Kievan Rus
By A.D. 900, the city of Kiev had begun to control much of the surrounding regions. This city-state became known as Kievan Rus. For centuries, the leaders of Kievan Rus, known as ‘Grand Princes’ lead raids against the Byzantines in search of wealth.
In A.D. 911 Byzantium signed a treaty with Kievan Rus, ending these raids, and opening a long and prosperous period of trade between the two peoples. This trade would help both nations to grow in power and wealth.
