Characteristics and Miltary Styles of Kievan Rus and Feudal Society
...erted to Christianity. Then the Kievan Rus area became the Eastern Orthadox Church after the Christian church split. Later, after the comquer of the Mongols led by Genghis Khan, the Mongols tortured and terrorized the people, but still allowed the local rulers to keep their government. The Mongols collected taxes from the government, as pay not to take control of the Kievan government, and in turn built roads and increased communication. The city of Moscow cooperated with the Mongols, and Ivan I became the Grand Prince, then later the Czar of Kievan Rus. There was an established autocratic government. Ivan I terrorized the people and massacred entire villages, giving him the neme "Ivan the Terrible." Kievan Rus traded agricultural goods, like fur, wax, and honey. They also sold slaves to the Byzantine Empire In Return, they got wine, silk, spices, and religious art objects from Western Europe. There were a few social classes in Kievan Rus. At the highest were the princes and their families. Below them were the boyers, or advisors. Next were the artisans and merchants and at last were the peasants, who lived in small villages and worked the fields. Military styles became more advanced as the Mongols took over. The Mongols encircled their enemy during their wars with their calvary, and used bows and arrows. A strictly disciplined army followed the de...