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While western European nations were building maritime empires, Russians were laying the foundations for a vast land empire that embraced most of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Imperial Russia’s foundations lay in the Principality of Muscovy—the region surrounding Moscow. This region was conquered by the Mongols in the late Post-classical Era and forced to pay tribute. However, as the Mongol Empire collapsed, Muscovites expanded rapidly from the 1500’s to 1800’s, creating the second largest land empire the world has ever seen (the Mongol Empire was the largest).
While western European nations were building maritime empires, Russians were laying the foundations for a vast land empire that embraced most of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Imperial Russia’s foundations lay in the Principality of Muscovy—the region surrounding Moscow. This region was conquered by the Mongols in the late Post-classical Era and forced to pay tribute. However, as the Mongol Empire collapsed, Muscovites expanded rapidly from the 1500’s to 1800’s, creating the second largest land empire the world has ever seen (the Mongol Empire was the largest).
Following the conquest of Constantinople by Ottoman Turks in 1453, Muscovites considered themselves the “Third Rome.” Rome was obviously the first Rome, Byzantium the second, and Russia the third. This reflects the deep influence Rome and Byzantium had on the fledgling Russian state. For example, most Russians are Eastern Orthodox and the Russian Emperors called themselves Czars, the Slavic Word for Caesar.
Following the conquest of Constantinople by Ottoman Turks in 1453, Muscovites considered themselves the “Third Rome.” Rome was obviously the first Rome, Byzantium the second, and Russia the third. This reflects the deep influence Rome and Byzantium had on the fledgling Russian state. For example, most Russians are Eastern Orthodox and the Russian Emperors called themselves Czars, the Slavic Word for Caesar.
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