Explore how early Russian society shaped its state, law, and culture from the roots of Kievan Rus.
This edition presents a clear, evidence-based view of how slavery, landholding, and social classes influenced politics and daily life.
The book examines the turning points that disrupted the social and economic order, including the rise of landed proprietorship and the shifting status of peasants. It also shows how legal codes and religious institutions interacted with rulers, towns, and the countryside to form a distinctive medieval Rus.
- How slaveholding underpinned wealth and land ownership in the rise of the ruling class
- Why the rota and feudal-like systems affected unity and governance
- How law, punishment, and class structure shaped everyday life and property rights
- The growing importance of towns like Moscow and Novgorod in shaping policy
Ideal for readers seeking a grounded, accessible portrait of medieval Russia and its path to a centralized state.