Slavs and Vikings: Medieval Russia and the Origins of the Kievan Rus

You can support our friend Devin by buying his game here: bit.ly/2XuEqZz
The new Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series will cover the history of Russia, starting with the ancient origins of the Slavs, formation of the early Eastern Slavic states, how the Varyag (Varangians) Vikings led by Rurik took over these states and started to expand towards Byzantium and the Khazars.
Support us on Patreon: / kingsandgenerals or Paypal: paypal.me/kingsandgenerals or by joining the youtube membership: / @kingsandgenerals We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: docs.google.com/document/d/1o...
The video was made by our friend Michael Merc bit.ly/340tcO2 while the script was researched and written by Leo Stone. The art for the project was created by Robbie McSweeney
This video was narrated by Officially Devin ( / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives )
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Production Music courtesy of Ancestors Legacy: store.steampowered.com/ageche...
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com
#Documentary #KievanRus #Vikings

[@KingsandGenerals]

We know that we start too many series, but this is the last new one for some time - decided to finish the ongoing ones and then start the new series.

[@anzaca1]

Don't apologise. A new series from you guys is always welcome! I'm especially looking forward to more videos on the Japanese invasion of Korea. Edit: First! (Sorry, I had to.)

[@solomonthefoolish]

I don't know that any of us really minds to be honest. History (like your videos) isn't linear in the development of civilizations. So random videos are just loved in general lol. I particularly love the soundtracks y'all use. Who does the music? Where can I find MORE??

[@KingsandGenerals]

@Nom Nom, thanks! We use envato+epidemicsound.

[@solomonthefoolish]

@@KingsandGenerals thank you! Im going to look into them now :)

[@user-kt1lh5sz1i]

Wait, Devin has a game. COOL

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Slavs: Avoided high ground Kenobi:

[@evvec1490]

still feel "weird" when talking about Slav by Napoleon himself but okay.. I guess

[@bobcell22]

Kiev is literally build on top of the few hills! lol

[@enesakhan4032]

"you were the choosen one" screams intensifies :D

[@Vitalis94]

Don't know that much about Eastern Slavs, but Western ones defenitelly built their settlements on the hills.

[@SMiki55]

@@Vitalis94 hills yes, but we avoided mountains for long time.

[@umiddey8714]

Voiceover: "This video was sponsored by... me!" *Uno reverse card intensifies*

[@HobRarrison]

Yeah, and the game looks really good tbf

[@umiddey8714]

@@HobRarrison It does. God I didn't want any distraction with my sem finals coming up. :\

[@umiddey8714]

@thunderstar86 :(

[@SGT676]

@@umiddey8714 I wish you look

[@unifieddynasty]

"What a twist!" - M. Night Shyamalan

[@danielgarbin4378]

In Poland they say: Gość w dom, Bóg w dom (a guest at home is god at home).

[@kekeke8988]

Dom? Just like classic Latin domus.

[@dobermorgan]

Гость в дом, бог в дом. Хоть где то с поляками сходство.

[@ondras5241]

Same in Czech! Host do domu, bůh do domu

[@barik3350]

Same in India : Guest is like God.

[@zhidokabra]

Гость в дом, Бог в дом )

[@daca8395]

Law of hospitality is still upheld in all slavic lands!

[@saiien2]

As a Slav I can confirm it ;)

[@tomislavobrovac9313]

Indeed it is.

[@thedude9024]

Agree! When a guest is in the house, God is in the house.

[@adamfrazer5150]

I've much respect for the people that continue this noble and admirable practice - it's a law that the rest of the world should study and adopt 👍

[@mateuszjokiel2813]

Aye, and let it remain so

[@vladimirskala]

Law of hospitality reminds me of an old Slovak saying: Host do domu, Boh do domu (Guest in the house, God in the house).

[@dominikbradvica9406]

Its the same as Croatian :"Gost u domu, Bog u domu"

[@Hektor951]

The same in Poland: Gość w dom, Bóg w dom

[@user-pz2dy7wc9c]

Here in Georgia 🇬🇪 too, we have saying "Every guest is gift from God".

[@radziwill7193]

This proves that the Western Slavs professed Islam.

[@MrManio1000]

Polish say this as well: Gość w domu, Bóg w domu

[@OfficiallyDevin]

Best sponsor ever, thanks to K&G for helping my little pet project! And, as always, a sensational video! Time to record some more 🎙😲 Stay safe out there folks!

[@user-kt1lh5sz1i]

Can't believe about this man. Congrats!

[@evvec1490]

honestly the Game Really interesting just by look of it.. just feel "original" or "old school" which is great thing for me looking forward to buy it

[@nerobernardino88]

How to avoid being sponsored by bad companies? Sponsor thyself. If it happens that thyself is a bad company, then boi oh boi

[@saitama4128]

I love u mens))

[@thresh86]

I was wondering who would be the narrator in your game 😆 Godspeed to your game Devin and to the channel, K&G

[@user-oh5nc1qb5u]

The term "Kievan Rus" appeared only in the 19th century, as a designation of the time period when Kyiv was the capital of the country. So was Ladoga Rus (approximately 859-862), Novgorod Rus (862-882), Vladimir Rus (1243-1389), then Moscow Rus (1389-1547 (or 1478)). It was just Rus'. We don't say "Moscow Russia" or "Petersburg Russia", no, we don't.

