The early Russians (the Russ) and the influence of the Byzantines and the Vikings upon their culture. Included is the Christianization of Kiev and some info about the Mongols and their conquering ways.

1. Russians Adapt Byzantine Culture

3. So you have these guys living up north of the Black Sea. They’re the Slavs.

10. The Rus were in a nice trading location.

12. St. Olga I like Christianity!

13. Christianity? Ummm… no, thanks

17. But I get to keep the wine, right?

29. I’ll kill you.

37. Compare it to Medieval European horses like the Ardennes, big and bulky for carrying heavy armored knights.

38. They were also used for lots of things. Mmmm… horse milk.

46. How to shoot a Mongolian bow.

47. How not to let someone teach you how to use a Mongolian bow.

48. They created the largest land-based empire in human history.

51. Red = Mongol Empire By 1294 the empire had split into: Yellow = Golden Horde Dark Green = Chagatai Khanate Light Green = Ilkhanate Purple = Yuan Dynasty (Great Khanate)