Textual variants in the Primary Chronicle

Textual variants in the Primary Chronicle manuscripts of the Kievan Rus' arise when a copyist makes deliberate or inadvertent alterations to the text that is being reproduced. Textual criticism (or textology) of the Primary Chronicle or Tale of Bygone Years (Old East Slavic: Повѣсть времѧньныхъ лѣтъ, romanized:Pověstĭ vremęnĭnyxŭ lětŭ, commonly abbreviated PVL) has included study of its textual variants.

Legend

Frequently used sigla (scribal symbols and abbreviations) of Primary Chronicle manuscripts and editions include:

• Laurentian Codex (click for full PDF)
• Hypatian Codex (click for full PDF)
• Radziwiłł Chronicle (click for full PDF)
• Academic Chronicle (click for full PDF)
• Khlebnikov Codex (click for full PDF)

Critical editions

• Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles: PSRL
• Aleksey Shakhmatov: Šax
• A. F. Bychkov 1872: Byč
• Dmitry Likhachev: Lix
• Donald Ostrowski et al. Paradosis (2003, digitised 2014): α
• L. Müller (2001) critical modern German translation

• 1872 critical edition of the Laurentian Codex (click for full PDF)
• 1843 critical edition of the Hypatian Codex (click for full PDF)
• 1950 critical edition of the NPL (click for full PDF)
• 1914 English translation of the NPL (click for full PDF)

List

Note: Unlike the chapters and verses of the Bible used in biblical studies, textual criticism of the Primary Chronicle (PVL) employs notation by page and line. For example, a notation such as "3.2" refers to the "third (3rd) page, second (2nd) line".

0

0.1

Се повѣсти времѧньных лѣт., Se pověstĭ vremęnĭnyx lět, 'These are the tales of bygone years.' – Lav Tro Byč Šax Lix

повесть временных лѣтъ черноризца феѡдось|ева, pověstĭ vremennyx lětŭ čĭrnorizĭtsa Feodosieva, 'Tale of bygone years by the monk of Theodosius' – Rad Aka Ipa α

Пѡвѣсти врѣменных лѣт. нестера черноризца.| федѡосїева, pověstĭ vremennyx lět. nestera čĭrnorizĭtsa Fedōsïeva, 'Tale of bygone years by the nestera monk of Theodosius' – Xle

Временникъ, еже есть нарицается лѣтописание, Vremennikŭ, ezhe estĭ naritsaetsya lětopisanie, 'Bygone years, which is the name of the chronicle' – Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction

0.2

манастыря печерьскаго,, manastyrja pečerĭskago,, 'from the Monastery of Pechersk (the Caves),' – Rad Aka Ipa Xle α

omitted – Lav Tro Byč Šax Lix

0.2–3

ѿкуду есть пошла рускаꙗ земѧ. кто въ киевѣ нача первѣе кнѧ<жит>, 'regarding the origin of the land of Rus', the first princes of Kiev' – Lav

князеи и земля Руския, knyazej i zemlya Ruskiya, 'about the Rus' princes and land.' – Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction

0.3

киевѣ нача, Kievě nacha, 'of Kiev began' – Lav Byč Šax Lix

и како избра богъ страну нашу на послЂднЂе время, и грады почаша бывати по мЂстом, преже Новгородчкая Б волость и потом Кыевская, и о поставлении Киева, како во В имя назвася В Кыевъ., 'and how God chose our country for the last time, and the cities began to be in their places, first in the Novgorodian volost and then the Kyevan, and of the rise of Kiev, which was called by the name of Kyevû.' – Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction

omitted – all other manuscripts, α

1

1.1

се начнемъ повѣсть сию., se načnemŭ pověstĭ siju., 'let us begin this story.' – Lav Tro Aka Ipa Byč Lix α

Се начнемъ повѣсть сїю., Se načnemŭ pověstĭ sīju., 'Let us begin this story.' – Xle

се начнме повѣсть сию., Se načnme pověstĭ siju., 'Let us [begin] this story.' – Rad

Се начьнѣмъ повѣсть сию., Se načĭněmŭ pověstĭ siju., 'Let us begin this story.' – Šax

1.2

трие сынове ноеви, trie synove noevi, 'the three sons of Noah' – Tro Byč Lix

.г҃.е сн҃ве ноеви, .g'.e s[y]nve noevi, 'the 3 s[o]ns of Noah' – Rad Aka α

бо .г҃.е сн҃ве ноеви, bo .g'.e s[y]nve noevi, 'for the 3 s[o]ns of Noah' – Ipa

оубо трїе с҃нове ноеви, ubo trīe s[y]nove Noevi, 'for the three sons of Noah' – Xle

убо трие сынове Ноеви, ubo trie synove Noevi, 'for the three sons of Noah' – Šax

первие с<нве> ноеви, pervie s<ive> noevi, '(the) first s[ons] of Noah' – Lav

1.3

симъ. хамъ. афетъ., simŭ. xamŭ. afetŭ., 'Simŭ, Xamŭ, Afetŭ.' – Lav Tro Ipa Byč Šax Lix α

сми. хма. афет, smi. xma. afet., 'Smi, Xma, Afet.' – Aka Rad (афетъ) Xle (и афет)

1.9

елмаисъ. инди. равиꙗ. на всѧ., elmaisŭ, indi, rabija na vsja, 'Elmais, Indi[a], all of [A]rabia.' – Lav

елмаисъ инди аравия силная колия комагини финикия вся, elmaisŭ indi arabija silnaja kolija finikija vsja, 'Elmais Indi[a] Arabia the Strong Kolija Komagini all of Phinicia.' – Tro

елоумаисъ. инди. равиꙗ силнаа. коулїи. колгини. фикиа всѧ:-, elymaisŭ, indi, rabija silnaa, kulīi, kolgini, fikia vsja, 'Elymais, Indi[a], [A]rabia the Stron[g], Kulīi, Kolgini, all of Phicia.' – Rad Aka (3 ї/и variations)

елумаисъ. индиѧ. aравиа силнаꙗ. кулии. колгини. финикиꙗ всѧ, elymaisŭ, indija, arabija silnaja, kulii, kolgini, finikija vsja, 'Elymais, India, Arabia the Strong, Kulii, Kolgini, all of Phinicia.' – Ipa

елоумаись. индиѧ аравїа силнаа. коулии. комагины. финикїа всѧ., elymaisŭ, indija arabīa silnaa, kulii, komaginy, finikīa vsja, 'Elymais, India Arabia the Stron[g], Kulii, Komaginy, all of Phinicīa.' – Xle

