Names of Rus', Russia and Ruthenia
Alright kiddo, let me explain it to you like you're five!
So, a long long time ago, there were a lot of different groups of people living in what is now Russia and Ukraine. Some of these groups had different names for their land.
One of the first names we hear about is Rus’. This was the name of a group of people who lived in what is now the western part of Russia. They were known for being great traders and warriors, and they even traveled all the way down to Constantinople to trade with the Byzantine Empire.
Over time, the name Rus’ became associated with all the different groups of people who lived in what is now Russia. So basically, if you were from Russia, you were a Rus’.
But then things got a bit more complicated. As time passed, other groups of people started to come into the area. These groups had their own names for the land, and sometimes they would fight with the Rus’ people.
One of these groups was known as the Ruthenians. They lived in what is now Ukraine and Belarus. They spoke a different language and had a slightly different culture from the Rus’ people.
So, the name Ruthenia started to be used to describe the lands where the Ruthenians lived. This is why you might hear people talk about “Kievan Rus’” – that was a time when the Rus’ people and the Ruthenians were living together in the same area.
Eventually, the Rus’ people formed their own country with a capital in Moscow. They called this country Russia, after the name Rus’. Today, Russia is still a name for that country.
And as for Ruthenia? Well, that term fell out of use over time, and these days people mostly just use the name Ukraine to describe the land where the Ruthenians lived.
So there you have it – a brief history of the names of Rus’, Russia, and Ruthenia!
So, a long long time ago, there were a lot of different groups of people living in what is now Russia and Ukraine. Some of these groups had different names for their land.
One of the first names we hear about is Rus’. This was the name of a group of people who lived in what is now the western part of Russia. They were known for being great traders and warriors, and they even traveled all the way down to Constantinople to trade with the Byzantine Empire.
Over time, the name Rus’ became associated with all the different groups of people who lived in what is now Russia. So basically, if you were from Russia, you were a Rus’.
But then things got a bit more complicated. As time passed, other groups of people started to come into the area. These groups had their own names for the land, and sometimes they would fight with the Rus’ people.
One of these groups was known as the Ruthenians. They lived in what is now Ukraine and Belarus. They spoke a different language and had a slightly different culture from the Rus’ people.
So, the name Ruthenia started to be used to describe the lands where the Ruthenians lived. This is why you might hear people talk about “Kievan Rus’” – that was a time when the Rus’ people and the Ruthenians were living together in the same area.
Eventually, the Rus’ people formed their own country with a capital in Moscow. They called this country Russia, after the name Rus’. Today, Russia is still a name for that country.
And as for Ruthenia? Well, that term fell out of use over time, and these days people mostly just use the name Ukraine to describe the land where the Ruthenians lived.
So there you have it – a brief history of the names of Rus’, Russia, and Ruthenia!