[@SCHMALLZZZ]

Ruthenia is what the Latins called it

[@Nataly79797]

Вы правы! Это историк так назвал для наглядности изложения истории

[@GoonGooner]

😂 Вы занимаетесь тем же. Нет никакой Ладожской, Новгородской, Донецкой и тем более Киевской Руси. Почему Киевская Русь? Потому что "Русьская земля" это Среднее Поднепровье. Странно но почему то Нестор не назвал Ладогу - Ладожской Русью. Этот термин чётко на в границах современной территории Украины. Не нравится? Земля пухом!

[@Reichsritter]

​​@@SCHMALLZZZexactly, Russia and Ruthenia are the same thing. One is Greek and one is Latin

[@Capcarap333]

Ładoga was no capital ever, don’t spread legends and Russian propaganda. Rus Ruthenis is now days Ukraine. Rossia stole or Peter 1 adopted Greek name Rossia as to falsely imply that Moscovia is the Slavic Rus and not descendants of Golden Orda.

[@philandeswilliams1975]

Thanks to whoever started this channel and the patreon supporters who helped it grow to this point! Kudos!

[@anubisd613]

"This video is sponsored by... Me" A surprize, to be shore, but a welcoming one

[@aleembaksh1880]

I don't want to be that guy but someone has to do it... *sure

[@shadowrealm8014]

@@Napoleonic_S he a pimp

[@apollo268]

Aleem Baksh and surprise

[@adamcal4257]

@@Napoleonic_S I think they could have done it for free for him :)

[@firstconsul7286]

5:20 "They tended to avoid the high ground" [Disappointed Obi-Wan noises]

[@MrAlexkyra]

Hello there

[@TheLatiosnlatias02]

NO!!!

[@hebl47]

The production value of these videos is just insane! Also, great and very interesting topic, thanks.

[@Numba003]

Well, this Slavic history series is inspiring me to subscribe at long last. Thank you for the very fascinating video series! Stay well out there everybody, and God bless you friends! :)

[@universalpage9591]

The animation in Kings and Generals has improved so much straight 10/10 unbelievable you guys have become the best channel about history by far respect by an old fan

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you :-)

[@alansalas1880]

IDK if the best, but it is in the top for sure.

[@roflol100]

@@emperorpalpatine5751 i love them all tbh, history marche, bazz battles, invicta, ww2 with indy naidel... im sure i forgot couple more but they make youtube best place for history fans

[@darrenbutler9819]

@@roflol100 The Armchair Historian also is great

[@Jesse__H]

Historia Civilis is my pick, but K&G is up there.

[@henrimourant9855]

Wow that was a very interesting episode.

[@henrimourant9855]

@@musicc5024 Ha ha yeah I should thought of something more creative I was half asleep when I sent it lol.

[@musicc5024]

@@henrimourant9855 nothing to worry about that was kinda nice

[@sholahverassa8582]

​@Русс град Sarmats? Definitely Iranian.

[@pouyagym9168]

Русс град Sarmatian were Iranian. What is your source?

[@doggy5]

Well done in general, but you did not mention that Rurik founded his kingdom in Staraya Ladoga. It was only later that he moved the capital to Novgorod

[@_spectre_1589]

I really appreciate the fact that you represent clothing, religion and old cultures in an historically accurate way. The traditional clothing of the people you represent in your videos is always on point!

[@thehazewatcher9424]

The artwork just keeps getting better

[@td9250]

You guys are slaughtering television... keep it up!

[@mejlaification]

that's not that hard though these days, is it? :-)

[@alansalas1880]

@Loredan i stopped watching tv like 10 years ago or something like that.

[@toktok9999]

mejlaification if its not, can u do it?

[@whatintarnationisthis7863]

This was a really good video! I lived the art and the narration. This is a history I am really interested in, so once your finished doing other series I’d love to see this one.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kyrgyzsanjar]

I just can't get enough of this channel. EVERYTHING you guys do is just pure gold!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you :-)

[@xhuang101]

2:23 "Enjoying the pleasures of psychoactive herbs and undiluted wines." I wouldn't mind going back in time and partying with them.

[@maxmuller8633]

@Jim lastname I rather not, I don't want to wake up with a knife on my chest and a Rus man looting my room

[@v5in88]

I mean raids are pretty common back then soooooo..... yeah

[@rexmundi3108]

Well...I've partied with bikers (1%rs). I imagine it would be a similar experience: have fun but be verrrry careful of what you say...

[@sholahverassa8582]

Inventing a time machine and goinng back into antiquity only to share some dope with nomadic tribes.. that's pure dedication if I've ever seen one.

[@Voice_of_Rambol]

Make me your Slav king and I will make it so, for the glory of Perun and Veles.

[@matiasmattera6650]

As a reenactor of medieval history, I must say that the quality of the summary about the people I interpret is of excellent quality. I will share this video with all my acquaintances and I look forward to the rest! Very good work.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@Wharbuckz7]

Im 7% Southern, Central Slavic. Great video.

[@ismailsafavi1611]

The animation is well done and the period is very interesting

[@mohamadmurad4401]

@Muhammad Alghiffary so ???

[@tasinal-hassan8268]

Shia Iranians are somewhat based I think. They enforce the Hijab on both men and women,and keep sexual degeneracy at bay.

[@saminfardin5334]

@Muhammad Alghiffary What does that even have to do with the original comment?

[@friedlemons5201]

I know right? How do they even do these so quickly?

[@Kyan66]

Muhammad Alghiffary Are you the wahabi police or what? Who cares what picture he has?

