Who are the rich people?

It would seem that the question that any schoolboy will answer, but how you undertake to formulate an exact definition, it turns out that it is not so simple.

To each his own hero

Where did these fabulous knights, heroes of ancient Russian epics, come from? Did they really exist or were they invented by our ancestors, like brownies and goblin, kikimors, mermaids and other fairy-tale characters? Can they be considered purely Russian epic heroes, or did other countries also have their own heroes? Finally, what did these same heroes do?

Let's immediately clarify with the second question: every nation that has its own folklore and its own heroic epic, certainly has its own half-fairy half-real heroes, often written off from real, once famous warriors: Belarusian asilks, Kazakh batyrs, Azerbaijani pakhlavans, Scandinavian Vikings...

Fiction or reality?

The list can be continued, and historians and literary critics have long debates about each of these heroes: were these people real, did they really exist, or is it all just a fantasy of storytellers, supported by the fact that each of them, who conveyed stories about kind and just strong men and giants, did you add something from yourself?

Well, as for the heroes of other countries, we can’t say for sure. But about the heroes of Russian folk epics, folklorists and historians have long come to a consensus: something may be embellished by storytellers, but many of the events sung in epics actually happened, and many of their characters have real historical prototypes .

Sometimes it is not easy to understand the intricacies of history and literature: for example, one legendary hero can be “copied” from two or even three real people at once. It is also known that, for example, Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich could not accomplish their glorious deeds together: they lived in different times!

Oblique sazhen, heroic dream ...

Let us turn, however, to dry facts: epic heroes are strong men, skilled warriors and fierce fighters against evil and injustice of all stripes. Many sources also mention that they stood "at the outpost", that is, they guarded the borders of Russia from enemies.

The adjective "heroic" has firmly entered our lexicon: when we say "heroic dream", "heroic power" or "heroic appetite", we mean something great in every sense. Indeed, in the legends, the heroes appear as strong men of enormous growth, capable of killing a bull in one sitting and sleeping for thirty years. This, of course, is a literary exaggeration - after all, based on literary views, the heroes are the legendary heroes of the folk epic, but such heroes have always been idealized and, at least in stories, awarded all sorts of valor and positive qualities in unimaginable quantities.

There is, however, a completely practical explanation: of course, they didn’t take just anyone to defend the borders of the Motherland, to the princely squad and other important services - they selected the most dexterous and skillful, brave and strong. It is quite possible that the prototypes of the epic heroes stood out in height and strength among their contemporaries - after all, before the average height of a man was quite low, and a guy 170-180 centimeters tall could easily be considered a giant.

Where did the hero come from in Russia?

Another interesting fact: the very word “bogatyr”, which we consider to be originally Russian, even came from the Turkic “baattar” or “bahadur”, which means about the same thing - a strong, courageous, dashing and brave warrior. And this is not the only word that passed into Russian from other languages ​​and took root there forever. Even the analogue of the word "hero", often found in fairy tales - "knight" - most likely comes from the Old Norse "Viking".

Who does not know the picture of Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov "Bogatyrs"? Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich and Dobrynya Nikitich are looking at her tensely into the distance. Literary critics know about 100 stories of the epic epic, 26 of which are associated with this legendary trinity. What became famous for these supermen of the old times, whose names Russian heroes do we know yet?

"Was it - wasn't it"

Bylina is a special one, which is distinguished by a certain reliability, thanks to the events, toponyms and names mentioned in its plot that really took place. The first Russian epics were transmitted exclusively orally; writers became interested in them only in the 19th century. Philologist Andrei Fedorovich Yakubovich (1776-1842) published "Collections of ancient Russian poems by Kirsha Danilov", the storyteller who compiled this collection. Thus, philologists awakened an interest in this layer of Russian culture, and they began to organize folklore expeditions. But since earlier epics were transmitted exclusively from father to son and each time they were supplemented with new details, certain difficulties arose with the reality of the plots. The narrator had to improvise on the go: for a bad story they could be beaten. It is also interesting that the storytellers themselves did not use the word "epic" - it was introduced by researchers later. Before that, the word "oldies" was in use.

