Old Russian people: definition, formation and historical significance

How was the old Russian people formed? The development of feudal relations occurs during the transformation of tribal unions into principalities, that is, separate state associations. From this process begins the history of Kievan Rus. The formation of the Old Russian state and the formation of the Old Russian people are interrelated processes.

What preceded the founding of Kievan Rus? What factors contributed to the formation of the ancient Russian people?

Founding of the state

In the ninth century, the Slavic society reached the level when it was required to create a legal field regulating conflicts. Civil strife arose because of inequality. The state is the legal field capable of solving many conflict situations. Without it, such a historical phenomenon as the ancient Russian people could not exist. In addition, the union of tribes was necessary, because the state is always stronger than the principalities that are not connected with each other.

About when the state that united the Eastern Slavs arose, historians argue to this day. At the beginning of the IX century, the Ilmen Slovenes and the Finno-Ugric tribes started such hostility that the local leaders decided to take a desperate step: to invite experienced rulers, preferably from Scandinavia.

The rulers of the Varangians

According to the chronicle, the wise leaders sent a message to Ryurik and his brothers, saying that their land is rich, fertile, but there is no peace on it, only strife and strife. The authors of the letter invited the Scandinavians to reign and establish order. In this proposal, there was nothing shameful for the local rulers. Notable aliens were often invited for this purpose.

The founding of Kievan Rus contributed to the unification of almost all the Eastern Slavic tribes, which were discussed in the annals. Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians are the descendants of the inhabitants of feudal principalities united in a state that has become one of the most powerful in the Middle Ages.

Legend

This city was the capital of the Slavic tribe of glades. Leading them once, according to legend, Kiy. Helped him to manage Szczek and Horeb. Kiev stood at the intersection of roads, in a very convenient place. Here they exchanged and bought grain, weapons, livestock, ornaments, fabrics. Over time, Kiy, Horev and Shchek disappeared somewhere. The Slavs paid tribute to the Khazars. Passed by the Varangians took "homeless" city. The origin of Kiev is covered with secrets. But the creation of the city is one of the prerequisites for the formation of the ancient Russian people.

However, the version that Shchek is the founder of Kiev is subject to great doubts. Rather, it is a myth, part of a folk epic.

Why Kiev?

This city originated in the center of the territory inhabited by the Eastern Slavs. The location of Kiev, as already mentioned, is very convenient. Wide steppes, fertile land and dense forests. The cities had all the conditions for cattle breeding, farming, hunting, and most importantly - to protect the enemy invasion.

What historical sources say about the birth of Kievan Rus? On the emergence of the East Slavic state, and therefore - and the ancient Russian people, according to the "Tale of Bygone Years." After Rurik, who came to power at the invitation of local leaders, Novgorod began to rule Oleg. Igor could not manage because of his young age.

Oleg managed to concentrate power over Kiev and Novgorod.

Historical concepts

The Old Russian nationality is an ethnic community in which the East Slavic tribes united with the formation of an early feudal state. We should say a few words about what is hidden under this historical term.

Narodnost is a historical phenomenon, characteristic precisely for the early feudal period. It is a community of people who are not members of the tribe. But they are still not residents of the state, which has strong economic ties. What is the difference between a nation and a nation? Today's historians have not come to a consensus. Concerning this issue, discussions are still being held. But with certainty it can be said that the nationality is what unites people who share a common territory, culture, customs and traditions.

Periodization

The subject of the article is the Old Russian people. Therefore, it is worthwhile to lead the periodization of the development of Kievan Rus:

1. Appearance.
2. Flowering.
3. Feudal fragmentation.

The first period refers to the ninth to tenth centuries. And it was then that the East Slavic tribes began to transform into a single community. Undoubtedly, the differences between them disappeared gradually. As a result of active communication and rapprochement of many dialects, the Old Russian language was formed. An original material and spiritual culture was created.

Convergence of tribes

The East Slavic tribes lived in a territory that was subordinated to a single power. Apart from the constant internecine strife that took place at the last stage of development of Kievan Rus. But mutually beneficial relations led to the emergence of common traditions and customs.

The Old Russian nationality is a definition that implies not only a commonality of economic life, language, culture and territory. This concept means a community consisting of the main, but irreconcilable classes - feudal lords and peasants.

Formation of the Old Russian people was a long process. Features in the culture and language of people inhabiting different areas of the state have been preserved. The differences were not erased, despite the rapprochement. Later, this served as the basis for the formation of the Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian nationalities.

The concept of "Old Russian people" does not lose its relevance, because this community is the one root of fraternal peoples. Inhabitants of Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia carried through the centuries an understanding of the proximity of culture, language. The historical significance of the ancient Russian people is great, regardless of the current political and economic situation. In order to make sure of this, it is worth considering the components of this community, namely: language, customs, culture.

History of the Old Russian Language

Representatives of the Eastern Slavic tribes understood each other before the founding of Kievan Rus.

