CHRISTIAN RAFFENSPERGER. Reimagining Europe: Kievan Rus' in the Medieval World.
Eve Levin
Kievan Rus' was the medieval Eastern Slavic polity with a capital in Kiev (present-day Ukraine). In most accounts of European history, it is consigned to margins narrative that focuses on Western and Central Europe. Russian figures as conduit for Byzantine influence later Muscovite imperial states emerged its northeast. Christian Raffensperger challenges both these frameworks his boldly conceived first book. Unlike predecessors, notably late Dimitri Obolensky, does not situate within political religious orbit Empire. Instead, he argues related Byzantines very much same way their neighbors. They sought recognition brides appropriated emblems legitimate government, but without granting or ecclesiastical hegemony. this way, magnifies diminishes significance what terms “Byzantine Ideal”: points out pervasiveness across Europe while downplaying impact Rus'. He deny converted Christianity part diplomatic efforts, notes they borrowed more directly from Bulgaria than Constantinople. Additionally, emphasizes schism 1054 initially had limited outside high circles, so also inspired Borrowing Peter Brown's concept “micro-Christendoms,” Raffens-perger persuasively leaders deliberately developed linguistically culturally distinct version order assert independence authority. The replication prominent sites Constantinople represents subservient imitation rather appropriation: creation “locus worship inside Rus'” obviate any need turn outward Empire (p. 184).
The American Historical Review