"Defenders of the Russian Land"

About 30 heroes are mentioned in epics. Conventionally, they are divided into two groups: "senior" and "junior". The "elders" are attributed to the pre-Christian period, they are endowed with the features of Slavic deities. The “younger ones” lived during the time of Prince Vladimir (XI century), and many events that happened to them are mentioned in historical chronicles, so the fact of their real existence is not refuted.

For example, Svyatogor was a giant man lying on a mountain in complete inactivity: he was so strong that Mother Earth herself could not bear him. Of course, it was a mythological character, whose features are very similar to the biblical Samson. And his "colleague" Mikula Selyaninovich was already the embodiment of a deity - the patron of agriculture, since he mainly invested remarkable strength in plowing the fields.

"Heroic softness"

Nikitich - Russian hero, who may have had a relationship with Prince Vladimir. He is from a noble family, rich, smart and educated, physically developed, but at the same time he would not hurt a fly. Such a hero, who knew the rules of etiquette, could appear in a rather highly cultured environment - for comparison, in the XI-XIV centuries in Western Europe, not all monarchs had the ability to write and read.

"Young Thou"

The youngest of the "young" heroes is Alyosha Popovich, the son of a priest from Rostov the Great. It is possible that his father was canonized - according to various assumptions, this is either St. Leontius or Bishop Theodore. However, a joker grew up in such a highly religious family - in some epics, Alyosha appears as a completely negative character. For example, he tried to marry Dobrynya's wife Nastasya by deceit. However, in this way his purely folk qualities could be demonstrated: prowess, ingenuity and humor. Most likely, he appeared immediately after the baptism of Russia, while the priests still did not enjoy great respect among the population, otherwise the censorship would not have missed his mockery of his own father-priest.

"There is only one hero in Holy Russia"

The famous Ilya Muromets in the legends has much more human features, but there is a certain amount of mythologism in his image. A total of more than 18 plots of epics are dedicated to him - this is a kind of record. The beginning is as follows: Ilya sat on the stove for 30 years, and during the visit of wanderers who asked to drink water, he suddenly got up. Watching with horror how the healed son easily uproots trees, his parents suggested that he direct his irrepressible energy to defend the Fatherland. His central feat is the destruction of a pagan idol, in the image of which the features of the Mongol-Tatar conquerors were reflected. This confirms that the image of Ilya Muromets was formed in the XIII-XV century, although the name itself has been known since the XII century. Many researchers correlate the hero with the monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the Monk Elijah of the Caves, who died in 1188. It is possible that this is Ilya Muromets, who laid down his sword for spiritual exploits.

Many heroes were born by the Russian land - both the mythical Volga Svyatoslavich, and the centaur Polkan from the story of "Bow-Korolevich", and the female warriors Vasilisa Mikulishna and Nastasya Korolovishna performed their feats not for glory, but for their beloved Fatherland. Their images reflect the aspirations of the simple Russian people, ready, if necessary, to give their lives for their homeland.

Kaluga region, Borovsky district, Petrovo village

Everything that is in ETHNOMIR visually, colorfully and accessible introduces children to the culture or history, sights or climate, ethnic groups or flora and fauna of the region, which contributes to the fixation of information through the impression, which means that the knowledge gained in ETHNOMIR is well absorbed by children and remain in their memory for life. After all, when a child sees with his own eyes a Tuvan shaman or an Evenk girl sewing charms, then the outlandish names of peoples living too far away to be interested in them cease to be just words for him.

A visit to the pavilions of the Street of the World, ethnic dwellings, park museums and petting zoos complement the school curriculum, while rides and a sea of ​​outdoor entertainment make your stay in the park not only educational, but also very fun!

For example, the tour includes the excursion “From Derbent to Chukotka” (travel through the traditional dwellings of the peoples of Russia), the “Sunny Horse” master class (weaving a traditional folk doll) and the animation program “Very brave”. Get acquainted with various educational programs, plan a trip together with our managers of the educational department and come to ETHNOMIR!

