Final answer:
The wealth of the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus' was due in part to their geographic locations fostering trade, the Byzantine silk industry, the conversion of Kievan Rus' to Orthodox Christianity, and the diplomatic strategies of the Byzantine Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors Contributing to the Wealth of the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus'
The wealth of the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus' can be attributed to several similar factors. Both entities leveraged their geographic positions to facilitate trade, with the Byzantine Empire's capital at Constantinople positioned to control trade between Europe and Asia, and Kievan Rus' linking the Baltic to the Black Sea. Moreover, Constantinople stood as a magnificent city, enticing trade partners with its splendor and grandiosity, stimulating economic wealth.
One crucial aspect contributing to the wealth of the Byzantine Empire was its silk industry, which became a European hub after silkworms were smuggled out of China around 550. It became not just a center of production but also gained a monopoly over the trade, contributing substantially to the empire's wealth. Similarly, Kievan Rus' profited from trade with the Byzantines and other neighboring regions, which was facilitated by its waterways and the conversion to Orthodox Christianity, aligning its cultural and economic practices more closely with the Byzantines.
The alliance formed in 987 between Prince Vladimir I of Kiev and Byzantine emperor Basil II, following Vladimir's conversion and marriage to Basil's sister, greatly influenced Kievan Rus' economically and culturally. This relationship fostered trade and imitation of Byzantine art and architecture in Kievan Rus'. Additionally, the conversion of Vladimir's subjects to Christianity further strengthened their economic ties, as religious unity often translated into smoother trading relations.
The Byzantine Empire's prosperity also relied heavily on its diplomatic strategies and aggressive approach, including the establishment of the 'Bureau of Barbarians,' which aided in maintaining trade ties and gathering intelligence. While the Byzantine Empire's power declined in the subsequent centuries, Kievan Rus' saw an assimilation of Byzantine cultural elements that contributed to its own growth and wealth.