Kiev and the Russian Empire

1. Kiev and the Russian Empire EQ: How did the Byzantine Empire affect the growing empire of Russia?

2. Kievan Rus • Begun by invasion of Viking tribes – also known as Slavs – from north of the Baltic. • Both trade partner and sometime enemy of the Byzantine Empire.

3. Kievan Rus

4. Kievan Russia…. Background story During Roman times, the Slavs expanded into southern Russia. Like the Germanic peoples who pushed into western Europe, the Slavs had a simple political organization divided into clans. They lived in small villages, farmed, and traded along the rivers that ran between the Baltic and the Black seas. In the 700s and 800s, the Vikings steered their long ships out of Scandinavia. These expert sailors were as much at home on Russian rivers as on the stormy Atlantic. The Vikings, called Varangians by later Russians, worked their way south along the rivers, trading with and collecting tribute from the Slavs. They also conducted a thriving trade with Constantinople. Located at the heart of this vital trade network was the city of Kiev. In time, it would become the center of the first Russian state.

6. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” Packet, p. 4 Textbook, p.274- (see map p. 275) The Vikings of Scandinavia have been called other names in history – the Norsemen (North-men), and the Slavs referred to them as Varangians, or the Rus. 850 – Scandinavian chief Rurik establishes first Rus Principality in Novgorod. 860 – First Russian raid on Constantinople. 879 – Prince Olegmoves the principality to Kiev. Kiev would remain the capital of Kievan Rus (a loose federation of small states) for the next 300 years. The society was divided between the peasant masses and the Russian nobles called boyars. NORSEMEN • Novgorod RUS • Kiev SLAVS • Rome • Constantinople 820 – Vikings begin explorations and terrorize Europe B. IDENTIFY boyars – Russian nobility. B. IDENTIFY Slavs – people of the Black Forest Region north of the Black Sea. They were Russia’s first unified territory. The Vikings (or, Norsemen) settled around Kiev and intermarried with the eastern Slavs. These are the ancestors of the Rus (or, Russian people). PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

7. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” 850 – Scandinavian chief Rurik establishes first Rus Principality in Novgorod. 860 – First Russian raid on Constantinople. 879 – Prince Olegmoves the principality to Kiev. Kiev would remain the capital of KievanRus (a loose federation of small states) for the next 300 years. NORSEMEN • Novgorod RUS • Kiev SLAVS 945 – Trade agreements with the Byzantine empire establish close ties and cultural exchanges. 957 – Russian Princess Olga visits Constantinople and is converted to Christianity. • Rome • Constantinople B. IDENTIFY Olga – Russian princess who converted to Christianity. Russian Icon of St. Princess Olga PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

8. Visits Constantinople and Converts to Christianity Sets up the first Rus principality in Novgorod; establishes Russian dynasty Moves Rus capital to Kiev PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

9. Rulers of the Kievan Rus Vladimir I (980) • (980) Vladimir I – Extremely war like ruler of Kiev. Invited missionaries from Judaism, Islam and Christianity to offer reasons for conversion. • Married the Byzantine emperor’s sister. • Brought Christianity and Greco-Roman civilization to Russia.

10. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” Byzantine Christian Missionaries Visit the Slavs The brothers Cyril and Methodius were living in a monastery in Constantinople when the Slavic leaders sent for a Christian teacher. Cyril was selected and was accompanied by his brother. The two “missionaries” who learned the Slav language and converted many of the people to Christianity. Because they were acquainted with the language of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius were then chosen to provide a written alphabet for them. Cyril invented an alphabet for the Slavs, using the Greek letters and, with the help of Methodius, translated the Gospels into the Slavic people’s language. Today the Cyrillic alphabet is still used in Russia and other parts of eastern Europe. ä×ÅÒØ- Door õÞÉÔÅÌØ - Teacher ðÁÒÔÁ - Desk

11. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” 1. What ties linked Kiev to Byzantium? Trade – along the Dnieper river and Sea route to Constantinople. Religion – cultural diffusion will lead the KievanRus to adopt the Christian religion of Byzantium. Orthodox Icon of Saints Vladimir and Olga. B. IDENTIFY Olga – Russian princess who converted to Christianity. Vladimir – He established permanent links with Byzantine empire and under his rule all Russians converted to Christiantiy. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

12. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” 2. How did Vladimir and his son Yaroslav contribute to the power of Kiev? Vladimir expanded the size of the state west into modern-day Poland and north to the Baltic Sea. Yaroslav married off his daughters and sisters to the kings and princes of western Europe to forge trading alliances. Yaroslav also compiled Russia’s first law code. Yaroslav the Wise is considered the greatest ruler of the Kievan period. He led an extensive building program of churches – modeling the Byzantine style. He also copied the Byzantines model of law, ordering the revision of all Russian laws accordingly. B. IDENTIFY Vladimir – He established permanent links with Byzantine empire and under his rule all Russians converted to Christiantiy. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

13. Rulers of the Kievan RusYaroslav I (1010 – 1054) (1010 – 1054) Yaroslav I – Created a Russian law code based on Justinian’s Code. Instituted a Golden Age of Kievan Russia. Built churches and a new capital city. Allied Russia with the rest of Europe by marrying his children to European rulers.

14. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” 1054 was the year that Christianity had its Schism, or split. Ironically, it is also the year that Yaroslav died, and division began to occur in Kievan Rus as well as his descendants fought over territory. Yaroslav the Wise is considered the greatest ruler of the Kievan period. He led an extensive building program of churches – modeling the Byzantine style. He also copied the Byzantines model of law, ordering the revision of all Russian laws accordingly. B. IDENTIFY Vladimir – He established permanent links with Byzantine empire and under his rule all Russians converted to Christiantiy. PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.

15. CH 11, Sec. 2: “The Russians” 3. What factors brought about Kiev’s decline? Yaroslav had divided his empire among his sons. Their internal fighting for territory tore the state of KievanRus apart. Also, the Crusades disrupted trade between the Byzantines and the Russians, creating economic hardship in Russia. In its weakened state, Russia was suddenly attacked by the Mongols from Asia who demolished Kiev.

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