3

3.8

илурикъ, ilurikŭ, 'Illyricum' – Rad Aka Ipa Xle Šax α

илюрикъ, iljurikŭ, 'Illyricum' – Lav Byč Lix

люрикъ, ljurikŭ, 'Illyricum' – Tro

Ἰλλυρίς, Illyrís, 'of Illyria' – George Hamartolos See also Generations of Noah

3.8–3.9

Ἰλλυρίς, ἡ Λυχνίτις, Ἀδριανή, Illyrís, he Lychnítis, Adriané, 'of Illyria, Lychnitis, Adriane' – George Hamartolos

Илурикъ, Словѣне, Лухития, Анъдриакия, Ilurikŭ, Slověne, Luxnitija, Anŭdriakija, 'Illyricum, the Slavs, Lychnitia, Andriakia' – α

4

4.12

<св>еи. оурма<не> русь. агнѧне галичане, <sv>ei. urma<ne> rusĭ. agnjane galichane, '<Sw]edes, Urma<ne> Rus', Agnjane, Galichane' – Lav

свѣе урмане готе русь ангняне галичане, svěi urmane gote rusĭ angnjane galichane, 'Swedes Urmane Gote Rus' Angnjane Galichane' – Tro

всеи оурмане галичанѣ, vsei urmane galichaně, 'all Urmane Galichane' – Rad

свеи. оурмане. галичане., svei. urmane. galichane, 'Swedes, Urmane, Galichane' – Aka

свеи. оурмане. готѣ. русь. аглѧнѣ. галичанѣ., svei. urmane. gotě. rusĭ. agljaně. galichaně, 'Swedes, Urmane, Gote, Rus', Agljane, Galichane.' – Ipa

свеи, оурмане. гте роуc а<глѧ>не, галичане., svei, urmane. gte rus a<glja>ne, galichane, 'Swedes, Urmane. G[o]te Rus A[glja]ne, Galichane.' – Xle The Urmane are usually interpreted as "Normans" or "Norsemen"; Gote as either "Goths" or "Gotlanders"; A(n)gnjane or Agljane as "Angles" / "English"; and Galichane as either "Galicians" (and thus translated as "Spaniards", see Galicia (Spain)), "Gauls" or "Welsh".

4.13

волохове, voloxove, 'Vlachs or Italians' – Tro Ipa Xle Šax α

<волъ>хва, <volŭ>xva, 'Vlachs or Italians' – Lav Byč Lix

omitted – Rad Aka It is unclear what Volokhove (or Volŭkhva) means. Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor (1930, 1953) translated it as "Italians" (compare modern Polish Włochy "Italy" or "Italians"); but in 6.6 he rendered Волохомъ/Волхомъ/Волотомъ as Vlakhs. Lunt (1995) described the Volokhs as 'people speaking Latin or a Romance language.' Thuis (2015) translated both as "Vlachs", adding 'This is possibly a Celto-Romance people.'

4.13

римляне, rimljane, 'Romans' – Tro Byč Šax Lix α; (римлѧне) Lav Xle; (римлѧнѣ) Ipa

omitted – Rad Aka

5

5.22

племени афетова. нар ци еже суть словѣне., plemeni afetova, nar tsi ezhe sutĭ slověne., 'the line of Afet, the Nartsi who are Slovenes.' – Lav Byč Lix

племениж афетова нарицаеми иновѣрци еже соуть словене, plemenizh afetova naritsaemi inověrtsi ezhe sutĭ slovene., 'the line of Afet, called the Inovertsi, who are Slovenes.' – Rad

племени же а҃фетова. нарицаемии норци еже сѹть словѣне., plemeni zhe ahfetova, naritsaemii nortsi ezhe sutĭ slověne., 'the line of Ahfet, called the Nortsi, who are Slovenes.' – Aka

племени же афетова. нарѣ<ц>аемѣи норци. иже сѹть словенѣ., plemeni zhe afetova, narě<ts>aeměi nortsi, izhe sutĭ sloveně., 'the line of Afet, called the Nortsi, who are Slovenes.' – Ipa The N- ethnonym is unclear. Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor (1930, 1953) rendered them as the Noricians, who are identical to the Slavs. Lunt (1995), noting that Lav and Rad 'have independent corruptions', translated Ipa/Xle/Aka as (those) calledNorci, who are Slavs. He commented: 'These clauses do not fit together easily. (...) This rather odd sentence seems, then, to imply that the Norci are a sub-tribe of Slavs.' Thuis (2015) wrote the Noriks, who are Slavs, adding 'The inhabitants of the Roman province of Noricum along the Danube. Possibly, this is a reference to the purported Urheimat of the Slavic people.'

5.23–25 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)

6

6.6–8 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)

6.13

деревлѧне, derevlęne, 'Derevlęne' – Rad Ipa Xle (деревлѧ)

Деревляне, Derevliane, 'Derevliane' – α

древлѧне, drevlęne, 'Drevlęne' – Lav Aka

Древляне, Drevliane, 'Drevliane' – Byč Šax Lix

7

7.21–22

в понтеское море треми жерелы., v ponteskoe more tremi zherely., 'into the Pontesk Sea through three mouths' – Ipa (жералы) Xle

в поньтьское море треми жерелы., v ponĭtĭskoe more tremi zherely., 'into the Ponĭtĭsk Sea through three mouths' – Rad Aka (понтьское)

в Поньтьское море трьми жерелы,, v Ponĭtĭskoe more trĭmi zherely., 'into the Ponĭtĭsk Sea through three mouths' – α Šax (понтьское)

в понетьское море жереломъ., v ponetĭskoe more zherelomŭ, 'into the Ponetsk Sea through mouths' – Lav Byč Lix

8

7.21–9.4 Journey of Andrew the Apostle along the Dnieper from Korsun via the future site of Kyiv towards the future site of Veliky Novgorod.

9–10

9.5–10.16

9.5–21 The legendary founding of Kiev (Kyiv)

9.17

киевъ, kievŭ, 'Kiev' – Lav Tro Rad Ipa Byč Lix

кыевь, kyevŭ, 'Kyev' – Aka Xle Šax α

9.26–10.16 The acts of Kyi, and the death of the four siblings.