[@jojoslasthamon5120]

There was a slight mistake in your story concerning Oleg’s conquest of Kiev I would like to point out. The story went like this: Rurik had a son named Igor, but he was but a boy at the time, with Oleg being his regent all this time. When Oleg went to Kiev, he brought Igor with him. Deciding to take the city by cunning, he pretended to be a merchant and invited Askold and Dir to the shore. He showed them Igor and declared that that was the true prince. His warriors came out of hiding and slaughtered the princes and their guards. Other than this, it is an excellent work!

[@yao199]

it's Kyiv though

[@jojoslasthamon5120]

yao199 In ukranian, yes. But I am not a ukranian

[@yao199]

@@jojoslasthamon5120 Exactly my point. How the hell is it supposed to transliterate then if not from ukrainian

[@jojoslasthamon5120]

yao199 Who says anything about transliteration? In german their country is Deutschland. No one apart from them calls them like that.

[@dmytropuzhay6532]

@@Boyar300AV It's not enough for you to poison people all over the world with Novichok, so you try to poison them with russian pseudohistorical propaganda, or you are just not educated and don't know that originally it was written as Кыѥвъ - much closer to Kyiv that russian neologism.

[@thebasileus4793]

I'm trying to make a fantasy novel in a world based off of medieval eastern Europe and this video was very helpful to help me learn the history of the land, thank you.

[@Parkunas]

As a russian slavian who learn english and a huge fan of fantasy medieval stories I would love to read your novel so I could also practice my english reading skills, you can send me your work when its finished or even a part of it. I and my slavic bros who also learn english would be grateful for your work

[@Erix442]

Wow, it's cool. I would like to see your novel. Is it a book, comics, or game? What is it?

[@neonpirych1566]

Let’s go man!

[@Smashman012]

inspired by the witcher ?

[@Parkunas]

@@user-cg2tw8pw7j it's Odin the Wanderer when he traveled the world of mortals and actually Loki is not his nephew. There are two most wide spread versions: 1)Odin adopted Loki after he killed his Jotun father; 2)Loki was a dark counterpart for Odin who was destined to be his main enemy.

[@billnyethenggrguychinesega9116]

This is the most informative doc on Kievan Rus I've seen awesome work

[@aegystierone8505]

Never knew how much the Scandinavians have such firm influence on European history.

[@GeneralBlackNorway]

Also people tend to be taught that the Greeks invented democracy and the Romans brought it to the world. However, the British isles did not receive it's democratic roots from roman settlers who by that time were an empire. Scandinavians generally lived by the law that was decided by the thing, a collective gathering of the local peoples. Power came from bottom up, and it was later with influence from feudal societies in the south that vikings brought concentrated power invested in kings back to the north. Scandinavian settlers brought their tradition of public gatherings to the British which would eventually evolve into parliamentarism.

[@zizouace4890]

@@GeneralBlackNorway public or tribal gatherings was in almost all independent tribes in the whole world. this is not a special invention of anyone. all independent tribes who ruled a village had such a governmental system.

[@Pentagathusosaurus]

@@GeneralBlackNorway iirc Saxons had something like a precursor to parliament before the Danes had any major influence in England, but then our societies weren't so very different. I know the popular myth among liberals during the late middle ages and renaissance era was that we had ancient Saxon liberties before the Normans conquered us but of course popular myth are often not accurate.

[@algo8082]

That's because they never had such influence:) No one scandinavian saga mentions "great conquests" of vikings in eastern Europe. First contacts of scandinavians with Rus principalities according to sagas had happend after Vladimir the Great (end of 10th century), when some norsemen were hired by princes as a mercenaries. Earlier contacts are just pan-germanic fairy tales written in the last two centuries. As a proof, there are very tiny genetic traces of scandinavians in russian population including nobility in comparison with England and north-western Europe.

[@VikingsRBloodyAwsome]

@@algo8082 the archaeological evidence of Scandinavian presence is vast in Eastern Europe. The sagas you mention were written by Icelandic monks hundreds of years after the actual events, the fact that they focus less on Eastern Europe is logical. And they do mention, mainly Swedish, influence in the East. But the influence wasn't as clear as it was in the west since the Swedes were not as christianized as their Danish contemporaries which means that the power wasn't segmented in the same way; it was more focus on controlling people(local leaders) rather than the land itself.

[@marekhavrlik9851]

As a university student of history I have to admit, that it was really nice episode. For 15 min. you summarised it very well.

[@marekhavrlik9851]

@@PraiseworthyNobleman Well, I would like to know that too

[@natalassblaster]

this video has super good production value and looks great! I love the style of the artwork, keep up the good work!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Sandra.Molchanova]

Good summary, carefully balanced over numerous questions surrounding this topic. Well done!

[@batchestheeverskink293]

Interesting to note is that the modern Finnish word for Russia and its people seems based on the description of Tacitus, citing the name Venedi- the country is called Venäjä, while the people are called Venäläiset.

[@noahdeist7434]

Venäläiset.

[@batchestheeverskink293]

@@noahdeist7434 Thanks for the correction.

[@eksiarvamus]

Same for the Estonian name _vene_ .

[@YummYakitori]

And the Finnish word for Sweden is Ruotsi

[@avatarion]

Wends were the original Slavs.

