All the Russias

All the Russias is the standard English translation of a term which was used to refer either to the Russian Empire, or to the Russian-inhabited lands of the Russian Empire. Tsars used the title "The Sovereign of all the Russias (alternatively "all Rus'"): the Great, the Little, and the White".

Early in Russian history, Byzantine hierarchs established their own names (in Greek) for the northern and southern parts of what was then ruled by Russians: Μεγάλη Ῥωσσία (Megálē Rhōssía, Great Russia) and Μικρὰ Ῥωσσία (Mikrà Rhōssía, Russia Minor or Little Russia i.e. the Ukraine). Ivan III adopted the title "Tsar of All the Russias" in 1480, reflecting and legitimising his various campaigns of conquest which greatly expanded his lands. The term White Russia came into usage for the area now known in English as Belarus. The title was re-used by Peter the Great and became standard for Russian rulers.