Chapter 11

Setting the Stage

• Byzantines regarded the forests north of the Black Sea as wilderness

Slavs

• Around the 9th century Slavs began trading with people in Constantinople

• As they traded they began absorbing Byzantine ideas

Kiev

• Led by Vladimir, Kiev ‘s territory expanded west and north

• Russia now had a strong connection to the Byzantine empire

Yaroslav the Wise

Created strong ties with the Kings and Princes of Western Europe

Altered the legal code to fit Kiev’s culture

The fall of Kiev

• Began with the death of Yaroslav

• They struggled for the best parts

• Had a savage reputation of butchering and burning everything in their path

• Killed nearly the entire population

Khanate of the Golden Horde

• Ruled over all of Russia for about 200 years