Beginning of chronicle
The authors of the first books
The first Russian book
Chronicler Nestor
Review questions
Homework
The first Russian books
Chronicles were the first Russian books
chronicle - a genre of narrative literature in Russia in the 11th-17th centuries
Chronicles were all-Russian and local
Preserved mainly in later lists
The origin of chronicle writing
Chronicle writing originated in Kyiv and Novgorod in the 11th century
The first Russian books were created in monasteries
The authors of the first books
Chronicle writing was done by monks specially trained by senior masters.
The first books were written by hand parchment , quill pen, black and red ink
Chronicler's work
The work of the chronicler required a lot of effort and attention
The scribes worked from dawn to dusk
To distract themselves a little, they made postscripts in the margins:
book design
Stitched parchment sheets were placed between two boards that served as a cover at that time.
The cover was covered with leather, often decorated with precious stones, copper inserts.
The text of the chronicle consisted of weather (compiled by years) records
Each entry begins with the words:
"In the summer such and such", followed by a message about what happened in this "summer" that is, the year
Since then, the expression “how old are you?”
How chronicles were written
Entries related to the same year are called articles.
The book was written in two columns in black ink.
Capital letters were written with cinnabar - red paint
Articles went in a row, standing out only with a red line
Types of chronicle writing
Old Russian books written charter and
half charter
Messages were long, detailed stories, and were very short:
"Into the summer 6898 there was pestilence in Pskov, as if there were no currents; where you have dug up one, that and five and ten you will put ”
"Into the summer 6752 don't be nothing"
The chronicler gave titles to some articles
The first Russian book
« Tale of Bygone Years» - this is the name in historical science of the oldest of the chronicles that have come down to us, entitled with the following words:
What is the "Story" about?
"The Tale of Bygone Years" tells about the origin of Russia, the princes, the events of the initial period of Russian history
The time of the creation of the "Tale"
The compilation of the "Tale" refers to the XI - the beginning of the XII centuries
This collection is also called the Nestor Chronicle, a temporary Nestor , the original chronicle
Nestor is the author of the first edition of The Tale of Bygone Years
Authorship of chronicles
Chronicle writing was carried out at the behest of one or another prince
But the chronicler always wrote "all good and bad", without embellishing reality
Chroniclers, with rare exceptions, did not indicate their names
The role of books in society
Chronicle was an official document
Highly valued were people who could "speak" according to the annals, that is, they knew their content well.
Review questions
What is the name of the most ancient monuments of Russian literature?
How the first Russian books were created?
Who was author the first Russian chronicle and what was it called?
How do you imagine a Russian chronicler, what qualities did he possess?
Phraseological turnover has been preserved in speech to this day "read from board to board""fully". How do you explain its origin and what does it mean?
What is the history of the origin of phraseology "from the red line"?
Do you want to get acquainted with the content of Russian chronicles? What, they can interest modern readers?
Chronicles were the most remarkable phenomenon of ancient Russian literature. The first weather records date back to the 9th century, they were extracted from later sources of the 16th century. They are very brief: notes in one or two lines.
As a phenomenon on a national scale, chronicle writing appeared in the 11th century. People of different ages became chroniclers, and not only monks. A very significant contribution to the restoration of the history of the annals was made by such researchers as A.A. Shakhmatov (1864-1920) and A.N. Nasonov (1898 - 1965). The first major historical work was the Code, completed in 997. Its compilers described the events of the 9th-10th centuries, ancient legends. It even includes epic court poetry that praised Olga, Svyatoslav and especially Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, in whose reign this Code was created.
Nestor, a monk of the Kiev Caves Monastery, who by 1113 completed his work The Tale of Bygone Years and compiled an extensive historical introduction to it, must be attributed to figures of a European scale. Nestor knew Russian, Bulgarian and Greek literature very well, being a very educated person. He used in his work the earlier Codes of 997, 1073 and 1093, and the events of the turn of the XI-XII centuries. covered as an eyewitness. This chronicle gave the most complete picture of early Russian history and was copied over 500 years. It must be borne in mind that the ancient Russian annals covered not only the history of Russia, but also the history of other peoples.
Secular people were also engaged in writing chronicles. For example, Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh. It was in the composition of the chronicle that such beautiful works of his as “Instruction to Children” (c. 1099; later supplemented, preserved in the list of 1377) have come down to us. In particular, in the "Instruction" Vladimir Monomakh holds the idea of the need to repulse external enemies. In total, there were 83 "paths" - campaigns in which he participated.