10.5

приходившю ему ко цр҃ю. ꙗко|же сказають. – Lav

приходившю ему и ко царю якоже сказають – Tro

приходившю ему ко царю, якоже сказають, – Byč

приходившю ему ко царю, якоже сказають, – Lix

проходившю емоу ко цр҃ю не свѣмы.|но токмо ѡ сем вѣмы. ꙗкож сказоують. – Rad

пришедшѹ емѹ | къ цр҃ю не свѣмы. но токмо ѡ семь вѣмы. ꙗкоже | сказѹютъ. – Aka

приходившю ему къ с | црсю | не свѣмы. но токмо ѡ се|мъ вѣмы ꙗкоже сказаю|ть. – Ipa

прихдовїшю емоу къ цр҃ю, не свѣмы [lacuna] – Xle

приходивъшю ему къ цѣсарю, которого не съвѣмы, нъ тъкъмо о семь вѣмы, якоже съказають, – Šax

приходивъшю ему къ цьсарю, не съвѣмы, нъ тъкъмо о семь вѣмы, якоже съказають, – α

12

12.16

деревлѧне, derevlęne, 'Derevlęne' – Rad Aka Ipa

Деревляне, Derevliane, 'Derevliane' – Byč Lix α

древѧнѧ, drevlęnę, 'Drevlęnę' – Lav

древяня, drevliania, 'Drevliania' – Tro

Древляне, Drevliane, 'Drevliane' – Šax

[lacuna] – Xle

16

16.21–17.3

17

17.4–24 Prediction of Khazar downfall.

17.25–29 See also Primary Chronicle § Opening date error.

19–20

23

25

25.10–21 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)

26

26.21

ко ѡлго|[ви] гл҃ѧ, ko Ōlgo[vi] glę, 'Oleg' – Lav

ко лвови гл҃ѧ, ko Lvovi glę, 'Leo' – Rad, Aka,

къ лвови гл҃ѧ, kŭ Lvovi glę, 'Leo' – Ipa, Xle,

29–32

32–37

41

41.13 reference to Acts 19:13–14.

46–54.12a

54.12b–55.9

The death of Igor of Kiev.

55.10–60.8

Olga's revenge on the Derevlians. See also Olga of Kiev § Drevlian Uprising.

55.10

вольга, vōlǐga, 'Vōlǐga' – Lav, Byč, Lix

ольга, ōlǐga, 'Ōlǐga' – Tolstoy, Šax, α

ѡльга, ōlǐga, 'Ōlǐga' – Ipa

ѡлга, ōlga, 'Ōlga' – Rad, Xle

олга, olga, 'Olga' – Aka, Kom

55.22

никифоровъ, nikiforovŭ, 'Nikiforov' – Ipa, Byč, Šax, Lix, α

никифоровь, nikiforovǐ, 'Nikiforov' – Aka

микифоровъ, mikiforovŭ, 'Mikiforov' – Kom, Tolstoy

микифорѡв, mikiforōv, 'Mikiforōv' – Xle

никиѳровъ, nikithrovŭ, 'Nikithrov' – Rad

нифовъ., nifovŭ, 'Nifov' – Lav

55.23

идѣже с ес н҃нѣ дворъ воротиславль и, 'where in there is now[adays] the courtyard of Vorotislavl' and' – Rad (воротиславль. и), Xle(идеже)

идѣже есть н҃нѣ дворъ воротиславль. и, 'where there is now[adays] the courtyard of Vorotislavl'. And' – Aka

идеже есть нынѣ дворъ воротиславль и, 'where there is nowadays the courtyard of Vorotislavl' and' – Ipa

есть, 'there is' – Lav

идеже есть нынѣ дворъ Воротиславль и, 'where there is nowadays the courtyard of Vorotislavl' and' – Byč, Šax, Lix

иде же есть нынѣ дворъ Воротиславль и, 'There is also nowadays the courtyard of Vorotislavl' and' – α

55.24

omitted – Lav

чюдинь, а перевѣсище бѣ внѣ града., chjudinĭ, a perevěsishte bě vŭně grada., 'Chudin, and [the] hunting ground / bird trap was outside [the] city' – Rad (град.), Aka (чдюинь.), Ipa (города), Xle (перевѣсишто; города.), Byč (Чюдинъ), Šax (вънѣ), Lix (Чюдинъ), α (вънѣ)

55.25

дворъ другыи, идеже есть дворъ Деместниковъ, 'another courtyard, where [the] courtyard of Demestnikov is' – Rad, Aka, α

дворъ другый идѣже есть дворъ Демьстиковъ, 'another courtyard where [the] courtyard of Demestikov is' – Byč, Šax, Lix

дворъ другыи, 'another courtyard' – Kom, Tolstoy (другии)

дворъ теремныи. и другыи идеже ес дворъ демесниковъ, '[a] terem courtyard and another, where [the] courtyard of Demes(t)nikov is' – Ipa (демесниковъ), Xle (деместниковь)

дворъ демьстиковъ., '[the] courtyard of Demestikov' – Lav Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor (1953): 'another palace, where the palace of the Cantors is now situated'.

56.1

дерьвьска землѧ, derĭvǐska zemlẹ – Lav

деревлѧньскаа землꙗ, derevlẹnǐskaa zemlja – Rad

деревѧньскаа землѧ, derevẹnǐskaa zemlẹ – Aka

деревьскаꙗ землѧ, derevǐskaja zemlẹ – Ipa

деревскаа землѧ, derevskaa zemlẹ – Xle

деревьскаꙗ землꙗ, derevĭskaja zemlja – Kom Tolstoy (деревъскаꙗ)

Дерьвьска земля, Derĭvǐska zemlia – Byč, Šax (Деревьска), Lix

Деревьская земля, Derevǐskaia zemlia – α

60–62

60.25–62.8 Olga's visit to Tsargrad (Constantinople), and conversion to Byzantine Christianity. See also Olga of Kiev § Conversion.

60.26

бѣ тогда ц҃рь имѧнемь цѣмьскии., 'There was then a tsarĭ named Tsěmĭskii.' – Lav

и бѣ тогда ц҃рь костѧнтинъ с҃нъ леѡновъ., 'And there was then a tsarĭ Kostyantinŭ son of Leōnovŭ.' – Rad

и бѣ тогда ц҃рь костѧнтинь с҃нъ леѡновь., 'And there was then a tsarĭ Kostyantinĭ son of Leōnovĭ.' – Aka

и бѣ тогда црсь костѧнтинъ. с҃нъ леѡнтовъ., 'And there was then a tsrsĭ Kostyantinŭ, son of Leōntovŭ.' – Ipa

и бѣ тогда ц҃рь костѧнтин. с҃нь леоновь., 'And there was then a tsarĭ Kostyantin, son of Leonovĭ.' – Xle

и бѣ тогда цесарь именемь чемьскыи они, 'And there was then a tsesarĭ named Chemĭskȳi they' – Kom

и бѣ тогда цесарь именемь чемьскии, 'And there was then a tsesarĭ named Chemĭskii' – NAk Tol Ostrowski (2007): 'Since the emperor at the time was not Tsimiskes but Constantine, the reading Костянтинъ сынъ Леоновъ might be considered a correction of the primary but historically incorrect reading.'

