Periodization of historical process – one of the main components of studying history systematizing the obtained data on the basis of group of signs. It allows to look at historical process from different sides. The public relations are the cornerstone of one classification, and another takes changes of culture as a basis.
The convention of historical periodizations is caused, first of all is caused by heterogeneity of sociohistorical processes even within one state. Considering this feature on the example of specific principalities of Ancient Russia, it should be noted that such principalities as Novgorod, Kiev considerably were ahead in a number of areas (economic, social and political) of the neighbors. Therefore allocation of the development periods, general for all principalities, – the phenomenon conditional. It is necessary to pay attention and to specifics of course of historical changes. It agrees one of the most widespread periodizations era of antiquity began in 3-2 millennium BC, and ended in 476 with fall of the Roman Empire. But the established framework is very conditional, change of eras does not happen everywhere in one year. In certain areas the remnants of this period remained still quite long time. Therefore from one era to another it is possible to speak about universal chronologically uniform transition with a certain share of convention. This process in a type of the complexity and heterogeneity itself can become a subject of historical classification. If to consider the large-scale historical periodizations applying for a role universal, then it is possible to draw the following conclusion. Than classification is more extensive and more difficult, especially conditional it is from the factual point of view. For example, the formational theory of K. Marx allocates the obligatory periods in development of society, but a number of the states in a type of various circumstances developed on other way, passing only some of the described stages. Despite a certain convention, historical periodizations have huge practical value in the course of studying history. They allow to focus on the aspect interesting scientists, to allocate a circle of valuable information on the matter and to systematize it within the conducted research.