Russian folklore is very rich and diverse in its history, culture and traditions, which are reflected in songs, epics and legends. Epics, composed by the common people, were distinguished by the beauty and plausibility of their narrative, with the presence of a small artistic fiction, which gave them even more originality inherent in the ancient Russian era. In the center of epics there is always a positive character - a hero who embodied invincible strength and boundless love for Mother Russia, the people's protector. Of course, the image of the hero is collective. The people created the image of a hero, placing their hopes and aspirations on him in order to show the next generations and instill an ideology about the invincibility of Russia before the enemy force.

The main qualities of Russian heroes were- military prowess and efforts to protect their native land. The virtues of the heroes are tested in battle, in an unequal battle, which is connected with the composition of the epic, colorfully saturated with exaggerations.

Who were these demigods endowed with inhuman strength?

The most popular in ancient Russia is the character of Ilya Muromets. This character has absorbed all the features inherent in mythological heroes - miraculous healing and the acquisition of superhuman strength. Ilya native from a simple peasant family, chained to a bed from childhood, until the passersby Kaliki appear and miraculously heal him. From this episode, the heroic life of Ilya Muromets originates, whose exploits are artistically reflected in epics and legends.

Another equally important character is Nikitich who lived in the same era with Ilya Muromets. The chanting of the irresistible strength and courage of the Russian hero begins with a duel with the serpent Gorynych. The story about Dobryn Nikitich contains not only fantastic stories, he also appears as a wise and brave warrior who fulfills all the instructions of Ilya Muromets. Dobrynya became the standard of a warrior of the era of Kievan Rus.

The third famous hero is - Alyosha Popovich, which is often represented by a young, brave, savvy and cunning warrior.

One of the most mysterious images of Russian epics is Svyatogor, having a power superior to the great heroes of ancient Russia. The character of Svyatogor was taken from ancient mythology, which absorbed the ideas of the great mountain giants, who embodied the greatness and equanimity of the mountains. Epics about Svyatogor are tragic stories about how a mighty giant dies not in battle for a just cause, but in a dispute with some unknown, irresistible force.

No less mysterious hero in the Russian epic is Volkh Vseslavevich who was born from a fantastic serpent. Volkh is considered a sorcerer and priest of the pagan gods. Volkh is the hero of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". Despite his fame, the character of Volkh was not a historical person, but only the fruit of the artistic imagination of the people.

Unlike Wolf, Dunay Ivanovich is a character with a real-historical basis. The story of the Danube begins with a fight with Dobrynya Nikitich. The Danube is part of the Kyiv bogatyrdom.

Just as fascinating is the story of the Danube and the heroes Nastasya. At his own wedding, as a result of an insane argument, Danube kills Nastasya, having missed when shooting from a bow. Unable to bear the grief of loss, the Danube kills himself.

Russian heroes play a huge role in Russian history. Epics tell about those glorious men who formed Russia, guarded and defended the Russian people from the invasion of enemy forces. Russian heroes in epics embodied the idea of ​​the reunification of the Slavs, invincibility and inviolability of the ancient Russian state in front of external enemies, being a role model in patriotism and courage for future generations.

There is probably no such person in Russia who would not have heard of the heroes. Heroes who came to us from ancient Russian songs-tales - epics, have always been popular with writers, artists, and filmmakers. The next round of the heroes' popularity is associated with the release of a series of animated films dedicated to their somewhat modernized adventures.

At the same time, most Russians know only about a very narrow circle of heroes. In fact, the number of heroic epics that have come down to our time is in the hundreds, and the heroes themselves are divided by scientists into several categories. Heroes of the pagan and Christian era, pre-Tatar, Tatar and post-Tatar are distinguished ...

There is a large group of bogatyrs associated with Kyiv and Prince Vladimir, but there are also those who have nothing to do with the “central power” at all, remaining “regional bogatyrs” of individual cities.

The adventures of some heroes are intertwined with each other, while others act independently.

Svyatogor

Svyatogor is so huge that it is "higher than a standing forest, lower than a walking cloud." The hero lived on the Holy Mountains, during his trip Mother - Cheese Earth shakes, forests sway and rivers overflow their banks.

The father of the hero was called "dark", that is, blind, which in East Slavic mythology was a sign of creatures from another world.