61.21b–22

и реч црь переклюкала мѧ еси ольга. и дасть еи, i rech tsrĭ perekljukala mę esi olĭga. i dastĭ ei, 'And [the] tsar said: '[You] have fooled me, Olga [nominative].' And [he] gives her' – Lav

и реч переклюкала мѧ еси олго. и вдасть еи, i rech perekljukala mę esi olgo. i vdastĭ ei, 'And [he] said: '[You] have fooled me, Olga [vocative].' And [he] gave her' – Rad

и рече переклюкала мѧ еси олго. и вдасть еи, i reche perekljukala mę esi olgo. i vdastĭ ei, 'And [he] said: '[You] have fooled me, Olga [vocative].' And [he] gave her' – Aka

и реч цсрь переклюка мѧ олга. и вдасть еи, i reche tssrĭ perekljuka mę olga. i vdastĭ ei, 'And [the] tsar said: 'Olga [nominative] has fool[ed] me.' And [he] gave her' – Ipa

и реч црь переклюка мѧ олга. и вдасть еи, i rech tsrĭ perekljuka mę olga. i, 'And [the] tsar said: 'Olga [nominative] has fool[ed] me.' And [he] gave her' – Ipa

и рече цесарь прѣдстоꙗщимъ ту велможамъ своимъ упремудри мꙗ олга словесы своими бѣ же она мудра словесы цесарь же пакы чемьскыи слышавши глаголы еꙗ дасть еи, 'And the Tsesar said to his nobles [standing] before him: 'Olga [nominative] has outsmarted me with her words.' For she was wise in words. And the Tsesar, having heard her words, then gave her' – Kom Butler (2008): '[Ostrowski et al. (2003)], lines 61,22, omits "esi" after "Perekliukala" (sometimes with vocative "Ol'go"), which causes some manuscripts to read, "You have fooled, me, Ol'ga."'

62.8–25 Epilogue to Olga's conversion

62.14–18 biblical quotation Proverbs 1:20–22

Премудрость на исходищихъ поеть ся, на путьхъ же дьрзновение водить. На краихъ же забральныхъ проповѣдаеть ся, въ вратѣхъ же градьныхъ дьрзающи глаголеть. Елико бо лѣтъ незълобивии дьржать ся по правьду, 'Wisdom is celebrated in places of concourse, she lifteth up her voice in the streets; she crieth at the entrance to the walls, at the gates of cities she uttereth speech. For as many years as the just cleave to wisdom, they shall not be ashamed.' – α

עַד־מָתַ֣י ׀ פְּתָיִם֮ תְּֽאֵהֲב֫וּ פֶ֥תִי וְלֵצִ֗ים לָ֭צֹון חָמְד֣וּ לָהֶ֑ם וּ֝כְסִילִ֗ים יִשְׂנְאוּ־דָֽעַת׃ בְּרֹ֥אשׁ הֹמִיֹּ֗ות תִּ֫קְרָ֥א בְּפִתְחֵ֖י שְׁעָרִ֥ים בָּעִ֗יר אֲמָרֶ֥יהָ תֹאמֵֽר׃ חָ֭כְמֹות בַּח֣וּץ תָּרֹ֑נָּה בָּ֝רְחֹבֹ֗ות תִּתֵּ֥ן קֹולָֽהּ׃‎, 'Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; at noisy street corners she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"' – Proverbs 1:20–22 NIV

62.21–22 biblical quotation Proverbs 13:19

Желание благовѣрьныхъ наслажаеть душю, 'The accomplished desire of the faithful is sweet to the soul.' – α

תַּאֲוָ֣ה נִ֭הְיָה תֶעֱרַ֣ב לְנָ֑פֶשׁ וְתֹועֲבַ֥ת כְּ֝סִילִ֗ים ס֣וּר מֵרָֽע׃‎, 'A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.' – Proverbs 13:19 NIV (KVJ: 'The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.')

62.22–23 biblical quotation Proverbs 2:2

62.23–24 biblical quotation Proverbs 8:17

62.24–25 biblical quotation John 6:37

63

63.8–9 biblical quotation 1 Corinthians 1:18

Невѣрьнымъ бо вѣра хрьстияньска уродьство есть, 'For to the infidels, the Christian faith is foolishness.' – α

Ὁ λόγος γὰρ ὁ τοῦ σταυροῦ τοῖς μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν, 'For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.' – 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

63.9–11 biblical quotation Psalm 82:5

Не съмыслиша бо, ни разумѣша въ тьмѣ ходящии, и не вѣдять славы Господьня., 'They do not comprehend it, because they walk in darkness and do not see the glory of God.' – α

לֹ֤א יָֽדְע֨וּ ׀ וְלֹ֥א יָבִ֗ינוּ בַּחֲשֵׁכָ֥ה יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ יִ֝מֹּ֗וטוּ כָּל־מֹ֥וסְדֵי אָֽרֶץ׃‎, 'The 'gods' know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.' – Psalm 82:5 NIV

63.13–19 biblical quotation Proverbs 1:24–31 (or 1:25–30)

63.29–64.1 biblical quotation Exodus 21:17 (MT; LXX: Exodus 21:16). See also Textual variants in the Book of Exodus § Exodus 21.

Аще къто отьца или матере не послушаеть, съмьртию да умреть., Ashche kŭto otĭtsa ili matere ne poslushaetĭ, sŭmĭrtiyu da umretĭ., 'Whosoever heedeth not his father or his mother shall suffer death.' – α

וּמְקַלֵּ֥ל אָבִ֛יו וְאִמֹּ֖ו מֹ֥ות יוּמָֽת׃ ס‎, ū-mə-qal-lêl ’ā-ḇîw wə-’im-mōw mō-wṯ yū-māṯ. s, 'And he who curses his father or his mother surely shall be put to death.' – Exodus 21:17 NIV Compare Deuteronomy 21:18–21.

