Drawing upon chronicles and documentary sources in Old East Slavic, Ettore Cinnella narrates the political and cultural evolution of Kievan Rus’. The book is written in a clear and compelling style, enriched with original insights and information that vividly bring to life a civilization buried under nearly a thousand years of history.

It is commonly believed that Kievan Rus’, the region inhabited by Eastern Slavs during the High Middle Ages, was the cradle of Russian civilization, with Kiev regarded as an integral part of the Russian world. However, Kievan Rus’ was a distinct entity that can only be fully understood within the broader narrative of European medieval history. The Varangians, commonly known as Vikings, played a vital role in establishing the first state of the Eastern Slavs. Meanwhile, Byzantine influence proved crucial in facilitating the evangelization of the Slavs and the spread of Greek liturgy.

From the late 10th century, Kievan Rus’ became part of the network of Christian states across Europe, undergoing a significant historical evolution. Its princes cultivated diplomatic and dynastic ties with various European nations, while its merchants traded actively with Western cities and Byzantium. However, in the 1220s and 1230s, the devastation caused by the Mongol conquest resulted in the collapse of Kievan Rus’, effectively isolating Eastern Slavia from Western Europe for a long period of time.

The Mongol domination accelerated the separation that had been taking place for several decades between the North-East of Rus’ (known as Suzdalia, which would later become Moscovy) and the south-western territories (Kiev and Galicia-Volhynia). These regions would later become part of the Lithuanian-Polish and Austrian realms for several centuries. This historical legacy has profoundly influenced Ukraine’s destiny and sheds light on the nation’s contemporary aspiration to reconnect with Western Europe.

Buyer’s guide

Cover price: 25,00 euros
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-88-96209-49-3
Rights Held: WORLD
Publication date: September 2024
Category: non-fiction, Slavic History, Russian and Ukrainian History
Audience: general and academic

About the author

Ettore Cinnella – former Professor of Russian & Eastern European History at the University of Pisa – is a nationally acclaimed author and one of Italy’s leading experts in Russian and Ukrainian Studies. He has authored numerous essays on Russian history, the history of Ukraine, modern and early-modern history, historiography, and classical studies.

Contact us

For details of rights availability, reading copy requests and all enquiries regarding translation rights, please write to rights@dellaportaeditori.com

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