In the XII century. chronicles become very detailed, and since they are written by contemporaries, the class and political sympathies of the chroniclers are very clearly expressed in them. The social order of their patrons is traced. Among the largest chroniclers who wrote after Nestor, one can single out the Kyivian Peter Borislavich. The most mysterious author in the XII-XIII centuries. was Daniil the Sharpener. It is believed that he owns two works - "Word" and "Prayer". Daniil Zatochnik was an excellent connoisseur of Russian life, knew church literature well, wrote in a bright and colorful literary language. He said the following about himself: “My tongue was like the reed of a scribe, and my lips were friendly, like the speed of a river. For this reason, I tried to write about the fetters of my heart and broke them with bitterness, as in ancient times they smashed babies against a stone.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight the genre of "walking", describing the travel of our compatriots abroad. Firstly, these are the stories of pilgrims who carried out their “walks” to Palestine and Pargrad (Constantinople), but gradually descriptions of Western European states also began to appear. One of the first was a description of the journey of Daniil, the abbot of one of the Chernigov monasteries, who visited Palestine in 1104-1107, spending 16 months there and participating in the Crusader wars. The most outstanding work of this genre is "Journey Beyond Three Seas" by the Tver merchant Athanasius Nikitin, compiled in the form of a diary. It describes many southern peoples, but mostly Indians. "Walking" A. Nikitin lasting six years took place in the 70s. 15th century
The "hagiographic" literature is very interesting, since in it, in addition to describing the life of canonized persons, a true picture of life in monasteries was given. For example, cases of bribery for obtaining this or that church rank or place, etc., were described. Here we can single out the Kiev-Pechersk Patericon, which is a collection of stories about the monks of this monastery.
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The world-famous work of ancient Russian literature was "The Tale of Igor's Campaign", the date of writing of which is attributed to 1185. This poem was imitated by contemporaries, it was quoted by Pskovians already at the beginning of the 14th century, and after the victory at Kulikovo Field (1380) in imitation of the "Word. ..” was written “Zadonshchina”. "The Word..." was created in connection with the campaign of the Seversk prince Igor against the Polovtsian Khan Konchak. Igor, overwhelmed by ambitious plans, did not unite with the Grand Duke Vsevolod the Big Nest and was defeated. The idea of unification on the eve of the Tatar-Mongol invasion runs through the entire work. And again, as in the epics, here we are talking about defense, and not about aggression and expansion.
From the second half of the XIV century. Moscow chronicle is becoming increasingly important. In 1392 and 1408 Moscow chronicles are being created, which are of an all-Russian character. And in the middle of the XV century. the Chronograph appears, representing, in fact, the first experience of writing world history by our ancestors, and in the Chronograph an attempt was made to show the place and role of Ancient Russia in the world historical process.
The history of the chronicle in Russia goes back into the distant past. It is known that writing originated before the 10th century. The texts were written, as a rule, by representatives of the clergy. It is thanks to ancient writings that we know. But what was the name of the first Russian chronicle? How did it all start? Why is it of great historical importance?
What was the name of the first Russian chronicle?
Everyone should know the answer to this question. The first Russian chronicle was called The Tale of Bygone Years. It was written in 1110-1118 in Kyiv. The linguist Shakhmatov revealed that she had predecessors. However, it is still the first Russian chronicle. It is called confirmed, reliable.
The story describes the chronicle of the events that took place over a certain period of time. It consisted of articles that described each past year.
Author
The monk described events from biblical times to 1117. The name of the first Russian chronicle is the first lines of the chronicle.
History of creation
The chronicle had copies made after Nestor, which were able to survive to this day. They didn't differ much from each other. The original itself has been lost. According to Shakhmatov, the chronicle was rewritten just a few years after its appearance. Big changes were made to it.
In the XIV century, the monk Lavrentiy copied the work of Nestor, and it is this copy that is considered the most ancient that has come down to our time.
There are several versions of where Nestor took the information for his chronicle. Since the chronology dates back to ancient times, and articles with dates appeared only after 852, many historians believe that the monk described the old period thanks to the legends of people and written sources in the monastery.
She corresponded frequently. Even Nestor himself rewrote the chronicle, making some changes.
Interestingly, in those days, scripture was also a code of laws.
Everything was described in The Tale of Bygone Years: from exact events to biblical traditions.
The purpose of the creation was to write a chronicle, capture events, restore the chronology in order to understand where the Russian people take their roots from, how Russia was formed.
Nestor wrote that the Slavs appeared long ago from the son of Noah. In total, Noah had three of them. They divided three territories among themselves. One of them, Japheth, got the northwestern part.
