The samovydets is the author of a well-known chronicle, dating from the 17th century

The period of Cossacks left a huge mark in the history of Ukraine specifically in the history of the Russian Empire as a whole. In order for subsequent generations to have a clear concept of the historical process of events of this time, some authors created Cossack chronicles.

Chronicles of the Samovid

One of the most important sources of information about Ukraine in the 17th century can be considered a work written by Samovidets. This is an unknown author who lived exactly in the historical period, which is in question in the source.

What is the importance of this record? First, the events that took place on the territory of modern Ukraine are written in the Old Ukrainian language. Secondly, the Samovid is such an author who could easily describe the events, because he was practically their participant. The main difference between the "Chronicles of the Samovid" and the Old Russian sources is the historiographers consider a higher percentage of the reliability of the narration of the events. If we talk, for example, about the "Tale of Bygone Years," then the percentage of speculation in this chronicle will be higher, since its author, Nestor, could not have witnessed events that took place several centuries before his birth.

Historical fullness of the work

The main idea, the adherent of which was the Samovid, is the desire for the reunification of Ukraine and Russia forever. In the source, events occurring between 1648 and 1702 are described in detail. The starting date was not chosen by chance, because at that time the National Liberation War of the Ukrainian people against the Commonwealth began, which ended in 1654. The author describes in detail the most important battles of this war. An important role is given to describing the events of 1654, especially those that took place in Pereyaslav.

Of course, the author expresses his subjective opinion. It is often possible to understand from the text that the Samovid is an ardent devotee of one of the political Cossack groups. The author describes the moments of various internecine clashes between groups as a form of struggle for power and influence on events in the country.

The central historical image described by the Samovid is Bogdan Khmelnitsky as an ideologist and leader of the struggle of the Ukrainians, in particular the Cossacks, against the Polish authorities.

Who can be the author of the source?

Until 1840, almost no one knew about The Chronicle of the Samovid. One of the lists of the work was found by the famous Ukrainian writer Panteleimon Kulish. After analyzing the presentation of the material, he came to the conclusion that the author of a work can only be an active participant in events. Kulish believes that this is a Cossack sergeant Roman Rakushka-Romanovsky.