Svyatogor does not carry any service, although it intersects with other heroes. So, in one of the epics, Svyatogor travels with Ilya Muromets, and they meet a stone coffin on the way. Deciding to try it on, Svyatogor turns out to be his prisoner and dies, transferring part of his strength to Ilya Muromets. In another epic, the story with the coffin is preceded by intimate adventures - Ilya Muromets is seduced by the wife of Svyatogor. Upon learning of this, Svyatogor kills the fallen woman, and with Ilya, who cuckolded him, enters into a brotherhood.

In another epic, Svyatogor is measured by the heroic strength with another "colleague" - Mikula Selyaninovich. A cunning opponent throws a bag on the ground, in which “all the burden of the earth” was enclosed, offering Svyatogor to pick it up. This attempt ends with the death of the hero.

In epics, Svyatogor dies more often than other heroes. Scientists attribute this to the fact that this image personifies the primitive forces of nature, an element that does not serve man.

Mikula Selyaninovich

Mikula Selyaninovich, like Svyatogor, is not in any service with the prince and is not a warrior. But, unlike Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich is engaged in a socially useful business - he is a hero-plowman.

It is impossible to fight Mikula Selyaninovich, because Mother Earth Cheese is behind him. That is why Mikula Selyaninovich is able to raise the bag with "all the burden of the earth", in contrast to Svyatogor, whom this attempt destroys.

Scientists find in the image of Mikula Selyaninovich a lot in common with the Slavic god Perun. According to one version, the popularity in Russia of Nicholas the Wonderworker is rooted in the veneration of Mikula Selyaninovich.
If we take into account that the image of St. Nicholas served to create a story about a Christmas wizard, who in our area is stubbornly associated with Santa Claus, then we can build a chain according to which Santa Claus is a retired hero Mikula Selyaninovich.

Unlike Svyatogor, who in the epics has only an unfaithful wife, Mikula Selyaninovich has daughters - Vasilisa and Nastasya. Nastasya became the wife of Dobrynya Nikitich, and as for Vasilisa, she is well known to fans of Soviet cartoons - this is the same Vasilisa Mikulishna, who, pretending to be an ambassador from the Golden Horde, released her husband Stavr Godinovich from prison.

Ilya Muromets

Ilya Muromets, the first among the so-called "junior heroes", warrior heroes, is perhaps best known to the general public.

After sitting at home until the age of 33, unable to use his arms and legs, he was healed by the elders and set off to perform feats. It is curious that epics were told about the service of Ilya to Prince Vladimir of Kyiv only in part of the Russian lands - in other regions, the exploits of the hero were exclusively his personal affair.

The most common and classic feat of Ilya Muromets is the victory over the Nightingale the Robber. At the same time, Muromets is perhaps the most popular hero, more than a dozen original epics are dedicated to his exploits. Among those whom Ilya defeated are Idolishche Poganoe, a certain snake, Kalin the Tsar and many others.

Ilya's life is quite stormy: he has a wife, Zlatygorka, a son, Sokolnik (in another version, a daughter), he actively interacts with other Russian heroes. Moreover, if relations with Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich are more often friendly, then meetings with Svyatogor end deplorably for the latter.

If Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich do not have a real prototype, then Ilya Muromets has several of them.
Most often, he is associated with Elijah Pechersky, a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, who lived in the 12th century. The strong man, born in Murom, bore the nickname "Chobotok". The hero received this nickname because he once fought off enemies with a “chobot”, that is, a boot.

According to one version, the hero became a monk after being seriously wounded in battle. An examination of the relics of Elijah Pechersky showed that he really died from the consequences of a blow to the chest with a sharp weapon. The prototype of Muromets could die in 1204 during the capture of Kyiv by Prince Rurik Rostislavich, when the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was defeated by the Polovtsians.

Nikitich

Unlike Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich is a person close to the Kyiv prince, who fulfills his instructions. Dobrynya does not shy away from collecting and transporting tribute, takes on those tasks that her colleagues refuse for some reason, and has a penchant for diplomacy.

The most famous opponent of Dobrynia is the Serpent, better known as the Serpent-Gorynych, from whose captivity the hero frees the niece of Prince Zabava Putyatishna.

