Kievan Rus

Kievan Rus was a state in Russia and the Steppe (Europe) that lasted from 882 to 1240 CE, about 358 years. Its people spoke Slavic languages (Russian, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian).

Oleg of Novgorod took Kiev in 882 and founded a Varangian-led state of East Slavs. Vladimir I adopted Orthodox Christianity in 988. It split into rival principalities and fell to the Mongols in 1240.

See Kievan Rus on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

882 to 1240 CE

Duration

358 years

Type

State

Region

Russia and the Steppe, Europe

Language family

Slavic

Capital

Kiev

Came from

• East Slavic tribes c. 500 to 882 CE

Became

• Novgorod Republic 1136 to 1478 CE
• Vladimir-Suzdal c. 1157 to 1331 CE
• Galicia-Volhynia 1199 to 1349 CE

Events in Europe during its time

• 988 Baptism of the Rus
• 1054 East-West Schism
• 1066 Norman conquest of England
• 1095 First Crusade proclaimed
• 1204 Crusaders sack Constantinople
• 1215 Magna Carta
• 1240 Mongols sack Kiev

Neighbours in Europe

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE
• Papal States 756 to 1870 CE
• Kingdom of Scotland 843 to 1707 CE
• Republic of Genoa c. 1005 to 1797 CE
• Kingdom of Portugal 1139 to 1910 CE
• Kingdom of Bohemia 1198 to 1918 CE
• Grand Duchy of Lithuania c. 1236 to 1795 CE
• Kingdom of Hungary 1000 to 1526 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
• Abbasid Caliphate 750 to 1258 CE, Middle East
• Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE, North and West Africa
• Chola Empire 848 to 1279 CE, South Asia

Questions