Foundations of Russian Civilization Lesson 4

Main Ideas: Until the 9 th Cent. C.E., Russia was sparsely populated, underdeveloped, and culturally challengedUntil the 9 th Cent. C.E., Russia was sparsely populated, underdeveloped, and culturally challenged Orthodox missionary efforts and trade with Constantinople made Russia a Byzantine cultural satelliteOrthodox missionary efforts and trade with Constantinople made Russia a Byzantine cultural satellite The empire of Kiev Rus’ dominated Russia until internal divisions and invasion led to its destructionThe empire of Kiev Rus’ dominated Russia until internal divisions and invasion led to its destruction

Russia to 800 Native inhabitants are Slavic peoplesNative inhabitants are Slavic peoples Viking incursionsViking incursionsViking incursionsViking incursions – Dvina & Dnieper R. Dvina & Dnieper R. Dvina & Dnieper R. Settlements and enslavement of SlavsSettlements and enslavement of Slavs Early trade links to ConstantinopleEarly trade links to Constantinople

Cyril & Methodius The race to Christianize RussiaThe race to Christianize Russia Sts. Cyril & MethodiusSts. Cyril & Methodius – Cyrillic alphabet – Cultural implications Catholicism & Judaism in E. EuropeCatholicism & Judaism in E. Europe

Rise of Kiev Rus’ Rurik & the Kievan principalitiesRurik & the Kievan principalities – alliances, not unified kingdom – how unified is Kiev? Love/hate with ConstantinopleLove/hate with Constantinople – key trade goods – friend or foe?

Russia & the Orthodoxy Courtship of Vladimir ICourtship of Vladimir I – Roman Catholicism— papal influence – Islam—forbids alcohol – Orthodoxy—field trip to Constantinople “Conversion” & the Russian Orthodoxy“Conversion” & the Russian Orthodoxy –Video: Russia—Land of the Tsars Solidification under Yaroslav the WiseSolidification under Yaroslav the Wise – law code

Early Russian Culture “Typically Russian”“Typically Russian” –grim reality of Russian life – tendency toward fatalism –Russian personal values Byzantine influences:Byzantine influences: – religion & art – highly centralized society (not govt...yet)

Collapse of Kiev Rus’ Boyars: Russian noblesBoyars: Russian nobles Authority in Russian societyAuthority in Russian society – boyar resistance to Grand Prince Mongol Invasions & sacking of KievMongol Invasions & sacking of Kiev Impacts on ByzantiumImpacts on Byzantium