Origin of the “Rus”

The earliest history of Russia is a topic which often is being neglected. It`s not a matter of a lack of interest on the matter, but rather due to ignorance. The early inhabitants of the great Ukrainian and Southern Russian Steppes were formed by Nomadic people surrounding the Volga, Don and Dnjepr rivers. Among them the folks to become known as the Sarmatians and Scythians, had their origins in the Iranian area. For centuries their dominance in the area was unchallenged, until the Slavic (presumed to have been evolving from the Venedi-tribe as described by Tacitus)people did. After the Huns were adrift between the 4th and 6th Century A.D. the Slavs scattered across Europe in various directions. The Slavs assimilated with the people in the Ukrainian areas and in the following centuries, expanding their presence towards Belarus and Russia. They assimilated also with Baltic tribes. Around the 9th Century the Scandiavian people where expanding their presence over Europe, for a number of reasons. Danes went to the West, harassing the English and French shores, where they would become known as “Vikings”. But the Swedes went Eastwards, conquering the rivers leading to the mainland of the Slavic people, setting up trades with them. The Slavs called them “Rus”-people meaning so much as “People who row”. Soon the Scandinavians dominated the Slavs and Baltic People, but were then again pushed back after a massive revolt among the Slavs. The Slavic tribes however, soon began fighting eachother again. Stability in the areas was wished for finally, leading the Slavs to invite a “Rus” prince to reign them. The prince was called Rurik. He would lay the foundations for the city of Novgorod. After his Death late 9th Century, his kinsman Oleg took over, expanding his realm by conquest, and finally taking control over Kiev. And here, Kiev Rus would originate. In time, all the Slavic tribes within the realm, would become known as “Rus”, living in Russia, the land of the “Rus”.