The Kievan Rus developed close ties with the Byzantines, leading early Russia to adopt . The first Russian empire revered the Roman and Byzantine empires, and adopted for its emperors in honor of former rulers in Rome.
The Kievan Rus developed close ties with the Byzantines, leading early Russia to adopt elements of Byzantine culture, religion, and administrative practices. The Byzantine Empire had a profound influence on the formation of Russian civilization, particularly in the areas of religion and governance.
One of the most significant aspects of Byzantine influence on early Russia was the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In 988, Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev converted to Christianity and made it the official religion of the Kievan Rus. He chose the Byzantine version of Christianity over other options because of the close political and cultural ties between the two empires. The Byzantine missionaries played a crucial role in spreading Orthodox Christianity in Russia, and the Byzantine liturgy and religious art became models for the Russian Orthodox Church.
In addition to religion, the Kievan Rus also adopted Byzantine administrative practices. The Byzantines had a centralized governance structure, and this influenced the development of a centralized state in early Russia. The Rus princes sought to imitate the Byzantine emperors, creating a system of administration that was centralized in the capital city of Kiev.
Furthermore, the first Russian empire, known as the Grand Principality of Moscow, looked up to the Roman and Byzantine empires as the great predecessors of their fledgling state. The Russian rulers, particularly Ivan III and Ivan IV, referred to themselves as tsars (derived from the Latin "caesar") to highlight their connection with the Roman emperors. They saw themselves as the heirs of the Byzantine tradition and aimed to emulate the power and prestige of their predecessors.
Overall, the close ties between the Kievan Rus and the Byzantines played a significant role in shaping early Russian culture, religion, and governance. The Byzantine influence was most evident in the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and the emulation of Byzantine administrative and cultural practices. The legacy of the Roman and Byzantine empires remained strong in the Russian consciousness, as seen in the adoption of the title of tsar in honor of the former Roman rulers.