[@ianirungu3659]

This is the beginning of one hell of a journey!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@cjthegood]

And I am willing to go all the way 👍

[@thomasbmakaduc]

Guys your animations are awesome ! Thank you for covering this period, such an interesting one.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarkPelleyTheSnakeHunter]

Great video. Excellent and very informative. Love the narrator. Keep up with these great venues I can't wait for every time one of these kings and Generals videos show up on my KZbin feed

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@KingofEuropa07]

Can't wait for Olga, sviataslav, and Vladimir

[@KingsandGenerals]

Oh yeah, that is a wild story, we finished the script yesterday.

[@umartdagnir]

@@KingsandGenerals Subscribed!

[@Sandilau08]

@@KingsandGenerals yeeees!!! My bachelor's degree subject was about the political and economic rise of the Kievean Rus in this period and i'm so happy to see an episode about this.

[@williamgill_esq.6487]

Hazard McGee Yes, and all Ukrainians.

[@nimkati5627]

@@williamgill_esq.6487 They would have been surprised to hear they were Ukrainians.

[@NYCfrankie]

This was interesting one of the areas of history I don't know alot about ive read ibn fadlans account of the Rus but never knew much else i found this episode amazing

[@oscardelafuente8649]

My good sir , which edition of ibn's book did you read?

[@Ahris22]

I remember this specific bit of history being suppressed by Russia/Soviet union for a long time for political reasons as they didn't want to associate their origin or name with scandinavia, their disputes could be why it's hardly ever mentioned. While it's been many years since i last heard about it, I think they still dispute it to this day. :)

[@NYCfrankie]

@@oscardelafuente8649 audiobook the penguin classics

[@NYCfrankie]

@@dairyskeptic7428 funny I've actually been trying to find a link to that online I want 2 c it

[@Lelik_208]

@@Ahris22 in fact, the dispute about the origin of the Varangians has been going on since the beginning of the 18th century. "Russian" historians argued about this with the authors of this hypothesis - invited German historians. The Soviet Union followed the Scandinavian theory.

[@sklavian6886]

I randomly stumped upon your channel and it is one of the best things to happen in my life for the last couple months. I love the artwork and material so much, I literally make a screenshot every time frame changes because I love this artwork so much. I hope your channel guys will get at least ten times more viewers and subscribers, much love

[@KingsandGenerals]

I am sure you have many good things going for you right now, but we are still grateful, thanks :-)

[@kamskykimann1925]

K&G videos are always informative and fairly presented, more power guys. 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@MLaserHistory]

Interesting ... it seems like K&G decided to go with the Venetic theory for early Slavic history. I am not saying it's wrong ... it's just interesting.

[@KingsandGenerals]

From what I have read, it was the mainstream, but I am open to being dissuaded. :-)

[@ShadowSumac]

There is not much going to other theories, sadly.

[@sljemic]

@@KingsandGenerals M. Laser History did an analysis on the Venetic-Slav connection a while back. Would recommend to anyone interested.

[@ivayloyurukov6202]

I was also surprised, but the more you search, the more you find this to be most "universally" accepted theory.

[@MLaserHistory]

@@ivayloyurukov6202 By sheer volume of work that is true but actually most 21st century books on the topic are starting to question the validity of the theory. In the end there's just not enough evidence to really prove the theory true or wrong as stated in my video but some very good facts have been presented against it recently.

[@tomurg]

Everyone knows that prince Oleg invaded Scandinavia together with Ivar the Boneless 😂😂😂

[@user-pz2dy7wc9c]

And Kievan Rus wearing like Mongols 😂😂😂

[@Byracrazir]

@@fedorevdokimenko3978 I am from the Balkans, and I don't look like an Arab. Nor does anyone I know.

[@cmox1830]

Byracrazir he was talking about the actors that played the rus warriors in the vikings tv show looked arab and wore mongol clothing, which is totally inaccurate

[@Byracrazir]

@@cmox1830 Which part of my reply gave rise to the idea I didn't understand what he said?

[@levsharus5899]

Exactly! Lol

[@antoinemonks4187]

Great video guys; and congrats to OfficiallyDevin. Also: 5:16 'You underestimate my power!'

[@eldarius237]

Applauds to your narrative, animation and presentation, enjoyed it alot. Wow I didn't know Rurik's first capital was Novgorod. I gotta visit it one day.

[@eldarius237]

I actually visited Novgorod a couple weeks ago. Well, I felt it was kinda boring for such an important historical town. I liked the Kremlin, the churches and the river Volkhov landscape but that's about it. Well one needs to realize that most of the old Rus buildings were wooden and thus burnt down centuries ago.

[@patrykkowalik1156]

@@eldarius237 Thanks for the update. Have you tried any good local food or visited any museums?

[@eldarius237]

@@patrykkowalik1156 I had a tour around many ancient churches, including an active monastery and the Sofia Cathedral. I got to lay my eyes on some frescos and fragments of walls many hundred years old. Most of the buildings were rebuilt at some point in history, of course. I didn't get to try the "gray shchi" and some other local cuisines for the lack of Timex unfortunately. But the food was good overall, I especially enjoyed the local Sbiten (mild alcoholic drink with honey and herbs). Another good thing was a small water trip on the Volkhov river. The views were really good. What slightly disappointed me was the shabbiness of many structures of the town (away from the places of interest), I mean, I saw many old walls and rusty metal fences. I guess, it's better to stick to the sightseeing if you visit Novgorod rather than walk the town streets.