65–67

65.14–18 Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria (first part)

65.19–67.20 Siege of Kiev (968)

69–73

69–73 Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria (second part)

75–76

79

82–83

84–121

84.18

бохъмичѣ, boxŭmichě, 'of Mohammedan (Islamic)' – Lav

111.23–24 (NPL 152.10–11)

на браченье., na brachenĭe, 'in(to) marriage' – Lav Byč Lix

на ѡброучание:-, na ōbrouchanie:-, 'in(to) betrothal' – Rad

на ѡбрѹченїе., na ōbruchenīe., 'in(to) betrothal' – Aka

на ѡбручение., na ōbruchenie., 'in(to) betrothal' – Ipa

на оброученїе., na obrouchenīe., 'in(to) betrothal' – Xle

на брачение, na brachenie, 'in(to) marriage' – Kom Tol Šax

на обручение., na obruchenie., 'in(to) betrothal' – α Ostrowski (2007): 'Here the expected reading is 'marriage' (брачение) since Volodimir had already been 'betrothed' (обручение) to Anna earlier in the narrative.' Müller (2006) and Gippius (2002) argued that 'marriage' (брачение) was the primary reading, and that 'betrothal' (обручение) had to have been a later corruption in the protograph of Ipa and Kle, which had also contaminated Rad and Aka. Ostrowski countered that 'one may ask why the scribe of [Rad/Aka] would adopt a contextually incorrect reading from the contaminating source to replace a contextually correct reading in his direct source.' Following the lectio difficilior potior principle, Ostrowski asserted 'betrothed' (обручение) as the original text.

122–125

Volodimer' I defeated the Pechenegs on the river Trubizh, and alleged founded Belgorod (Bilhorod Kyivskyi) and Pereyaslavl' (Pereiaslav).

132–134

Killing of Boris and aftermath. See also Boris and Gleb.

132.29–133.3 biblical quotation Proverbs 1:16–19

“Скори суть пролияти кръвь бес правды. Събираютъ собѣ зълая ти бо обьщають ся кръви. Сихъ путие суть съконьчавающе безаконие, нечьстиемь бо свою душю емлють”., 'Soon they will shed blood without justice. They gather together the wicked, for they share their blood. These ways are the ways of the lawless, for they eat their souls with iniquity.' – α ("They make haste to shed blood unjustly. For they (133) promise blood, and gather evil. Their path runneth to evil, for they possess their souls in dishonor" (Prov., i, 16-19).')

וְ֭הֵם לְדָמָ֣םכֵּ֗ן אָ֭רְחֹות כָּל־בֹּ֣צֵֽעַ בָּ֑צַע אֶת־נֶ֖פֶשׁ בְּעָלָ֣יו יִקָּֽח׃ פ‎ (...) וְ֭הֵם לְדָמָ֣ם יֶאֱרֹ֑בוּ‎ (...) כִּ֣י רַ֭גְלֵיהֶם לָרַ֣ע יָר֑וּצוּ וִֽ֝ימַהֲר֗וּ לִשְׁפָּךְ־ דָּֽם׃‎, 'for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. (...) These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.' – Proverbs 1:16–19 NIV (KVJ: 'For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. (...) And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.')

οι γαρ πόδες αυτών εις κακίαν τρέχουσι και ταχινοί εισι του εκχέαι αίμα (...) αυτοί γαρ οι φόνου μετέχοντες θησαυρίζουσιν εαυτοίς κακά[.] αύται αι οδοί εισι πάντων των συντελούντων τα άνομα τη γαρ ασεβεία την εαυτών ψυχήν αφαιρούνται, 'For their feet run to evil, and are quick to pour out blood. (...) For they, the ones partaking in murder, treasure up for themselves evils. These are the ways of all the ones completing the lawless [things]. For by impiety they remove their own life/soul.' – Proverbs 1:16–19 LXX ABP

135–141.16

Killing of Gleb and aftermath. See also Boris and Gleb.

135.1

акъ | хулу имуще, akû xulu imuše, 'as though they have blasphemy' – Lav

аки хвалоу имѹще, aki xvalou imuše, 'as though they have praise' – Rad, Aka

аки хвалу имуще, aki xvalu imuše, 'as though they have praise' – Ipa

акы хвалоу имѧще, aky xvalou imęše, 'as though they have praise' – Xle

135.27–136.1 Predslava Volodimerovna informs Yaroslav Volodimerovich, version A.

Въ сеже время пришьла бѣ вѣсть къ Ярославу отъ Передъславы о отьни съмьрти, и посъла Ярославъ къ Глѣбу, глаголя: “Не ходи, отьць ти умьрлъ, а братъ ти убиенъ отъ Святопълка”., 'At this moment, Yaroslav received from Predslava the tidings of [their] father's death, and Yaroslav sent [someone] to Gleb, saying: 'Do not set out, your father has died and your brother has been murdered by Svyatopolk."' – α

в се же времѧ пришла бѣ вѣсть ѿ передьславы кь ꙗрославу ѡ от҃ни смр҃ти. и посла ꙗрославъ кь глѣбу гл҃ѧ не ходи ѡц҃ь ти оум҃рлъ. а братъ ти оубитъ ѿ с҃тополка., 'At this moment, from Pered'slava Yaroslav received the tidings of [their] father's death, and Yaroslav sent [someone] to Glěb, saying: 'Do not set out, your father has died and your brother has been murdered by Svyatopolk."' – Ipa Xle

Compare Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction (NPL ml): В се же время пришла бЂ вЂсть къ Ярославу от Передславы о отни смерти, и посла Ярославъ къ ГлЂбу, глаголя: «отець ти умерлъ. а брат ти убиенъ от Святополка»., 'At the same time there came news to Yaroslav from Peredslava about [their] father's death, and Yaroslav sent [someone] to Glěb, saying: "Your father has died, and your brother has been killed by Svyatopolk."' – NPL ml

140.25–141.1 Predslava Volodimerovna informs Yaroslav Volodimerovich, version B.

Въ туже нощь приде ему вѣсть ис Кыева отъ сестры его Передъславы: “Отьць ти умьрлъ, а Святопълкъ сѣдить въ Кыевѣ, убивъ Бориса, а на Глѣба посъла; а блюди ся сего повелику”., 'The same night news came from Kiev sent by his sister Predslava: "Your father has died and Svyatopolk settled in Kiev. He has killed Boris, and has sent [men] against Gleb. Be exceedingly on your guard against him."' – α Lav Aka

в ту же нощь приде ему вѣсть ис кыева. ѿ сестры его передьславы ѡц҃ь ти оумерлъ а ст҃ополкъ сѣдить в киевѣ. пославъ оуби бориса и глѣба. а ты блюдисѧ сего повелику, 'The same night news came from Kyevŭ sent by his sister Pered'slava: "Your father has died and Svyatopolk settled in Kyevŭ, having sent [men] to kill Boris and Glěb. Be exceedingly on your guard against him."' – Ipa Xle Rad

141.17–142.24

Battle of Liubech (1016) between Sviatopolk I of Kiev and Yaroslav I of Kiev.

