Russia lies on this vast plan reaching from Europe to the borders of China.
What is Eurasia?
100
This ethnic group expanded into Russia during Roman times and is most closely associated with the Russian people.
What are the Slavs?
100
Kiev enjoyed a golden age during the rule of this Russian king, who created a written law code and who translated Greek words into Russian. He arranged marriages between his children and some royal families of Western Europe.
Who is Yaroslav the Wise?
100
This Russian leader came to power between 1465 and 1505. He brought much of northern Russia under his rule and recovered Russian territories that had fallen into the hands of neighboring Slavic states.
Who was Ivan the Great?
100
Ivan the terrible organized these agents of terror who enforced his will, dressed in black robes and mounted on black horses.
What are the oprichniki?
200
These mountains in Russia mark the boundary between Europe and Asia. They posed no obstacle to migration.
What are the Ural Mountains?
200
These Vikings steered their long ships out of Scandinavia and traveled up and down Russian rivers, trading with the Russian people.
What are the Varangians?
200
This Mongol leader took the title, "World Emperor." His grandson led Mongol armies into Russia.
Who is Genghiz Khan?
200
The power of the Russian king was made stronger by efforts to limit the power of these great landowning nobles.
Who are the boyars?
200
The period of Russian history is known as a period of disorder. It lasted from 1604 to 1613.
What is the Time of Troubles?
300
This modern-day country south of Russia was home to Russia's first civilization?
What is Ukraine?
300
Viking names like Helga and Waldemar became Slavic names like Olga and Vladimir in this vital trade city, which became the center of the first Russian state.
What is Kiev?
300
The Mongol armies that looted and burned Russian towns were known for the color of their tents.
What is the Golden Horde?
300
Ivan the Great married the niece of the last Byzantine emperor, helping to cement Russia's role as the heir to the Byzantine Empire.
Who is Sophie-Zoe Paleologus?
300
This assembly of clergy, nobles and townsmen chose a new czar, to end the Time of Troubles.
What is the zemsky sobor?
400
This region of Russia was known for its forests and animals but also for its poor soil and cold, snowy climate.
What is the north?
400
Two Greek monks, Cyril and Methodius, adapted the Greek alphabet so they could translate the Bible into Slavic languages. As a result, this alphabet became the written script used in Russia and Ukraine.
What is Cyrillic?
400
Because of Mongol raids, the Russians abandoned their old capital for this new capital city further north.
What is Moscow?
400
Ivan the Great used the double-headed eagle as his symbol and took this title as the Russian word for the top leader.
What is czar?
400
This Russian dynasty ruled Russia until 1917.
What is the Romanov dynasty?
500
This region is an open, treeless grassland. It offered great pasture for herds and horses of nomads. With no natural barriers, it became a great highway for migration.
What is the steppe?
500
Because of missionary efforts, and the conversions of Princess Olga and Vladimir, this form of Christianity became popular in Russia.
What is Byzantine or Orthodox Christianity?
500
At this battle, the Russians finally rose up against their Mongol conquerers. While Mongols continued their terrifying raids, their power was greatly reduced.
What is the Battle of Kulikovo?
500
This grandson of Ivan the III further centralized royal power, tied Russian serfs to the land and became increasingly unstable, trusting no one and falling into fits of rage. He even killed his own son.
Who is Ivan the Terrible?
500
Supporters of Ivan III gave this nickname to Moscow.