1. Pre-history of Russia

2. Slavs settled on the steppes of southern Russia and the forests of northern Russia circa 500 B.C. originally peaceful farmers lived in isolated/scattered villages began to use rivers for transportation

3. Varangians warrior-traders from Scandanavia aka Vikings or Norsemen in Western Europe

4. The Varangians set-up the first Russian state at Kiev. They ruled by adopting the local Slavic language and customs.

5. Kiev located on the Dnepr River in present-day Ukraine emerged as the first centre of Russian culture/civilization was the spiritual/cultural heart of Russia

6. Ruler of Novgorod from 862. Rurik

7. The Chuds, the Slavs and the Krivchians then said to the peoples of Rus: “Our whole land is great and rich, but there is no order in it. Come and rule over us.’” Annals for the years 860-862: Invitation of the Varagnians to Novgorod