THE STORY OF TRADE AND TRADING ESTATE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN MEDIEVAL RUSSIA

The article studies the beginning of historical conditions, and sources of trade and trade relations in ancient Russian state. It describes the attraction of different layers of society towards the process of exchange, the isolation of the special group of traders, and the formation of the union of trading people. The growth of towns and the development of trades as the factor of the trade development are described, the position of Russian state as the transit country is emphasized. This position was especially important for international trade. The importance and the special role of the state and the church in the development of trade during the medieval time is pointed out.