Final answer:
The city that became the center of the early Russian state was Moscow, established as such by Ivan III in the late 15th century. Moscow was seen as the “Third Rome” after the fall of Constantinople and the rise of the Russian Empire, which had its roots in Kievan Rus', founded by Vladimir the Great.
Step-by-step explanation:
Center of Early Russian State
The city that became the center of the early Russian state was Moscow. Following the invasion of the Mongols in the thirteenth century and the fall of Kiev, Moscow emerged as a new center of power. Around 1480, the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan III "the Great" established Moscow's independence from the Mongol's Golden Horde, laying the foundation for what became the Russian Empire. Over the years, Moscow gained prominence and was even regarded by some as the “Third Rome”, symbolizing the continuation of the Byzantine Empire's legacy after the fall of Constantinople. The origins of Russia can be traced back to Kievan Rus', established by Vladimir the Great around 980 CE, who unified the region and converted it to Orthodox Christianity. The Russian Empire grew significantly under Ivan III and his successors, cementing Moscow's central role in Russian history.
Despite shifting capitals and political changes, such as moving the capital to St. Petersburg in the 18th century and the renaming of St. Petersburg to Petrograd and then Leningrad in the 20th century, Moscow remained historically significant. The USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) emerged later, repurposing the territories of the Russian Empire into a Marxist totalitarian state following the end of the monarchy.
The significance and historical influence of Moscow continue to be acknowledged in modern Russia, through acts such as the installation of a statue of Prince Vladimir in the capital. This demonstrates Russia's enduring connection to its early roots in Kievan Rus'.