[@patrykkowalik1156]

@@eldarius237 That's great. I guess you tried many types of dumplings which is a staple there. I heard about gluhwein but never tried sbiten. Will give it a shot when I can finally travel there. Hopefully the unrest and problems related to war will cease next year. I'm studying Russian at the moment so it will be good to talk to the locals. Volkhov river looks like a scene from The Witcher - nice sights! As for the rusty fences etc I grew up in a city like that to some degree so it's nothing too shocking for me. Speaking about churches and frescoes you should visit Chapel of the Holy Trinity at Lublin Castle. It is known for its fifteenth-century frescoes in the Byzantine or Orthodox style.

[@eldarius237]

@@patrykkowalik1156 Indeed! Praying for the times to come when all is peaceful and safe again.

[@giannisg3387]

The artwork is getting better by the episode, keep up the good work! Also, best of luck with your game Devin!

[@JohnnyMaczeta]

Wait a second so all Slavs are originating from the area around Vistula river ? I live in the heart of Slavistan !

[@noahdeist7434]

Yes, that's the mostly accepted theory among historians that is supported by archeological findings. Modern Eastern Poland and Western Belarus.

[@noahdeist7434]

And before that the Slavs passed through the Steppes region. And before that we all originated from Africa.

[@vaevictis2789]

No, Vistula region isn't a homeland of slavs. Dniepr and Polesie are

[@WitcherDAD]

@@vaevictis2789 all depends of sources which you are using .

[@vaevictis2789]

@@WitcherDADnah, its just modern archeology, nothing more

[@PhilipposACosta]

The animations were amazing! Keep up the good work!

[@alexk3529]

This was done so so well. The artwork was beautiful and having the movement in them just sealed the deal...You guys are so amazing!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@milovantolic8821]

This episode come at perfect moment as I just participated continuation of those fine Scythian traditions. Much love for K&G. Greetings from South Slav.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching

[@arunarya8131]

Your country ?state? or oblast?

[@milovantolic8821]

@@arunarya8131 Serbia Oblast : Šumadija(Шумадија) Шумадија means something like Woodland.

[@anzaca1]

4:30 Amazing animation!

[@barbaralucas1220]

Thank you for a great video Devin! 😊

[@ahumpierrogue137]

Woah, the visuals of this episode are incredible!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you very much!

[@channelbelongtous]

Thanks KnG, the art is great for this episode! Fun fact: the most detailed description of a Viking burial rutial was made by an Arab diplomat who met band of Viking mercenaries in Volga Bulgaria, whilve visiting his fellow Muslims far up North in modern day Russia. If this sounds too much like the movie 13th Warrior, that' because it's exactly what it inspired the book behind the script.

[@MordimersChessChannel]

Awesome material, thanks for sharing. There were also a lot of raids from Slavs to Vikings cities before 10th century. Slavs plundered and burned the biggest Jutland cities. Interesting is also the mistery of city of Vineta and what happened to it. But all of these is more about Western Slavs. Also first historically recorded rulers of Poland had Varangian armies of couple of thousand Viking warriors - similar to ones in Constantinople. As we know a lot about the Byzantine-Viking relationship we don't really know much about the ones I mentioned.

[@radziwill7193]

Novgorod pirates, Ushkuyniks, even in the 12th century destroyed the Swedish capital Sigtuna.

[@Vitalis94]

Danes were supposedly afraid of the Rugians, and as soon they saw their black sails, they begun their prayers. At some point southern Denmark was so depopulated, they had to bring more settlers in. Many of them Slavic, Lolland and Fyn islands had a sizeble Slavic minority, there are some Slavic sounding placenames to this day.

[@Vitalis94]

@@radziwill7193 Man, Sigtuna was destroyed so many times... Osselians did it too, supposedly.

[@radziwill7193]

@@Vitalis94 It is unlikely that there were Ossetians. This people is isolated in the mountains. If there is evidence, please show. Ushkuyniks made the first ruin of the city, after which he lost the status of the capital.

[@Kain81023]

The ”slavs” raiding in scandinavia was the Jomsvikings from Jomsborg. Google it, they were scandinavian elite vikings that you could hire. Settled in nort Poland, very close to denmark and sweden. Which means it was vikings attacking other vikings, anything else is wishful thinking on your part. Also the ”ushkuyniks” were viking descendants. And there were no balt or slav vikings other than the ones from scandinavia. This is cope because you want to feel part of the viking heritage.

[@jayantasen2406]

It is going to be a very interesting series, I can already feel it :D Keep up the good work people.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks! Indeed, the second episode is a bomb :-)

[@carpenoctem4428]

This was one of the best videos you guys have ever produced in terms of interesting topic and production quality. Your channel just keeps going from strength to strength, well done!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@johndoe-qj2kt]

They say the vikings called our land "Gardarika" which means land of cities/towns/settlements. Thx for the video

[@beninwarrior4579]

@@FuckGoogle2 The trading post in their land were in the major cities/towns/settlements along the major rivers.

