Early Russian History

Questions and Answers

Slavic language and Polytheism

Vikings from the north

Rurik's son Oleg

The adoption of Orthodox Christianity Signup and view all the answers

It enabled the development of a written Slavic language Signup and view all the answers

They married into their royal families Signup and view all the answers

It devastated trade and weakened the economy Signup and view all the answers

Fratricidal disputes over succession Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

In the first millennium, a large group of tribes spread through the dense woodlands of Eastern Europe, sharing a common Slavic language and polytheistic religion.
By the 7th century, these tribes had split into western, southern, and eastern branches, with the eastern branch stretching from the Dniester River to the Volga and the Baltic Sea.

The eastern tribes were subjugated by Vikings from the north, but eventually revolted and drove them back.
The tribes then invited the Vikings to return and establish order, and Prince Rurik and his brothers were sent to rule.
Rurik's son Oleg expanded the realm into the south and moved the capital to Kiev, a former outpost of the Khazar Empire, establishing the Kievan Rus.

The Kievan Rus had complex relations with its neighbors, including the Khazar and Byzantine Empires, and neighboring tribes.
In 987, Prince Vladimir I decided to abandon Slavic paganism and sent emissaries to explore neighboring faiths, eventually settling on Orthodox Christianity.
Vladimir's conversion and marriage to the Byzantine emperor's sister deepened relations between the two civilizations.

Byzantine missionaries created an alphabet for Slavic languages based on a modified Greek script.
Rus Viking warriors served as the Byzantine Emperor's elite guard.
Kievan Rus flourished due to its rich resources and trade, with noblemen and noblewomen marrying prominent European rulers, and residents of some cities enjoying high culture, literacy, and democratic freedoms.

Fratricidal disputes over succession eroded central power, and increasingly independent cities ruled by rival princes vied for control.
The Fourth Crusade and decline of Constantinople devastated trade, and Teutonic crusaders threatened northern territories.
In 1237, 35,000 mounted archers led by Batu Khan swept through the Rus cities, sacking Kiev and marking the end of the Kievan Rus.

The people of Kievan Rus were divided, with the east remaining under Mongol rule and a remote trading post, Moscow, growing to challenge the power of the Khans.
The western regions came under the influence of Poland and Lithuania, leading to differences in society, culture, and language that remain to the present day.

In the 1st millennium, Slavic tribes spread through Eastern Europe, sharing a common language and polytheistic religion.
By the 7th century, these tribes split into western, southern, and eastern branches, with the eastern branch stretching from the Dniester River to the Volga and the Baltic Sea.

Eastern Slavic tribes were initially subjugated by Vikings, but eventually revolted and drove them back.
The tribes then invited the Vikings to return and establish order, leading to Prince Rurik and his brothers ruling the area.
Rurik's son Oleg expanded the realm into the south and moved the capital to Kiev, a former outpost of the Khazar Empire, establishing the Kievan Rus.

The Kievan Rus had complex relations with neighboring empires, including the Khazar and Byzantine Empires, and neighboring tribes.
In 987, Prince Vladimir I abandoned Slavic paganism and adopted Orthodox Christianity after exploring neighboring faiths.
Vladimir's conversion and marriage to the Byzantine emperor's sister deepened relations between the two civilizations.

Byzantine missionaries created an alphabet for Slavic languages based on a modified Greek script.
Rus Viking warriors served as the Byzantine Emperor's elite guard.
Kievan Rus flourished due to its rich resources and trade, with nobility marrying prominent European rulers and residents enjoying high culture, literacy, and democratic freedoms.

Fratricidal disputes over succession eroded central power, and independent cities ruled by rival princes vied for control.
The Fourth Crusade and decline of Constantinople devastated trade, and Teutonic crusaders threatened northern territories.
In 1237, Batu Khan's 35,000 mounted archers swept through the Rus cities, sacking Kiev and marking the end of the Kievan Rus.

The people of Kievan Rus were divided, with the east remaining under Mongol rule and a remote trading post, Moscow, growing to challenge the power of the Khans.
The western regions came under the influence of Poland and Lithuania, leading to differences in society, culture, and language that remain to the present day.