Cyril and Methodius adapted
the Greek alphabet to
translate the Bible into
Slavic; created written script
still in use in Russia, Ukraine,
Serbia, Bulgaria
Golden Horde
Mongol armies led by Batu
into Russia; overran
Russian towns and ruled for
over 150 years; opened up
trade in the east, but cut off
contact with western Europe
Ivan the Terrible
1st Russian ruler crowned
tsar; further centralized royal
power
Ivan the Great
Recovered northern Russia &
territory in Lithuania, built
the framework for absolute
rule; adopted Byzantine
rituals to emphasize Russia's
role as the heir to Byzantine
power