Then there are articles about the princes, the East Slavic tribes that descended from the "Noriks". It is here that Rurik and his brothers are mentioned. About Rurik it is said that he became the ruler of Russia, having founded Novgorod. This explains why there are so many supporters of the Norman theory of the origin of the princes from the Ruriks, although there is no actual evidence.
It tells about Yaroslav the Wise and many other people and their reign, about wars and other significant events that shaped the history of Russia, made it what we know it now.
Meaning
The Tale of Bygone Years is of great importance today. This is one of the main historical sources on which historians are engaged in research. Thanks to her, the chronology of that period has been restored.
Since the chronicle has the openness of the genre, ranging from stories of epics to descriptions of wars and weather, one can understand a lot about the mentality and ordinary life of Russians who lived at that time.
Christianity played a special role in the chronicle. All events are described through the prism of religion. Even getting rid of idols and accepting Christianity is described as a period when people got rid of temptations and ignorance. And the new religion is the light for Russia.
Chronicles are ancient Russian writings, they described events over the years, described the life of ordinary people and the princely court, legal documents and church texts were rewritten. They covered different periods for description. In some, the description came from biblical events, and in some, starting from the settlement of the lands by the Slavs. The emergence of the state, the adoption of Christianity are described. They described all the historical events that took place in Ancient Russia. Each period described in them, of course, carries elements of the ideology and propaganda of the unification, descriptions of the merits of the princes. In addition to historical events, there is a description of the policy of the state, the way of life of the Slavs.
Unlike European chronicles, which are written in Latin, the Old Russian chronicles are written in Old Russian. What made them accessible, since in Ancient Russia there were many men and women who were literate, and there were also many very educated people.
Chronicle centers in Ancient Russia
The annals used various methods of keeping and writing. Here, for example, lists were used. These are rewritten copies of ancient chronicles. Changes were made for various reasons. If the prince changed, then it was necessary to glorify the deeds, to describe the events of past years in a new way, making changes, taking into account new events. It was also done to introduce religious moments into writing.
The concept of "codes" or "consolidated annals" is also used. Chronicle of Ancient Russia is a description of what is happening in chronology. The description takes place from the point of view of the ruling class, the entire process of keeping chronicles was under the control of the authorities. Ideology played an important role.
Kiev-Pechersky Monastery - the center of chronicle writing
This place has always been the main shrine and pride. It was here that many of the brightest and most worthy people lived, dressed as monks, after a haircut, moving away from worldly fuss and life's blessings, completely devoting themselves to the affairs of God. This is not only a shrine, but also the concentration of enlightenment. And later - the main focus of the annals. It was in these walls that the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years" was compiled and recorded for a long time. And the monk Nestor, who created this and a number of other significant works, lived here, having done many holy deeds, for 41 years. Together with other monks, he compiled a scripture about the old Russian church, described all the important church events and gave a description of its features in Russia. After his death, the incorruptible body was transferred and still rests in the cave of the Lavra.
The Vydubetsky Monastery also plays a special role. Within the walls of the Vydubetskaya shrine, hegumen Matthew was engaged in maintaining the Kyiv code, in which he chronolized the events in the period 1118-1198. Gave them a very accurate description and disclosure, without distorting the facts. This work is also one of the written monuments, which plays an important role in the study of the history of our ancestors. It became a logical continuation of the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years".
The Kyiv model of reference formed the basis for the creation and application of principles in writing annals. This is where the rules and methods are based.
What were the centers of chronicle writing in Ancient Russia called:
- Novgorod
- Vladimir-Suzdal
- Galicia-Volyn
Novgorod Chronicle Center
Novgorod was the largest city with a developed structure, so it became the center of chronicles. A description of the city can be seen in the Tale of Ancient Years for 859. In the XI century, Yaroslav the Wise, having ascended the throne, did not stay in Kyiv, his court spent 10 years in Novgorod. All this time, the city was considered the actual capital of Russia.
Compilation began in the 11th century with the writing of the first Novgorod Chronicle. In total, four of them were created, but the rest were written later. It included:
- Brief description of "Russian Truth"
- Brief description of the legal collection
- Description of ongoing events and processes
Vaults were also kept here, led by their posadnik Ostromir. But history has not left us any information about him.
