The titles “Rus”, “Red Rus” on European maps of XIV-XVIII centuries

Abstract

Geographers and historians are interested in the origin of the title “Rus” for a long period. It is an object of numerous speculations and hypotheses contained in geographical, historical and linguistic-cultural research. During the last two centuries, an enormous number of sources that devoted to the origin of the title Rus were amassed in linguistics, historical and geographical literature. The main aim of this article is to explore the location of Rus, Red Rus during different historical periods for indication of Ukrainian ethnic territory or its parts by using a foreign cartographic material of XIV–XVIII centuries. Development and becoming of cartography in this period were analyzed. The use of names “Rus”, “Red Rus” by European cartographers was researched. The views of researchers who have studied this question in different periods were analyzed. Changes in the title of “Rus” on European maps during the research period were tracked based on a detailed study and analysis of scientific and cartographic sources, summarizing the results of geographical research toponymy of Ukraine. The main maps, which depicted the territory of Rus, were chronologically described. A description of many old maps was made. The history of the mapping of the territory of Ukraine was represented in chronological order based on the processing of numerous cartographic and literature sources. Key words: Rus, Red Rus, White Rus, Black Rus, map.