EARLY RUSSIA AND THE KIEVAN RUS 800s to 1100s CE

Spread of Eastern European Civilization Cyril and Methodius Cyril and Methodius Byzantine missionaries Byzantine missionaries Successful in Russia and the Balkans Successful in Russia and the Balkans Used Slavic Used Slavic Created Cyrillic alphabet Created Cyrillic alphabet Eastern Orthodox religion-Eastern Europe and Russia Eastern Orthodox religion-Eastern Europe and Russia Jews immigrated to the region Jews immigrated to the region

Cyril and Methodius

THE KIEVAN RUS Heavily influenced by Byzantium Heavily influenced by Byzantium Area was populated by Slavs Area was populated by Slavs 6 th and 7 th centuries – Scandinavian traders appeared-Set up governments along their trade routes-Kiev 6 th and 7 th centuries – Scandinavian traders appeared-Set up governments along their trade routes-Kiev Monarchy was established under Rurik Monarchy was established under Rurik

BYZANTIUM AND THE RUS Contacts between the two kingdoms increased steadily Contacts between the two kingdoms increased steadily Kiev became a prosperous trading center Kiev became a prosperous trading center Around 1000 – Vladimir I converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity Around 1000 – Vladimir I converted to Eastern Orthodox Christianity Forced his subjects to convert Forced his subjects to convert Controlled major church appointments Controlled major church appointments Separate Russian Orthodox church developed Separate Russian Orthodox church developed

Kiev

CHARACTERISTICS OF KIEVAN RUS Largest single state in Europe Largest single state in Europe Highly decentralized Highly decentralized Yaroslav – Last of the great Kievan princes Yaroslav – Last of the great Kievan princes Codified laws Codified laws Built many churches Built many churches Translated religious literature from Greek to Slavic Translated religious literature from Greek to Slavic

INSTITUTIONS AND CULTURE Byzantine influence Byzantine influence Ceremonies, luxuries, and absolute power of the leader Ceremonies, luxuries, and absolute power of the leader Fervent devotion to God Fervent devotion to God Ornate churches filled with icons Ornate churches filled with icons Monogamy Monogamy Literature Literature Focused on religious and royal events Focused on religious and royal events No significant philosophical or scientific contributions No significant philosophical or scientific contributions

Icons

Art- Focused on religion Art- Focused on religion Architecture- Orthodox churches Architecture- Orthodox churches Society Society Peasants were fairly free farmers Peasants were fairly free farmers Boyars – Russian aristocratic class Boyars – Russian aristocratic class Entertainment Entertainment Low literacy- story telling Low literacy- story telling Combined music, street performances, and theater Combined music, street performances, and theater

KIEVAN DECLINE – 12 TH CENTURY Causes: Causes: Rival princes set up regional governments Rival princes set up regional governments Fighting within the royal family over succession Fighting within the royal family over succession Asian invaders whittled away Russian territory Asian invaders whittled away Russian territory Decline of Byzantium decreased Russian trade and wealth Decline of Byzantium decreased Russian trade and wealth Two Mongol invasions (Mongols are called Tartars by the Russians) Two Mongol invasions (Mongols are called Tartars by the Russians)

MONGOL CONTROL OF RUSSIA Lasted for over two centuries Lasted for over two centuries Consequences: Consequences: Further separated Russia from western Europe Further separated Russia from western Europe Russian literature languished Russian literature languished Trade lapsed Trade lapsed Russia was isolated Russia was isolated

Russian Orthodox Christianity and the boyars were spared Russian Orthodox Christianity and the boyars were spared Tribute Tribute 15 th century – Tartars were forced out 15 th century – Tartars were forced out Russian culture and politics began to reemerge Russian culture and politics began to reemerge Mantle of east European leadership fell to Russia because of the fall of Byzantium Mantle of east European leadership fell to Russia because of the fall of Byzantium

END OF AN ERA IN EASTERN EUROPE Byzantium and Russia were under siege Byzantium and Russia were under siege Eastern Europe fell on hard times Eastern Europe fell on hard times They had been ahead of western Europe during Byzantine domination, but fell behind western Europe after the fall of Byzantium They had been ahead of western Europe during Byzantine domination, but fell behind western Europe after the fall of Byzantium