“The Rus’ are those whom we otherwise refer to as Normans.”
“As far as the Rus’ are concerned, they live on an island in the sea. […] It has woods and forests, and is surrounded by a lake. They are very numerous, and look to the sword to provide them with a livelihood and profession. When one of their menfolk dies, leaving daughters and sons, they hand his property over to the daughters, giving the sons only a sword, for they say, ‘Your father won his property by the sword; therefore imitate him and follow him in this.’’’
In the 10th century, Kyiv developed into a centre of the Rus’ who controlled the long-distance trade along Eastern Europe’s great river ways. The consolidation of their power and their expansion resulted in conflicts with the surrounding powers and with Byzantium. Military conflicts alternated with treaties. Under the rule of Olga of Kyiv (d. 969), the course was set for Christianisation. The princess who ruled the Rus’ after the assassination of her husband (945) received her baptism in Byzantium, but also invited Latin missionaries to the East. Her son rejected Christianity, but her grandson, Vladimir “the Great” (d. 1015) introduced Christianity as the “state religion” and increased the influence of the Rus’ and the international presence of the principality.
Kiev, Late 9th/Early 10th c. or 930
Parchment
Cambridge, The Syndics of Cambridge University Library, Inv. T-S 12.122
During the 10th century, Kiev developed into one of the most important centres of Rus’ and a flourishing city. The letter on display the Jewish community of Kiev addresses itself to the Jewish community in Cairo. It is a kind of letter of recommendation for a member of the community to raise money to service a high debt. The names mentioned in this letter and languages different show that Kiev was a multi-ethnic city around 1000, and had an active and well-connected Jewish community.
Northwestern Kievan Rus’, around 1420
Paper, binding: wood and Leather (original)
St. Petersburg, Library of the Academy of Science, ms 16.4.4, 307, fol. 8v/9r
The Hypathios Chronicle is one of the oldest records of ancient Russian history and describes the origins and development of Rus’. It includes texts of various other historic works, including the famous so-called Nestor Chronicle written in the 12th century (“The Tale of Bygone Years”), which reports, for example, the legendary beginnings of Rus’ with the “invitation” of the Varangians under the leadership of Rjurik .
Grand duchy of Lithuania, late 15th c.
Paper
St. Petersburg, Library of the Academy of Science, ms OC 34.5.30, fol. 62v
The Radziwiłł Chronicle tells the story of Rus’ in a unique way and with the help of numerous colourful miniatures. The text is a copy of the so-called Nestor Chronicle. With its more than 600 miniatures, the chronicle illustrates the legendary beginnings of the Rus’, but also historically verifiable processes such as the Christianisation in 988. This invaluable manuscript is one of the very few illustrated early historical works in Eastern Europe and has influenced the perception of its past.
Novgorod, 1019–1054
Silver
Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Münzkabinett, Nr. 18216120
Only five specimens of this coin still exist today. They bear the name of the Grand Duke of Kiev, Yaroslav. The coin was minted in Novgorod around 1015. The obverse shows St. George depicted in Byzantine style. The reverse presents a symbol that could be interpreted as a dove, a trident (symbol of Kievan Rus’) or a stylised falcon.
Sigtuna, 11th c.
Ceramic
Sigtuna, Sigtuna Museum & Art, Inv. 98431
A simple trident symbol is carved on this ceramic fragment. It represents the symbol of the ruling dynasty of Kiev. It is believed that the trident evolved from the stylisation of a bird of prey and became the symbol of the Rurikids. This fragment was part of an amphora produced in and transported from the Mediterranean. It once may have contained wine. It was probably a merchant who brought it via Eastern Europe to Sigtuna in Sweden.