Russia 750 CE

What is happening in Russia in 750CE

The Khazars, a semi-nomadic people of the steppes, created a loose confederation of peoples covering a large area of the Ukraine. By the mid-8^th century this confederation was at the peak of its power, with the Khazar rulers exercised loose authority over a large though ill-defined area to the north of the Black and Caspian Seas. The comparative stability that their authority imposes allowed trade to flourish, much of it in the hands of Jewish merchants. These exercise an important influence with the Khazar court, which, at around this time, converts to Judaism.

Two other peoples of the steppe are the Magyars, who at this time pay tribute to the Khazar rulers, and the Bulgars. These latter have been defeated by the Khazars and been split into two main groups. One of these has headed south-west towards the Balkans, where they will play an important role in the history of that region.

In the Baltic region, Scandinavians were by this date active as traders, seeking  the local populations in honey and furs from the great northern forests. A small merchant colony of Swedes was already established just inland from the Gulf of Finland, on the shores of Lake Lagoda

Next map, Russia in 979