Занятие I

The Ancient Russian State camе into existence in the 9th centu­ry. The capital of the State was Kiev. In the course of time it became a large political and cultural centre in Eastern Europe. From that time on Kiev was known as “Mother of the Russian Cities”.

The tragic period of the history of Russia was connected with the Mongol-Tartar Yoke. The Tartars conquered Russia, burned Kiev to the ground and ruled for about 250 years. The Russians went on paying tribute for a long time, until Ivan the IIId finally defeated them.

At the end of the 15th century Moscow developed into the main city and the capital of the Russian Empire.

The turning point in the development of Russia began with the governing of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great. He contributed great­ly to the overcoming of economic, cultural and military backwardness of Russia.

Since 1703 St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russia State. But long-suffering Russia had still to face with and overcome three revolutions and the War against fascist Germany.

Nevertheless Russia always stayed independent and unsubdued.

New words: (words to be learned)

ancient [ein∫әnt] - древний

to come into existence [ig'zistәns] - начать существование

to connect with [kә'nekt] - связывать с

yoke [jouk] - иго

to conquer [k ηkә] - завоёвывать

to burn to the ground [bә:n] - сжечь до тла

to rule [ru:l] - править

to go on = to continue - продолжать

to pay tribute to ['tribju:t] - платить дань кому-либо

to defeat [di'fi:t] - разгромить

to govern ['g vәn] - управлять

empire ['empaiә] - империя

to contrubute [kәn'tribjut] - сделать вклад

to overcome [ouvә'k m] - преодолевать

backwardness ['bækwәdnis] - отсталость

long-suffering [l ηgs feriη] - многострадальная

unsubdued [ nsәb'dju:d] - непокоренный

to face with [feis] - встретиться лицом к лицу

nevertheless [nevәðә'1еs] - тем не менее, однако