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Kievan Rus'

Kievan Rus' was a medieval state which existed from approximately 880 to the middle ofthe 13th century. Founded by the Scandinavian traders (Varangians) called "Rus'" andcentred in the city ofKiev (now the capital ofUkraine), Rus' polity is widely considered anearly predecessor of three modern East Slavic nations: Belarusians, Russians and

Ukrainians,[1][2]

although attempts to nationalize the medieval state's history are commonamong historians from the three countries.[2]

The word Rus comes probsbly from Ugforin word Ruotsi, which means warrior orinhabitant of the seaside. Even nowadays, the Finns still call so Swedish people, becauseroslag in old-nord language means coast.During centuries the word Rus was understood in many ways. From the 9th to about the13th century there were 3 main phases in forming its today meaning.

1. Sources telling about the beginning of Rus in 9th century concerned it as an ethnicconcept, which described a people coming from Scandinavia

2. From about 10th century until 13th the concept Rus had also geographically-political meaning describing Kiev and areas around it. It was a Slovian territoryruled by Ruryk tribe and inhabited by Polan and Siewierzan tribes.

3.In 988 when Vladimir the Great was baptized, the term Rus started to have also areligious meaning, describing all believers of the East (Greek) Church.

The Rus were mentioned for the first time in the source called Annales Bertiniani in theexcerpt concerning year 839. Numerous, independent sources say that Rus was apeople coming from Scandinavia. They differed from the Slovians in language, customsand physical appearance. An Arabian writer ibn Rust claims even that the Rus wereinvaders who robbed, kidnapped and used to sell inhabitants of East Europe as slaves.Other Arabians writers: al-Jakubi and al-Masudi says that Sevilla was robbed in 844 byRus, called also Normans. Also Nestor in his chronicle mention the Rus. He used alsoanother name while describing them the Varangians (Vikings).In contrary to east Slovians, Bulgarians and Khazars, the Rus was a sailing tribe, whichwas able to conquer very important trade water routes of Podnieprze and Powoe.

The main aim of arrival of the Rus was a willing to get wealth. A lack of state-likeorganization made it for the Scandinavians easier to gradually conquer these areas.Although the prime plan of the Rus was conquering of Constantinople. The first expeditiontook place about 860.In 862 there was a great revolt when Slavic tribes rebelled against the Varangians andsent them beyond the sea without given them tribute. After that they started to go ateach other. Some of the tribes (unknown who exactly) decided to invite the RusVaraigians to rule over them.It was Rurik and his 2 brothers: Sineus, and Truvor. They established themselves inNovgorod, Beloozero and Izborsk, repectively. After two years two of Riurik's brothersdied leaving Riurik the sole ruler. He in turn installed his nakhodniks to assist him governover the land. The principals city became Novgorod (capital). The chronicle cites him asthe progenitor of the Rurik Dynasty.

Establishment of Rus

The so-called Kievan Rus was officially founded byPrince Oleg a successor of Rurik,guardian of his son and heir Igor about 880. The territory of his state was much smaller,comparing it to the state Rus developed later during reign of Yaroslaw the Great. Duringthe next 35 years, Oleg and his warriors subdued the various Eastern Slavic (Smolenskand Liubech) and Finnic tribes. In 882 chose Kiev the principal city. In 907, Oleg led anattack against Constantinople with 80000 warriors transported by 2000 ships, leavingIgor in Kyiv. Oleg managed to impose a tribute upon Greeks of no less than one milliongrivna. In 912 he signed a commercial treaty with the Byzantine Empire as an equalpartner. After the death of Oleg later in 912, Drevlians managed to breakaway, but were

conquered again by Igor. In 914 Igor concluded a peace treaty with Pechenegs who werepassing by towards Danube river, attacking the Byzantine Empire.

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The new Kievan state prospered because it had an abundant supply offurs, beeswax andhoney for export and because it controlled three main trade routes ofEastern Europe: theVolga trade route from the Baltic Sea to the Orient, the Dnieper trade route from theBaltic Sea to the Black Sea, and the trade route from the Khazars to the Germans.

The Christianization ofKievan Rus' took place in several stages. As a symbolic date it

is concerned the date of baptism of the great prince of Kiev Vladimir the Great in 988,which was proceeded by baptizing his family and people in Kiev. As we can notice Polandwas earlier to approve Christianity.Rus had a favourable location, so Christians influences were appearing there from thebegging of Christianity.According to unsure information, apostle Andrew during one of his numerous expeditionsreached a place, where now Kiev is located. He blessed the mountain where now islocated Sobor Andrijiwski and placed there a cross.Another person who tried to Christianize Rus was pope Clemens I, who by the way diedthere martyr death.In 9th century Europes patrons Cyril and Metody also set out to Rus to Christianize andcoming back from their mission, they took Popes remains to Rome.

Although the year 988 is concerned as the year of final Christianization of Rus some actsof Baptist took place much earlier. In early 867, Patriarch Photius of Constantinopleannounced to other Orthodox patriarchs that the Rus, baptised by his bishop, took toChristianity with particular enthusiasm. Photius's attempts at Christianizing the countryseem to have entailed no lasting consequences, since the Primary Chronicle and otherSlavonic sources describe the tenth-century Rus as firmly entrenched in paganism.During reign of Oleg Christianity wasnt spread. His successor Igor had another attitudeto the religion. He neither spread nor protested against peace spreading it. Thanks to thetrade treaty with Byzantium, he opened the country for Christianitys influence. Sfterdeath of Igor, Rus started to be ruled by the duchess Olga. She started intensive works onmaking Rus a Christian country. Because she couldnt wait for Christianization mission

from Byzantium, she asked for help Otto I. He sent a bishop in 960, but he died in 961and the next bishop had to escape from the country because of threat on his life. Son ofOlga Svyatoslav didnt agree on baptism. He claimed that local people wouldntapprove of Christianity. His sons were baptized and in 973 sent diplomatic mission to OttoI and in 977 to the pope. As a result in Kiev was settled a Latin diocese. After death ofSvyatoslav started a period of fights between his sons. The winner was Vladimir. Hesucceeded thanks to help of Vikings and pagan elites in 980. He built a pagan temple as asign of his recognition. After a while, he realized that without a new religion instead oftribe gods he wont completely unify the country. Whats more Rus was almostsurrounded by Christian countries. He decided to get a baptism. The sources claim thatafter it he completely changed. He stopped being cruel, immoral and became asympathetic and understanding ruler. Although he stated harsh punishments for thosewho would continue pagan customs. In Kiev he build famous Diesiatinna Cerkiew and

established the first in Rus school.

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