The Rus’: The History and Legacy of the Group that Established a Russian State in the Middle Ages

For many, the Rus might be synonyms for Russia or Russians, perhaps an early form of the civilization that later became Russia. This is partly true. Modern-day Russia lays claim as a successor to the Rus, particularly the Kievan Rus empire that dominated, with oscillating borders, the area around today’s Kiev and Ukraine between the 8th and 11th centuries. Crucially, the Rus had roots in the Nordic region. Initially, they would travel into modern-day Russia, Ukraine, and beyond to trade. Only later would they start to settle in the region and then become known as the Rus.

As with many other groups, the origins of the Rus are tied to the dominance of the Vikings over Western Europe in the early part of the Dark Ages or Medieval Era. Their Scandinavian brethren also traveled eastwards, behaving in similar ways but ultimately settling and assimilating in the region in an idiosyncratic manner. The Rus focused on several trade routes. The most important of these was the “eastern” route towards the Caspian Sea and stretching as far as Baghdad in the Middle East. This then gave way to the “western” route leading through Kiev to the Black Sea and Byzantine capital city Constantinople. The Rus also developed other trade routes, including to Western Europe.

Eventually, the Rus began to establish permanent settlements, firstly in Novgorod and then south to Kiev. This will be accompanied by the exploration of growing Rus dominance of this region, particularly through historical figures in the Rurikid dynasty such as Rurik, Oleg, Igor, Olga, Svyatoslav, Vladimir, and Yaroslav. During this time, the Kievan Rus empire was established and rose steadily to become a major regional power, even challenging the dominant Byzantines.