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Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
1453 Through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598-1682) Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682-1762) The Age of Catherine the Great (1762-1801) The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825)

                                     

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Russia's Globalization: A Key

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


Russia Looks at the World
Russia Symbol   A Russian Ladder to Heaven
    A Russian Ladder to Heaven
NYPL, Spencer Collection
Russia Symbol   Russia Looks at the World
    Russia Looks at the World
NYPL, Map Division
Russia Symbol   Gospels for a Russian National Saint?
    Gospels for a Russian National Saint?
NYPL, Spencer Collection

Russia Symbol   Ivan the Terrible
    Ivan the Terrible
NYPL, Slavic and Baltic Division
 Photographic Services & Permissions

 Russia Symbol    Russia Looks at the World

  

After Cosmas Indicopleustes (fl. 6th century)
Kniga glagolemaia Kosmografiia [The Book Termed the Cosmography]
Russia, first third of the 18th century
NYPL, Map Division

Modeled after 17th-century Russian monastic translations of world maps (themselves based on models dating back to the second-century astronomer and geographer Ptolemy), this "circular" style was out of favor in western Europe by the late 15th century. Allegorical figures indicate that the sun's rays begin the day in Asia, proceed to Africa and then to Europe, and end the day in "New America." Moscow is represented by the Kremlin (lower left), recognizable by the "splendor of its numerous cupolas."