine emperor Rurik descendant who ruled from 980 to 1015 Also called Grand Duke of Kiev Converted to Christianity in his own name and on behalf of his own people Organized massive baptisms for the Russians by military pressure

Kiev

CHARACTERISTICS OF KIEVAN RUS Largest single state in Europe Highly decentralized Yaroslav – Last of the great Kievan princes Codified laws Built many churches Translated religious literature from Greek to Slavic SUCCESSION Rurik’s descendants managed for some time to avoid damaging battles over succession to the throne FORMAL LAW CODE Reduced the severity of traditional punishments Replaced community vendettas with state-run courts (at least in principle)

BOTTOM LEFT Golden Gate of Kiev

INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURE Byzantine influence Ceremonies, luxuries, and absolute power of the leader Fervent devotion to God Ornate churches filled with icons Monogamy Literature Focused on religious and royal events No significant philosophical or scientific contributions BORROWED FROM BYZANTIUM Couldn’t replicate major institutions like the bureaucracy or the elaborate educational system Major princes were attracted to Byzantine ceremonials and luxury and to the concept that a central ruler should have wide powers MONOGAMY Traditionally, polygamy was OK in Russia LITERATURE Used Cyrillic Showered praises on the saints and the power of God Disasters were attributed to the just wrath of God against human wickedness and success in war came from God’s assistance

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Art- Focused on religion Architecture- Orthodox churches Society Peasants were fairly free farmers Boyars – Russian aristocratic class Entertainment Low literacy- story telling Combined music, street performances, and theater ART Kiev specialized in icon painting and illuminated religious manuscripts ORTHODOX CHURCHES Built in the form of a cross surmounted by a dame Building materials were often wood rather than stone Adapted Byzantine domed structures to Russian conditions ENTERTAINMENT The Russian Orthodox church tried to suppress entertainment because they saw it as pagan

BOYARS Had less political power than their counterparts in western Europe (lords under feudalism) Kievan princes still had to negotiate with them YAROSLAV THE WISE (1019-1054) Greatest ruler of the period Arranged over 30 marriages with central European royalty 11 with Germany (6 Russian princes took German wives and 5 German nobles took Russian brides) In spite of his connections with the rest of Europe, Yaroslav still promoted Byzantine styles in the great cathedral of Kiev and used the Byzantine example as the basis for Russia’s first law code

KIEVAN DECLINE – 12TH CENTURY Causes: Rival princes set up regional governments Fighting within the royal family over succession Asian invaders whittled away Russian territory Decline of Byzantium decreased Russian trade and wealth Two Mongol invasions (Mongols are called Tartars by the Russians) BYZANTINE DECLINE Russia had depended heavily on the greater prosperity and sophisticated manufacturing of Byzantine MONGOL INVASIONS Really began in 1169 1237-1238 and 1240-1241 Mongols were from central Asia Moved through Russia and into other parts of eastern Europe Their initial intent was to add all of Europe to their growing empire Easily captured major Russian cities Couldn’t press farther west because of difficulties in their homeland Required tribute from the Russians Despised and feared by the Russians

MONGOL CONTROL OF RUSSIA Lasted for over two centuries Consequences: Further separated Russia from western Europe Russian literature languished Trade lapsed Russia was isolated TRADE LAPSED It lapsed in western Russia South-north commerce of Kievan period never returned RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY AND THE BOYARS WERE SPARED This was because of loose Tatar supervision As long as tribute was paid, Tatar overlords left day-to-day Russian affairs alone

Russian Orthodox Christianity and the boyars were spared Tribute 15th century – Tartars were forced out Russian culture and politics began to reemerge Mantle of east European leadership fell to Russia because of the fall of Byzantium FALL OF BYZANTIUM 1453 Just as Russia was beginning to assert its independence from the Tatars A monk wrote to the Russian king in 1511 that heresy had destroyed the first Roman Empire, the Turks had cut down the second (Byzantium), so now a third, new Rome would stand with Russia

END OF AN ERA IN EASTERN EUROPE Byzantium and Russia were under siege Eastern Europe fell on hard times They had been ahead of western Europe during Byzantine domination, but fell behind western Europe after the fall of Byzantium WESTERN EUROPE Remained free from outside control during this time and continued to develop politically, economically, and culturally Shows how eastern and western Europe were on different trajectories