Eastern Slavs in the pre-state period (economic activity, social system, religious ideas). Pre-state period in the history of Russia Eastern Slavs in the pre-state period

Eastern Slavs in the VI - IX centuries. occupied the territory from the Carpathian Mountains in the west to the Oka and the upper reaches of the Don in the east, from the Neva and Lake Ladoga in the north, to the Middle Dnieper in the south. The Slavs, who developed the East European Plain, came into contact with a few Finno-Ugric and Baltic tribes. There was a process of assimilation of peoples. At this time, the Eastern Slavs united in tribal unions. From the "Initial Chronicle" we know about large East Slavic tribal groups: a glade on the Dnieper near Kyiv; Drevlyans in the forests on the right bank of the Dnieper; Ilmenian Slavs around Lake Ilmen; Dregovichi between Pripyat and Western Dvina; Krivichi near Smolensk; Polotsk people on the banks of the Polota River; street in the interfluve of the Prut and the Dnieper; Tivertsy between the Dnieper and the Southern Bug; Vyatichi along the rivers Moscow and Oka.

The economy of the Eastern Slavs was complex. Their main occupation is agriculture. Agriculture played a leading role. The Slavs, who occupied the fertile forest-steppe regions of Eastern Europe, achieved significant success in it. At the same time, the southern territories somewhat overtook the northern ones. This was facilitated by the best natural conditions and older farming traditions.

The Slavic settlements of the second half of the first millennium AD reflect a sedentary lifestyle. They settled along the banks of rivers and lakes in places where there were plots suitable for agriculture. During the excavations of the settlements of this period, agricultural tools were found: iron spears, coulters, hoes, as well as products of agricultural labor. In the economy of the Slavic tribes of the forest zone of Eastern Europe, a prominent place belonged to slash-and-burn agriculture. However, the area cleared of the forest was soon depleted and ceased to produce crops after 3-4 years. This forced the Slavs to leave the old and develop new areas. This farming system required huge amount land and forced to settle in small villages. However, excavations show that the role of slash-and-burn agriculture is somewhat overestimated. Studies of the lower archaeological layers in Novgorod, Izborsk and other places testify to the cultivation in the forest zone of cereals and legumes, as well as fibrous plants, which is possible only in the presence of arable farming. Obviously, undercutting was used mainly for the expansion of arable fields. In the forest-steppe zone there were large areas free from forests, so here, along with the fallow, a crop rotation system arose: two-field and three-field. The Slavs sowed wheat (hard and soft), millet, oats, barley.

Along with agriculture, livestock occupied an important place in the economy. The first place was given to cattle. At archaeological excavations its bones make up about 50%. Herds of cattle were the measure of wealth. A prominent place in the economy was occupied by hunting and fishing. However, they played an auxiliary role with the dominant importance of agriculture and animal husbandry.

Particularly noteworthy are metalworking and blacksmithing, which are characterized by complex technologies that require special knowledge. For these reasons, metallurgical crafts separated quite early into separate branches of the economy. Swamp ores served as raw materials, and charcoal served as fuel. Traces of iron production date back to the first half of the first millennium AD. Blacksmithing among the Slavs is well traced in archaeological excavations. First of all, agricultural tools, as well as weapons, were made from iron. It should be noted that the processing of iron among the Eastern Slavs on the eve of the formation of the state was at a high level of development.

Ceramics is most widely represented in Slavic settlements and cemeteries. In the VI-VII centuries. molded pottery dominates in most East Slavic settlements. It existed until the 10th century, and on the outskirts - until the 11th century. The place of molded dishes is gradually occupied by ceramics made on a potter's wheel. At the same time, the manufacture of dishes ceases to be the business of each family and is concentrated in the hands of craftsmen.

It should be noted that Slavic blacksmiths, jewelers, and potters intended their products mainly for the rural population. Initially, they worked to order. In the second half of the first millennium, along with work to order, artisans begin to produce products for the market. This contributed to the emergence of specialized settlements where artisans worked and lived. This fact is an indicator of the growing division of labor and sales. Settlements became the focus of domestic and foreign trade. They were fortified. One of such fortified craft centers of the Eastern Slavs was the settlement of Zimno (VI-VII centuries).

The social structure of the Eastern Slavs in pre-state period can be reconstructed on the basis of reports by Byzantine authors, as well as archaeological materials. Many researchers have tried to use to determine the level public relations Slavs sizes and types of residential and public buildings. Although in order to determine social organization burial structures serve as a more reliable sign.

In the VI - VII centuries. large patriarchal family groups still remain, for example, in the southern regions. On their existence among the Slavs in the V-VII centuries. indicate the small size of settlements, as well as the singularity of economic complexes. In general, the third quarter of the first millennium is transitional from a family community to a territorial community.

