History 2403E Lecture : Russians .doc
Document Summary
Russians (russia has followed a very different path than the rest of europe. Russia does not experience things like the renaissance, humanism, religious wars, scientific revolution. In anyway that is similar or comparable to the west) In their isolation they see themselves as the height of culture and the third rome. Kievan rus loosely organized state (before russia) had broad spred cultural ties with the rest of europe. 1472 ivan the third ruler of muscovy (in middle ages there is no russia there are independent states) marries sophia paleologue (niece of the last ruler of constantinople) Ivan marries into the byzantine empire (tsar is like russian caesar) Ivan calls himself emperor but he is not because his state is not independent. Ivan claims rulership over all of kieven rus but he still needs to conquer rival rulers in the other states of kieven rus. His son basil iii continues this process of gathering russia trade routes are being developed.