Dobrynya is the most creative person among the heroes. He plays tavlei (Old Russian checkers) well, sings well and plays the harp.

Dobrynya Nikitich has extensive connections - in addition to being close to the prince, he is married to Nastasya Mikulishna, the daughter of Mikula Selyaninovich.

According to the epics, Dobrynya is the son of the Ryazan governor. The most likely prototype of the hero is called Dobrynya, governor of Prince Vladimir the Holy. Dobrynya was an extremely influential person, since he was the prince's uncle - he was the brother of his mother Malusha. For a certain time, Dobrynya was a mentor for the prince, a senior comrade.

Alyosha Popovich Alyosha Popovich is the most dubious character from the "classic trio" of heroes. The son of a Rostov priest, Alyosha is boastful, puffy, sly, sometimes he allows himself unacceptable jokes, for which he is condemned by his comrades.

So, for example, in one of the epics, Alyosha harasses Dobrynya's wife Nastasya Mikulishna, spreading false rumors about the death of a comrade.

In another epic, Alyosha is beheaded by the angry brothers of Elena or Alena, who was seduced by him. True, in the more famous version, Alyosha Popovich had to marry Alyonushka in order to avoid the worst.

Alyosha's main opponent is Tugarin, an evil hero, behind whom one can guess the image of a nomad, with whom the Russians have been fighting for a long time.

The main historical prototype of Alyosha Popovich is the Rostov boyar Olesha (Alexander) Popovich. An excellent warrior, Olesha served Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, and then participated in the internecine wars of his sons. Subsequently, Olesha Popovich went to the service of Prince Mstislav the Old and died with him in 1223 in the Battle of Kalka, which became the first meeting of the Russians with the Tatar-Mongols. In the same battle, Dobrynya Ryazanets Zlat Poyas, another candidate for the prototypes of the epic Dobrynya Nikitich, also died.

The most famous Russian heroes and their exploits

Our history contains many famous names. Probably everyone knows the phrase: "And glorious, but also strong heroes in the Russian land." Although our people for the most part are not warlike, they prefer to work on the ground, but from ancient times powerful heroes and defenders of the Fatherland came out of their midst. These are Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich, Danube Ivanovich, Peresvet, Sadko and many, many others. These heroes shed their own blood for their native land and defended civilians in the most troubled times. It was about them that epics and songs were formed. At the same time, over time, they corresponded many times. They added new and new facts and details. Even the character of the characters has undergone significant changes. This process was especially influenced by the adoption of Christianity in Russia. This divided our history, led to the denial and condemnation of everything old. Therefore, in the images of more ancient heroes, one can now see negative features. We are talking about Svyatogor, Peresvet, Danube Ivanovich. They were replaced by heroes of a new generation. And almost all of them served the princes, not the people. The most famous heroes of the Russian land are Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. They were praised in songs and epics. They flaunt in the famous painting by Vasnetsov. It is they who are most known to children, thanks to numerous cartoons and fairy tales. What did they do? And why are they always depicted together? According to many historians, these three most famous Russian heroes never met. According to some sources, Dobrynya lived in the 15th century, Ilya in the 12th, and Alyosha, the youngest of the heroes, in the 13th century. Viktor Mikhailovich portrayed them all together as a symbol of the invincibility and invincibility of the Russian people. The exploits of 3 heroes were accomplished at different times, but historians agree that most of them are quite real. For example, the same Nightingale the Robber, the war with the Pechenegs, the Tatar prince Tugarin actually took place. So, it is logical to assume that great deeds were also committed.

