The Byzantine Empire Influences Russia Byzantine missionaries converted

The Byzantine Empire Influences Russia

Byzantine missionaries converted the Slavs • Saint Methodius and Saint Cyril invented the Cyrillic Alphabet which led to the spread of Orthodox Christianity in Russia. • Write your name!

Rise of Russia • • Geography-lies on Eurasian plain and borders China Ural Mts. Physical boundary Wanted Moscow to be the “Third Rome” 3 regions helped shape early Russian life – North-Lumber and hunting – South-Fertile land for farming – Steppe-treeless grassland Open to nomads from Asia and Europe • Kiev – Commercial city in Ukraine established by Scandinavians in 9 thc, became the center for a kingdom that flourished until the 12 th c.

Steppe Areas • • Great “Highway” Nomadic migrates Rivers linked Byzantine to Russia Vladimir I – ruler of Kiev (980 -1015) converted kingdom to orthodox Christianity • Russian Orthodoxy – Russian form of Christianity brought from the Byzantine Empire

First Civilization • • • Kiev Rus in Present day Ukraine Home of vital trading networks Would become the center of the first Russian state • Boyars – Russian landholding aristocrats; possessed less political power than their western European counterparts

Kiev and the Byzantine Empire • Trade helped Kiev enter the Byzantine empire • 957 Princess Olga of Kiev converted to Byzantine Christianity – Grandson, Prince Vladimir, spread religion which gained strength • Yaroslav the Wise – led Kiev at its’ height – Built Santa Sophia Church – Cyrillic alphabet was devised and used • Russians started to adapt religious art, music and architecture – Onion domes

Onion Domes • Type of architectural dome that frequently adorns Russian Orthodox Churches. • The domes are often brightly painted; the colors symbolize different aspects of religion. Green, blue, and gold domes represent the Holy Trinity, the Spirit of God, and Jesus, respectively. • Onion domes often appear in groups of three or five, representing the Holy Trinity or Jesus and the Four Evangelists, respectively. Domes standing alone represent Jesus.

Mongol Influences • Nomadic people from central Asia – United by Genghiz Khan (Later Chapters) • Looted and burned Kiev • Russian princes had to pay money to rule without Mongol interference • Mongol rule cut off Russian contacts with Western Europe which were making advances in art and science • Russian Orthodox grows stronger due to religious toleration • Tatars – Mongols who conquered Russian cities during the 13 th c. ; left Russian church and aristocracy intact

Moscow Takes Lead • With their location near trading rivers, Moscow steadily increased their power • Head of Russian Orthodox church made Moscow capital, became political and spiritual center

Ivan the Great ---- Ivan III • Recovered Russian territories that were lost to invading Mongols • Tried to limit the power of boyars (landowning nobles) • Took on the title of Czar (Russian for Caesar)

Ivan the Terrible --- Ivan IV • Grandson • Nobles granted land for military service • Tied serfs to land • Violent, killed own son • Black horses and black robes-slaughtered rebels • Introduced Russia to extreme absolute power Eastern Europe

Shaping Eastern Europe • Geography makes area cultural crossroads • Crusades will bring in a lot of Muslims to area

Recap • • • Byzantine Greek language Claimed right to appoint the head of the church Did not accept pope $$ Good – Silk, Paper Taxes provided money to run govt. and army • • • Western Europe Latin in churches Pope had power and the people accepted • Trade, town life and learning declined after the fall of Rome