2. Towards Christianity
1. Christianity for greater central power
The Viking gods were overthrown around in the 11th century to make place for the christian god. The reason was that this gave Norway more control especially to trade with Europe since they were already all Christians by then. Also Christianity provided a bureaucratic structure, taxes, laws that could be executed from top down.
Kings were seen as divine as they were operating from God, chosen by god. That is what the Bishops told the people, that they were chosen by god.
So “the Kievan Rus were Vikings” is too broad. More accurately, Vikings helped establish the ruling dynasty and state, while the population and later culture were predominantly East Slavic. Historians still debate how large the Scandinavian contribution was, but Scandinavian origins for the early ruling dynasty are widely accepted.
Yes, the Kievan Rus, led by Prince Oleg, attempted to invade Scandinavia, particularly Norway, during a military campaign. This invasion was part of Oleg's ambition to expand Rus territory, but it ultimately faced significant resistance from the local Viking forces.
Background of the Invasion
- Leadership: Prince Oleg of Kiev led the campaign.
- Objective: The goal was to assert control over Scandinavia, which Oleg believed rightfully belonged to the Rus, as they were originally Vikings.
Key Events During the Invasion
- Initial Engagements: Oleg's forces engaged in battles against local Viking coalitions in Norway.
- Resistance: The Rus faced significant resistance from the Viking forces, which included alliances formed among local kings to defend against the invasion.
Outcome
- The invasion ultimately resulted in a severe defeat for the Rus forces, leading to their retreat back to Kiev. The local Viking forces successfully defended their territory, showcasing their military strength against the invading Rus.
Kievan Rus',[a][6][7] also known as Kyivan Rus',[8][9][10][11] was the first East Slavic state and, later, an amalgam of principalities,[12] in Eastern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century.[13][14] Encompassing a variety of polities and peoples, including East Slavic, Norse,[15][16] and Finnic, it was ruled by the Rurik dynasty,
It was not the Rus being defeated by Norway. The pagan religion was gradually replaced by Christianity, especially under Prince Vladimir the Great, ruler of Kievan Rus.