[@sirseigan]

Gardr means "enclosure". It both come to mean the enclosing of a homstead (gård, compare to English yard) and later synonym to the homestead it self, as well as a enclosed space containing cattle (gärde). It could be just a fence but it could also be a fortification. It do not need to mean a city or town, it is the enclosure that determine if it is a gardr or not. Riki means realm and is part of a political landscape that goes from aett (kinship) through byggd (local settled area) and herad (local district), land (land/state) up to tjod (people/tribe/nation equal to Latin -iones) and then you have allies to that "nation". Sweden for example was called Svitjod (the Svi-people). However the Rikki was all the subjects to a king of a tjod, but they did not need to be part of that said tjod. It also included peoples that more or less voluntarily swore fealty to the king, pay tribute and put up men in wartime. The Swedish word for Sweden, Sverige, originates from the work Sviariki, the realm of the Svi . The next step out was the valdi that included, beside the riki, areas that was controlled and subjugated by violence and that was regularly "taxed by fire" (yes that was a term) by the warriors of the riki, in a kind grand protection racket kind of scheme. If someone unfortunately was considered ti be part of two different valdi then they had to pay up twice or be burned down. This happened to Gotland and then therefor chose to go into confederation with the Swedes to get protection from the Danes, hence transitioned from being part of the "valdi" to become part of the "riki". Gardariki might therefore mean the "enclosed realm", "fenced off realm" or "realm of enclosures". However a closely related word that is very similar is rikr, meaning rich. That might give the meaning the "rich enclosures" or the land "rich in enclosures/fences" (as in having many of them).

[@vesy19791979]

Rather, it was meant-not the "land of cities", but the "land of fences" (posts, protective fences, villages).

[@johndoe-qj2kt]

@@vesy19791979 u guys r getting way to technical here.... What do u usually build a fence or fortification around? answers is :some sort off settlement. Judging by ur name u also speak Russian and u should know that translating word to word doesnt always make sense. Try to translate some off the Russian swear words word to word into English or most of other languages and u will realize that its not the best way of doing it.

[@vesy19791979]

@@johndoe-qj2kt It is possible to agree with the settlements. Because the first cities (in the full sense of the term) were formed in Russia under the rule of the Scandinavian elite on the trade route to the Dnieper River: Novgorod (Holmgarder), Kiev (Kienugarder), Ladoga (Aldegyuborg), Polotsk (Polteskya), Smolensk (Smoleskya), Suzdal (Surdalar), Murom (Moramar), Rostov (Rostofa).

[@theconquerorspodcast3290]

Every K&G listener: K&G won't have a new series this week! K&G: Challenge accepted...

[@rogersledz6793]

Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is helping me get through the pandemic!

[@newwonderer]

🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@dechenkabsang7767]

I did my major in history and finish MA. Wish you guys are available when I was in school and college. Watching your video with my little boy. Great great work. Thank you for the knowledge.

[@dunsdonjone1537]

"this vid was sponsored.... BY ME" Omg!!! :o **surprised pikachu face**

[@Crizakafrijolito]

I LOVED the sponsor for this videos. Best of luck!

[@umartdagnir]

Thanks for saying "Eastern Roman" instead of "Byzantine".

[@yari6309]

Back then people just called it Roman Empire

[@mikej.chrisoulakis8250]

That's true... There is no Byzantine empire... Most of eastern Romans spoke koine Greek that's the difference than the Latin spoken west Romans

[@ZunaZurugi]

@@mikej.chrisoulakis8250 Ya you know its funny because technicly its an Greek Empire, right ?

[@siberianfreedom]

Those Greeks used to call themselves “Romans”. They call their empire “Romania”. “Bazilia Romeon” in Medieval Greek. Byzantium was the first name of Constantinople (now Istanbul). It’s a shame Kievan Rus chosen their version of Christianity (Orthodoxy) instead of Latin Christianity. Mostly due to geographical location. And most of you who live in Western Europe, USA etc don’t even understand how lucky you are, because your ancestors lived closer to the Western Roman Empire. At first glance, you might think Orthodoxy is the same Christianity but with a slightly different liturgy and some weird things, for instance, kissing icons and human bones (funny fact: there is another religion in the world that also very much love human corpses - the Bon religion of Tibet). In fact, it is a totally different culture, different architecture, different temperament (passive and contemplative). Everything is different and everything is… worse. Choosing the simplest explanation: the ideal of western Christianity (Catholicism and most of Protestantism): a man of the cloth should be active and evangelize to as many people as possible, holy thing is to make life on Earth better. The ideal of Orthodoxy: a monk who has taken strict vows (hermit, desert-dweller). He doesn’t care about people’s lives and his main goal, ideally, is a life-long retreat. Yep, without ever coming back to people. Missionary work was never one of Orthodoxy’s strong point, to put it mildly. Unlike Protestants, Orthodox countries have never had tradition to work hard, maybe that’s why Orthodox countries are among the poorest in Europe and has one of the highest unemployment rate. And as for post-Soviet Russia… well it has Siberia and a lot of resources to sell abroad.

[@ZunaZurugi]

@@siberianfreedom Orthodox christainity is still the coolest of the bunch tho:>

[@vincemajestic2650]

This was absolutely Brilliant, with fantastic graphics & animations.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@alansalas1880]

This are some of the things you didnt knew you need it, until you get it, i love this channel.

[@joepvanderven4882]

I think this is your most beautifully animated episode so far. How far this channel has come since its early days rome total war clips. Cheers to your team of animators! Keep up the great work

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you, good sir!

[@jimmyliendo8249]

I was so amazed by the art and animations that i had to rewatch the video to understand everything.

[@hibernian797]

I love yer channel. Teaches me alot about historical subjects and the production value is amazing. I'd like to see ye cover the nine years war in Ireland or the Punic Wars

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@greendevil3022]

Great video. Love to see a video on Kievan Rus. Don't see too many good videos on it. Can't wait till you guys talk about the Novogord Republic 🙂

[@Nataly79797]

Нет в истории Киевской Руси

[@nrirtt9226]

Wow that was realy interesting episode. Keep the good work. Also I will be very happy to see more videos about Bulgaria 😁

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way!

