Russia Engages the World

From the Fall of Constantinople to the Reign of Ivan the Terrible: A Summary of Russian History

Introduction

Prior to 1453

The Period of Mongol Invasion and Rule, 1237–1480

Muscovy Emerges as a Power

1453–1584: Moscow Becomes the "Third Rome"

Ivan IV Descends into Madness

From the Fall of Constantinople to the Reign of Ivan the Terrible: A Summary of World History

Europe

Eurasia

Russia's Globalization:
A Key

Events marked are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development.
Those marked are important world historical or cultural events.
indicates specific points of sociocultural or military engagement between Muscovy/Russia and foreign powers or individuals.

The Terrible Tsar Receives a Danish Legation

Photographic Services & Permissions
Jacob Ulfeldt (d. 1593) Hodoeporicon Ruthenicum [A Ruthenian (i.e., Muscovite) Journey] Frankfurt: M. Becker, imprensis I. T. & I. I. de Bry, 1608 NYPL, Rare Books Division This engraving depicts the audience of Jacob Ulfeldt, a Danish legate in the 16th century, with Tsar Ivan IV, "the Terrible" (r. 1533–84). Such an audience was one of the rituals typical of European embassies to Moscow. When foreign diplomats arrived in the capital, they were sequestered and allowed very limited local contact until the audience: the tsar was to be the first, at least in an official sense, to greet them. Ivan the Terrible is shown here surrounded by his ceremonial guard, while his boyars, or aristocrats, sit silently along the walls and in front of him in rows.