Fall of the Byzantine Empire & the Rise of Russia - PowerNotes

SWEDISH VIKINGS called the RUS (said “Roos”) conquered the Slavic people of Eastern Europe and founded
Russia (“Roo-see-ya” in Russian; “Land of the Rus”). The Rus were traders, and sometimes, raiders, and sailed
down rivers from the Baltic to the Black Sea and eventually traded with Constantinople. The Rus city of Kiev
was rich from controlling trade between the Baltic and Black Seas. The
Rus were famous as skilled, brave and loyal warriors, so Byzantine
Emperors started the elite “Varangian Guard.” Varangian was the Greek
word for Viking. From this elite unite, Byzantine Emperors chose their
personal bodyguards for nearly for over 400 years.

In 988 AD, the Rus PRINCE VLADIMIR founded the first Russian state.
He then adopted Orthodox Christianity and converted most of his
people. Because Russia had joined the Eastern Orthodox Church, it was
the PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE who chose the “BISHOP of KIEV”
(head of the Russian Orthodox Church).

In 1037, Russia built the Holy Sophia Cathedral, in Kiev. In 1561, they
also built St. Basil's Cathedral, in Moscow. THE ARCHITECTURE OF BOTH CATHEDRALS WAS HEAVILY
INFLUENCED BY THE BYZANTINE/ROMAN ARCHITECTURE OF THE HAGIA SOPHIA (especially their use of
ROMAN ARCHES and DOMES!) This is an example
of cultural diffusion, and (as we’ve discussed)...
“When cultural diffusion leads people to ADOPT,
they usually ADAPT what they’ve borrowed (to
fit their culture).” So, the Russians incorporated
domes, but changed how they looked. The same
is true of Orthodox religious icons and mosaics.
As in other Orthodox countries, Russian icons and
mosaics look somewhat different, but have
continued to be used to this day.

THE GOLDEN HORDE CONQUERED RUSSIA - The

Mongols were nomadic horse-archers from central Asia. They are believed to have been related to the HUNS
and the earlier groups whose raids caused China to begin the Great Wall. The Mongols conquered the largest
empire in all of history! Different groups, led by different Mongol leaders conquered and ruled various areas
of Asia and Eastern Europe. However, all of these leaders were under the power of the Mongol’s most
important leader – GENGHIS KHAN (said “Geng-iss or Jing-iss, Kon”).

In 1236, the Mongols conquered Russia and ruled it for approximately 150 years. This specific group of
Mongol soldiers was called the GOLDEN HORDE. They were led by Genghis’ grandson, BATU KHAN.

Mongol soldiers under KUBLAI KHAN (“Koob-lye Kon”) (another grandson of Genghis) conquered all of China
and Korea. The Mongols were very successful due to how they fought combined with their tactics. They were
master horsemen and relied chiefly on short, powerful bows. With these, they quickly killed enemies at a
distance, but often moved too quickly to fight. They also used “Blitzkrieg” (lightning war) tactics; surprising
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 Fall of the Byzantine Empire & the Rise of Russia - PowerNotes
their enemies with fast furious attacks, before their enemies could react. The Mongols also used TERROR,
itself, as a weapon. Their reputation for cruelty was widespread and just the sight of the Mongol armies
caused many to surrender without a fight!

The Mongols taxed their conquered people heavily, BUT BROUGHT PEACE
AND ORDER TO THEIR EMPIRE. Historians call this time the “Pax
Mongolica.” With no wars, and few bandits, TRADE GREATLY INCREASED!
This was especially true along the different trade routes of the Silk Road!

Around 1380, Russian ruler IVAN I moved the Russian capital from KIEV to
MOSCOW (where it is still Russia’s capital today). In 1453 AD, the Ottoman
Turks conquered the Byzantine Empire. In 1480, IVAN III defeated the
Mongols and declared Russia to be the “THIRD ROME.” HE BELIEVED
RUSSIA WAS THE HEIR TO ANCIENT ROME AND THE BYZANTINE EMPIRES!
To make his claim seem real, he:
1- married the niece of the last Byzantine emperor, 2-adopted the Byzantine
emblem of the double-headed eagle, and 3- invented a family tree that went back to Julius Caesar.

IVAN IV (“THE TERRIBLE”) was OFFICIALLY crowned CZAR (also spelled TSAR) which means “Caesar” in
Russian. All future Russian emperors continued to be called this. As an emperor, his power was seen as given
by God.

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