Appearance in the VI - VII centuries. settlements, craft centers shows that the patriarchal family in a number of places begins to disintegrate. Gradually, the rural community becomes the basis of the social organization of the East Slavic society. It unites people not on the basis of family relations, but on a territorial basis. The community members were united not by kinship, but by common area and economic life. Each community owned a certain territory on which several families lived. There were two forms of ownership: personal (house, livestock, inventory) and public (arable land, meadows, reservoirs, crafts).

Slavs VI-IX centuries. the social category of the tribal nobility was known. A prince was chosen from the clan, who was approved by the tribal assembly. The word "prince" is a common Slavic, borrowed, according to linguists, from the ancient Germanic language. This word originally meant the head of the family, the elder. Byzantine historians of the 6th-7th centuries. repeatedly report Slavic tribal leaders. With the growth of the population, the tribe, subdivided into several genera, broke up into a number of related tribes, which formed a tribal union. Such tribal unions were the meadows named by Nestor, the Drevlyans, the Dregovichi, and others. At the head of these unions were the leaders who towered over the leaders of the individual tribes that were part of the union. So, in the Bertinsk annals it is reported about the kagan of the people "Ros", and the Gothic historian Jordan calls the ancient Slavic prince Bozh. Thus, in addition to the leaders of the tribes, there were leaders of tribal unions. The princes had various functions: military, foreign policy, religious, judicial. They were assisted by a council of elders, or, as they are called in the annals, "the elders of the city." In the annalistic reports, the elders of the city act as authorized leaders of society, with whom the princes were forced to reckon. Finally, sovereignty belonged to tribal assemblies, veche. The whole population participated in them. Veche acted continuously throughout the 9th-11th centuries, but over time, as the princely power strengthened, their influence fell.

The pagan beliefs of the Eastern Slavs are a complex, multi-layered formation. The sources note that the Slavs worshiped mountains, springs, groves, and plants. This testifies to the preservation of early, primitive religious beliefs. However, the most important attributes of both tribal and settlement sanctuaries were idols-idols. The most widespread wooden statues. The most remarkable monument of Slavic paganism is the Zbruch idol.

Economy of the Eastern Slavs was complex. Their main occupation is agriculture. Agriculture played a leading role. The Slavs, who occupied the fertile forest-steppe regions of Eastern Europe, achieved significant success in it. At the same time, the southern territories somewhat overtook the northern ones. This was facilitated by the best natural conditions and more ancient traditions of agriculture.

The Slavic settlements of the second half of the first millennium AD reflect a sedentary lifestyle. They settled along the banks of rivers and lakes in places where there were plots suitable for agriculture. During the excavations of the settlements of this period, agricultural tools were found: iron spears, coulters, hoes, as well as products of agricultural labor. In the economy of the Slavic tribes of the forest zone of Eastern Europe, a prominent place belonged to slash-and-burn agriculture. However, the area cleared of the forest was soon depleted and ceased to produce crops after 3-4 years. This forced the Slavs to leave the old and develop new areas. Such a system of agriculture required a huge amount of land and forced them to settle in small villages. However, excavations show that the role of slash-and-burn agriculture is somewhat overestimated. Studies of the lower archaeological layers in Novgorod, Izborsk and other places testify to the cultivation in the forest zone of cereals and legumes, as well as fibrous plants, which is possible only in the presence of arable farming. Obviously, undercutting was used mainly for the expansion of arable fields. In the forest-steppe zone there were large areas free from forests, so here, along with the fallow, a crop rotation system arose: two-field and three-field. The Slavs sowed wheat (hard and soft), millet, oats, barley.

Along with agriculture, livestock occupied an important place in the economy. The first place was given to cattle. During archaeological excavations, his bones make up about 50%. Herds of cattle were the measure of wealth. A prominent place in the economy was occupied by hunting and fishing. However, they played an auxiliary role with the dominant importance of agriculture and animal husbandry.

social order Eastern Slavs in the pre-state period can be reconstructed on the basis of reports by Byzantine authors, as well as archaeological materials. Many researchers tried to use the sizes and types of residential and public buildings to determine the level of social relations of the Slavs. Although, to determine the social organization, burial structures serve as a more reliable sign.

Appearance in the VI - VII centuries. settlements, craft centers shows that the patriarchal family in a number of places begins to disintegrate. Gradually, the rural community becomes the basis of the social organization of the East Slavic society. It unites people not on the basis of family relations, but on a territorial basis. The community members were united not by kinship, but by a common territory and economic life. Each community owned a certain territory on which several families lived. There were two forms of ownership: personal (house, livestock, inventory) and public (arable land, meadows, reservoirs, crafts).

