This lesson is the first in an 8-lesson unit of the medieval state of Kievan Rus, and the Principality of Moscow (Muscovy) that emerged after the decline of Mongol influence in the region.

Taken as a whole, the unit aims to give students some historical context to the modern-day conflict in Ukraine, helping them to appreciate the sophistication (politically and culturally) of Kievan Rus – and the embryonic forms of democracy that existed there, in sharp contrast to the autocratic principles that came to govern Russia in the centuries that followed. 

This lesson introduces students to Kievan Rus through an important contemporary account – the Primary Chronicle.

This chronicle was compiled in the 12th century by a monk known as Nestor.

Students find out what the Chronicle has to tell us about the origins of Kievan Rus, before comparing this traditional, almost mythical account with a range of other clues.

They are subsequently guided towards offering explanations for the possible inaccuracies in the Primary Chronicle’s account, before they write a ‘review’ of the Chronicle for a website dedicated to reviews of historical books.

All in all, this is a really good opportunity for students to gain insight into the beginnings of Kievan Rus from an important contemporary source, and it guides them in developing those all-important skills of source analysis – skills which make history an ‘un-natural act’.

Download lesson

Price: £12.99

Add to basketMembers’ Download