Black Ruthenia (Latin:Ruthenia Nigra), orBlack Rus'(Belarusian:Чорная Русь,romanized: Čornaja Ruś;Lithuanian:Juodoji Rusia;Polish:Ruś Czarna), is ahistorical region on the UpperNeman, includingNovogrudok,Grodno andSlonim.[1] Besides these, other important parts of Black Rus' areVawkavysk andBiałystok.[2] The region was inhabited by theBalticYotvingians fromancient times and the name "Black Russia" appeared relatively late.
On the1712 map of French cartographer Henri Chatelain "Russie noire" (Black Ruthenia) is placed in region ofEastern Galicia (todayWestern Ukraine), which is traditionally known as "Russie rouge" (Red Ruthenia).[3]
The convention of distinguishing different Ruthenian regions by colours was first done byMedievalWestern and Central European historians from the 14th to 17th centuries.[1] It was first done circa 1360 byHeinrich von Mügeln [de], referring to the Black andRed Ruthenia (placing them in modernUkraine).[citation needed] Some researchers claim that this color naming convention was influenced by the Mongol invaders, who used them for the cardinal directions.[4]
Sometimes in the 16th century, the names Black,White andRed Ruthenia were given respectively to theGrand Duchy of Moscow, theGrand Duchy of Lithuania, and Lithuanian-owned Ruthenian lands that were given toPoland during theUnion of Lublin.[1]
According to Bancks' book from 1813, Black Russia was composed of the Governorates ofKaluga,Moscow,Tula,Ryazan,Vladimir andYaroslav.[5]
According toAlfred Nicolas Rambaud in the late 19th century:
The Lithuanian territories of Grodno, Novogrodek andBelostok were sometimes calledBlack Russia.[6]
On some Polish maps "Black Ruthenia" (Rus Czarna) covered areas of modern Belarus, which were labeled "White Ruthenia" on other maps.
Media related toBlack Ruthenia at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