Slavs VI-IX centuries. the social category of the tribal nobility was known. A prince was chosen from the clan, who was approved by the tribal assembly. The word "prince" is a common Slavic, borrowed, according to linguists, from the ancient Germanic language. This word originally meant the head of the family, the elder. Byzantine historians of the 6th-7th centuries. repeatedly report Slavic tribal leaders. With the growth of the population, the tribe, subdivided into several genera, broke up into a number of related tribes, which formed a tribal union. Such tribal unions were the meadows named by Nestor, the Drevlyans, the Dregovichi, and others. At the head of these unions were the leaders who towered over the leaders of the individual tribes that were part of the union. So, in the Bertinsk annals it is reported about the kagan of the people "Ros", and the Gothic historian Jordan calls the ancient Slavic prince Bozh. Thus, in addition to the leaders of the tribes, there were leaders of tribal unions. The princes had various functions: military, foreign policy, religious, judicial. They were assisted by a council of elders, or, as they are called in the annals, "the elders of the city." In the annalistic reports, the elders of the city act as authorized leaders of society, with whom the princes were forced to reckon. Finally, the supreme power belonged to tribal assemblies, veche. The whole population participated in them. Veche acted continuously throughout the 9th-11th centuries, but over time, as the princely power strengthened, their influence fell.

pagan beliefs Eastern Slavs are a complex, multi-layered formation. The sources note that the Slavs worshiped mountains, springs, groves, and plants. This testifies to the preservation of early, primitive religious beliefs. However, the most important attributes of both tribal and settlement sanctuaries were idols-idols. The most widespread wooden statues. The most remarkable monument of Slavic paganism is the Zbruch idol. B. A. Rybakov tried to restore its general meaning. Three horizontal tiers of images symbolize the division of the Universe into heaven (the world of gods), earth (the world of people), the underworld (the underworld). Above - images of figures of four deities crowned with a princely cap. On the main front side there is a female image (presumably the goddess of fertility Makoshi). On the left side is a male figure of the god of war with a spear and a saber. Most likely, this is Perun. On the middle tier there are figures of men and women. This is the land where people live. The lower tier is the figures of mustachioed men. They are underground gods.

It is known from written sources that the pagan Slavs sacrificed grain, cattle, and people to idols. The most important part of the pagan cult were festivities and ritual feasts. In the second half of the first millennium, the main deity of the Slavs was Perun, the god of thunder and lightning. The economic basis of life - agriculture - left its mark on pagan beliefs. According to the pagan calendar, most ritual festivities reflected certain stages cycle of agricultural work.

The agrarian cult was associated with the deities of the sun - Dazhdbog and Khors, Veles - the patron of cattle. Stribog, the god of the wind, also played a certain role in agriculture. Other deities: Svarog - the god of fire, Makosh - the patroness of the hearth, Simargl - the god of the underworld. Lower deities - Rod and women in childbirth, shorelines, ghouls. Priestly functions, most likely, were performed by princes, as well as sorcerers and sorcerers. It should be noted that paganism was the determining factor in the ideology of the Slavs. All other manifestations of spiritual culture were largely determined by the pagan worldview.

AT historical science It is generally accepted that the history of any nation begins with the formation of the state. AT Russian Federation more than 100 peoples and nationalities live. But the main state-forming people of our country is the Russian people (out of 149 million, 120 million are Russians). The Russian people - one of the largest peoples in the world - for many centuries played a leading role in the political, economic, cultural development of the country. The first state of Russians, as well as Ukrainians and Belarusians, was formed in the 9th century. around Kyiv their common ancestors - the Eastern Slavs.

The first written evidence of the Slavs. By the middle of the II millennium BC. Slavs stand out from the Indo-European community. The oldest known habitat of the Slavs in Europe was the lower and middle reaches of the Danube. By the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. The Slavs became so significant in terms of numbers, influence in the world around them that Greek, Roman, Arabic, Byzantine authors began to report on them (the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, the historian Tacitus - I century AD, the geographer Ptolemy Claudius - II century BC). AD Ancient authors call the Slavs "Antes", "Sklavins", "Venedi" and speak of them as "countless tribes" In the era of the great migration of the Slavic peoples on the Danube, other peoples began to push.

· Part of the Slavs remained in Europe. Later they will be named southern Slavs(Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians, Montenegrins will come from them).

Another part of the Slavs moved north - Western Slavs(Czechs, Poles, Slovaks). Western and southern Slavs were conquered by other peoples.

· The third part of the Slavs, according to scientists, did not want to submit to anyone and moved to the northeast, to the East European Plain. Later they will be named Eastern Slavs(Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians).

