The Vikings in the East and the origins of Kievan Rus’
The book traces the rise of the Rus as one of medieval Europe’s influential political and cultural regions, focusing on contacts between Scandinavian Varangians, Slavic, Finno-Ugric and Byzantine societies.
Topics include the rise of Kyiv, rulers such as Rurik, Oleg, Olga, Sviatoslav, Vladimir and Yaroslav, and relations with Byzantium, the Khazars and the steppe peoples. Trade, political power and Christianisation are considered together.
Conflicts, tribute systems, slavery, dynastic struggles, the later fragmentation of the Rus and the Mongol invasion are also covered, presenting a broad view of a region whose history extended far beyond its borders.