[@SonoftheSteppes]

@@KingsandGenerals I agree with them, you need to make sure that the Bulgarian monks,who christianized Russia,are mentioned.

[@abloodorange5233]

This new animation is incredible! Keep it up💖

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@Katapugonn]

the visuals in this video are so amazing

[@9786oof]

One of my fave episodes from this channel ever

[@magnajota4341]

I love the art-style, you guys are improving every video

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@gnot_paul]

Holy cow, the animations are on a whole new level.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thank you!

[@Yagod19]

What a fascinating episode on Slavic history!!! Please do more on early Slavic history & expansion into central and southern Europe!

[@user-dl6fv9ek5c]

Muskowia is NOT a Slavic land at all, but a Mongolian & Ugrofinic one ! The Muskals are NOT slavs, but a Turanic : Ugro-finic one mixed 400 years with Turanic Mongols and Turanic Khazars ! Muskal language is the best example of this Turanic mix of populations!

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Slavs: kicks out the Norsemen Also Slavs after some time: Uno Reverse Card

[@stevenleslie8557]

Not the first time in history when a ruling class was invited back to reign. King Charles II of Britain comes to mind.

[@alansalas1880]

@@stevenleslie8557 México had a Habsburg as a king.

[@milovantolic8821]

@GoodGirlKate And what is to learn... ;)

[@lyonvensa]

Slavs: Go away you Norsemen! (Norsemen leaves) Slavs: Wait no

[@mk-pp3rw]

Slav prefer with Vikings than Mongols that's why Russian kick the Mongols out for a long time

[@PLAY-jw5su]

An interesting fact for my foreign friends: Novgorod (the first Rurik's capital) may be translated as Newtown because "novy" is new, "gorod" is а town on Russian. I'm from this now not a big town: )

[@milovantolic8821]

Yea. Probably in every Slavic language word for ''a town'' and ''new'' are similar as we say ''grad'' and ''novi''. Greetings from south Slav. a few trivia: Our main city in such literally translation is called ''White city'' and its not the only one called that way. And word ''grad'(city/town)' probably comes from word ''graditi'' which means ''to build'.' After all it was a New City. Built to grow. This episode come at perfect moment as I just participated continuation of those fine Scythian traditions.

[@sodinc]

@@milovantolic8821 we have Белгород in south-west RF

[@yllbardh]

Nygård

[@PLAY-jw5su]

@@milovantolic8821, your verb "graditi"(to build) is very similar to our verb " gradit' "that translated as to build a wall or a fence for proctecting around. There are so many common words in Slavic languages! Unfortunately, the Russians has less similar vocabulary with another one's. P.S. Verb " stroit' " means "to build" on Russian.

[@exter9384]

@@PLAY-jw5su Yes, I think that's because we later borrowed a lot of words from the French and Germans. That's also the reason why it's easier for a Russian to understand other Slavic languages than for other Slavs to understand Russian.

[@edvardskalva6575]

this is one of the highest quality history videos ive seen on youtube

[@vishals7601]

You guys are improving the animation so much😍

[@daneaxe6465]

Interesting. There was a Viking named Rurik/Rorik that had his headquarters at Dorestad in modern day Netherlands. Time was the mid-800's.

[@MemoryOfTheAncestors]

In fact, many modern Russian historians are inclined to believe that Rorik of Dorestad and Rurik from Novgorod is the same person, just different periods of his life. When Rorik disappears from the Western chronicles, he appears in Russian chronicles. Given that he could not find a place in Jutland in any way (he had very ardent or I would even say very "conquering" temper , he was just cramped), he fought with everyone around him, including the Danes, all subsequent events became very logical. In addition, an obvious confirmation of this version is the close correspondence of the archaeological layers of the Jutland town of Ribe and Russian Ladoga (the first capital of Rurik near Novgorod).

[@alexiossauromates7017]

they also found danish and friesian pottery in old ladoga rus first capital

[@chlopakzpolski]

@@MemoryOfTheAncestors Ivan the Terrible, the last crowned descedant of Rurik, annihilated what his ancestor had built - The great city of Novogrod. Terrible irony of history.

[@chlopakzpolski]

@@Boyar300AV Great city of Novogrod, almost equal rival city of Moscow, became provincial town after ivan's expedetition. There had not been any riot in the city. It was rumour spread by Ivan;s subbordinates who wanted money, money from Novogrod ppl. Deporting Novogrod citizens without food during winter time (jan-feb 1570) still sounds terrible...

[@avatarion]

There is some DNA evidence that supports the Roslagen, Sweden theory. Rurikid descendants belonged to a specific line of haplogroup that is found in Sweden and neighboring regions.

[@kolawaleojomo6817]

King's and Generals, I love your work. It's very entertaining and educative. I'm from West Africa, a Yoruba man to be exact, and while I do enjoy learning about European warfare and history, it would be great to get something on West African cultures before the arrival of the Europeans. And there ARE records. The fact that a story isn't written down doesn't make it untrue. Take for example the Yoruba-Fulani wars whose results still affect our geopolitics to this day. You could tell the stories of how the Benin rose from the shadow of Yoruba domination and even of how the Oyo empire spread with the use of horses gotten from the Arabs. Please 😁😁🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 thank you. Great video by the way

[@Vitalis94]

Defenitelly! We sure need more African history!

