Студопедия

Главная страница Случайная страница

Разделы сайта

АвтомобилиАстрономияБиологияГеографияДом и садДругие языкиДругоеИнформатикаИсторияКультураЛитератураЛогикаМатематикаМедицинаМеталлургияМеханикаОбразованиеОхрана трудаПедагогикаПолитикаПравоПсихологияРелигияРиторикаСоциологияСпортСтроительствоТехнологияТуризмФизикаФилософияФинансыХимияЧерчениеЭкологияЭкономикаЭлектроника






Unit II






1. Memorize the following words and word-combinations:

 

to found - основывать
mirror-like surface - зеркальная поверхность
primeval - первобытный
settlement - поселение
furthermore - более того
fortress - крепость
resistance - сопротивление
to perish - погибать.умирать
whistle - свист
belligerent - легендарный
remains - останки
fortification - укрепление
steep - крутой
plumb - вертикальный, отвесный
ravine - ущелье, овраг, лощина
wilderness - дикая местность
to annex - присоединять
to capture - захватывать
retinue - свита
invasion - вторжение, нашествие
domain - владение, имение, территория
to flourish - процветать
handicraft - ремесло
bishop - епископ
cloister - монастырь
principality - княжество
to swear allegiance - клясться в верности

 

2. Read and translate the text:

FROM THE HISTORY OF BRYANSK

 

The history of the State organization on the Bryansk land began at the end of the 10th century. Vladimir, the Prince (Knyaz) of Kiev, began to found the cities on the rivers Desna, Vostra, Trubezh, Sula and Stugna.

A mirror-like surface of the river, sparkling among the primeval forest – that was the common look of the place, where the new settlement was founded. Forest and river were the source of food and also served as effective native protection. Furthermore, forests were the source of construction materials and the waterway was the main way to other lands.

Bryansk was founded in 985. The city was also a fortress and the center of Christianity. The native Vyatichy religion was the cult of Perun (the God of Lightnings). For a number of decades The Vyatichy elders made resistance against thr expansion of Christianity. According to some Historians, the legendary Solovei Razboinik, who lived in Bryansk forests, perishing travellers by his mighty whistle, was really one of the belligerent elders. Ages ago the location of the place, where Bryansk was founded, was forgotten by people. Only at the end of the 20th century archaeologists took into consideration the old-time name of one of the former settlements on the modern territory of the city. Its name was Gorodische, it meant “City” or “City walls”. There was a hill not far from this settlement named by native people “Chashin Kurgan”. The archaeologists discovered the remains of the ancient colony there.

The Chashin Hill is a native fortification on a steep bank of the Desna River, protected from two sides by plumb steeps of two deep ravines and by forest from the third side.

The fortress was located on a strategical point near the junction of the Desna and Bolva Rivers. The city dwellers could see the far surroundings from the city wall and, on the contrary, the city was quite invisible in forest wilderness. Very likely it was the main reason to call the city “Bryansk” (“a city in forest wilderness”).

At the end of the 9th century the land around Bryansk was annexed to Chernigov Princedom, and in 1147 Bryansk was captured by retinue of Prince Svyatoslav Olegovich, an outcast from Kiev.

Bryansk wasn't affected by the Tatar invasion. The hordes of enemies didn't dare to go deep into the great trap of Bryansk wilderness. When Tatar forces smashed up Chernigov city, and after the death of Mikhail, The Prince of Chernigov, Mikhail's son, Roman moved to Bryansk and founded a new princedom here. Roman was a brave warrior, skilful politician and diplomat. He was able to defend his lands against Tatar and Lithuanian inroads and to enlarge the territory of his domain. At the end of the 13th century Bryansk Princedom was one of the most powerful in Russia. Cities around – Chemigov, Novgorod-Seversky, Smolensk, Kursk, Moscow, Vladimir were plundered by enemies, but Bryansk was flourishing. Famous dense forests protected Bryansk like the Great Wall. Trade and handicraft developed. Peasants, craftsmen, warriors and servants at court of other princes came to Bryansk from other lands.

Thanks to Roman's efforts, the Bishop of Chernigov moved to Bryansk and Bryansk Princedom became the main religious center of the South-West Russia. In 1288 Prince Roman founded Svensky Cloister near Bryansk. The place where Svensky Cloister was founded was the best to protect Bryansk from the South. Like Chashin Hill Svensky Cloister is situated on a dominated height near the junction of two rivers. It was an excellent observing point and inaccessible thanks to steeps and impassable thickets.

The Golden Horde disturbed the strengthening of Bryansk Princedom and in the 90th of the 13th century Prince Roman was killed. After his death the principality fell into decay and as a result it was captured by Lithuania and remained under its rule for about 150 years. Only in 1500 Bryansk was returned to Russia and its citizens swore allegiance to Moscow Power.

 

3. Answer the following questions:

1. When was Bryansk founded?

2. What can you say about the place where the new settlement appeared?

3. Did Solovei Razboinik really exist?

4. What kind of place is the Chashin Hill?

5. What was the reason to call our city “Bryansk”?

6. What happened to Bryansk in 1147?

7. Why wasn't Bryansk affected by the Tatar invasion?

8. What was the role of Prince Roman in the history of Bryansk?

9. When was Svensky Cloister founded? Can you describe its location?

10. What happened to Bryansk in the 13th century?

11. When was Bryansk returned to Russia?

 

4. Using the text. Try to find English equivalents to the following Russian words and word-combinations:

Старейшины, горожане, разгромить город, храбрый воин, густые леса, княжество, безопасность государства, наблюдательный пост, непроходимые заросли, приходить в упадок.

 

5. Fill in the blanks using the words bellow:

1. Bryansk forests were the source of... and construction materials.

2.......... is a native fortification on the Desna river.

3. The Prince Roman managed to defend his lands from enemies and to... the territory of his....

4. Tatar hordes didn't dare to......... Bryansk forests.

5. There was a great inflow of........ and... to Bryansk from other lands in the 13th century.

6....... protected Bryansk from the South.

7. After the Prince Roman's death the... fell into decay.

 

Enlarge, principality, go deep into, food, Svensky Cloister, domain, peasants, craftsmen, warriors, the Chashin Hill.

 

 






© 2023 :: MyLektsii.ru :: Мои Лекции
Все материалы представленные на сайте исключительно с целью ознакомления читателями и не преследуют коммерческих целей или нарушение авторских прав.
Копирование текстов разрешено только с указанием индексируемой ссылки на источник.