Where did Russia come from? - Alex Gendler

Trace the evolution of Russia, from Kievan Rus to present day, and find out how it became the biggest country in the world.

--

Russia is the biggest country in the world, spanning one-eighth of the Earth’s landmass. But where did it all begin? Alex Gendler explores the epic history of the Kievan Rus, where characters ranging from Viking raiders and Western crusaders to Byzantine missionaries and Mongol hordes all played a role to create a unique civilization standing at the crossroads of culture and geography.

Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Draško Ivezić.

[thewilltheway]

I like how Novgorod is sitting there the whole time and they never mention it.

[cloroxbleach]

The Vikings dropped a bottle of vodka in a lake, soon after the first Russians emerged.

[sevenaries]

"Populated by Slavs, ruled by Vikings, taught by Greeks, and split by Mongols"
This is what happens when you choose your playthrough too close to the middle of the world

[rfhnecx]

От слов про Олега я валяюсь под столом. Он не был сыном Рюрика и правил лишь из-за того, что Игорь был слишком мал. А вообще не понятно как так быстро соскочили с Москвы, до всей огромной территории России. Дальний Восток вообще образовался относительно поздно.

[joshelguapo]

Are y'all surprised that a 5 minute video is oversimplified?

[ileavazan]

The great thing about TED-Ed is that one can actually get well educated from the comment section .

[seebzar]

There are few mistakes in this narration. As an example (01:46): Oleg was not the son of Rurik. Oleg was the regent of Rurik's under-age son called Igor.

[georgeuferov]

2:40 - actually Vladimir just wanted to be friends with Byzantine empire, nothing vodka-related, folks

[romeblanchard]

Fun-fact, Finland and North Korea both border the same country; Russia.

[SaudiHaramco]

Video unfortunately didn't answer the questions that were asked at the beginning. Why is it so big? What are the differences between it and it's neighbors? I mean, it wouldn't be too hard to mention the expansion into Sibiria or who its neighbors even are, right?

[BankruptcySoftware]

By the way, to be exact -- Oleg was Rurik's kinsman, relative. Rurik's son was Igor. Please, read Nestor's writings attentively...

[gufpkzm]

Мне кажется или тут все не точно, Олег не сын Рюрика, а регент его сына, небыло государства "Киевская Русь" была Русь от которой произошли три страны Россия, Украина и Беларусь, "Киевская" - это термин придуманный в 19 веке для обозначения времени когда Киев был столицей Руси, также как и "Новгородская", "Московская" и тд. Русь, никто же не говорит Парижская Франция или Берлинкая Германия. Школьник в 11 классе, который очень историю любит, явно смог бы обьяснить лудше и спорил бы целыми часами. Ведь на Западе в историю России даже невникают, а некоторые вещи они сами придумали, особенно про Ивана Грозного.

What Religion should we practice?
Islam: Nah, they can't drink
Judaism: Nah, too exclusive
Christianity: Hmm, Jesus did turn water into wine!

[JurgenKrace]

Just "Rus". Country called "Kievan Rus" never existed, as well as "Byzantine Empire", which always was called (until Modern Era) as "Rome".

[johnhaladay]

"Populated by Slavs, ruled by Vikings, taught by Greeks, and split by Mongols." That's a pretty good summation of early Russian history.

[johnlenin]

The state called "Kievan Rus" never existed, this term was coined in the XIX century to refer to the historical period when the capital was in Kiev.

[ReubenAStern]

I bet they were converted the moment they heard Jesus turned water into wine.

[showery]

Religious Emissaries: So what's your religion about?
Christian: Uhhh we like to drink wine someti...
Religious Emissaries: I'll take your entire stock

[Telfear]

I'm sure it was metioned in comments before, just to make sure: Oleg wasn't a son of Rurik, he was Rurik's brother-in-law and regent-ruler for the son of Rurik - Igor.

[so_es]

I just love to see how ted-ed is always pissed off of Vikings wearing horn helmets.