The Old Russian language is the speech of the inhabitants who inhabited the territory of this feudal state from the sixth to the fourteenth century. The emergence of writing plays a huge role in the development of culture. If, speaking of the time of the birth of the Old Russian language, historians call the seventh century, then the appearance of the first literary monuments can be attributed to the tenth century. With the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, the development of writing begins. Appear so-called chronicles, which are also important historical documents.

Ancient Russian ethnos began its development in the seventh century, but by the fourteenth, due to severe feudal fragmentation, changes in the speech of the inhabitants inhabiting the west, south, east of Kievan Rus began to be observed. It was then that dialects appeared, later formed into separate languages: Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian.

Culture

Reflecting the life experience of the people - oral creativity. In the festive rites of the inhabitants of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, and today there are many similar features. How did oral poetry come about?

Street musicians, wandering actors and singers roamed the streets of the ancient Russian state. All of them had a common name - buffoons. The motives of folk art form the basis of many literary and musical works created much later.

An epic epic was especially developed in the early feudal state. Folk singers idealized the unity of Kievan Rus. Characters of epics (for example, the hero Mikula Selyanovich) is depicted in epic works rich, strong and independent. Despite the fact that this hero was a peasant.

Folk art influenced the legends and legends that developed in the church and secular environment. And this influence is noticeable in the culture of later periods. Another source for the creation of literary works for authors of Kievan Rus became military novels.

Economic development

With the formation of the Old Russian nationality, representatives of the Eastern Slavic tribes began to improve their tools. The economy, however, remained natural. In the main industry - agriculture - widely used rails, spasms, hoes, braids, wheeled plows.

Artisans have made significant progress with the formation of the ancient Russian state. Blacksmiths learned to harden, grind, polish. Representatives of this ancient craft made about one hundred and fifty kinds of articles made of iron. Swords of Old Russian blacksmiths were especially famous. Pottery, wood processing also actively developed. Products of ancient Russian masters were known and far beyond the state.

The formation of the people promoted the development of crafts and agriculture, which subsequently led to an increase in the development of trade relations. Kievan Rus developed economic relations with foreign countries. Through the ancient Russian state, the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" took place.

Feudal relations

The formation of the Old Russian people took place at the time of the establishment of feudalism. What was this system of social relations? The feudal lords, about the cruelty of which Soviet historians talked so much, really concentrated power and wealth in their hands. They used the work of urban artisans and dependent peasants. Feudalism contributed to the formation of complex vassal relations, known from the history of the Middle Ages. The great Kiev prince embodied the state power.

Class feuds

Peasants-smerds handled the estates of the feudal lords. Artisans paid tribute. The hardest of all was slaves and servants. As in other medieval states, in Kievan Rus over time feudal exploitation became so acute that revolts began. The first took place in 994. The story of the death of Igor, who together with his squad decided to collect the tribute the second time, is known to everyone. People's anger - in history, a terrible phenomenon, involving incitement of strife, outrage, and sometimes even war.

Struggle against strangers

The Norman Scandinavian tribes continued their predatory attacks even when the East Slavic tribes already represented an ethnic community. In addition, Kievan Rus conducted an uninterrupted struggle against the hordes of the Khazar Khaganate. Residents of the ancient Russian state bravely repelled enemy invasions. And they themselves did not expect another attack from the enemy, and, without thinking twice, set out on their journey. Old Russian troops often equipped trips to enemy states. Their glorious feats are reflected in the annals, bylinas.

Paganism

Territorial unity was significantly strengthened during the reign of Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. Kievan Rus achieved considerable development, led a fairly successful struggle against the predatory actions of Lithuanian and Polish princes.

Paganism adversely affected the formation of ethnic unity. There was a need for a new religion, which, of course, was to become Christianity. Askold began distributing it in the territory of Russia. But then Kiev captured the Novgorod prince and destroyed not so long ago the erected Christian churches.

The introduction of a new faith

The mission of introducing a new religion was assumed by Vladimir. However, there were many admirers of paganism in Russia . Struggle against them was conducted for many years. Even before the adoption of Christianity, attempts were made to renew the pagan religion. Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, for example, in 980 approved the existence of a group of gods led by Perun. We needed an idea, one for the entire state. And his center was bound to be in Kiev.

Paganism, however, has become obsolete. So, Vladimir, after long meditations, chose Orthodoxy. In the choice he was guided, first of all, by practical interests.

A difficult choice

According to one version, the prince listened to the opinion of several priests before making a choice. Everyone, as you know, has his own truth. The Muslim world attracted Vladimir, but his circumcision frightened him. In addition, the Russian table can not be without pork and wine. The faith of the Jews to the prince did not inspire confidence at all. Greek was colorful, spectacular. And political interests finally determined the choice of Vladimir.

Religion, traditions, culture - all this unites the population of countries where once the tribes united in the Old Russian ethnic union lived. And even centuries later the connection between such peoples as Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian is inseparable.