Because of Kiev's location and the surrounding cultures, cultural diffusion affected Kiev in political, religious, and educational matters. Russia was centered between many trade routes; the river trading from Western Europe and Scandinavia, the Silk Road from the Far East, and Byzantine ports and aquatic trade. Traditions and customs were brought to and from Russia by traders from far-off lands. When Russia needed a set of laws and a code to live by, Yaroslav's code was created. This code followed many of the main ideas in Justinian's Code, in Byzantium. Vladimir wanted to have complete political and religious power over his people, which he took from Byzantium when he was looking for an official religion to unify his people. Vladimir sent
envoys to get their views on various surrounding religions, choosing Eastern Orthodox Christianity because of the political and religious advantages, as well as the proximity of Byzantium. In addition to officially adopting the Byzantium religion, Vladimir wed Princess Anna, daughter of the Byzantine emperor to strengthen political bonds and to further Christianity in Russia. Yaroslav made the church of the Saint Sophia, a church quite similar to the Hagia Sophia in Byzantium. These two churches were very similar, however the Saint Sophia had swirled onion domes, an architectural advancement over the Hagia Sophia. Vladimir also brought religious artists from Byzantium to teach Russian artists to paint icons like they did. Yaroslav also created a public library like Byzantium, and educated the sons of nobles. This library housed many old Greek and Roman works of literature. The Cyrillic alphabet was also created, derived from both the Slavic and the Byzantine languages. Because of the proximity of Byzantium and other cultures to Russia, many of Russia's decisions in the formation of their culture closely mirrored those of the surrounding civilizations.
Through these decrees we see how Russian social class is very stratified and there are more high official roles but more people in poverty. Russia still had to serfs until 1861. Also the state of the Russian economy was probably very limited to do the fact that there was no manufacturing company to provide for the empire. The Russian economy was very isolated and they go to areas where they can trade. With Russia’s subsistence economy, they were not able to specialize in other areas.
The Byzantine Empire plays a major role in many different societies to this day. Some of the things that impact other civilizations from the Byzantine include their religion and laws. According to Mr. Gray, Russia went so far as to adopt Orthodox Christianity, which makes them view themselves as the continuation of Byzantine culturally. Also, Justinian’s code helps shape the basis of much later laws (Byzantine PPT #7), which shows Justinian's code is a bigger influence
It was due to its great resources and population that Russia was able to compete with the other world powers in war and in commerce. Russia did not have the succession of leaders that supported industrialization like Japan did. Therefore, Russia, with Alexander II as czar, made few reforms to encourage industrialization. It was only through the multiple peasant revolts that Russia began to change. Both of these nations experienced changes in government, an increase in economic strength and transportation, and radical changes in the structure of the social classes.
In the anglo saxon society in which Beowulf took place, there was a warrior code which resulted in everyone trying to gain power over one another. Everyone lived by a heroic code that encouraged battles, feuds, and murders and rewarded the victor with treasure. By showing your insecurities or weaknesses in this age you will be taken advantage of. Beowulf understands the heroic code and uses his pride to get the upper hand on everyone else, Beowulf boasts himself as an invincible hero and goes in battle with out an ounce of fear. Beowulf’s justifies his excessive pride through his . Lastly, Beowulf’s pride made him a leader and led by example to defeat the dragon and ultimately sacrifice himself in the process. Beowulf’s desire for pride
The economies of both empires were heavily dependent on trade practices with other nations. Spain, well known for their naval fleets traded amply with the New World who supplied an influx of gold and silver. This addition of wealth allowed the Spanish, and similarly its economy to flourish and sustain itself. At its initial startup, most of Russia’s trade resources came from Siberia. The dominant trade in furs helped ease Russia’s isolation, providing the means necessary for it to actively participate in the global exchange of goods, jumpstarting its economy and flow of wealth. Employing acute trade tactics, both nations established solid ground on which to build an effective empire.
The Gortyn law code was a series of civil laws in use at around 450 B.C.E in modern day Crete . Unlike the name suggests these laws were not a code, but specific ad hoc responses to crisis as they occurred in Gortyn and surrounding areas . The writing itself focuses on civil laws such as divorce, rape and property rights. The majority of punishments for crimes in Gortyn were monetary rather than physical pain or imprisonment, like other city states in ancient Greece. The laws themselves can also shed light on other law practices throughout Greece at this time, as many law makers would visit Gortyn and study the inscriptions. However, due to the vast differences between many city states as well as change over time there are many differences
Throughout the world, people consider The Code of Hammurabi one of the most important codes of law ever recorded in the history of the world based on what it tells us about the history of early Babylon. The code gives people a way to see not only how the society of Babylon developed early on but also how other civilizations were developing complex societies, which were similar to the Babylonians. However, the code also shows us how the role of written documents and writing is effectively portrayed in Hammurabi’s laws. This is effectively observed by analyzing what types of documents the code provides evidence for, what are situations and reasons in which Babylonians used writing, and if writing is the only acceptable form of proof. The Code of Hammurabi is one of the most important codes ever recorded because it shows us evidence of early principles of justice, which provide proof for early legal documentation; gives us observable, physical proof of the Babylonian beliefs for future people to witness; and shows us how written works are the only acceptable form of proof because of the historical accuracy of the work.
