A unique phenomenon is the culture and way of life of Ancient Rus.The art of this state is the fruit of the feat of the Russian people, who defended their faith and independence, their ideals on the edge of the European world. Researchers note such features in the ancient Russian culture, as a synth and openness. An original spiritual world was created as a result of the interaction of the heritage and traditions of the Eastern Slavs with the Byzantine culture, and consequently, the traditions of antiquity. The time of formation, as well as the first flowering of the Old Russian culture, falls on the period from the 10th to the first half of the 13th centuries (that is, in the pre-Mongol period).
Folklore
Traditions of ancient paganismin folklore (oral folk art): in songs, fairy tales, proverbs, incantations, conspiracies, riddles. In the historical memory of the Russian people, a special place was occupied by bylinas. They represented heroic tales of brave defenders from the enemies of their native land. Mikula Selyaninovich, Volga, Alyosha Popovich, Ilya Muromets, Dobryni Nikitich and other warriors are sung by folk tales (there are more than 50 different main characters in the epics).
They turn to them their call to stand up forfatherland, for the faith. In the epics, interestingly, the motive for the defense of the country is complemented by another - the defense of Christian faith. The most important event in the culture of Ancient Rus was her baptism.
Writing in Russia
С принятием христианства стремительно стала to develop writing. Although she was known even earlier. As evidence, mention can be made of the "features and cuts", referring to the middle of the first millennium, information about the treaties of Rus with Byzantium, which were compiled in Russian, a clay vessel near Smolensk with a Cyrillic inscription (the alphabet created by Cyril and Methodius, the Enlightenment Slavs at the turn of the 10th-11th centuries).
Orthodoxy brought to Russia manyliturgical books, secular and religious literature. Handwritten books have reached us: two "Izbornik" of Prince Svyatoslav, dated 1073 and 1076, "Ostromir Gospel", referring to 1057. It is claimed that in circulation in the 11-13 centuries there were about 130-140 thousand books that had several hundred names . By the standards of the Middle Ages in Ancient Russia, the literacy rate was quite high. There are also other proofs. These are birch bark letters discovered by archaeologists in Veliky Novgorod in the mid-20th century, as well as inscriptions on handicrafts and cathedral walls, the activities of monastic schools, book collections of the St. Sophia Cathedral and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and others, which study the culture and way of life of Ancient Rus.
There was an opinion that the ancient Russian culturebelonged to the "dumb", that is, did not have its own original literature. However, this assumption is incorrect. The literature of Ancient Rus is represented by various genres. These are the lives of the saints, and the annals, and teachings, and journalism, and travel notes. Note here the famous "The Lay of Igor's Campaign," which did not belong to any of the genres that existed at the time. Thus, the literature of Ancient Rus is distinguished by a wealth of directions, styles, and images.
Spinning and weaving
The Old Russian state was not only differentoriginal culture, but also their way of life. The life of Ancient Rus is interesting and peculiar. Residents engaged in various crafts. In women, spinning and weaving were considered the main occupation. The necessary amount of cloth should be woven by Russian women to dress their family, as a rule, large, and also decorate the house with towels and tablecloths. Spinning was not accidentally considered a peasant traditional gift, which was stored with love and passed on from generation to generation.
There was a custom in Russia to give to loved onesgirls spinning their own work. The more cleverly carved and painted by her master, what she looked more elegant, the more he was honored. Russian girls gathered in winter evenings for gatherings, took spinning wheels with them to brag about them.
Houses in the cities
Customs, like life, in ancient Russian cities had a slightly different character than in the villages. There were practically no dugouts (see photo).
The life of Ancient Rus in the cities reflected variousthe buildings. Urban residents often built two-story houses, which consisted of several rooms. Houses of vigilantes, priests, princes, boyars had their differences. Required for farmsteads were allocated large land areas, built log buildings for servants and artisans, as well as various farm buildings. The life of Ancient Rus was different for different strata of the population, which reflected the types of dwellings. Boyar and prince's mansions were real palaces. These houses were decorated with expensive carpets and fabrics.