It should be noted that in the era of the great migration of peoples, most of the tribes sought to Central Europe, to the ruins of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire soon fell under the blows of the alien barbarians (476 AD). On this territory, the barbarians, having absorbed the heritage of ancient Roman culture, will create their own statehood. The Eastern Slavs, on the other hand, went to the northeast, into the dense forest jungle, where there is no cultural heritage did not have. The Slavs went to the northeast in two streams: one part of the Slavs went to Lake Ilmen (later the ancient Russian city of Novgorod would rise there), the other part went to the middle and lower reaches of the Dnieper (there would be another ancient city Kyiv).

In the VI - VIII centuries. Eastern Slavs mainly settled in the East European Plain.

Neighbors of the Eastern Slavs. Other peoples already lived on the East European (Russian) plain. On the Baltic coast and in the north lived the Baltic (Lithuanians, Latvians) and Finno-Finnish (Finns, Estonians, Ugrians (Hungarians), Komi, Khanty, Mansi, etc.) tribes. The colonization of these places was peaceful, the Slavs got along with the local population.

The situation was different in the east and southeast. There, the steppe adjoined the Russian Plain. The neighbors of the Eastern Slavs were the steppe nomads - the Turks (the Altai family of peoples, the Turkic group). In those days, peoples leading a different way of life - settled and nomadic - were constantly at enmity with each other. The nomads lived by raiding the settled population. And for almost 1000 years, one of the main phenomena in the life of the Eastern Slavs will be the struggle against the nomadic peoples of the Steppe.

The Turks on the eastern and southeastern borders of the settlement of the Eastern Slavs created their own state formations.

In the middle of the 6th c. in the lower reaches of the Volga there was a state of the Turks - the Avar Khaganate. In 625 Avar Khaganate was defeated by Byzantium and ceased to exist.

· In the VII - VIII centuries. here appears the state of other Turks - Bulgar (Bulgarian) kingdom. Then the Bulgar kingdom broke up. Part of the Bulgars went to the middle reaches of the Volga and formed Volga Bulgaria . Another part of the Bulgars migrated to the Danube, where it was formed Danube Bulgaria (later the newcomer Turks were assimilated by the southern Slavs. A new ethnic group arose, but it took the name of the newcomers - "Bulgarians").

The steppes of southern Russia after the departure of the Bulgars were occupied by new Turks - Pechenegs.

On the lower Volga and in the steppes between the Caspian and Azov seas, semi-nomadic Turks created Khazar Khaganate. The Khazars established their dominance over the Eastern Slavic tribes, many of whom paid tribute to them until the 9th century.

In the south, the neighbor of the Eastern Slavs was Byzantine Empire (395-1453) with its capital in the city of Constantinople (in Russia it was called Tsargrad).

Territory of the Eastern Slavs. In the VI - VIII centuries. The Slavs were not yet one people. They were divided into tribal unions, which included 120 - 150 separate tribes. By the ninth century There were about 15 tribal unions. Tribal unions were called either by the area in which they lived, or by the name of the leaders. Information about the settlement of the Eastern Slavs is contained in the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", created by the monk of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery Nestor in the second decade of the 12th century. (The chronicler Nestor is called "the father of Russian history"). According to the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", the Eastern Slavs settled: the meadow - along the banks of the Dnieper, not far from the mouth of the Desna; northerners - in the basin of the Desna and Seim rivers; radimichi - on the upper tributaries of the Dnieper; Drevlyans - along Pripyat; Dregovichi - between Pripyat and the Western Dvina; Polochans - along Polot; Ilmenian Slovenes - along the rivers Volkhov, Shchelon, Lovat, Msta; Krivichi - in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Western Dvina and Volga; Vyatichi - in the upper reaches of the Oka; Buzhan - along the Western Bug; Tivertsy and streets - from the Dnieper to the Danube; white Croats occupied part of the western slopes of the Carpathians.

The path "from the Varangians to the Greeks". The Eastern Slavs did not have a sea coast. Rivers became the main trade routes for the Slavs. They "huddled" to the banks of the rivers, especially the greatest river of Russian antiquity - the Dnieper. In the ninth century a great trade route arose - "from the Varangians to the Greeks". It connected Novgorod and Kyiv, Northern and Southern Europe. From the Baltic Sea along the Neva River, the caravans of merchants got to Lake Ladoga, from there along the Volkhov River and further along the Lovat River to the upper reaches of the Dnieper. From Lovat to the Dnieper in the region of Smolensk and on the Dnieper rapids they crossed by "drag routes". Further, the western coast of the Black Sea reached the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople. This path became the core, the main trade road, the "red street" of the Eastern Slavs. The whole life of the East Slavic society was concentrated around this trade route.

