Russia: The Beginnings
- The early history of Russia, like those of many countries, is one of migrating people and ancient kingdoms.
- Early Russia wasn't exactly "Russia," but a group of cities that gradually merged into an empire.
- A group of Scandinavian people (Varangians) crossed the Baltic Sea and landed in Eastern Europe. The leader of the Varangians was the warrior Rurik
- Goal was to united Russia.
- By 989, Vladimir I was ruler of a kingdom that extended to as far south as the Black Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the lower reaches of the Volga River.
- He established a state religion.
- He carefully considered a number of available faiths and decided upon Greek Orthodoxy, thus allying himself with Constantinople and the West.
- He decided against Islam partly because of his belief that his people could not live under a religion that prohibits hard liquor.
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