1. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS

2. NON-SLAVIC PEOPLES  CIMMERIANS: @ 12 th -8 th c. BC  SCYTHIANS: 8th-3 rd c. BC  GREEKS  SARMATIANS: 3 rd c. BC-3 rd c. AD

3. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS NON-SLAVIC PEOPLES  IRANIAN INFLUENCE Pattern of military & political organization Language, customs, religion Art & craftsmanship

4. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS NON-SLAVIC PEOPLES  GREEK INFLUENCE Cultural exchange Trade & commerce Interaction & intermarriage

5. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS NON-SLAVIC PEOPLES  INVASIONS Goths: 3 rd c. AD Huns: 4 th c. AD Avars: 6 th c. AD Khazars: 7 th c. AD

6. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS SLAVS  Dominant population in region  Expanded in 5 th -6 th c  Eventually split into 3 groups: East Slavs South Slavs West Slavs

7. RUSSIA BEFORE THE RUSSIANS EAST SLAVS  By 9 th c., society well-developed  Flourishing economy based on agriculture & trade  Localized political organization  Diverse influences