Russia is the common name of the ancient Slavic state in Eastern Europe. The creation of Russia determined the development of world history and played a decisive role in the ethnic formation of the Slavic peoples. She was one of the largest states of antiquity. The names of rulers and famous personalities have survived through the centuries. The name "Russia" is a derivative of the same tribe of Slavs. The influence of the power extended to a significant part of Europe and Asia.
The cultural heritage gives the modern generation the opportunity to learn the fundamental processes of the formation of human civilization.
Education
Russia is rather a common name for lands with an ethnically identical population. Different sources defined the borders of Russia in different ways. In Western sources, the name "Roksolaniya" or "Rusia" was also found. By the middle of the 5th century, the active expulsion of the entire non-Slavic population began. And the Slavs themselves gradually move to a sedentary lifestyle and build the first cities. Mostly along rivers. There is a clear division into tribes. Krivichi, Vyatichi, northerners, ilmen and others. In the 9th century, the Vikings landed north, who organize their settlements, but at the same time enter Russia. This played an important role in the further development of culture in the northern lands. After some time, the Slavs destroy the Norman settlements, and the Scandinavians assimilate. However, some of their traditions were adopted by the local population.
At the end of the ninth century, many large cities appeared. They are distinguished from ordinary settlements by the presence of defensive structures, including walls. Several cultural and state centers are immediately distinguished, such as: Veliky Novgorod, Rurikovo settlement, Kiev, Rostov, Yaroslavl, Smolensk and others. According to historians, even then, various tribes felt a clear proximity and identity between the entire population of Russia. However, the existence of several centers of power prevented unification into a single state. Permanent internecine wars depleted resources and impeded development. The approximate date for the unification of the Eastern Slavs into a single state is considered to be 862. Then several tribes allegedly invited the Varangians to reign. At the same time, the famous Russian campaign against Constantinople takes place.
Heyday
Twenty years later, Prince Oleg transferred the capital to Kiev.
He and his team kill
Askold and Dir, thus reuniting Russia. These are the Novgorod and Kiev lands, which before this were de jure divided. Now begins the development of the state. Trade relations are established with Byzantium and several tribes in the West. In the middle of the tenth century, Prince Svyatoslav organizes a campaign against the
Khazar Kaganate and smashes it. Later, his son finally determines the development of the state. In 988, baptism takes place. Since then, the Eastern Slavs have adopted Christian traditions. Stone churches and buildings are being built. Written language is distributed. A description of the state, which is now called ancient Russia, appears in Western sources. This is a general definition of all Slavic lands in the east. It has fairly close ties with Scandinavia.
Russia is a state of Slavic Christians
After baptism, there is a sharp rise in the political sense. Relations with European states are being established, marriages between the elite are being concluded. During the reign of Yaroslav, his famous code of laws, a kind of constitution, “Russian Truth” came out. The positions in the East are also strengthening.
Centralization of power yields positive results. The attacks of the Polovtsy and other nomadic tribes are repulsed. Submit new lands. A unique culture is developing. However, these processes were greatly inhibited after the death of Yaroslav. Between his descendants began a series of bloody feuds. Endless wars and raids greatly weakened Russia. It began crushing into small principalities.
The collapse of the old Russian state
In this state, Russia was subjected to a terrifying invasion of the Mongol yoke. The princes did not have clear coordination and often refused to help each other. A huge Mongol army made its way deep into the Russian lands. Bloody battles left almost no one alive. Occupants robbed and burned Slavic settlements. In 1240, Kiev fell.
Many shrines and buildings were irretrievably destroyed.
After that, for many years, Russia became dependent on the Horde. And only in the 14th century, under the leadership of the Moscow prince, near the Kalka River, Russians rebuffed the Mongol-Tatars. Ivan the third finally put an end to the invasion. This process ended with the formation of the Russian state.