Alyosha Popovich and his exploits

In the picture of Vasnetsov, this young man is depicted with a bow and arrows, and near the saddle you can see the harp, which speaks of his cheerful disposition. Sometimes he is reckless, like any young guy, and sometimes cunning and wise, like a seasoned warrior. Like many heroes of the Russian land, this is rather a collective image. But this character also has a real prototype. According to some reports, this is the son of the Rostov Orthodox priest Leonty. But residents of the Poltava region (Ukraine) also consider him a countryman. Local legends say that he often visited local fairs and helped people. According to another version, this is the famous Rostov hero Alexander. He lived in the 12th-13th century and was a prominent historical figure. Often his image is intertwined with another, no less prominent character of the epics, Volga Svyatoslavich. The glorious deeds of the Russian heroes would be incomplete without stories about how Alyosha met Tugarin himself in battle. This Polovtsian khan is the real historical face of the Tugorkans. And in some epics Alyosha Popovich fought with him several times. Also, this hero earned fame in numerous internecine wars of that time. And he died in the famous battle of Kalka (1223).

Ilya Muromets

This is perhaps the most famous and revered hero in Russia. He embodies all the positive features of the epic hero. There is very little confirmed information about him, but it is reliably known that he was canonized as a Russian saint. This man spent his childhood and youth practically without movement, as he suffered from a serious paralytic disease. However, at the age of 30, Ilya was healed and fully on his feet. This fact was confirmed by many serious scientists who studied the remains of the saint. Therefore, the exploits of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets begin at a fairly mature age. This character has become best known to all adults and children thanks to the epic, which tells of his battle with the Nightingale the Robber. This criminal controlled one of the main routes to Kyiv, the capital of ancient Russia. Prince Mstislav, who ruled at that time, instructed the combatant Ilya Muromets to accompany the next trade convoy. Having met with the robber, the hero defeated him and cleared the road. This fact is documented. In addition to this, other victories of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets are also known. Epics tell about the battle of the knight with the Idolish Pogany. So, perhaps, they called the nomad rapist. There is also a story about the struggle with Baba-Gorynka and his own son. In his declining years, Ilya, having received a serious wound and tired of such military life, retired to the monastery. But even there he could not find peace. The researchers note that the hero-monk died in battle at the age of 40-55 years.

Great Svyatogor

This is one of the most famous and mysterious heroes. Even the victories of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets fade before his glory. His name fully corresponds to his appearance. Usually he is represented as a mighty giant. We can say that there are quite a few reliable epics about this hero. And they are all associated with death. However, Svyatogor says goodbye to life not in an unequal battle with numerous enemies, but in a dispute with an irresistible and unknown force. One of the legends says that the bogatyr found a “bag of change”. The hero tried to move it, but died without moving the thing from its place. As it turned out, this bag contained all the "heaviness of the earth." Another legend tells about the journey of Svyatogor with Ilya Muromets. Here the change of "generations" of heroes is shown. One day, friends find an empty coffin. The prophecy on it read: who is destined by fate, he will lie in it. Elijah, he was great. And when Svyatogor lay down in the coffin, he was covered with a lid, and he could not escape. Despite all the power of the giant, the tree did not succumb to him. The main feat of Svyatogor the hero is that he transferred all his strength to Ilya Muromets.

Nikitich

This hero, depicted together with Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich, is one of the most revered and famous in Russia. In almost all epics, he is inextricably linked with Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. At the same time, there is an opinion that the latter is his own uncle. In history, Dobrynya is a prominent statesman, whose advice was listened to by many nobles. However, in epics it is rather a collective image, which has the features of a mighty Russian knight. The exploits of the hero Dobrynya Nikitich are in the fight against numerous enemy troops. But his main act is the battle with the Serpent Gorynych. The famous painting by Vasnetsov depicts the battle of the defender of the Russian land with the 7-headed dragon, but the plot was based on a real basis. "Serpent" used to be called the enemy. And the nickname "Gorynych" indicates its origin or habitat - the mountains. There were also legends telling how Dobrynya found his wife. Historians note that she was a foreigner. Nastasya Nikulichna (in other versions - Mikulishna) had good physical data. They began to measure their strength, and after the victory of the knight, the girl became his wife. Like all the exploits of epic heroes, the activities of Dobrynya Nikitich are connected with the service of the Prince and the People. That is why they set him as an example, compose fairy tales, songs and epics, drawing him as a hero and liberator.

