Ancient Rus: culture and its features

Ancient Rus, whose culture was a vivid phenomenon in the development of the country, was famous for its beautiful monuments of architecture and literary creations. What influenced its development? How did the idea of the world change? In all this you need to understand.

Ancient Rus: culture and its features before the adoption of Christianity and after

As is known, the ancient state was subordinated to pagan religion, as a result of which it is possible to speak about several characteristic features of that society. First, oral folklore prevailed. It was then that the epics, songs and fairy tales began to emerge. People passed on from generation to generation the most important information that has come down to our days. Secondly, wooden architecture was developed. Then in Russia there were no stone buildings, but there were well-known after all the world strong wooden churches and huts. Thirdly, there were no written sources. Yes, until the adoption of a new faith, such monuments of art were not on the territory of our country. Fourthly, there were many pagan gods. Features of the culture of Ancient Russia after the adoption of Christianity have changed greatly:

• Book work appeared and great literary works began to appear actively;
• Began to develop stone architecture (the most striking example - St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, which was built in honor of the defeat of the Pechenegs);
• There appeared new forms of art that had not existed before - fine, as well as jewelry.

Ancient Rus: Culture and Its Incarnations

The whole culture of that time can be conditionally divided into three areas: writing, architecture and fine arts. So, let's start with the literature. The first kind of a message to each other (and this can be called the birth of literary works) was found in Novgorod, where they were called birch-bark letters. After the adoption of Christianity appeared the Tale of Bygone Years, Illarionovskoe "The Word of Law and Grace," and "Ostromir Gospel" (authorship is attributed to the scribe Gregory). In addition, one can not help recalling the fact that the alphabet was created by the great brothers, Cyril and Methodius, also at that time. The history of the culture of Ancient Rus, in particular, stone architecture, is the richest heritage of the whole country. What are the examples of the cross-domed style: St. Sophia's cathedrals in Novgorod and Kiev and the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery. One can not help recalling the one-dome creations of Andrei Bogolyubsky: the Assumption and Dmitrov cathedrals, the Golden Gate, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. All this is the property of our Motherland. As for the fine arts, then it is worth mentioning such creations as the mosaic "Our Lady of Oranta", the icon "The Annunciation of Ustyug", as well as the fresco "The Prophet Zacharias".

Thus, the Ancient Rus, whose culture laid the foundation for the development of the Russian soul, became an example for subsequent creators. We study her works and rejoice at the achievements of that time so far, and this is one of the main reasons to be proud of our history.