Vladimir-Suzdal Chronicle Center
The Vladimir temple is the place where the chronicles were kept, the monks did the work. The chronicles, the earliest of those that have come down to us, there are two of them, compiled from 1177-1193, describe the Chronicler of Pereyaslavl Russian. They covered politics, church life, described the life and main events at the princely court. Everything was presented and interpreted from the point of view of the church. Only at the beginning of XII, the chronicle began to be conducted at the princely court.
Galicia-Volynian Chronicle Center
For these lands, the confrontation between princely and boyar power has always been a big problem. Chronicles were created at the court, so the main idea when writing was a strong and fair princely power, and the complete opposite - the boyars. Perhaps the chronicle was written by warriors. They described events as separate fragments and descriptions. They stood on the side of the princely power, therefore, the idea of \u200b\u200bthe fight against the boyars, a negative description of their desire for power, passes through the annals.
The Galicia-Volyn chronicle belongs to a later period, approximately to 1201-1291. She entered the Ipatiev vault. Already later it was issued in the form of a chronology, before the design it consisted of parts:
- Galician chronicle, compiled in Galicia in 1201-1261.
- Volhynian chronicle, compiled in Volhynia in 1262-1291.
The main feature: church events and way of life were not described.
The first ancient Russian chronicle
The oldest Russian chronicle was called The Tale of Bygone Years. Created in the 12th century. This is a consistent chronological description of events on the territory of Russia, the place of creation is the city of Kyiv. It was redone an unspecified number of times, but no fundamental changes were made. In any case, this version is officially considered correct.
Contains descriptions up to 1137, but originates from 852. Consists of a large number of articles of different nature. And in each there is a description of a particular year. The number of articles coincides with the number of years described. As a rule, each section begins with a phrase in the form: "In the summer such and such" and then the description, excerpts from important documents or in the form of legends goes the description. The name was given because of the phrase that appears at the beginning - "The Tale of Bygone Years."
The most ancient chronicle of the indicated ancient Russian chronicle, The Tale of Bygone Years, which managed to reach our days, was rewritten by the monk Lavrenty and dates back to the 14th century. The original chronicle, unfortunately, has been lost forever. Late versions with various modifications by other authors have now been found.
At the moment, there are many versions of the history of the chronicle. If you believe them, then it was completed in 1037, and the monk Nestor is also the author. Even under Nestor, it was rewritten, because he made changes to add Christian ideology, political additions were also made. Ideology, even in those days, was an important tool for strengthening princely power. Other versions say that the date of creation is 1100. It is generally accepted that the oldest Russian chronicle of the beginning of the XII century. is The Tale of Bygone Years.
A distinctive feature is that it carries a structured description of events, does not try to interpret them in its own way. In the first place was the Will of God, its existence explained many events. The causal relationship was not interesting and was not reflected in the work. The genre of the Tale of Bygone Years was open, it could include anything, from various legends to weather reports. The chronicle had legal force on a par with the set of officially adopted documents.
The purpose of writing the first ancient Russian chronicle, called The Tale of Bygone Years, is to clarify the roots of the Russian people, the philosophy of Christianity and a description of the valiant princely power. It begins with a story and reasoning about the origin and settlement. The Russian people are shown as a descendant of Noah's son, Japheth. The basis, to which the majority is subordinated, consists of legends about the reign of Yaroslav the Wise, about wars and brave heroes. The ending consists of battle stories from the princes' obituaries.
The Tale of Bygone Years is the first important document that described the history of Russia from its very beginning. She played a very important role in further historical research and is a very important source of knowledge about our ancestors.
Old Russian chroniclers
In our time, information about the chroniclers is collected bit by bit. The centers of their writing were, as a rule, temples. Chroniclers of Ancient Russia, names: Nestor and hegumen Matthew. These are one of the first chroniclers, others later appeared. Initially, chronicles were written almost everywhere only in temples, and later, at princely courts. Unfortunately, nothing is known about the life of Father Superior Matthew, except that he was engaged in writing chronicles in the Vydubetsky monastery.
Little more is known about Nestor the chronicler. As a seventeen-year-old teenager, he received the monastic dignity from Theodosius of the Caves. He came to the monastery already a literate and educated person, in Kyiv there were many teachers who could teach him. Nestor, in addition to The Tale of Bygone Years, left us a lot of works, one of them: The Biography of Theodosius of the Caves, whom he often saw as a novice. In 1196, he witnessed the destruction of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. In his last writings, he raised topics about the unity of Russia by Christianity. Death overtook the chronicler at the age of 65.
Conclusion
Chronicles, summary chronicles and chronicle lists have only partially survived to this day, which help in studying the history of the ancient Slavs, political events, the way of life, both of the common people and the princely court.
