National Identity and History Writing in Ukraine

Ukraine from a 1489 Portolan Chart

This article focuses on one aspect of the contestation in history writing between Ukraine and Russia; that of the medieval state of Kyiv Rus.

Nation Building, History Writing and Competition over the Legacy of Kyiv Rus in Ukraine

Ukraine and the Black Sea in a map from 1572

This article surveys the history of Kyiv Rus within the realm of nation building, identity and historical myths.

The Riurikid Relationship with the Orthodox Christian Church in Kievan Rus

Moscow - Rurikids

Prior to the late tenth century, the princes of the Riurikid dynasty were rulers over the loose collection of pagan Slavic tribes and minor city states that were Kievan Rus. However, in a relatively short period, the dynasty had linked itself and its legitimacy to rule to the Orthodox Christian Church centered in Constantinople.

Ivan the Terrible: Centralization in Sixteenth Century Muscovy

Ivan the Terrible - Oprichniki

From 1565-1572, the Oprichnina was a land within Muscovy of Ivanís choosing where he alone held sole power. The Zemschina was the remaining portion of Muscovy that was governed by the state administration.

The Rise of Muscovy

Kievan Rus - Nativity

Kievan Rus which was founded in 880 was made up of a loose knit alliance between small city states in what is today western Russia. The most powerful of these city states was Kiev. During the early thirteenth century the Mongol continued their march west until they conquered Kievan Rus in 1240.

Delivering stability: Primogeniture and autocratic survival in European monarchies 1000-1800

Miniature of busts of Geoffrey, Duke of Ardenne; William, Count of Warenne; Godfrey, 'Erle of Arigy'; and Eric, Count of Bigorre; each with their arms and at the beginning of a branch of the genealogical tree.

Although the dominating position of primogeniture at the end of the period might seem natural given primogeniture’s many advantages for the monarch and the ruling elite it was first rather late in history that the principle came to dominate Europe.

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