The “Sword of Punishment” of Rus: Creating the Image of Andrey Yuryevich (Bogolyubsky) in the Kyivan Chronicle

Abstract

The twelfth-century Kyivan Chronicle is not only an important historical but also a highly artistic monument of ancient Ukrainian literature of its time. At the same time, many aspects of the poetics of this work still await study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the means of artistic construction of the image of Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, who was an enemy of Kyiv and sought to create a new ‘great capital’ in Zalissia.

The author of the records about Andriy, which were included in the Kyivan Chronicle, is considered to be Kuzmyshche Kyianyn, a benefactor of this prince who was tasked with glorifying him. Therefore, the work is replete with numerous stories about Prince Patron of Kuzma, which consistently form the image of a noble, God-loving and God-chosen ruler. The analysis of the text confirms that the effect of presence modelled by the author through the detailing of individual episodes was intended to add credibility to these accounts. They clearly stand out against the background of the general narrative flow. From the first brief mention in 1147 to the detailed description of Andrey's murder, the author leaves no doubt that the purpose of his work was to impose on the recipient the idea of his uniqueness and holiness. The scribe modelled a mosaic life of his hero, his biography in the most prominent deeds.

It is emphasised that the details of the chronicle narrative confirm that Andrey was not popular and respected among his immediate subordinates. He went against the conventional requirements of the time, neglected church canons, and ignored other holders of power. Andrey's vision of power made him a ‘stranger among his own’.

It is concluded that Andrey Bogolyubsky imagined himself as a punishing ‘sword of God’, and his chronicler put a lot of effort and talent into creating a corresponding information picture in the chronicle.