Kievan Rus 

A medieval East Slavic federation from the 9th–13th centuries ruled by the Rus’ and centered in Kyiv. Much like the Eastern Roman Empire being referred to as "Byzantine Empire", the term “Kievan Rus” wasn’t used back then, it was invented later by historians to distinguish the Kyivan-centered period from later Russian states. In its own time, it was just called “the land of the Rus’.”

‘Kievan Rus’ sounds ancient, but it’s basically a historian’s rebrand for medieval Rus based in Kyiv.

Kievan Rus by jyd611 October 8, 2025