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==Russians, Slavs and Turks==

==Russians, Slavs and Turks==

Russia today is by far the largest country in the world by land mass, having almost twice the area of the second-largest country (Canada).  Russia currently has the world’s eighth largest population, ranking behind number one China, number two India, number three United States, and several other Asian countries and Brazil.

[[Russia]] today is by far the largest country in the world by land mass, having almost twice the area of the second-largest country ([[Canada]]).  Russia currently has the world’s eighth largest population, ranking behind number one [[China]], number two [[India]], number three [[United States]], and several other Asian countries and [[Brazil]].

Russia is located on what is known as the “steppe” (pronounced simply as “step”), which is a broad, flat grassland lacking trees.  The steppe stretches across Asia and eastern Europe.  The steppe has fertile soil and navigable rivers for trade.  By A.D. 100, Slavic peoples (the “Slavs”) had settled the steppe and cultivated the soil with iron tools.  They lived in tribes and villages but were easy victims for nomadic fighters such as the Huns.

Russia is located on what is known as the “[[steppe]]” (pronounced simply as “step”), which is a broad, flat grassland lacking trees.  The steppe stretches across Asia and eastern Europe.  The steppe has fertile soil and navigable rivers for trade.  By A.D. 100, [[Slavic]] peoples (the “Slavs”) had settled the steppe and cultivated the soil with iron tools.  They lived in tribes and villages but were easy victims for nomadic fighters such as the [[Huns]].

Beginning in the A.D. 800s, the Vikings conducted trade from Constantinople and the Black Sea.  The Slavs established an important trade city known as Kiev, which exists to this day, and named the territory “Rus”, from which the name Russian comes.

Beginning in the A.D. 800s, the [[Vikings]] conducted trade from [[Constantinople]] and the [[Black Sea]].  The Slavs established an important trade city known as [[Kiev]], which exists to this day, and named the territory “Rus”, from which the name Russian comes.

The capital of Rus was Kiev from A.D. 882 to 1169, and it prospered.  Prince Vladimir of Kiev chose Orthodox Christianity as the religion, and established the Russian Orthodox Church for the Russian people, which led to cultural exchanges between Russia and Byzantine.  Some historians say that the prince rejected Islam because of its prohibition on alcohol, which is a profitable export for Russia to this day.  The more likely reason was that the prince was Christian himself, as he enthusiastically promoted Christian baptism for everyone.

The capital of Rus was Kiev from A.D. 882 to 1169, and it prospered.  [[Prince Vladimir]] of Kiev chose [[Orthodox Christianity]] as the religion, and established the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] for the Russian people, which led to cultural exchanges between Russia and [[Byzantine]].  Some historians say that the prince rejected Islam because of its prohibition on alcohol, which is a profitable export for Russia to this day.  The more likely reason was that the prince was [[Christian]] himself, as he enthusiastically promoted Christian [[baptism]] for everyone.

Kiev furnished many slaves to the Byzantine empire (the word “Slav” comes from same word root as the word “slave”).  This was enormously profitable.  Kiev also traded in many other goods, and by A.D. 1000 was one of the wealthiest cities in the world.  It declined in the 13th century as the Mongols successfully invaded Russia and interfered with trade.

Kiev furnished many slaves to the Byzantine empire (the word “Slav” comes from same word root as the word “slave”).  This was enormously profitable.  Kiev also traded in many other goods, and by A.D. 1000 was one of the wealthiest cities in the world.  It declined in the 13th century as the [[Mongols]] successfully invaded Russia and interfered with trade.

Meanwhile, Islam was converting many Turks, who were superb fighters.  Many of them had been raised as slaves in the Abbasid empire.  When these slaves were used as soldiers, they were called “mamelukes”.

Meanwhile, Islam was converting many [[Turks]], who were superb fighters.  Many of them had been raised as slaves in the [[Abbasid empire]].  When these slaves were used as soldiers, they were called “[[mamelukes]]”.

A group of Turks known as the Seljuks had converted to become Sunni Muslims, and they gained control of trade routes connecting Asia and Europe.  In 1055, the Seljuks captured Baghdad from the Persians, and killed the Shiite officials there.  The Seljuk Turks gained in power and defeated the Byzantine empire in 1071 at the Battle of Manzikert.  They soon controlled Anatolia.  But the Turks did not adopt the Arabic language.  Instead, they adopted the culture and language of Persia, referred to their rulers as “shah”, and almost obliterated the Arabic language from Persia.  Seljuk ruler Malik Shah (1055-1092) supported Persian artists and culture.  They were not great engineers, and the Persian irrigation and canal system collapsed.  Disagreements between the Sunnis and Shiites emerged, and the Seljuk power declined after the death of Malik Shah.

A group of Turks known as the [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuks]] had converted to become [[Sunni Muslims]], and they gained control of trade routes connecting Asia and Europe.  In 1055, the Seljuks captured [[Baghdad]] from the Persians, and killed the [[Shiite]] officials there.  The Seljuk Turks gained in power and defeated the Byzantine empire in 1071 at the [[Battle of Manzikert]].  They soon controlled [[Anatolia]].  But the Turks did not adopt the Arabic language.  Instead, they adopted the culture and language of Persia, referred to their rulers as “shah”, and almost obliterated the Arabic language from Persia.  Seljuk ruler [[Malik Shah]] (1055-1092) supported Persian artists and culture.  They were not great engineers, and the Persian irrigation and canal system collapsed.  Disagreements between the Sunnis and Shiites emerged, and the Seljuk power declined after the death of Malik Shah.

It was the occupation of Jerusalem by the Sunni Seljuk Turks that later led to the Crusades to recapture Jerusalem for Christianity, which we will discuss in the next class.

It was the occupation of [[Jerusalem]] by the Sunni Seljuk Turks that later led to the Crusades to recapture Jerusalem for Christianity, which we will discuss in the next class.

==Western Europe in the early Middle Ages==

==Western Europe in the early Middle Ages==