Timothy Snyder: The Making of Modern Ukraine. Class 5: Vikings, Slavers, Lawgivers: The Kyiv State

About this video

• Video Title: Timothy Snyder: The Making of Modern Ukraine. Class 5: Vikings, Slavers, Lawgivers: The Kyiv State
• Channel: YaleCourses
• Speakers: Timothy Snyder
• Duration: 51:26

Overview

This lecture explores the formation of the Kyivan Rus' state around the year 1000 CE. Timothy Snyder discusses the key factors that contributed to state formation in Eastern Europe, including the spread of Christianity, the competition between Frankish and Byzantine influences, the economic context of the slave trade, and the role of the Vikings. He traces the historical trajectory from early Slavic polities like Moravia and Bulgaria to the eventual establishment of Kyiv as a significant political center, culminating in the conversion of Volodymyr the Great and the integration of Rus' into the broader Byzantine cultural sphere.

Key takeaways

• The Formation of States: The lecture posits that the emergence of states in Eastern Europe around the year 1000 was driven by several converging forces: the expansion of Christianity (both Western and Eastern), the geopolitical competition between the Frankish and Byzantine empires, and the economic realities of the slave trade.
• Christianity as a Unifying Force: Conversion to Christianity provided a crucial element of recognition and protection from enslavement, offering a distinct advantage over paganism in a globalizing world. The choice between Western (Frankish) and Eastern (Byzantine) Christianity significantly shaped the political and cultural trajectories of emerging states.
• The Role of the Vikings (Rus'): Scandinavian Vikings, known as the Rus', played a pivotal role by establishing trade routes from the Baltic to Byzantium via Eastern European rivers. Their eventual settlement in Kyiv, their involvement in the slave trade, and their interactions with both the Franks and Byzantines were instrumental in the creation of the Kyivan state.
• Slavic Precursors and Models: Earlier Slavic states like Moravia and Bulgaria served as important models for subsequent state formation. Moravia's interaction with both the Franks and Byzantium led to the mission of Cyril and Methodius, who developed a Slavic written language. Bulgaria's establishment as an Orthodox state, independent of direct Byzantine control, provided another model.
• The Conversion of Volodymyr the Great: The pivotal moment in the establishment of Kyivan Rus' as a recognized state was the conversion of Prince Volodymyr to Eastern Orthodox Christianity around 988 CE. This decision, influenced by geopolitical considerations and the desire for recognition from Byzantium, integrated Rus' into the Byzantine cultural and religious sphere.
• Succession Challenges: A fundamental weakness of the Kyivan Rus' system was the lack of a clear principle of succession, leading to internal conflicts and instability as power was divided among numerous heirs.