Black Ruthenia
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Short description Black Ruthenia (Template:Langx), or Black Rus' (Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx), is a historical region on the Upper Neman, including Novogrudok, Grodno and Slonim.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Besides these, other important parts of Black Rus' are Vawkavysk and Białystok.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref> The region was inhabited by the Baltic Yotvingians from ancient times and the name "Black Russia" appeared relatively late.
On the 1712 map of French cartographer Henri Chatelain "Russie noire" (Black Ruthenia) is placed in region of Eastern Galicia (today Western Ukraine), which is traditionally known as "Russie rouge" (Red Ruthenia).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
The convention of distinguishing different Ruthenian regions by colours was first done by Medieval Western and Central European historians from the 14th to 17th centuries.<ref name=":0" /> It was first done circa 1360 by Template:Interlanguage link, referring to the Black and Red Ruthenia (placing them in modern Ukraine).Template:Citation needed Some researchers claim that this color naming convention was influenced by the Mongol invaders, who used them for the cardinal directions.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Sometimes in the 16th century, the names Black, White and Red Ruthenia were given respectively to the Grand Duchy of Moscow, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Lithuanian-owned Ruthenian lands that were given to Poland during the Union of Lublin.<ref name=":0" />
According to Bancks' book from 1813, Black Russia was composed of the Governorates of Kaluga, Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, Vladimir and Yaroslav.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
According to Alfred Nicolas Rambaud in the late 19th century:
The Lithuanian territories of Grodno, Novogrodek and Belostok were sometimes called Black Russia.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
On some Polish maps "Black Ruthenia" (Rus Czarna) covered areas of modern Belarus, which were labeled "White Ruthenia" on other maps.
See also
References
External links
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