Occupations of the Eastern Slavs. The main occupation of the Eastern Slavs was agriculture. They cultivated wheat, rye, barley, planted turnips, millet, cabbage, beets, carrots, radishes, garlic and other crops. They were engaged in cattle breeding (bred pigs, cows, horses, small cattle), fishing, beekeeping (gathering honey from wild bees). A significant part of the territory of the Eastern Slavs lay in a harsh climate zone, and farming required the exertion of all physical strength. Labor-intensive work had to be completed within a strictly defined time frame. This was only possible for a large team. Therefore, from the very beginning of the appearance of the Slavs on the East European Plain, the collective - the community and the leader - began to play the most important role in their life.

Cities. Among the Eastern Slavs in the V - VI centuries. cities arose, which was associated with the long-standing development of trade. The most ancient Russian cities are Kyiv, Novgorod, Smolensk, Suzdal, Murom, Pereyaslavl South. In the ninth century the Eastern Slavs had at least 24 major cities. Cities usually arose at the confluence of rivers, on a high hill. The central part of the city was called Kremlin, detinets and was usually surrounded by ramparts. The Kremlin housed the dwellings of princes, the nobility, temples, monasteries. A moat filled with water was erected behind the fortress wall. Bargaining was located behind the moat. A settlement adjoined the Kremlin, where artisans settled. Separate areas of the settlement, inhabited by artisans of the same specialty, were called settlements.

Public relations. The Eastern Slavs lived in clans. Each clan had its own foreman - the prince. The prince relied on the tribal elite - "the best husbands." The princes formed a special military organization- a squad, which included warriors and advisers to the prince. The squad was divided into senior and junior. The first included the most noble warriors (advisers). The younger squad lived with the prince and served his court and household. Vigilantes from the conquered tribes collected tribute (taxes). Tribute campaigns were called crowd. From time immemorial, the Eastern Slavs had a custom - to solve all the most important issues in the life of the clan at a secular gathering - a veche.

Beliefs of the Eastern Slavs. The ancient Slavs were pagans. They worshiped the forces of nature and the spirits of their ancestors. In the pantheon of Slavic gods, a special place was occupied by: the god of the sun - Yarilo; the god of war and lightning - Perun, the god of fire - Svarog, the patron saint of cattle - Veles. The princes themselves acted as high priests, but the Slavs also had special priests - sorcerers and magicians.

test questions
List of recommended literature
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS

In historical science, it is generally accepted that the history of any nation begins with the formation of a state. More than 100 peoples and nationalities live in the Russian Federation. But the main state-forming people of our country is the Russian people (out of 149 million - 120 million are Russians). The Russian people - one of the largest peoples in the world - for many centuries played a leading role in the political, economic, cultural development of the country. The first state of Russians, as well as Ukrainians and Belarusians, was formed in the 9th century around Kyiv by their common ancestors - the Eastern Slavs.
The first written evidence of the Slavs. By the middle of the II millennium BC. Slavs stand out from the Indo-European community. By the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. the Slavs became so significant in terms of numbers, influence in the world around them, that Greek, Roman, Arabic, Byzantine authors began to report on them (Roman writer Pliny the Elder (See textbook material), historian Tacitus - I century AD, geographer Ptolemy Claudius - II century AD ancient authors call the Slavs "antes", "sklavins", "wends" and speak of them as "countless tribes"). (See textbook material)
In the era of the great migration of the peoples of the Slavs, other peoples began to crowd on the Danube. The Slavs began to split up.

Part of the Slavs remained in Europe. Later they will be named southern Slavs(later Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians, Montenegrins will come from them).
Another part of the Slavs moved north - Western Slavs(Czechs, Poles, Slovaks). Western and southern Slavs were conquered by other peoples.
And the third part of the Slavs, according to scientists, did not want to submit to anyone and moved to the northeast, to the East European Plain. Later they will be named Eastern Slavs(Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians).