Volkh Vseslavievich: prince-magician

This hero is known rather as a sorcerer and a werewolf. He was the prince of Kyiv. And the legends about him are like a fairy tale. Even the birth of the Magus is shrouded in mysticism. They say that his mother conceived him from Veles, who appeared to her in the form of an ordinary snake. The birth of the hero was accompanied by thunder and lightning. His childhood toys were a golden helmet and a damask club. Like many Russian folk heroes, he often spent time with his retinue. They say that at night he turned into a wild wolf and got food for the soldiers in the forest. The most famous legend about the Magus Vseslavievich is the story of the victory over the Indian king. Once the hero heard that evil was being plotted against his homeland. He took advantage of witchcraft and defeated a foreign army. The real prototype of this hero is Prince Vseslav of Polotsk. He was also considered a sorcerer and a werewolf, he also took cities by cunning and ruthlessly killed the inhabitants. And the snake played an important role in the life of the prince. Historical facts and legends are mixed into one. And the feat of Volkhv Vseslavievich began to be praised in epics, like other glorious feats of Russian heroes.

Mikula Selyaninovich - a simple peasant

This hero is one of the representatives of the oldest Slavic heroes. His image is a reflection of the legends about the plowman god, the protector and patron of the Russian land and peasants. It was he who gave us the opportunity to cultivate the fields and enjoy the gifts of nature. He drove out the Destroyer Giants. According to legend, the hero lived on the Drevlyane land. Unlike other ancient knights who came from princes, Mikula Selyaninovich represented the class of peasants. He devoted his whole life to working in the field. Whereas other heroes-defenders of the Russian land fought with a sword in their hands. This has its own meaning, since all the benefits of the state and people come precisely from hard and daily work. The most famous works that describe the character and life of Mikula Selyaninovich are epics about Volga and Mikul, as well as about Svyatogor. For example, in the story of the werewolf prince, the bogatyr enters the service of a squad assembled to resist the Varangian invasion. But before that, he laughs at Volga and his soldiers: they can’t even pull out his plow stuck in the ground. The exploits of Russian heroes have always been sung by the people. But you can also find disdain for heroes who, having enormous strength, cannot use it correctly. An example of such an attitude is the epic Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich. Here two principles are opposed - creative and destructive. Svyatogor wanders the world and does not know where to apply his own power. One day he meets Mikula with a bag, which the hero-warrior cannot lift and is straining. There is all the "gravity of the earth." In this story, you can see the superiority of conventional labor over military force. Vasily Buslaev This hero is not like the others. He is a rebel, always goes against the general opinion and orders. Despite the superstitions of ordinary people, he does not believe in omens and predictions. At the same time, this is the image of a hero-defender. Vasily Buslaev is from Veliky Novgorod. That is why there is so much local color in the epics about him. There are two stories about him: "Vasily Buslaevich in Novgorod" and "Vasily Buslaevich went to pray." Everywhere you can see his mischief and lack of control. For example, choosing a squad for himself, he arranges several extraordinary tasks. As a result, there are 30 fellows who support Vasily in everything. The deeds of Buslaev are not the exploits of Russian heroes who followed the rules and obeyed the prince in everything, respecting the traditions and beliefs of ordinary people. He respected only strength. Therefore, his activity is a wild life and fights with local men. Peresvet The name of this hero is closely connected with the battle on the Kulikovo field. This is a legendary battle in which countless glorious warriors and boyars perished. And Peresvet, like many other heroes, defenders of the Russian land, stood with his chest in front of the enemy. Scientists are still arguing whether he really was. After all, according to legend, Peresvet (Alexander), together with his brother Andrei, was sent to help Dmitry Donskoy by Sergius of Radonezh himself. The feat of this hero was that it was he who inspired the Russian army to fight. He was the first to fight with the representative of the hordes of Mamaev - Chelubey. Practically without weapons and armor, Peresvet defeated the enemy, but fell dead with him. A study of earlier sources suggests the unreality of this character. In the Trinity Monastery, in which Peresvet, according to history, was a novice, there are no records of such a person. In addition, it is known that Sergius of Radonezh could not meet with Prince Dmitry immediately before the battle. But almost all the exploits of Russian heroes - one way or another - are partially invented or exaggerated by storytellers. Such stories raised the fighting spirit, brought up national self-consciousness.

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