While we fully support Ukraine's independence (and have friends who live there), it is interesting to note that there is a lot of evidence that Russia's origins are directly connected to Ukraine, as well as connections to the Swedish Vikings that once ruled areas of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (on this subject) once stated,
"Kiev is the mother of all Russian cities."
The connection between the word "Russia" and the Rus of Kyiv in Ukraine is a topic steeped in (Swedish) Viking history, cultural evolution, and political significance. To understand whether there is a direct connection between these two terms, we must delve into the origins of the Rus people, the historical development of Kievan Rus, and the etymological evolution of the name "Russia."
Who Were the Rus?
The term "Rus" originally referred to a group of people who emerged in Eastern Europe during the 9th century. These people were primarily of Scandinavian (Viking) origin, specifically from the region now known as Sweden. The Rus were traders, warriors, and settlers who traveled along the river systems of Eastern Europe, establishing trade routes and founding settlements.
The most significant of these settlements was Kyiv, located in present-day Ukraine. By the mid-9th century, Kyiv had become the center of a powerful state known as Kievan Rus, which would later play a crucial role in the development of both Ukrainian and Russian national identities.
There is also evidence that the original Russian royal family was Swedish, further supporting this connection. We touch on that subject here.
The Formation of Kievan Rus
Kievan Rus was a federation of Slavic and Finno-Ugric tribes under the rule of the Varangian (Viking) elite, who were collectively known as the Rus. The state reached its height during the 10th and 11th centuries, becoming one of the most powerful entities in Europe at the time.
The rulers of Kievan Rus, such as Prince Vladimir the Great (seen here) and Yaroslav the Wise, played a significant role in shaping the region's political and cultural landscape. Prince Vladimir's conversion to Christianity in 988 AD marked a turning point in the Christianization of the Slavic peoples and established the Orthodox faith as a central aspect of the culture in the region.
It is from this period that we begin to see the foundations of what would later become the nations of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. However, it is essential to recognize that during this era, there was no single "Russian" identity; rather, there was a shared cultural and political heritage among the Eastern Slavs.
The Etymology of "Russia"
The word "Russia" is derived from "Rus," but its usage evolved over several centuries. The term "Rus'" initially referred to the people and the territory under their control. However, as the political landscape of Eastern Europe changed, so did the use of the term.
The word "Rus" is widely believed to derive from the Finnish word "Ruotsi," meaning "Swedes" or "men who row," a reference to the seafaring Vikings who traveled through the river systems of Eastern Europe. The Varangians used the Dnieper, Volga, and other rivers to travel from Scandinavia to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), and it was along these routes that they established trade networks and settlements, ultimately forming Kievan Rus.
After the decline of Kievan Rus in the 12th century, due in part to internal conflicts and external invasions (such as the Mongol invasion), the political center of the Eastern Slavs shifted northward. The Grand Duchy of Moscow, a successor state to Kievan Rus, began to rise in power during the late Middle Ages. Moscow's rulers saw themselves as the rightful heirs to the legacy of Kievan Rus and sought to unite the Eastern Slavic lands under their control.
By the 15th century, the rulers of Moscow began to use the term "Rossiya" (Россия in Russian), derived from the Greek word "Ρωσία" (Rhōsía), which was used by the Byzantines to refer to the lands of the Rus. The adoption of this term signified the Moscow rulers' claim to the legacy of Kievan Rus and their desire to position themselves as the leaders of the Eastern Slavic world.
In this sense, "Russia" is indeed connected to the Rus of Kyiv, but the term's meaning and significance evolved over time, shaped by the political ambitions of Moscow's rulers and the shifting power dynamics in Eastern Europe.
The Historical and Political Implications
The connection between the name "Russia" and the Rus of Kyiv is more than just a matter of etymology; it has profound historical and political implications. Both Ukraine and Russia trace their cultural and political origins back to Kievan Rus, leading to competing narratives about their respective national identities.
For Ukraine, Kievan Rus represents a crucial part of its historical heritage and is often seen as the foundation of Ukrainian statehood. For Russia, Kievan Rus is viewed as the birthplace of Russian civilization, with Moscow as the legitimate successor to Kyiv.
This shared heritage has been a source of both unity and division over the centuries. The modern political relationship between Ukraine and Russia is influenced by these historical narratives, with both countries laying claim to the legacy of Kievan Rus in different ways.
Conclusion
The word "Russia" does have connections to the (Viking) Rus of Kyiv in Ukraine, but the relationship is complex and multifaceted. The term "Rus" originally referred to the Scandinavian-descended rulers of Kievan Rus, a state centered in present-day Ukraine. Over time, as political power shifted northward to Moscow, the term evolved into "Russia," signifying the emerging Russian state's claim to the legacy of Kievan Rus.
This historical connection has had lasting effects on the identities of both Ukraine and Russia, influencing their cultural narratives and political interactions to this day. Understanding this connection requires not only an exploration of etymology but also an appreciation of the broader historical context in which these terms developed.
Sources:
- Fennell, John L. I. The Emergence of Moscow, 1304-1359. University of California Press, 1968.
- Franklin, Simon, and Jonathan Shepard. The Emergence of Rus, 750-1200. Longman, 1996.
- Riasanovsky, Nicholas V. A History of Russia. Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Plokhy, Serhii. The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine. Basic Books, 2015.
- Dukes, Paul. The Making of Russian Absolutism 1613-1801. Longman, 1990.