It should be noted that most of the tribes sought to Central Europe, to the ruins of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire soon fell under the blows of the alien barbarians (476 AD). On this territory, the barbarians will create their own statehood, having absorbed the cultural heritage of ancient Roman culture. The Eastern Slavs went to the northeast, into the dense forest jungle, where there was no cultural heritage. The Eastern Slavs left in two streams. One part of the Slavs went to Lake Ilmen. Later, the ancient Russian city of Novgorod will rise there. The other part - to the middle and lower reaches of the Dnieper - there will be another ancient city of Kyiv.
In the VI - VIII centuries. Eastern Slavs mostly settled in the East European Plain.
Neighbors of the Eastern Slavs. And other peoples already lived on the East European (Russian) Plain. On the Baltic coast and in the north lived the Baltic (Lithuanians, Latvians) and Finno-Finnish (Finns, Estonians, Ugrians (Hungarians), Komi, Khanty, Mansi, etc.) tribes. The colonization of these places was peaceful, the Slavs got along with the local population.
The situation was different in the east and southeast. There, the Steppe adjoined the Russian Plain. The neighbors of the Eastern Slavs were the steppe nomads - the Turks (the Altai family of peoples, the Turkic group). In those days, peoples leading a different way of life - sedentary and nomadic - were constantly at enmity with each other. The nomads lived by raiding the settled population. And for almost 1000 years, one of the main phenomena in the life of the Eastern Slavs will be the struggle against the nomadic peoples of the Steppe.
The Turks on the eastern and southeastern borders of the settlement of the Eastern Slavs created their own state formations.

In the middle of the VI century. in the lower reaches of the Volga there was a state of the Turks - the Avar Khaganate. In 625 Avar Khaganate was defeated by Byzantium and ceased to exist.
In the VII - VIII centuries. here appears the state of other Turks - Bulgar (Bulgarian) kingdom. Then the Bulgar kingdom broke up. Part of the Bulgars went to the middle reaches of the Volga and formed Volga Bulgaria. Another part of the Bulgars migrated to the Danube, where it was formed Danube Bulgaria (later the newcomer Turks were assimilated by the southern Slavs. A new ethnic group arose, but it took the name of the newcomers - "Bulgarians").
The steppes of southern Russia after the departure of the Bulgars were occupied by new Turks - Pechenegs.
On the lower Volga and in the steppes between the Caspian and Azov seas, semi-nomadic Turks created Khazar Khaganate. The Khazars established their dominance over the East Slavic tribes, many of whom paid tribute to them until the 9th century.

In the south, the neighbor of the Eastern Slavs was Byzantine Empire(395 - 1453) with its capital in the city of Constantinople (in Russia it was called Tsargrad).
Territory of the Eastern Slavs. In the VI - VIII centuries. The Slavs were not yet one people.
They were divided into tribal unions, which included 120 - 150 separate tribes. By the ninth century There were about 15 tribal unions. Tribal unions were called either by the area in which they lived, or by the name of the leaders. Information about the resettlement of the Eastern Slavs is contained in the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", created by the monk of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery Nestor in the second decade of the 12th century. (The chronicler Nestor is called "the father of Russian history"). (See textbook material) According to the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", the Eastern Slavs settled: glades - along the banks of the Dnieper, not far from the mouth of the Desna; northerners - in the basin of the Desna and Seim rivers; radimichi - on the upper tributaries of the Dnieper; Drevlyans - along Pripyat; Dregovichi - between Pripyat and the Western Dvina; polochane - along Polota; Ilmen Slovenes - along the rivers Volkhov, Shchelon, Lovat, Msta; Krivichi - in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Western Dvina and Volga; Vyatichi - in the upper reaches of the Oka; buzhane - along the Western Bug; Tivertsy and streets - from the Dnieper to the Danube; white Croats - the northern part of the western slopes of the Carpathians.
The path "from the Varangians to the Greeks". The Eastern Slavs did not have a sea coast. Rivers became the main trade routes for the Slavs. They "huddled" to the banks of the rivers, especially the greatest river of Russian antiquity - the Dnieper. In the ninth century a great trade route arose - "from the Varangians to the Greeks". (See textbook material) He connected Novgorod and Kyiv, Northern and Southern Europe. From the Baltic Sea along the Neva River, the caravans of merchants got to Lake Ladoga, from there along the Volkhov River and further along the Lovat River to the upper reaches of the Dnieper. From Lovat to the Dnieper in the region of Smolensk and on the Dnieper rapids they crossed by "drag routes". Further, the western coast of the Black Sea reached the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople (the Eastern Slavs called it Constantinople). This path became the core, the main trade road, the "red street" of the Eastern Slavs. The whole life of the East Slavic society was concentrated around this trade route.
Occupations of the Eastern Slavs. The main occupation of the Eastern Slavs was agriculture. They cultivated wheat, rye, barley, millet, planted turnips, millet, cabbage, beets, carrots, radishes, garlic and other crops. They were engaged in cattle breeding (bred pigs, cows, horses, small cattle), fishing, beekeeping (gathering honey from wild bees). A significant part of the territory of the Eastern Slavs lay in the zone of a harsh climate, and farming required the exertion of all physical strength. Labor-intensive work had to be completed within a strictly defined time frame. This was only possible for a large team. Therefore, from the very beginning of the appearance of the Slavs on the East European Plain, the collective - the community and the role of leader - began to play the most important role in their life.
Cities. Among the Eastern Slavs in the V - VI centuries. cities arose, which was associated with the long-standing development of trade. The most ancient Russian cities are Kyiv, Novgorod, Smolensk, Suzdal, Murom, Pereyaslavl South. In the ninth century the Eastern Slavs had at least 24 major cities. Cities usually arose at the confluence of rivers, on a high hill. The central part of the city was called Kremlin, detinets and was usually surrounded by ramparts. The Kremlin housed the dwellings of princes, the nobility, temples, monasteries. A moat filled with water was erected behind the fortress wall. Bargaining was located behind the moat. A settlement adjoined the Kremlin, where artisans settled. Separate areas of the settlement, inhabited by artisans of the same specialty, were called settlements.
Public relations. Eastern Slavs lived in clans. Each clan had its own foreman - the prince. The prince relied on the tribal elite - "the best husbands." The princes formed a special military organization - a squad, which included warriors and advisers to the prince. The squad was divided into senior and junior. The first included the most noble warriors (advisors). The younger squad lived with the prince and served his court and household. Vigilantes from the conquered tribes collected tribute (taxes). Tribute campaigns were called "polyudem". From time immemorial, the Eastern Slavs had a custom - to solve all the most important issues in the life of the family at a secular gathering - a veche.
Beliefs of the Eastern Slavs. The ancient Slavs were pagans. They worshiped the forces of nature and the spirits of their ancestors. In the pantheon of Slavic gods, a special place was occupied by: the god of the sun - Yarilo; Perun is the god of war and lightning, Svarog is the god of fire, Veles is the patron of cattle. The princes themselves acted as high priests, but the Slavs also had special priests - sorcerers and magicians.

