The Rise of Russia – The Rise of Russia – The Third RomeThe Third Rome

Russia grows out of a blending of Russia grows out of a blending of Slavic and Byzantine cultures and Slavic and Byzantine cultures and adopts Eastern Orthodox adopts Eastern Orthodox traditions.traditions.

Byzantine Missionaries Convert Byzantine Missionaries Convert the Slavsthe Slavs

Eastern Orthodox missionaries seek Eastern Orthodox missionaries seek to convert the northern peoples to convert the northern peoples known as the known as the SlavsSlavs..

Missionaries create the Missionaries create the CyrillicCyrillic alphabet—the basis for many Slavic alphabet—the basis for many Slavic languages.languages.

Alphabet enables many groups to Alphabet enables many groups to read the read the BibleBible..

Comparison of Alphabets…Comparison of Alphabets…

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

Emergence of Russian CultureEmergence of Russian Culture• ByzantiumByzantium trades with Slavs—groups trades with Slavs—groups

living north of the Black Sea.living north of the Black Sea.• Eventually Eventually SlavicSlavic and and GreekGreek traditions traditions

produce produce RussianRussian culture. culture. Geography of RussiaGeography of Russia

• Russian territory: west of Ural Russian territory: west of Ural Mountains, and Black Sea to Baltic SeaMountains, and Black Sea to Baltic Sea

• Forests in north, hilly grasslands in Forests in north, hilly grasslands in south, three great riverssouth, three great rivers

Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).Guests from Overseas, Nicholas Roerich (1899).

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth

Slavs and VikingsSlavs and Vikings• In the 800s, In the 800s, VikingsVikings called the Rus’ called the Rus’

settle among Slavs, and move to Kievsettle among Slavs, and move to Kiev• Viking Rus’ and Slavs mix cultures and Viking Rus’ and Slavs mix cultures and

become one.become one.

The Invitation of the Varangians by Viktor Vasnetsov:

The people of Kievan Rus’ are linked to the Byzantines by way of the Dnieper River and the Black Sea

Russia’s BirthRussia’s Birth Kiev Becomes OrthodoxKiev Becomes Orthodox

• Princess Olga of Kiev visits Princess Olga of Kiev visits ConstantinopleConstantinople and converts to and converts to ChristianityChristianity

• Her grandson, Her grandson, VladimirVladimir, becomes , becomes leader of Kiev around 980leader of Kiev around 980

• Vladimir marries daughter of Vladimir marries daughter of Byzantine EmperorByzantine Emperor

• In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev In 989, Vladimir has all Kiev citizens baptized in the Dnieper citizens baptized in the Dnieper RiverRiver

• Beliefs and traditions of Beliefs and traditions of Orthodox Christianity flourish in Orthodox Christianity flourish in KievKiev

Why Orthodox Christianity?Why Orthodox Christianity? ““The earliest Russian chronicle reports that The earliest Russian chronicle reports that

Vladimir and his advisers decided against Islam Vladimir and his advisers decided against Islam as the official religion because of its ban on as the official religion because of its ban on alcohol and the eating of pork”alcohol and the eating of pork”• Earth and Its Peoples, third ed.Earth and Its Peoples, third ed., page 233-234, page 233-234

It is said they chose Christianity over Judaism It is said they chose Christianity over Judaism because the Jews lost control of Jerusalem to because the Jews lost control of Jerusalem to Muslims, making them seem weakMuslims, making them seem weak

They found Catholic churches dull and They found Catholic churches dull and depressing and were very impressed by depressing and were very impressed by Orthodox churches and ritualOrthodox churches and ritual

Baptism of Saint Prince VladimirBaptism of Saint Prince Vladimir,,by Viktor Vasnetsovby Viktor Vasnetsov

Icon of Vladimir

Kiev’s Power and DeclineKiev’s Power and Decline

Kievan RussiaKievan Russia• Vladimir expands Vladimir expands

Russia into Poland, and Russia into Poland, and north to the Baltic Sea.north to the Baltic Sea.

