A Brief Overview of History of Russian Society and Culture Stories that bring you there and make connections Lyra Riabov Associate Professor Southern New Hampshire University Four-Part Program

The Roots of Russian National Character Lecture 1 Lyra Riabov Associate Professor Southern New Hampshire University

University of Texas Library Online Russian Federation Population: 149,909,089 (July 1995 est.) Land: 6.6 million square miles slightly more than 1.8 times the size of the US. The Soviet Union was larger than the USA and Canada combined. Time zones: 11. When it is 7p.m. in Moscow, it is 6a.m. the following day in a village on the Bering Strait. Russian Federation, 21 autonomous republics Nationalities: Russians and about 100 minorities Independence: 24 August 1991 Executive branch: President Legislative branch: Federal Assembly and State Duma Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Supreme Court

The Roots of Russian National Character Grand Prince Vladimir adopted Orthodox Christianity in 988 Two hundred year Mongol invasion ( ) Democracy roots in Great Novgorod and Rise of Moskovy (XII th – XV th centuries) Fascinating art and architecture of Kievan Rus, Novgorod, and Moscow (XI th – XVI th centuries)

Vikings/Varangians The name Russia comes from “Rus”, the name originally given to the Varangians who entered the area of Novgorod and Kiev in the IX th century. Among the most famous of the ancient trade routes was the one called "from the Vikings to the Greeks." To a large degree Kiev and Novgorod, the principal cities of Ancient Rus, flourished because they were located along the waterways of this important route Novgorod invites Riurik of Varangians (Norsemen) to rule their town. He and his successors united several towns including Kiev Riurikid Dynasty ruled Kievan Rus.

Eastern Europe Eleventh/Twelfth Centuries Russian Principalities Twelfth Century

The Battle Between the Novgorodians and the Suzdalians Novgorod Icons circa St. George and Serpent

988 - Grand Prince Vladimir adopted Orthodox Christianity Our Lady of Vladimir. XII th century. Wood, tempera.The State Tretyakov Gallery Monument to Millennium of Russia, Novgorod, 1859

Christianity: Icons, Painters, Schools Moscow School Boris and Gleb Andrei Rublev (ca ca )

Theophanes the Greek c c.1410 Andrei Rublev c c Dionysius c c. 1510

Unification of Russia Ivan the Great Reigns as Grant Prince of Moscow ( )

Church of Intercession-on-Nerl XII th Century Rostov Kremlin XVII th Century

Russian Artists in a workshop Finift Enamel Ivan the Terrible Vasnetsov