Lecture 1. Theme: Ukraine from the earliest times till the middle of the 17 th century. Plan: Early history Early history Kyivan Rus’ Kyivan Rus’ Period of Lithuanian and Polish rule Period of Lithuanian and Polish rule

Map of Ukraine

Early History 1. Human settlement in the territory of Ukraine dates back to at least 4500 BC 2. There were numerous tribes in Ukraine, some nomadic, some agricultural; most of the time at war with each other 3. The oldest known main inhabitants of Ukraine were Cimmerians 4. Cimmerians were replaced in 5th century BC by Scythians, who ruled till 2nd century BC 5. About 370 AD, the first Asian horde of Huns expelled Goths from Ukraine 6. According to legends, Kyiv was founded in the 5th century by three brothers Kiy, Shchek and Khoriv and their sister Lebid

Kyivan Rus’ In the 9th century, Kiev was conquered by the Varangian noble Oleh who was the ruler of the Rus from 882 to 912 In the 9th century, Kiev was conquered by the Varangian noble Oleh who was the ruler of the Rus from 882 to 9129th centuryVarangian th centuryVarangian Oleh moved the capital of Rus from Novgorod to Kiev and laid the foundation for the powerful state of Kievan Rus Oleh moved the capital of Rus from Novgorod to Kiev and laid the foundation for the powerful state of Kievan RusRusKievKievan Rus KievKievan Rus Prince Ihor followed Oleh ( ) Prince Ihor followed Oleh ( ) After Ihor's death, his wife Olha ruled Kievan Rus as regent (945-c. 963) for their son, Svyatoslav After Ihor's death, his wife Olha ruled Kievan Rus as regent (945-c. 963) for their son, SvyatoslavKievan Rus945963SvyatoslavKievan Rus945963Svyatoslav Olha changed the system of tribute gathering what may be regarded as the first legal reform recorded in Eastern Europe Olha changed the system of tribute gathering what may be regarded as the first legal reform recorded in Eastern Europe Olha was the first Rus ruler to convert to Christianity Olha was the first Rus ruler to convert to ChristianityChristianity

Golden Age of Kyiv Volodymyr the Great ( ) adopted Christianity in 988 Volodymyr the Great ( ) adopted Christianity in 988 Volodymyr fortified Kyiv against Pechenegs Volodymyr fortified Kyiv against Pechenegs Yaroslav the Wise became one of the most powerful rulers in Europe Yaroslav the Wise became one of the most powerful rulers in Europe A church hierarchy was established, headed by the metropolitan of Kyiv A church hierarchy was established, headed by the metropolitan of Kyiv Yaroslav promoted family ties with other kingdoms, built many churches, improved Kyiv's fortifications, introduced laws and established courts Yaroslav promoted family ties with other kingdoms, built many churches, improved Kyiv's fortifications, introduced laws and established courts To celebrate his victory over the Pechenegs he sponsored the construction of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in 1037 To celebrate his victory over the Pechenegs he sponsored the construction of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in 1037PechenegsSaint Sophia CathedralPechenegsSaint Sophia Cathedral Yaroslav was a notable patron of book culture and learning Yaroslav was a notable patron of book culture and learning

Galicia-Volhynia  Yaroslav divided the country between his sons, who after his death in 1054, started to fight among themselves.This resulted in a number of small principalities which fought each other.  Western parts of Ukraine - Halych (Galicia) and Volynj (Volhynia) - gradually emerged as leading principalities  Prince Danylo founded city Lviv in 1250 as a defense site against Tatars  In 1253 he accepted the royal crown from the pope  In 1349, Polish king Kazimyezh managed to occupy Halych and part of Volynj.  In 1360 the Prince of Kyiv was overthrown. Ukraine was partitioned between Poland and Lithuania

PERIOD OF LITHUANIAN AND POLISH RULE ( ).  In 1413 a decision was made to allow only Catholics to occupy important government positions. Wide-spread discrimination against the Orthodox population followed.  To defend themselves from the Tatars, people constructed forts called "Sitch”  In 1569, with the Union of Lublin, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was made. Most of Ukraine became part of Poland  Peasants lost their land ownership and civil rights and gradually became serfs, exploited as manpower in agriculture and forestry  There was a modest revival of Ukrainian culture later in 16th century. Church schools and seminaries were set up

PERIOD OF LITHUANIAN AND POLISH RULE ( ).  Such a situation was the main cause, which multiplied the influx of people to Cossack territory, increasing the Cossack’s strength.  Over three centuries of Lithuanian and Polish rule, Ukraine by the middle of the 17th century had undergone substantial social evolution  Since the 13th century many Poles, Armenians, Germans, and Jews had settled in the cities and towns, where the Ukrainians were often reduced to a minority Jews  The Union of Brest-Litovsk caused a deep split in the Ruthenian church and society Union of Brest-LitovskUnion of Brest-Litovsk

References : 1. Subtelny, Orest. Ukraine: A History. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (1988). 1. Subtelny, Orest. Ukraine: A History. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (1988).Subtelny 2. Andrew Wilson. The Ukrainians: Unexpected Nation. Yale University Press; 2nd edition (2002). 2. Andrew Wilson. The Ukrainians: Unexpected Nation. Yale University Press; 2nd edition (2002).Andrew WilsonAndrew Wilson 3. Anna Reid. Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine. London, Orion Books; 4th impression (1998, preface 2003). 3. Anna Reid. Borderland: A Journey Through the History of Ukraine. London, Orion Books; 4th impression (1998, preface 2003). 4. Paul Robert Magocsi. A History of Ukraine. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (1996). 4. Paul Robert Magocsi. A History of Ukraine. Toronto: University of Toronto Press (1996). 5. Mykhailo Hrushevsky. History of Ukraine-Rus’ in 9 volumes. 5. Mykhailo Hrushevsky. History of Ukraine-Rus’ in 9 volumes.Mykhailo HrushevskyMykhailo Hrushevsky