142.16–18

И въступиша на ледъ, и одолати нача Ярославъ. Видѣвъ же Святопълкъ, побеже, и одолѣ Ярославъ., 'And when they went onto the ice, Iaroslav began obtaining the advantage. Seeing this, Sviatopolk fled and Iaroslav won.' – Rad Aka Ipat α

и въступиша на ледъ. | и ѡбломисѧ с ними ледъ. и ѡ|далати нача ꙗрославъ. [lacuna], 'And they went onto the ice, and the ice weakened under them. And Iaroslav began obtaining the advantage. [lacuna]' – Lav

и въстоупиша на лед, и обломисѧ лед с вои ст҃ополчи | и мнѡѕи потопоша въ водах. и ѡдолѧти нача ꙗро|славь. видѣв же ст҃ополкь побѣже. и ѡдолѣ ꙗро|славь., 'And they went onto the ice, and the ice weakened under Sviatopolk's soldiers and many drowned in the waters. Iaroslav began obtaining the advantage. Seeing this, Sviatopolk fled and Iaroslav won.' – Xle

142.19

Святопълкъ же бѣжа въ Ляхы, Ярославъ же, 'But Sviatopolĭkŭ fled to Lyakh [Poland], but Yaroslavŭ' – all PVL mss. and editions

И бЂжя Святопълкъ въ ПечЂнЂгы, а Ярослав, 'And Sviatopolĭkŭ fled to the Pechěněgs, but Yaroslav' – NPL st.

И бЂжа Святополкъ в ПеченЂгы, и бысть межи Чахы и Ляхы, никим же гонимъ пропаде оканныи, и тако злЂ живот свои сконча; яже дымъ и до сего дни есть; а Ярославъ, 'And Sviatopolĭkŭ fled to the Pecheněgs, and he was between the Czechs [Bohemians] and the Lyakhs [Poles], and being chased by no one, the accursed ended his life in an evil way; and there is still stench from it to this day; but Yaroslavŭ' – NPL ml. Compare PVL 144.28–145.20

142.19–20

Ярославъ же сѣде Кыевѣ на столѣ отьни., 'But Yaroslavŭ settled in Kyevŭ upon [the] throne of [his] father.' – Rad Aka Ipat Xle α

ꙗрославъ же сѣде кыевѣ на столѣ ѡтьни и дѣдни, 'But Jaroslavŭ settled in Kyevŭ upon [the] throne of [his] father and grandfather.' – Lav Byč Šax Lix

а Ярослав иде Кыеву, и сЂде на столЂ отця своего Володимира., 'But Yaroslav went [to] Kyevu, and settled on [the] throne of his father Volodimer'.' – NPL st. NPL. ml. (Ярославъ иде къ)

142.25–144

147–149

151

151.19

городъ, gorodŭ, 'citadel' – Lav Ipa Xle (горѡд) Byč Lix

градъ, gradŭ, 'citadel' – Rad Aka (град) Šax α

151.20

кыи, kyi, 'at Kyiv' – Lav

кыевъ, kyevŭ, 'at Kyev' – Ipa Xle Byč

omitted – Rad Aka Šax Lix α

151.21

црк҃вь | ст҃ыꙗ. соѳьꙗ митрополью., 'the metropolitan Church of St. Sophia' – Lav Aka

црк҃вь ст҃ыа софиа. и митрополью., 'the church of St. Sophia. And (the) metropolitan [church].' – Rad

црк҃вь. ст҃ыꙗ | софьꙗ. премудрость б҃ию | митрополью., 'the metropolitan Church of St. Sophia of divine wisdom' – Ipa

цр҃ковъ премѫдрѡс бж҃їю ст҃ыи соѳеи, митрополїю, 'the church of divine wisdom Saint Sophei, the metropolitan (one)' – Xle

152

152.20

симонъ, Simonŭ, 'Simon' – Lav

соломонъ, Solomonŭ, 'Solomon' – Aka, Ipa, Rad (соломнъ), Xle (солѡмонъ) Byč, Šax, Lix, α

161

The so-called Testament of Yaroslav the Wise.

161.18

переꙗславль. а вѧчеславу, pereyaslavl'. A vęcheslavu, '...Pereyaslavl'. To Vyacheslav...' – Lav Ipa Xle

Переяславль, а Вячеславу, Pereyaslavl', a Vyacheslavu, '...Pereyaslavl', to Vyacheslav...' – Šax α

переꙗславль. а вечславѹ, pereyaslavl'. A vechslavu, '...Pereyaslavl'. To Vechslav...' – Rad

переꙗславль. [а игорю воломеръ] а вечславѹ, pereyaslavl'. [a igoryu volomerŭ] a vechslavu, '...Pereyaslavl'. [To Igor Volomerŭ] to Vechslav...' – Aka

переꙗславль а игореви володимирь а вꙗчеславу, pereyaslavl' a igorevi volodimirĭ a vyacheslavu, '...Pereyaslavl' to Igorevi Volodimirĭ to Vyacheslav...' – Kom

переꙗславль а игореви володимиръ а вꙗчеву, pereyaslavl' a igorevi volodimirŭ a vyacheslavu, '...Pereyaslavl' to Igorevi Volodimirŭ to Vyachev...' – NAk Tol

Переяславль, а Игорю Володимеръ, а Вячеславу, Pereyaslavl', a Igoryu Volodimerŭ, a Vyacheslavu, '...Pereyaslavl', to Igor Volodimerŭ, to Vyacheslav...' – Byč Lix It is not clear why 'to Igor[evi] Volo[di]merŭ' is found in relatively late copies, but not in the earliest copies. It could represent a harmonisation effort with 162.12–13 and 162.21–22, where all witnesses attest that 'Igor' [settled] in Volodimerŭ', and that when Vyacheslav died in Smolensk shortly thereafter, 'Igor' settled in Smolinĭskě, moving over from Volodimerŭ'. The Igor' in question is probably Igor Yaroslavich, who reportedly died sub anno 1060 (162.28). Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor (1953) and Thuis (2015) both included the city as Vladimir in their translations, footnoting it as "Vladimir-Volÿnsk" and "city in Volhynia" respectively (ergo, modern Volodymyr, Volyn Oblast), without further explanation.

167–173

216–217

215.27–218.5 Eulogy of Vsevolod Yaroslavich I of Kiev. Accession of Sviatopolk Iziaslavich II of Kiev (with prominent role for Vladimir II Monomakh).

