HISB93H3 Lecture : Russian History - Slavs
Sept. 17
x Late 6th Century- 9th Slavs were well established (in considerable numbers)
o Mode of Life:
They were cattle herders
Grew various crops (oats)
Most of the population were engaged in agriculture and fishing (rural
activities)
Local trade and international trade (Baghdad) increasingly occupied a
portion of the Slavic population
x Towns were formed where the main occupation was trade.
(urbanized- much more developed than most western Europe)
No overall Slav ruler, the rulers were Asiatic nomadic group
Subject to tribute (tax) used for military development
x Norman Theroy:
o Rested on the authority of the Russian Primary Chronicle (written by Russian
monks)--- about the origins of the Russian state
Not a contemporary account
Argues that the slav tribes were unable to establish to any authority
therefore they were always at war with each other
In order to overcome this problem, they invited the varangian (Viking)
prince (Rurik, Rurikides are the descendents of Rurik)
Kievan state was the creation of Vikings, not Slavs
Russian historians in the Soviet period said that the Slavs DID have
structure
x They say varangians did not conquer the cities, just Kiev in 882
x Argument of the founders of the state (Vikings or Slavs?)
x Where does the word Rus derive from?
o Finish word for Viking is Rootsi
Linguisticly, Rus can be derived from Rootsi
Some argue that the Alans (the Rukh-As) brought the word Rus
x One the state was established, we know that it was a trading state
o The military protected the trade routes
o Derived its wealth from trade
o Spice and silk routes from China, fur routes and the amber route (pine gum
turned to stone) from Baltic Coast
o It was the amber and the fur trade that attracted the Vikings
They began to appear in the eastern regions (8th Cen.)
Along the coast, they began to understand the coins were the result of
various trade
They wanted to participate in this trade in order to gain the coins
which came from the middle eastern countries
The story about rurik was an invention (there is no evidence that rurik
existed)
The princes of 12th century say that they are legitimate because they
are descendents of Rurik, therefore they have the right to rule.
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Document Summary
N late 6th century- 9th slavs were well established (in considerable numbers: mode of life: S most of the population were engaged in agriculture and fishing (rural activities) S local trade and international trade (baghdad) increasingly occupied a portion of the slavic population. N towns were formed where the main occupation was trade. (urbanized- much more developed than most western europe) S no overall slav ruler, the rulers were asiatic nomadic group. S subject to tribute (tax) used for military development. N norman theroy: rested on the authority of the russian primary chronicle (written by russian monks)--- about the origins of the russian state. S argues that the slav tribes were unable to establish to any authority. S therefore they were always at war with each other. In order to overcome this problem, they invited the varangian (viking) prince (rurik, rurikides are the descendents of rurik) S kievan state was the creation of vikings, not slavs.
