What historical facts can be found in the epics? Byliny and history

Folklore is a valuable source of information about the life of our ancestors, their way of life, lawmaking, military affairs, family law and other aspects. This is well understood by the first scientists. Bylins have long been the subject of study. The main question that interested researchers: "What historical facts can be found in the epics?" It turned out that there are as many realities in them as fiction.

Is the epic far from reality

Not all historians are serious about folklore works, considering them fiction. Of course, in legends, dumas, fairy tales and other creations, there is a lot of fantastic, positive characters attributed to unprecedented abilities and strength, and the negative ones are too demonized and submitted caricaturedly. But nevertheless epics and history are not such incompatible concepts. Almost in each folkloric work the folk interpretation of this or that historical event is fixed.

We can not talk about the impartiality of our ancestors. Collective memory recorded only those moments that were pleasant to her or seemed worthy of attention. Often events were interpreted in their own way. For example, such a historical fact as the destruction of the Tartar horde of Kiev, is often transformed: the people of Kiev saved a miracle, a glorious hero, the Virgin. Or, despite the destruction, the city quickly recovered and restored its former power. It seems strange that the actual destruction of the once powerful city led to the emergence of a number of heroic epics, where Kiev is the same capital city.

What historical facts can be found in the epics

The people drew thoughts about what interested him in the first place - the power of their state, the wisdom of the ruler, the standard of living, the defense of the state against numerous external enemies, the struggle against the cruel and unjust local princes and much more. All this our ancestors experienced through personal experience. And if the epics in the original version reached us, we could speak about serious historical evidence (without taking into account some kind of hyperbolization). But since the epic was transmitted orally, each narrator could add something of his own and modify the text.

The facts of history in the epics, which found confirmation:

1. Destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars of Kiev.

2. Strife between princes in Kievan Rus, which led to the demise of a powerful state.

3. The incessant struggle with the steppe nomadic tribes.

4. The Baptism of Russia.

5. Collective pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

6. Unsuccessful campaign against the princes of Prince Igor and many others.

Encyclopedia of everyday life of our ancestors

To the questions of skeptics: "What historical facts can be found in the epics, if there is one fiction?" - the scientists give an unambiguous answer: there are more truthful events there than it may seem at first glance. In addition, oral folk art is a valuable source for describing family life, laws, administrative devices, the army and other components of the life of our ancestors.

For example, from the epic "Youth of Churila" we learn that the artel workers filed a complaint to Kiev against their prince for having caught all the fish and the entire beast in the woods and handed them over to the buyers.

Traders who wanted to earn money in the prince's land, had to pay duties, and the amount each ruler set at his own discretion. In the epic about the Queen of Korsun, merchants complain to their prince that they are forced to give the tax to a greedy lady for every step they take.

From epics about the squad we learn that the army had a clear charter. In the army organization it is possible to allocate the younger and senior team, heroes, servants and others.

There are many mentions in bylinas and about everyday life. In oral folk art we see detailed descriptions of feasts that took place in the royal chambers, magnificent outfits of citizens of the upper class, food, musical instruments and other things.

Bogatyri - real or fictional characters

The main heroes of the Russian epic are the heroes. The people, tormented by external enemies, natural elements, injustice of cruel princes and other misfortunes, demanded defenders. What historical facts can be found in the epics, so as not to doubt their truthfulness? Of course, the real prototypes of the epic heroes.

Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich, Sadko, Alyosha Popovich and other knights really fought evil in Ancient Rus. Most of the facts are preserved about Ilya Muromets, it is known even that his grave is in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Dobrynya Nikitich came from Drevlyane, was captured with his sister and transported to the capital. He went a long way from servant to elite warrior. Little information was available on Alyosha Popovich. Most likely, he died in the battle on the river. Kalka.

Historical facts in the epics have been documented, so there is no point in doubting their veracity. We should be proud of the fact that our ancestors were wise enough to leave such valuable information to the next generations.