In fairly large cities lived the Russian people.They counted tens of thousands of inhabitants. In villages and villages there could be only a few dozen yards. The life of Ancient Rus, ancient traditions were preserved in them longer than in cities.
Houses in the villages
A higher standard of living had residential areas,on which various trade routes passed. The peasants lived, as a rule, in small houses. In the south, semi-earthlings were common, the roofs of which were often covered with earth.
In Russia the northern huts were two-story,high, with small windows (there could be more than five of them). Attached to the side of the house were sheds, storerooms and porches. They were all usually under one roof. This type of dwelling was very convenient for northern harsh winters. Many elements of the houses were decorated with geometric ornaments.
Interior of peasant huts
The life of peasants in Ancient Rus was quite simple.Huts in the villages usually did not look good. The interior of the peasant huts was cleaned quite strictly, but elegantly. Before the icons in the front corner was a large table that was intended for all members of this family. Ancient household items in Russia included also wide shops that stood along the walls. They were decorated with carved edges. Most often above them were shelves, which were intended for storing dishes. The objects of everyday life of Ancient Rus included the post-store (northern locker), which was usually supplemented with elegantly painted paintings depicting flowers, birds, horses, as well as pictures depicting allegorically the seasons.
The table was covered with red cloth during the holidays.Placed on it carved and painted utensils, as well as light for the luncheon. The Ancient Rus was famous for its craftsmen. They made different dishes. The most beautiful were ancient Russian buckets of various sizes and shapes. Some of them could hold several buckets. Drinking bowls designed for drinking differed often with a navicular form. Their pens were decorated with heads of horses or carved ducks. Also, the buckets were generously complemented with carving and painting.
Bucket-ducks called dippers, which had the formducks. Reminiscent of the ball chiselled vessels were called bratins. Beautiful saltcellars, reminiscent of the shape of horses or birds, carved woodworkers. Beautiful spoons and bowls were also made. Everything that concerned the life of Ancient Rus was usually made of wood: cradles for children, stupas, bowls, baskets, furniture. The craftsmen who created furniture not only thought about convenience, but also about beauty. These things were bound to please the eye, to turn even the most difficult work of the peasants into a holiday.
Clothing of various segments of the population
On clothes also it was possible to define varioussections of the population. Peasants and artisans, both men and women, wore shirts that were made of homespun cloth. In addition to shirts, men wore pants, and women - skirts. A simple people in winter wore ordinary fur coats.
In the form of clothing of notable persons was oftenIt looks like a peasant one, but in quality, of course, it was completely different. Such clothes were created from expensive fabrics. Often cloaks were made of gold embroidered eastern materials. Only winter fur coats were sewn from valuable fur. Peasants and townspeople also wore different shoes. Only rich people could afford to buy boots or pistons (shoes). The princes also wore boots that were richly decorated with inlays. Peasants could afford to manufacture or purchase only bast shoes, which lived in Russian culture until the 20th century.
Feasts and Hunting in Ancient Russia
Hunting and feasts were known throughout the world.Old Russian nobility. During such events, the most important state affairs were often decided. People of Ancient Rus celebrated victories in campaigns nationwide and magnificently. Honey and overseas wine flowed like a river. Servants served huge dishes with meat and game. These feasts must have been visited by posadnik and elders from all cities, as well as a great many people. Life of the inhabitants of ancient Russia is difficult to imagine without abundant feasts. The king feasted with the boyars and the squad on the high gallery of his palace, and tables for the people were located in the courtyard.
Falcon, dog and hawk hunting were consideredfun of the rich. For the common people various games, races, tournaments were arranged. The life of Ancient Rus as an integral part, especially in the north, also included a bath.
Other features of Russian life
Children in the boyars-princely environment were not brought upon their own. The boys were put on a horse at the age of three, after which they were given care and training of pestun (that is, a tutor). Young princes at the age of 12 were sent to manage the townships and towns. In the 11th century, rich families began to teach both girls and boys to read and write. Kiev bargaining was a favorite place of simple and noble people. It sold products and products from around the world, including India and Baghdad. The ancient people of Russia loved to bargain.
