Early reign of Ivan the Terrible
Under his rule, Moscow resumes its bid for control of neighbouring Kazan, which is already weakened by decades of instability
Category Archives: Ukraine
Siege of Kazan 1552, Part 1
Muscovy and her Asiatic neighbours 1400s-early 1500s
The story of the complex relationship between the Russians and their southern and eastern neighbours in 1400s-early 1500’s. Those neighbours were the successor states of the once mighty Mongol-Tatar empire known as the Golden Horde; the khanates of Kazan, Crimea, Siberia, the Great Horde and Nogay Horde. These relationships were at least as important to Muscovy as those with her western neighbours. Pictured: QolSharif Mosque in the city of Kazan, Russia
Battle of the Kalka River Part 3, Mongols vs Kievan Rus
The princes of Kievan Rus gather an army to confront a Mongol force which has invaded the Pontic Steppe. The two sides meet at the Battle of The Kalka River 1223
Battle of the Kalka River Part 2, The Mongols Invade
After conquering northern China the Mongols of Genghis Khan launch a campaign westwards through Persia and the Caucasus Mountains and into Europe
Kalka River 1223 Part 1, Golden Age of Kievan Rus
The Golden Age of Kievan Rus 988-1200. The Battle of the Kalka River 1223, Part 1.
For two centuries after Vladimir the Great’s conversion to Christianity Kievan Rus enjoyed a golden age. A common culture and sense of identity formed in the lands of the Rus’ despite political turmoil. The three main centres of power, each different in character, were Vladimir Suzdal, Novgorod and Volynia-Galicia
Cherson 988 Part 5, Conversion of Russians to Christianity
Vladimir the Great is credited with transforming Kievan Rus into a true medieval state with Christianity at the heart of its sense of identity. The story is linked to the siege of the Crimean city of Cherson in 988 and the Byzantine Emperor Basil II the Bulgar Slayer
Cherson 988 Part 2, Crimea and Black Sea 500BC-800AD
Brief history of Crimea and North Black Sea region 500BC-800 AD, during which time many different peoples having left their mark, including Greeks, Scythians, Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Bulgarians and Khazars
Cherson 988, Part 4, Early Kievan Rus. Rurik to Svyatoslav
The dynasty of Rurik builds the foundations of a new power in eastern Europe – Kievan Rus. Princess Olga takes vengeance on a rebel town by burning it down, but after converting to Christianity was later sainted. Her son, Syvatoslav defeats the Khazars and then tries to resettle his people in Bulgaria before his early death
Cherson 988 Part 3, Origins of the Slavs
The origins of the Slavs are shrouded in uncertainty. We rely on scraps of contemporary writings and later writings such as The Primary Chronicle of Kievan Rus. They tell us of the unification by Vikings of scattered tribes in the region of the Baltic – Black Sea waterways
Cherson 988, Part 1, Early History of The Black Sea
Early History of The Black Sea, Perspectives on Ukrainian and Russian History.
Intro is the Russian Presidential Address of 2014. Then an outline of different perspectives on Russian History, and next a description of the geography and early history of the Black Sea region from the time of the Ancient Greeks