--Russia's Geography/Language

Links:

CIA Factbook on Russia (US Factbook for comparison)

Lecture Notes

Wild Russia: Pictures of Flora and Fauna from around Russia

Transsiberian Railway on Google Maps

Lake Baikal

Siberia's Rivers

The Varangians and the founding of Rus

Riurik (Wikipedia)

Optional:

Russian pagan gods and another theory on the origin of the term Rus

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--Kievan Russia/The Orthodox Church

Yaroslav the Wise

Model of Original St. Sophia

Links:

A brief overview of early Russian history

Lecture Notes

Map of Kiev, 10th-13th Centuries

Christian imagery and symbolism of Cathedral of St. Sophia.  Text optional. Images recommended.

Cathedral of St. Sophia  Fairly detailed. Text optional. Password protected.

The Pouchenie of Vladimir Monomakh (c.1100)

Optional:

The Story of Kiev's Founding

Kievan art   Password protected.

Russkaia Pravda (short)

Russkaia Pravda (expanded)

The Igor Tale  Password protected. Translation by Jack Haney and Eric Dahl.  This and all other password protected material from the course site of Dan Waugh of the University of Washington.  (Also found in the course materials, although this translation is better.)

Translators' Introduction to "The Igor Tale"  Password protected.

Jack Haney's Commentary to "The Igor Tale"  Password protected. 

Vladimir Nabokov's Translation of the Igor Tale

Excerpts from Nestor's Chronicle

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