The Byzantine Empire Influences Russia

1. The Byzantine Empire Influences Russia

2. Byzantine missionaries converted the Slavs • Saint Methodius and Saint Cyril invented the Cyrillic Alphabet which led to the spread of Orthodox Christianity in Russia. • Write your name!

3. Rise of Russia • Geography-lies on Eurasian plain and borders China • Ural Mts. Physical boundary • Wanted Moscow to be the “Third Rome” • 3 regions helped shape early Russian life • North-Lumber and hunting • South-Fertile land for farming • Steppe-treeless grassland Open to nomads from Asia and Europe • Kiev – Commercial city in Ukraine established by Scandinavians in 9thc, became the center for a kingdom that flourished until the 12th c.

4. Steppe Areas • Great “Highway” • Nomadic migrates • Rivers linked Byzantine to Russia • Vladimir I – ruler of Kiev (980-1015) converted kingdom to orthodox Christianity • Russian Orthodoxy – Russian form of Christianity brought from the Byzantine Empire

5. First Civilization • Kiev Rusin Present day Ukraine • Home of vital trading networks • Would become the center of the first Russian state • Boyars – Russian landholding aristocrats; possessed less political power than their western European counterparts

6. Kiev and the Byzantine Empire • Trade helped Kiev enter the Byzantine empire • 957 Princess Olga of Kiev converted to Byzantine Christianity • Grandson, Prince Vladimir, spread religion which gained strength • Yaroslav the Wise – led Kiev at its’ height • Built Santa Sophia Church • Cyrillic alphabet was devised and used • Russians started to adapt religious art, music and architecture • Onion domes

7. Onion Domes • Type of architectural dome that frequently adorns Russian Orthodox Churches. • The domes are often brightly painted; the colors symbolize different aspects of religion. Green, blue, and gold domes represent the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of God, and Jesus, respectively. • Onion domes often appear in groups of three or five, representing the Holy Trinity or Jesus and the Four Evangelists, respectively. Domes standing alone represent Jesus.

9. Mongol Influences • Nomadic people from central Asia • United by Genghiz Khan (Later Chapters) • Looted and burned Kiev • Russian princes had to pay money to rule without Mongol interference • Mongol rule cut off Russian contacts with Western Europe which were making advances in art and science • Russian Orthodox grows stronger due to religious toleration • Tatars – Mongols who conquered Russian cities during the 13th c.; left Russian church and aristocracy intact

10. Moscow Takes Lead • With their location near trading rivers, Moscow steadily increased their power • Head of Russian Orthodox church made Moscow capital, became political and spiritual center

11. Ivan the Great ---- Ivan III • Recovered Russian territories that were lost to invading Mongols • Tried to limit the power ofboyars (landowning nobles) • Took on the title of Czar (Russian for Caesar)

12. Ivan the Terrible --- Ivan IV • Grandson • Nobles granted land for military service • Tied serfs to land • Violent, killed own son • Black horses and black robes-slaughtered rebels • Introduced Russia to extreme absolute power Eastern Europe

13. Shaping Eastern Europe • Geography makes area cultural crossroads • Crusades will bring in a lot of Muslims to area

14. Recap • Byzantine • Greek language • Claimed right to appoint the head of the church • Did not accept pope • $$ Good – Silk, Paper • Taxes provided money to run govt. and army • Western Europe • Latin in churches • Pope had power and the people accepted • Trade, town life and learning declined after the fall of Rome