1. Early
Russian
History

2. Themes in Russian History
Expansion by conquest.
Need for warm-water ports.
The necessity of a strong, central government.

3. Viking Invasions

5. Kievan Rus 800 - invasion of Viking tribes– from north of the Baltic.
Trade partner and sometime enemy of Byzantine Empire.
Rurik est. Kiev Rus
Independent city states
Tribute to Grand Prince of Kiev
Chosen by boyars or nobles

6. Kievan Rus

8. Rulers of the Kievan Rus Vladimir I (980)
Missionaries – Cyrill and Methodius
(980) Vladimir I –
Chose Eastern Orthodox over Roman Catholicism
Won’t be subject to pope
Married the Byzantine emperor’s sister.
People accept kings control of Church
Brought Christianity and Greco-Roman civilization to Russia.
Linked to Byz. politically and culturally

9. Rulers of the Kievan Rus Yaroslav I (1010 – 1054) Yaroslav the Wise
Rulers of the Kievan Rus Yaroslav I (1010 – 1054) Yaroslav the Wise. ( Vladimire’s son
Created a Russian law code based on Justinian’s Code
Russkaya Pravda
Russian Justice
Instituted a Golden Age of Kievan Russia.
Built churches and a new capital city in Byzantine Style
Promoted education

10. Early Byzantine Influences: Orthodox Christianity
Expansion of Byzantine culture northward was through conversion of Kiev to Orthodox Christianity

11. Influenced by Byzantine Politics
Russia adopted the concept of divinely inspired monarchy with close relations to state-controlled church
Were unable to adopt the Byzantine trained bureaucracy however

12. Early Byzantine Influences: Cyrillic Alphabet
Byzantine missionaries, Cyril and Methodius sent to convert eastern Europe and the Balkans created the script

13. Trade Baltic Sea Nations, Baghdad, Byzanatines Exported
Honey, wool, hides, timber
People greatest resource
Used as tribute, sold to Constantinople as slaves
Increasing dependence on Constantinople.

14. Invasions Northern Russians sack Kiev 1169,1204
1240 Mongols (Tartars) invade
Khanate of Golden Horde
250 years
Moscow collects tribute for Mongols
Kiev destroyed.

15. Novgorod Next largest, muticultural
Extensive trade with Baltic and Black Sea Area, Eastern Russia, Western Europe
Becomes independent 1100’s.
Becomes part of emerging Russian empire.

16. Rulers of the Kievan Rus Ivan the Great (1462-1505)
( ) Ivan III or Ivan the Great – absolute ruler. Took the title of czar
Czar – Absolute ruler of Russia: from Roman word – Caesar
Defeated the Mongols, who had gained control of Russia
Extended Russian territory

17. Byzantine Influence on Russia
Government
Autocracy
Czar (Tsar)

18. Byzantine Influence on Russia
Architecture
Onion Dome