[@steyn1775]

@@Vitalis94 yeah, I rarely hear anything about African history I saw a video about Africans mythology creatures, and i have never heard of them before

[@luisemiliogonzalezberbel2520]

There are some vids on Mali from Extra History for example. Do you have any sources for what you said? Sounds interesting, might give it a look

[@thomasbrown3867]

Ahh yea. I've been trying to see if they could eventually cover the Mahdist war or the Roman Nubian war(or anything from ancient/medieval West/east Africa). I know they'll definitely get to African topics eventually, just a matter of soon. When they do though I know it's going to be awesome.

[@thomasbrown3867]

@manuel hernandez Honestly I feel like there are thousands of videos that discuss the Zulus. I'd really like to cover something from East/west Africa initially beforehand. Tho they are interesting

[@dronmusicsound]

Very detailed and quite accurate to the Nestor chronical source’s. Thanks from Russia! Also impressive animation. I appreciate that the imagery is close to the originals such as clothing, landscape, and many details nailed. Good job.

[@victorg2700]

Kievan Rus - created 8-9 century(Ukraine) vs Muscovy union(Russia) was created in 12 century as a Slav and Mongol tatars mix - don't confuse it since then the battle continues until today

[@user-ns6fs6dx1d]

@@victorg2700 ohh you’re probably Ukrainian right? I like the way you trying to rewrite the history but it seems like no one agrees with you or your Ukraine. The whole world knows the truth. Novgorod was a Russian city and it was the first capital if you didn’t know, also Knyaz came from Novgorod not Kiev. It’s funny that only Ukrainians are the ones who disagrees with the facts. You have nothing, no history, no music, no poets… not even your own soil so thank Russians for allowing you to live on Russian territory. Your people never spilled blood for Crimea or other cities everything you have has been given to you and other Ukrainians for free. So I suggest you to go …. yourself!

[@billyjean3118]

@@victorg2700 russians always had issues understanding that lands around them are not theirs to grab, ruthless pathetic colonizers

[@zyracxes9333]

@@victorg2700 The idea of Ukraine don't exist at the time, the same is the chase of Russia and Belarus. All the vikings created was the Union of most Eastern Slavs under one rule. Don't confuse the medieval structures with the current states which are not the same. If we are going by this, Russia prove to be the continuity after the fall of Kievan Rus, as Muscovy was ruled by the same dynasty that ruled before in Kiev till the death of Ivan the Terrible and of his last son. When Ukraine start to see the day as a spark is most likely started with the Cossacks movements.

[@Varedyan]

​@@victorg2700 Mongol tatars in 12 centuries says everything about your knowledge level.

[@PiniCheyni]

Can’t wait for the other parts !

[@williamradke4290]

I'm looking forward to this series, since like a lot of people I don't know much about ancient Russian history so this will be fascinating to watch.

[@KingsandGenerals]

More on the way!

[@robertmiller9735]

Are there cultures without strong traditions of hospitality? Except for Sentinel Island, of course.

[@Justlookingg]

😆

[@devvv4616]

probably alot of the surviving 'primitive' tribes in the jungles? they wouldn't have preserved their culture and kept to their own for thousands if they were hospitable to potential conquerors lol

[@AS-ug2vq]

@@devvv4616 Read about them, before British kidnapped their people - they were good with guests and even exchanged and offered gifts to visitors.

[@nvanguy6868]

English and west europeans and amerricans

[@robertmiller9735]

@@nvanguy6868That the right wing (i.e. fascists) politicized refugees for their gain doesn't mean the societies as a whole have anti-hospitality traditions.

[@thehighguarduk4820]

fantastic video, really well discussed and explained.

[@hoodmoses8529]

This channel is just fantastic!❤

[@denniscleary7580]

You guys are keeping me going, thanks kings

[@rotciv1492]

"You thought it would be sponsored by Shadow Legends... BUT IT WAS ME, DI.... I mean... DEVIN!!!"

[@moisesjimenez4391]

I didn’t even know about the origins of the Russians until I decided to do a report on Russia about a year ago and I’m glad to finally see a KZbin historian cover it.

[@Vak_g]

Excellent work as always!

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@Blalack77]

I could watch these until my eyes fall out. I never understood why people didn't like history in school. It was always my favorite topic. I know you're made to remember a lot of facts and stuff but aside from that, it's basically just listening to stories - I mean, I've always had ADHD and it was a lot worse back then, but I could still manage to pay attention for the most part. I always felt like history class was almost like a break time from all the other stuff.

[@philtkaswahl2124]

Devin has seized the sponsorship! That was an unexpected assault.

[@iLLeag7e]

Pleased to meet you too, Devin. Kings and Generals is probably my favorite channel these days. The logo is monolithic despite the overused spartan helmet theme it still looks fresh. You should merch yourself up some more diverse merch with that logo & see what sticks. I'd buy a light grey shirt with a 10 inch Kings & Generals logo on the back. Or a hoody. Fuck man everybody loves hoodies.

[@minainmunda875]

You guys are my favorite history channel

[@sirholycow]

This video is of an incredibly high quality. The artwork in particular is beautiful. You guys did a great job with this one.

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks!

[@tomrowell1558]

Love that you guys are making a series on this, I’m always surprised how early Russian/Slavic history isn’t more talked about considering how interesting it is and it’s connection to early Vikings which people can’t get enough of

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks for watching! More on the way!

[@channelbelongtous]

Yeah, those are boring Vikings, less burn/pillage stuff and more politics :)

[@ArtanisOwns]

graphically stunning as always. awesome

[@KingsandGenerals]

Thanks :-)

[@aleckazamproductions8139]

I searched something on KZbin and was hoping this channel would pop up. I was not disappointed.