218–225

218.6–226.3 Cuman (Polovtsi) invasion of Rus' (1093). See also Siege of Torchesk and Battle of the Stuhna River.

218.20–21

имѣю отрокъ своих· ѱ҃· иже могу|ть про[ти]ву имъ стати·, iměju otrokŭ svoix· ps· iže mogu tĭ pro[ti]vu imŭ stati·, 'I have about 700 of my men who can stand against them.' – Lav, Bychkov, Karski, Likhachev

имѣю ѿрокъ своих· ѿ иже могѹ|ть имъ противоу стать., iměju ōtrokŭ svoix· ō iže mogu tĭ imŭ protivou statĭ., 'I have about 800 of my men who can stand against them.' – Rad

имѣꙗ ѡтрокъ своих| ·ѿ· иже могѹть имь противѹ стати·, iměja ōtrokŭ svoix ·ō· iže mogutĭ imŭ protivu stati., 'I have about 800 of my men who can stand against them.' – Aka

имѣю ѡтро|къ своихъ· ·и҃·сот· иже мо|гуть [имъ] противу имъ ста|ти·, iměju ōtrokŭ svoixŭ· ·i·sot· iže mogutĭ [imŭ] protivu sta ti, 'I have about 8 hundred of my men who can stand against them' – Ipa

имѣю | отрѡк своих. ѡсмь сот. иже могоут противоу им сттаи., iměju otrōk svoix. vos[e]mŭ sot. iže mogout protivou im sttai., 'I have about eight hundred of my men who can stand against them' – Xle

226–255

226.3–255 Chernigov war of succession (1093–1097). See also Oleg I of Chernigov#Chernigov war of succession.

235

235.20

меѳоди папа римскыи·, Methodi papa Rimskyi·, 'Methodius the Pope of Rome' – Lav

мефодїи патариискы·̏и·, Methodïi Patariiskyi, 'Methodius of Patara' – Aka

меѳдии патариискыи, Methdii Patariiskyi, 'Methdius of Patara' – Rad

256–257

256–257.13.

257–263

257.13–263.17 The blinding of Vasilko Rostislavich.

263–273

263.17–273.16 Internecine war in Rus' 1097–1100.

273–274

273.16–274.22 Council of Uvetichi (c. 1100).

275–276

1101–1102. Dynastic challenges to Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev by Yaroslav Yaropolkich of Brest (?) and Mstislav Volodimerovich of Novgorod. Peace with Polovtsi.

277–279

1103 campaign against the Polovtsi (Cumans) by Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev and Vladimir II Monomakh. Battle of the Sutin River.

Compare the strikingly similar narrative of the 1111 campaign against the Polovtsi by Sviatopolk II and Monomakh in the Hypatian Codex лл.99–100.

280

1104: various dynastic events, siege of Minsk, signs in sky.

281

1105–1107: various dynastic events, Semigallians defeat Vseslavichi.

282

1107–1108: Polovtsi raid by Boniak. Peace treaty.

282.25–283.3. See also Aepa.

томьж лѣт мцса тогож иде володимеръ и двд҃ъ и ѡлегъ къ аепѣ и другому аепѣ· и створиша миръ· и поꙗ володимеръ за юргѧ· аепину дщерь· ѡсеневу внуку· а ѡлегъ поꙗ за сн҃а· аепину дчерь· гиргеневу внуку· мцса· генвр ·в҃і· дн҃ь·:·, 'That same year, in [the] same month, Volodimer' and D[a]v[i]d' and Ōleg' went to Ayepě and [the] other Ayepě. And [they] made peace. And Volodimer' took [as a wife] for Yurgę Aepa's (Aepinu's) daughter, Osen(ev)'s granddaughter, and Ōleg' took [as a wife] for [his] son Aepa's (Aepinu's) daughter, Girgen(ev)'s granddaughter, on [the] 12th day of [the] month of January.' – Lav

томъже лѣтѣ тогоже мцса иде володимеръ и двд҃ъ и ѡлегъ к аꙗпѣ· и другому аепѣ· и створиша миръ· и поꙗ володимеръ за гергиꙗ епиѡпину дщерь· ѧсѣну внука· а ѡлегъ поꙗ [ ] акаепиду дщерь ꙗневу внуку· мцса генварѧ· во вторы на ·і҃· дн҃ь·, 'That same year, in [the] same month, Volodimer' and D[a]v[i]d' and Ōleg' went to Ajapě and [the] other Aepě. And [they] made peace. And Volodimer' took [as a wife] for Gergija Epiōpa's (Epiōpinu's) daughter, Ęsěn(u)'s granddaughter, and Ōleg' took [as a wife] [space left blank] Akaepa's (Akaepidu's) daughter, Janev's (Janevu's) granddaughter, on [the] twelfth day of [the] month of January.' – Ipat

283

1108–1109: Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev orders construction of various church buildings.

284–285

1109–1110: Rus' campaign against Polovtsi. Signs in sky at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, including lightning, pillars of fire and cloud, and an angelic apparation.

286.1–7

286.1–7 Only in Lav, Rad and Aka: colophon of Sylvester of Kiev (1116).

286.7a–7pp

286.7a–7pp Only in Ipa and Xle: Primary Chronicle continuation of the Hypatian Codex and Khlebnikov Codex (1110–1117).

286.7nn

ꙗкоже рече к моисѣеві· се англ҃ъ мои прѣды поидеть предъ лицемъ твоимъ· – Ipa

ꙗкоже реч к моѵ·̏сееви. се аг҃глъ мои предидет прде лицем твоим. – Xle

ӕкоже рече к Моисѣевı. се анг҃лъ мои прѣдыпоидеть предъ лицемъ твоимъ. – Šax 1908

286.7oo

ꙗкоже рекохомъ прѣже зьнаменье се быс· мцса февралѧ· – Ipa

ꙗкож рекохѡм прежед. знаменїе се быс. мцса феврал. – Xle

ӕкоже рекохомъ прѣже зьнаменье се быс̑ . мс̑ца февралѧ . – Šax 1908

286.7pp

въ ·а҃і· дн҃ь· исходѧще сему лѣту· и҃і·:·- – Ipa

въ а҃і. дн҃ь. – Xle

въ . а҃ı . дн҃ь . исходѧще сему лѣту. и҃ı – Šax 1908

Hypatian PVL continuation

The Hypatian Codex continuation of the Primary Chronicle (PVL) from the year 6619 (1111) compared to other closely related documents, such as the Suzdalian Chronicle and the Testament of Vladimir Monomakh in the Laurentian Codex, and the Novgorod First Chronicle.