• Vladimir’s son, Vladimir’s son, Yaroslav the WiseYaroslav the Wise, , rules Kiev in 1019.rules Kiev in 1019.

• Forges alliances, Forges alliances, creates legal code creates legal code based on the Justinian based on the Justinian Code, and builds Code, and builds churches.churches.

The only contemporary image of Yaroslav the Wise. It is from his seal.

Monument to Yaroslav in KievMonument to Yaroslav in Kiev

Kiev’s Power and DeclineKiev’s Power and Decline

Kiev’s DeclineKiev’s Decline• Yaroslav divides realm between his Yaroslav divides realm between his

sons, which causes a sons, which causes a civil warcivil war..• Kiev’s commerce is further weakened by Kiev’s commerce is further weakened by

the the CrusadesCrusades (War tends to slow foreign (War tends to slow foreign trade, especially since they were trading trade, especially since they were trading with Constantinople). with Constantinople).

The Crusades are a clash between The Crusades are a clash between ChristiansChristians and and MuslimsMuslims over control of the over control of the Holy LandHoly Land..

The Mongol InvasionsThe Mongol Invasions

The MongolsThe Mongols• Mongols, nomads Mongols, nomads

from central Asia, from central Asia, begin conquests in begin conquests in the early 1200s.the early 1200s.

• Kiev falls in 1240 to Kiev falls in 1240 to Genghis Khan’s Genghis Khan’s grandson, grandson, Batu Batu KhanKhan..

• Mongols rule much Mongols rule much of Russia for the of Russia for the next 200 years.next 200 years.

Russia Under Mongol Rule:Russia Under Mongol Rule:“The Golden Horde”“The Golden Horde”

Flag of the Golden HordeFlag of the Golden Horde

The Mongol InvasionsThe Mongol Invasions

Mongol Rule in RussiaMongol Rule in Russia• Mongols give Russians many Mongols give Russians many

freedoms, but demand freedoms, but demand obedience and tribute.obedience and tribute.

• Russian nobles such as Russian nobles such as Alexander Nevsky Alexander Nevsky support the support the Mongols.Mongols.

• Mongol rule isolates Russia from Mongol rule isolates Russia from the rest of Europe.the rest of Europe.

• Nevsky defended Russia from Nevsky defended Russia from invasion from invasion from SwedenSweden and and GermanyGermany while collaborating while collaborating with the powerful Golden Horde.with the powerful Golden Horde.

Icon of Alexander Nevsky. He is venerated as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church

Russia Breaks FreeRussia Breaks Free

The Rise of MoscowThe Rise of Moscow• MoscowMoscow is founded in is founded in

the 1100s, located near the 1100s, located near Russia’s three main Russia’s three main rivers.rivers.

Moscow’s Powerful Moscow’s Powerful PrincesPrinces• Moscow's princes grow Moscow's princes grow

strong under Mongol strong under Mongol rule throughout the rule throughout the 1300s.1300s.

Both the flag and coat of arms of Moscow uses the emblem of Saint George and the Dragon. This legend seems to be symbolic of Moscow throwing off its Mongol rulers.

Russia Breaks FreeRussia Breaks Free An Empire EmergesAn Empire Emerges

• Late in the 1400s, Late in the 1400s, Ivan Ivan IIIIII becomes prince of becomes prince of Moscow and challenges Moscow and challenges Mongol rule.Mongol rule.

• Marries niece of the last Marries niece of the last Byzantine EmperorByzantine Emperor

• He takes the name “He takes the name “tsartsar,” ,” Russian for “Russian for “CaesarCaesar,” and ,” and vows to restore Russia.vows to restore Russia.

• Russian and Mongol Russian and Mongol armies face off at Ugra armies face off at Ugra River in 1480.River in 1480.

• Both armies retreat and Both armies retreat and Russia gains freedom Russia gains freedom from Mongol rule.from Mongol rule.