Most of the information about the history of Ancient Russia we gleaned from the annals. This genre of ancient Russian literature has been and still remains the main source of historical data for modern science, along with archaeological research. Of particular interest to researchers is the Ipatiev Chronicle. Why? Let's figure it out together.
Chronicles
The very name "chronicle" speaks for itself - the writing of events over the years, years. The authors were most often the monks of the monasteries, who briefly outlined the essence of the main events that took place. During the period of feudal fragmentation, each princely house compiled its own code, which also gave some interpretation of what was happening, based on the interests of the ruling dynasty. The first chroniclers in Russia appeared in the eleventh century. The oldest work in this genre that has come down to us is the Chronicle of Bygone Years, written around 1113 by Nestor, a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
Historians have discovered dozens of similar vaultsevents. The most famous and ancient of them are the Laurentian Chronicle and the Ipatiev Chronicle. A collection is a work that includes a census of earlier sources, which were supplemented by recent events. Thus, the "Chronicle of Bygone Years" is included in most of the codes of the late period as the beginning of the narrative.
Karamzin's discovery
In the 19th century, Russian historian N. Karamzin discovered an annals in the archives of the Ipatiev Monastery near Kostroma. It has been dated to the 14th century. It got its name - the Ipatiev Chronicle - at the place of discovery. Along with the Laurentian code, this one is one of the oldest. Its peculiarity is that, in addition to the usual inclusion of Nestor's narration, it has a detailed account of the events in the history of the Kyiv principality during the reign of Rurik Rostislavovich, as well as the Galicia-Volyn lands until the end of the 13th century. This is a unique material for studying the history of the ancient Russian southwestern lands after the beginning of feudal fragmentation and the establishment of Tatar-Mongol rule.
How to read the text?
Familiarization with ancient chronicles is possible for a wide range of readers. Firstly, the Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles was published more than 150 years ago. Secondly, at the moment most of them are available on the Internet. Of course, they are reworked in accordance with the modern Russian language. Ipatiev Chronicle, which was also translated intoUkrainian language is also available to anyone. Parts of it are in English. But if you still have a desire to read the chronicles in the original, then you need to learn at least Old Church Slavonic. Materials scanned and posted online.
Contents of the Ipatiev Code
It is generally accepted to distinguish three parts of the code under consideration. The first chronicle according to the Ipatiev list is traditional for all others - this is "The Tale of Bygone Years". Although there are some differences in it, clarification of data that are not in other codes. This proves that the place of creation was the southern Russian lands, where the author of the code had access to documents and archives and could clarify the necessary information.
The second part is called Kievskaya. Much attention is paid to the reign of Prince Ryuryuk from the house of Rostislav. Presumably, the abbot of the Vydubitsky Monastery was the author of this part of the Hypatian Chronicle.
Ukraine, more precisely, Galicia-Volyn Rus, in the thirteenth century is represented in the third part of the code. This part is different from the previous ones. In the original, it did not even have the traditional enumeration of dates, which, apparently, were affixed when writing off later. Let's dwell on the last two parts.
Kyiv Chronicle
As paradoxical as it sounds, the Kyiv Chronicle is also a collection of chroniclers of several princes who ruled in Kyiv. The twelfth century was quite difficult for this land. There was a continuous struggle for the throne between the Monomakhoviches and the Olgovichi. This trend was visible not only in the capital city, but also in other lands. The descendants of Monomakh moved to the northeast, gaining unlimited power there, while the Olgovichi remained in the south, under the threat of Polovtsian raids.
In 1185 there was a sad campaign of Igor Svyatoslavovich in the steppe, described in "The Tale of Igor's Campaign". The attitude towards him is completely opposite in the Laurentian and Ipatiev Chronicles. The latter shows more sympathy and condescension to Igor's failed attempt to rid the Russian land of enemies. In the vault of the northeastern lands, Igor is condemned for arrogance, for not waiting for help from his brothers. Some researchers believe that the beginning of the Kyiv Chronicle was laid in Chernigov and Pereyaslavl under Prince Rostislav. It is from there that the details from the life of the southern principalities.
About Galicia-Volyn Rus
Galic and Volyn, as the western borders of Kievan Rus, had significant features in development. We read about the nuances of the political struggle, international relations from 1205 to 1292 in the Ipatiev Chronicle. It should be noted that the compilers of the last part were the most educated people of their time, as they used Greek and earlier Old Russian sources. They drew information from the reports of ambassadors, princely letters, military stories. Thanks to this vault, we have a detailed description of the battle on Kalka and the consequences of the Batu invasion of Southwestern Russia. We hope that now it is clear what the Ipatiev Chronicle describes and why it is interesting aslaymen and professional historians.
