The proposed publication is the first publication of a university course on the history of medieval civilization by St. Petersburg University professor V. G. Vasilievsky (1839–1899). The lectures cover a wide chronological range - from the 1st to the 13th centuries, reflecting the best achievements of Russian and European medieval studies of the 19th century. The wealth of historical material and its original interpretation make Vasilievsky’s course a valuable tool for the beginning scientist. A wide range of readers will become acquainted with vivid historical portraits of famous kings, monastic missionaries of Christianity, and figures of medieval culture. The Roman era during the crisis and the first barbarian kingdoms, the origins of the rise of the pantry and the riots of the townspeople, the code of honor of the knight and the views of the leader of the heretics - all this and much more can be traced on an extensive source base. The lectures of the outstanding Byzantinist V. G. Vasilievsky are a monument to Russian and European historical thought, a valuable source for studying the history of Russian science. For historians, teachers, students and a wide range of readers.