Eastern Slavs in the pre-state period

The first written evidence of the Slavs.

By the middle of the II millennium BC. Slavs stand out from the Indo-European community. By the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. the Slavs became so significant in terms of numbers, influence in the world around them that Greek, Roman, Arabic, Byzantine authors began to report on them (the Roman writer Pliny the Elder), the historian Tacitus - I century AD, the geographer Ptolemy Claudius - II century .n.e. ancient authors call the Slavs "antes", "sklavins", "veneds" and speak of them as "countless tribes").

In the era of the great migration of the peoples of the Slavs, other peoples began to crowd on the Danube. The Slavs began to split up.

Part of the Slavs remained in Europe. Later they will receive the name of the southern Slavs (later Bulgarians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians, Montenegrins will come from them).

Another part of the Slavs moved to the north - the Western Slavs (Czechs, Poles, Slovaks). Western and southern Slavs were conquered by other peoples.

And the third part of the Slavs, according to scientists, did not want to submit to anyone and moved to the northeast, to the East European Plain. Later they will receive the name of the Eastern Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians).

In the VI - VIII centuries. Eastern Slavs mostly settled in the East European Plain.

Neighbors of the Eastern Slavs. And other peoples already lived on the East European (Russian) Plain. On the Baltic coast and in the north lived the Baltic (Lithuanians, Latvians) and Finno-Finnish (Finns, Estonians, Ugrians (Hungarians), Komi, Khanty, Mansi, etc.) tribes. The colonization of these places was peaceful, the Slavs got along with the local population.

The situation was different in the east and southeast. There, the Steppe adjoined the Russian Plain. The neighbors of the Eastern Slavs were the steppe nomads - the Turks (the Altai family of peoples, the Turkic group). In those days, peoples leading a different way of life - sedentary and nomadic - were constantly at enmity with each other. The nomads lived by raiding the settled population. And for almost 1000 years, one of the main phenomena in the life of the Eastern Slavs will be the struggle against the nomadic peoples of the Steppe.

The Turks on the eastern and southeastern borders of the settlement of the Eastern Slavs created their own state formations.

In the middle of the VI century. in the lower reaches of the Volga there was a state of the Turks - the Avar Khaganate. In 625, the Avar Khaganate was defeated by Byzantium and ceased to exist.

In the VII - VIII centuries. here appears the state of other Turks - the Bulgar (Bulgarian) kingdom. Then the Bulgar kingdom broke up. Part of the Bulgars went to the middle reaches of the Volga and formed the Volga Bulgaria. Another part of the Bulgars migrated to the Danube, where it was formed Danube Bulgaria(Later, the newcomers Turks were assimilated by the southern Slavs. A new ethnic group arose, but he took the name of the newcomers - "Bulgarians").

The steppes of southern Russia after the departure of the Bulgars were occupied by new Turks - the Pechenegs.

On the lower Volga and in the steppes between the Caspian and Azov seas, semi-nomadic Turks created the Khazar Khaganate. The Khazars established their dominance over the East Slavic tribes, many of whom paid tribute to them until the 9th century.

