Kievan Rus'

I. Kievan Rus' is the shared heritage of all of the East Slavic peoples

A. Russians
B. Ukrainians
C. Belarusians

II. East Slavs prior to the 9th Century

A. Involved in agriculture as early as the 6th Century (though probably led by nomads)
B. Some have purported a connection to the nomadic Scythians

III. Recorded history begins in the 9th Century (although it is recorded later)

A. Riurik (862-879?) and the Varangians

1. Vikings
2. Asked by Slavs to rule over Rus'
3. Riurik settles in Novgorod

B. Oleg (First Kievan ruler) 879-913?

1. Unites East Slavic tribes
2. War with Byzantine Empire (905-907) is successful

a) Hangs his shield at the gates as a sign of victory.
b) Wins important tribute and trading rights.

3. Chronicles tell of a seer's prediction that Oleg's death would come from his horse.

C. Igor (913?-945)

1. Also leads a campaign against Byzantium, but is less successful.
2. Death on way back from Byzantine campaign brings his wife, Olga, to power.

D. Olga (945-964?)

1. Chronicles tell of her revenge for Igor's death.

a) First emissaries of her enemies (the Derevlians) are buried alive.
b) Second emissaries of her enemies (the Derevlians) are burned alive in a bath house.
c) Goes to the land of Dereva to "mourn" Igor and has her men kill 5,000 Derevlians and then defeats Dereva in battle.
d) After the Derevlians barricade themselves up in their cities she burns them all down with the help of birds she had taken as "tribute."

2. Is the first Christian leader of Rus' (baptized 955)

IV. Vladimir (978-1015) and the Conversion of Rus'

A. Reasons for the conversion and the choice of Orthodox Christianity (although the schism that officially separated the two types of Christianity occurred later, in 1054) over other faiths.

1. Reasons given in chronicles:

a) Most beautiful services.
b) Faith of his grandmother, Olga.
c) Needed to be Christian to marry Byzantine princess, Anna.
d) Allowed drinking.

2. Other reasons:

a) Rome was probably too controlling.
b) Greek Christianity allowed service in the vernacular, while Roman Church used Latin.
c) Closer to Greece.

3. Results of the conversion:

a) Russia's cultural ties were to Byzantium rather than to the rest of Europe.
b) Diglossia and dvoeverie
c) Literacy

V. Yaroslav the Wise and the "golden age" of Kievan culture.

A. Sancta (Hagia) Sofia is built.

1. Modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
2. Cruciform floor plan.
3. 13 Cupolas/domes

B. Daughter Anna marries King of France.  She is literate, signing documents in Cyrillic.  He uses an X.

D. Kiev was one of the great cities in Europe

1. Larger than Paris or London
2. Over 400 churches

VI. The "Pouchenie" (Testament) of Vladimir Monomakh (1053-1125)

A. Stresses humility and obedience.
B. Attacks laziness.
C. Advocates forgiveness and non-violence.
D. Generosity
E. Stresses unity.

VII. The "Igor Tale"

A. Written in poetic language.
B. Contains pagan elements and little Christianity.
C. Warning to avoid strife among princes.