Princes — participants in campaigns against the Polovtsians at the beginning of the 12th century

Abstract

The article explores the lists of Russian princes included in chronicle reports of campaigns against the Polovtsians in 1103– 1111. The changes in the chronicle texts that took place during later rewriting and editing are analyzed. The original forms of the chronicle reports have been reconstructed, and the adjustments made by later editors are explained. It was shown that the princes are listed not in random order, but in accordance with the seniority of the branches of the Rurikid dynasty to which they belonged. In the case of each name mentioned in the lists without a patronymic or without an indication of the prince’s origin, we consider to which Rurikovich, who was active at the beginning of the 12th century, it could refer. It is highly probable that Svyatoslav, a participant in the campaigns of 1107 and 1111, is Svyatoslav Vseslavich. Mstislav, who took part in the campaigns of 1107 and 1111, should be identified as Mstislav, grandson of Igor Yaroslavich, and not as the son of Vladimir Monomakh. Vyacheslav, who took part in the campaign of 1107, is most likely Vyacheslav Yaroslavich, grandson of Svyatopolk, rather than the son of Monomakh. In addition, Oleg’s son, whose marriage with Aepa’s daughter is reported in 1108, is most likely Vsevolod, and not one of his younger brothers (Igor, Gleb or Svyatoslav).