1111 campaign against the Polovtsi

Lav (Suzdalian Chronicle) л.96: В лѣт̑ . ҂s҃ . х҃ . ѳı҃ . Идоша веснѣ на Половцѣ Ст҃ополкъ Володимеръ Дв҃дъ и дошедше Воинѧ и воротишасѧ., 'In the year 6619 (1111) in the spring, Sviatopolk, Volodimer' and Davyd went to the Polovtsi and the warriors arrived and returned.'

Ipa лл.99–100: Extensive narrative; see Council of Dolobsk § Council of Dolobsk of 1111 in the Hypatian Codex and Battle of the Salnitsa river.

Monomakh's 1113 campaign against the Polovtsi

Lav (Monomakh's Testament): (omitted)

Ipa л.102об: слышавше же Половцѣ смерть Ст҃ополчю, slȳshavshe zhe Polovtsě smertĭ S[via]topolchyu, 'When the Polovtsi heard of Sviatopolk's death,'

Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.20–21a: к выреви бѧху пришли аепа и бонѧкъ· хотѣша взѧти, k vȳrevi bęlhu prishli aepa i bonękŭ, khotěsha vzęti, 'Aepa and Bonyak had approached Vÿr', wanting to take it.'

Ipa л.102об: и съвокупившесѧ и придоша къ Выры, i sŭvokupivshesę i pridosha kŭ Vȳrȳ, 'they gathered and marched on Vyr.'

Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.21b–22a: и ко ромну идох со ѡлгомь и з дѣтми на нь·, 'I advanced to meet them as far as Romnÿ with Oleg and my children.'

Ipa л.102об: Володимеръ же совокупивъ сн҃ы свои и сыновцѣ. иде къ Выру. и совокуписѧ съ Ѡлгомъ., 'But Volodimerŭ, having gathered his sons and cousins/nephews, advanced to Vyr and joined [his forces] with Oleg's.'

Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.22b: и ѡни ѡчитивше бѣжаша·, 'And [when] they noticed, they fled.'

Ipa л.102об: Половцѣ же бѣжаша., '[The] Polovtsi fled.'

See also

• Rus' chronicle § List of Rus' chronicles
• Textual criticism of the Primary Chronicle
• Textual variants in the Hebrew Bible
• Textual variants in the New Testament

Notes

Bibliography

Primary sources

• Complete Collection of Rus' Chronicles (PSRL). Saint Petersburg: Typography of Edward Prats. Shakhmatov, Aleksey (1908). [The Chronicle according to the Hypatian Codex]. Complete Collection of Rus' Chronicles (PSRL). (in Church Slavic). Vol. 2. Saint Petersburg: Typography of Edward Prats. PSRL (1926–1928). [Laurentian Chronicle]. Complete Collection of Rus' Chronicles (PSRL) (in Church Slavic). Vol. 1. Leningrad: USSR Academy of Sciences Publishing House.
• Cross, Samuel Hazzard; Sherbowitz-Wetzor, Olgerd P. (1953) [1930]. (PDF). Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Mediaeval Academy of America. p. 325. Cross, Samuel Hazzard; Sherbowitz-Wetzor, Olgerd P. (2013) [1953]. (PDF). Toronto: Electronic Library of Ukrainian Literature, University of Toronto. p. 16. Archived from (PDF) on 30 May 2014.
• Gorsky, A. A. (2012). [Rurik's invitation to reign in the records of the old Rus' Primary Chronicle]. Исторический вестник (Historical Messenger) (in Russian). 1 (1). Runivers: 6–23. ()
• Ostrowski, Donald, ed. (2003). (in Russian and English). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Archived from on 9 March 2005. (assoc. ed. David J. Birnbaum (Harvard Library of Early Ukrainian Literature, vol. 10, parts 1–3)) – This 2003 Ostrowski et al. edition includes an interlinear collation including the five main manuscript witnesses, the Trinity Chronicle (as far as can reliably reconstructed), three manuscripts of the Novgorod First Chronicle, as well as a new paradosis ("a proposed best reading"). Ostrowski, Donald; Birnbaum, David J. (7 December 2014). . pvl.obdurodon.org (in Church Slavic). Archived from on 28 April 2025. – A 2014 digitised and improved online version of Ostrowski et al. 2003.
• Izbornyk (2001). [Novgorod First Chronicle]. Izbornyk (in Church Slavic). Nauka. – digitised 1950 Nauka edition of the Novgorod First Chronicle (NPL), including both the Synodal (Synodalnyy) or "Older Edition" (Starshego Izvoda, St.) and the mid-15th-century Archaeographic Commission's edition (Komissionnyy) or "Younger Edition" (Mladshego Izvoda, Ml.)
• Thuis, Hans (2015). [Nestor Chronicle: the oldest history of the Kievan Realm] (in Dutch). Nijmegen: Uitgeverij Vantilt. p. 304. ISBN 9789460042287.

Literature

• Butler, Francis (2008). . The Russian Review. 67 (2). Wiley: 230–242. doi:. ISSN . JSTOR .
• Dimnik, Martin (January 2004). . Mediaeval Studies. 66: 253–312. doi:.
• Gippius, Alexey A. (2014). . Russian Linguistics. 38 (3). Springer: 341–366. doi:. JSTOR .
• Lunt, Horace G. (Summer 1988). . The Slavic and East European Journal. 32 (2): 251–264. doi:. JSTOR .
• Lunt, Horace G. (June 1994). . Ukrainian Philology and Linguistics. 18 (1–2). Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute: 10–28. JSTOR .
• Lunt, Horace G. (1995). . Harvard Ukrainian Studies. 19. Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute: 335–357. ISSN . JSTOR .
• Müller, Ludolf (2005). . Zeitschrift für Slavische Philologie (in German). 64 (2). Universitätsverlag WINTER Gmbh: 245–278. ISSN . JSTOR .
• Ostrowski, Donald (March 1981). . Harvard Ukrainian Studies. 5 (1). Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute: 11–31. JSTOR .
• Ostrowski, Donald (2006). . Russian History/Histoire Russe. 33 (2/4). Brill: 289–312. doi:. ISSN . JSTOR .
• Ostrowski, Donald (2007). . Russian Linguistics. 31 (3). Springer: 269–308. doi:. ISSN . JSTOR .
• Plokhy, Serhii (2006). . New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 378. ISBN 978-0-521-86403-9.

Further reading

• Isoaho, Mari (2018). . Kritika: Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History. 19 (3). Slavica Publishers: 637–648. doi:.
• Inés García de la Puente, . Ruthenica. 16. 28–36. 2022.