In the south, the Byzantine Empire (395 - 1453) with its capital in the city of Constantinople (in Russia it was called Tsargrad) was a neighbor of the Eastern Slavs.

Territory of the Eastern Slavs. In the VI - VIII centuries. The Slavs were not yet one people.

They were divided into tribal unions, which included 120 - 150 separate tribes. By the ninth century There were about 15 tribal unions. Tribal unions were called either by the area in which they lived, or by the name of the leaders. Information about the resettlement of the Eastern Slavs is contained in the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", created by the monk of the Kiev-Pechersk monastery Nestor in the second decade of the 12th century. (The chronicler Nestor is called "the father of Russian history"). According to the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years", the Eastern Slavs settled: the meadow - along the banks of the Dnieper, not far from the mouth of the Desna; northerners - in the basin of the Desna and Seim rivers; radimichi - on the upper tributaries of the Dnieper; Drevlyans - along Pripyat; Dregovichi - between Pripyat and the Western Dvina; polochane - along Polota; Ilmen Slovenes - along the rivers Volkhov, Shchelon, Lovat, Msta; Krivichi - in the upper reaches of the Dnieper, Western Dvina and Volga; Vyatichi - in the upper reaches of the Oka; buzhane - along the Western Bug; Tivertsy and streets - from the Dnieper to the Danube; white Croats - the northern part of the western slopes of the Carpathians.

The path "from the Varangians to the Greeks". The Eastern Slavs did not have a sea coast. Rivers became the main trade routes for the Slavs. They "huddled" to the banks of the rivers, especially the greatest river of Russian antiquity - the Dnieper. In the ninth century a great trade route arose - "from the Varangians to the Greeks". It connected Novgorod and Kyiv, Northern and Southern Europe. From the Baltic Sea along the Neva River, the caravans of merchants got to Lake Ladoga, from there along the Volkhov River and further along the Lovat River to the upper reaches of the Dnieper. From Lovat to the Dnieper in the region of Smolensk and on the Dnieper rapids they crossed by "drag routes". Further, the western coast of the Black Sea reached the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople (the Eastern Slavs called it Constantinople). This path became the core, the main trade road, the "red street" of the Eastern Slavs. The whole life of the East Slavic society was concentrated around this trade route.

Occupations of the Eastern Slavs. The main occupation of the Eastern Slavs was agriculture. They cultivated wheat, rye, barley, millet, planted turnips, millet, cabbage, beets, carrots, radishes, garlic and other crops. They were engaged in cattle breeding (bred pigs, cows, horses, small cattle), fishing, beekeeping (gathering honey from wild bees). A significant part of the territory of the Eastern Slavs lay in the zone of a harsh climate, and farming required the exertion of all physical strength. Labor-intensive work had to be completed within a strictly defined time frame. This was only possible for a large team. Therefore, from the very beginning of the appearance of the Slavs on the East European Plain, the collective - the community and the role of leader - began to play the most important role in their life.

Cities. Among the Eastern Slavs in the V - VI centuries. cities arose, which was associated with the long-standing development of trade. The most ancient Russian cities are Kyiv, Novgorod, Smolensk, Suzdal, Murom, Pereyaslavl South. In the ninth century the Eastern Slavs had at least 24 major cities. Cities usually arose at the confluence of rivers, on a high hill. The central part of the city was called the Kremlin, Detinets and was usually surrounded by a rampart. The Kremlin housed the dwellings of princes, the nobility, temples, monasteries. A moat filled with water was erected behind the fortress wall. Bargaining was located behind the moat. A settlement adjoined the Kremlin, where artisans settled. Separate areas of the settlement, inhabited by artisans of the same specialty, were called settlements.

Public relations. Eastern Slavs lived in clans. Each clan had its own foreman - the prince. The prince relied on the tribal elite - "the best husbands." The princes formed a special military organization - a squad, which included warriors and advisers to the prince. The squad was divided into senior and junior. The first included the most noble warriors (advisors). The younger squad lived with the prince and served his court and household. Vigilantes from the conquered tribes collected tribute (taxes). Campaigns for the collection of tribute were called "polyuds". From time immemorial, the Eastern Slavs had a custom - to solve all the most important issues in the life of the family at a secular gathering - a veche.

Beliefs of the Eastern Slavs. The ancient Slavs were pagans. They worshiped the forces of nature and the spirits of their ancestors. In the pantheon of Slavic gods, a special place was occupied by: the god of the sun - Yarilo; Perun is the god of war and lightning, Svarog is the god of fire, Veles is the patron of cattle. The princes themselves acted as high priests, but the Slavs also had special priests - sorcerers and magicians.