Were the Kievan Rus Vikings?

The Kievan Rus dynasty had Viking origins but quickly intermarried with the local Slavic population.

What were the Kievan Rus known for?

The Kievan Rus are at the origin of modern-day Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Rurik Dynasty ruled for over 700 years from Rurik's founding in 862 to the death of Ivan the Terrible of Russia in 1584.

Were the Kievan Rus Ukrainian or Russian?

The Kievan Rus are at the origin of both modern-day Russia and Ukraine. They are at the origin of the national history and identity of both countries.

Who founded the Kievan Rus dyansty?

The Kievan Rus dynasty was most likely founded by the Norse leader Rurik (reigned 862-879).

Kievan Rus Timeline

Definition

Kievan Rus (862-1242) was a medieval political federation located in modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, and part of Russia (the latter named for the Rus, a Scandinavian people). The name Kievan Rus is a modern-day (19th century) designation but has the same meaning as 'land of the Rus,' which is how the region was known in the Middle Ages.

More about: Kievan Rus

Timeline

c. 750
Scandinavian settlement of Staraja Ladoga founded as trade center.
862 - 879
Reign of Varangian King Rurik, founder of the Rurikid Dynasty of Kievan Rus.
862 - 1242
Federation of Kievan Rus controls areas of modern-day Belarus, Russia, and the Ukraine.
879 - 912
Reign of Oleg of Novgorod, also known as Oleg the Prophet, in Kievan Rus.
c. 882
Oleg the Prophet moves capital of Kievan Rus from Novgorod to Kiev.
912 - 945
Reign of Igor of Kiev in Kievan Rus.
945
Assassination of Igor of Kiev by Drevlians.
945 - c. 963
Olga, wife of Igor, reigns as regent for their son Sviatoslav I.
c. 945 - c. 950
Olga seeks revenge on Drevlians for Igor's death.
c. 963 - 972
Reign of Sviatoslav I (Sviatoslav the Brave), who expands and enriches Kievan Rus through military campaigns.
972 - 980
Reign of Yaropolk I in Kievan Rus.
980 - 1015
Reign of Vladimir I (the Great) in Kievan Rus; converts region to Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
c. 987
Vladimir I sends Varangian forces to help Basil II of Constantinople; creation of the Varangian Guard.
1015 - 1019
Reign of Sviatopolk I in Kievan Rus.
1019 - 1054
Reign of Yaroslav I (the Wise) in Kievan Rus; height of the federation in every respect.
c. 1054 - c. 1078
Yaroslav I's sons fight each other for control; Kievan Rus splinters.
c. 1078 - c. 1337
Kievan Rus broken into separate districts and polities. .
1237 - 1242
The Mongol Invasion; Kievan Rus conquered. .