A History Of Russian Literature May 2026

Neoclassicism and Sentimentalism became dominant as writers tried to create a "modern" Russian prose style.

Under Peter the Great, Russia began rapid Westernization, which heavily influenced literary styles.

Early Russian literature was deeply spiritual and focused on the growth of the Russian state. A History of Russian Literature

By the 17th century, the "Baroque Age" began to introduce more secular elements like court theater and early verse. 2. The Age of Enlightenment (18th Century)

The Tale of Igor's Campaign —an anonymous epic poem about a failed raid against nomadic tribes. By the 17th century, the "Baroque Age" began

Russian literature is a massive, multi-century journey from medieval monks to modern-day experimentalists.

This is the era most people recognize, where Russian literature became a global cultural export. Russian literature is a massive, multi-century journey from

Mikhail Lomonosov (the polymath who refined the language) and Nikolai Karamzin (who pioneered emotional prose). 3. The Golden Age (19th Century)