Before Peter the Great took control of Russia, it differed drastically from the states and societies that lye further west. During the seventeenth century, Russia was a highly firm and restricted society; one in which people did not have rights and/or control of their own lives. Around the area of Moscow, Peter inherited a huge territorial aggregation. At the time, Western Europe was sparsely populated, and the level of economic development was too low for European standards. It was practically impossible to give an accurate approximation of what the population in Russia actually was, but it was estimated to be around 10 to 12 million during the late seventeenth century. The government prior to Peter the Great was in effect of promising the landlords a secure supply of peasants by the extension of serfdom.
Vsevolod Yaroslavych ruled Kiev from 1078 to 1093. Monomakh became active in the politics of Kiev, helping his father and uncle Izyaslav I, who ruled Kiev intermittently between 1054 and 78, defeat his cousins (8). While his father was alive, Monomakh ruled the Smolensk principality from 1067 to 1125 and the Chernihiv principality from 1078 to 94. He also participated in diplomatic missions, and successfully led 13 military campaigns. After his father’s death in 1093, Monomakh was named the prince of the southern town Pereyaslavl in 1094, but not Kiev (1). He supported his cousin Sviatopolk II Iziaslavych being named the grand duke of Kiev, as he wished to avoid warfare among the Princes of Russia (6). Although Pereyaslavl was the major land Monomakh ruled over, he also controlled Rostov, Suzdal, and other Northern provinces. He founded several towns in these lands, one of which was his namesake, Vladimir, which later became the capital of Russia (9). He gained popularity as a result of his successful campaigns in both 1103 and 1111 against the Cumans, who were nomadic invaders always posing a threat to Russian lands (6). Monomakh gained rule of Kiev after both Sviatopolk died in 1113 and the Kiev Uprising of 1113, being named the grand prince of Kiev, or Yaroslav The Wise, until his death on May 19th, 1125.
As in many parts of the ancient world, the people living in the Rus lands worshiped Pagan gods for thousands of years. Christianity became an influence on the Rus via the Byzantine Empire and the Kievan Rus state around 800 CE. The Byzantine Empire was the largest empire in the world in the 800s and 900s and the official religion of the Byzantines was Orthodox Christianity. The Byzantines' global influence was extraordinary but Kiev's (the Rus capital) close proximity to the Byzantine capital Constantinople added even more influence and pressure to the Rus than most places. Olga, who was ruling the Kievan Rus state as regent, officially converted to Christianity in 945 CE. Olga's gender and status as regent did not allow for Christianity to spread in the Rus state but for the first time churches and missionaries from Constantinople were allowed to stay in Kiev. (Notes from Kovalev class, 9/24/13) Olga's grandson Vladimir became the Grand Prince of the Rus from 980 to 1015. Vladimir felt there was a need to unite all of the diverse Rus tribes under one cultural and religious orientation. Vladimir invited representatives from several religions such as Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, and Orthodox Christianity to try and convert him and the Rus to their respective religions. The obvious choice for Vladimir was Orthodox Christianity from the Byzantine Empire. Constantine was a close neighbor to Kiev. Converting to Orthodox Christianity opened up trade and political options for the Rus that they never had before. The Rus and the Byzantines became trading partners and uneasy allies which helped the Rus kingdom stabilize and grow in the years to come. (Zenkovsky, 66)
Prior to the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, “Russia held a position inferior to that of China in the Far East,” it’s efforts characterized by “haphazard measures of colonization, unstable means of communication and passive diplomacy.”<<1
It all begins in 1974, with an institution called Project Carthage, Project Carthage was a military program designed to block enemy communications, one of it's staff members was a scientist who 20 years later would be working against the project, a family-man who called himself Franz Hopper, his wife dissappeared with unknown circumstances, leaving him with just his 12 Year-Old Daughter, Aelita.
Rents and taxes were often unaffordable, while the gulf between workers and the ruling elite grew ever wider. After their defeat in the Crimean war (1853-1856), Russia’s leaders realized they were falling behind much of Europe in terms of modernisation and industrialisation. Alexander II took control of the empire and made the first steps towards radically improving the country’s infrastructure. Transcontinental railways were built and the government strengthened Russia’s economy by promoting industrialisation with the construction of factory complexes throughout rural Russia.... ...
The most interesting theme of the entire history of Russia is the period in which the formation of Russian statehood takes place. Surprisingly, the events preceding Russia’s formation are among the least studied pages of our history. Written sources telling of the times are very meager, they are mainly found in the presentation of Byzantine chroniclers, who described the events, at times, in biased and contradictory terms. Of course, Byzantines viewed the Slavs as primarily restless, warlike neighbors and they are not particularly interested in their culture, their way of life or their customs. Therefore, to study the history of ancient Russia and paganism uses mainly archaeological and ethnographic research. Some events have shed light archaeological finds but their interpretation the sometimes given rise too many opinions and viewpoints. In a small drop of solid knowledge of accounting there is the whole ocean of assumptions and guesswork. Thus, the early history and culture of Eastern Slavs is no less enigmatic and mysterious, than the story of Atlantis. That is why I was attracted by the theme of “Myths of the ancient Slavs”.
...en the education was strict and manipulated by foreign countries. For its geographical trait, Ukraine was invaded for many times, but this rather increased their thoughts for education.