Thursday, September 10, 2009
Brief History of Russia and Famous Russians — from the 7th century till nowadays
7:08 AM | 
Posted by
sawan Modi
Disclaimer
Dear WayToRussia.Net visitors. You are going to read the text on Russian History. Please keep in mind that this text was not written by a professional historian. I only tried to describe the main events of the history of my country. Do not blame me if you can’t find here an information about the event or personality which you think is very important. The full course of the Russian history in our universities lasts at least a year comparing with a single webpage on our site – it is impossible to publish here the complete history of Russia. However I tried to produce a relevant overview of the key events. Please consider this text like a story told by your Russian friend, who is trying to give you an image of Russian history, nothing more.
If you are looking for the professional researches on Russian history please refer to the following authors: Vladimir Soloveyv, Nikolay Karamzin, Vasily Kliuchevsky.
- Dan Perushev
The images are used with permission from the Tretyakov Gallery. You can see the originals in Moscow on Lavrushinsky pereulok (Tretyakovskaya metro)
The Ancient Ruses: 7th to 13th Century
The Tribes of Eastern Slavs – the ancient ancestors of Russians occupied Eastern European Valley around 7th century. Slavs were just one of the
several tribes which inhabited the valley, but step by step they became the dominant power.
Russians or Ruses were one of the smaller Slavic tribes, but somehow this name was applied later for the great number of people who settled in the area between Baltic, White, Caspian and Black seas.
The Ruses ascribed supernatural powers to the nature and the Gods they believed in were all named after the sun, the water, the earth... There was a very strong connection to the land and nature and it can still be felt in the language: there are many words to describe forests, fields, sky, water, etc.
The first known East Slavic state emerged in 862 along the Dnepr river valley. Prince Rurik founded the state with the capital in town Kiev that is why the country was called Kievan Rus’. Other major cities of Slavs were Suzdal, Chernigov, Rostov, Vladimir, Novgorod. Kievan Rus’ soon united most of East Slavic lands. In 869 ruler of Kievan Rus’ prince Vladimir adopted Christianity as a dominant religion of the state. Rus’ adopted Christianity from Byzantium and with their religion we adopted much of their culture. It is believed that lack of personal freedom, domination of the state and absolute power of the leaders partly is a result of Byzantium influence.
Unfortunately Kievan Rus’ remained united just for two centuries. The ruling clan was rapidly growing and every prince wanted to get his part of the land. Moreover, regional centers became powerful enough to claim independence from Kiev. So, finally Kievan Rus’ transformed into the bulk of independent and aggressive principalities. The most powerful were Vladimirskoe principality, Galicia and Novgorod republic.
Dear WayToRussia.Net visitors. You are going to read the text on Russian History. Please keep in mind that this text was not written by a professional historian. I only tried to describe the main events of the history of my country. Do not blame me if you can’t find here an information about the event or personality which you think is very important. The full course of the Russian history in our universities lasts at least a year comparing with a single webpage on our site – it is impossible to publish here the complete history of Russia. However I tried to produce a relevant overview of the key events. Please consider this text like a story told by your Russian friend, who is trying to give you an image of Russian history, nothing more.
If you are looking for the professional researches on Russian history please refer to the following authors: Vladimir Soloveyv, Nikolay Karamzin, Vasily Kliuchevsky.
- Dan Perushev
The images are used with permission from the Tretyakov Gallery. You can see the originals in Moscow on Lavrushinsky pereulok (Tretyakovskaya metro)
The Ancient Ruses: 7th to 13th Century
The Tribes of Eastern Slavs – the ancient ancestors of Russians occupied Eastern European Valley around 7th century. Slavs were just one of the
 |
 (c) Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow |
Russians or Ruses were one of the smaller Slavic tribes, but somehow this name was applied later for the great number of people who settled in the area between Baltic, White, Caspian and Black seas.
The Ruses ascribed supernatural powers to the nature and the Gods they believed in were all named after the sun, the water, the earth... There was a very strong connection to the land and nature and it can still be felt in the language: there are many words to describe forests, fields, sky, water, etc.
The first known East Slavic state emerged in 862 along the Dnepr river valley. Prince Rurik founded the state with the capital in town Kiev that is why the country was called Kievan Rus’. Other major cities of Slavs were Suzdal, Chernigov, Rostov, Vladimir, Novgorod. Kievan Rus’ soon united most of East Slavic lands. In 869 ruler of Kievan Rus’ prince Vladimir adopted Christianity as a dominant religion of the state. Rus’ adopted Christianity from Byzantium and with their religion we adopted much of their culture. It is believed that lack of personal freedom, domination of the state and absolute power of the leaders partly is a result of Byzantium influence.
Unfortunately Kievan Rus’ remained united just for two centuries. The ruling clan was rapidly growing and every prince wanted to get his part of the land. Moreover, regional centers became powerful enough to claim independence from Kiev. So, finally Kievan Rus’ transformed into the bulk of independent and aggressive principalities. The most powerful were Vladimirskoe principality, Galicia and Novgorod republic.
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