Pages: 39-52

The article considers the ritual and symbolic context of warfare in Early Rus of 10th—13th c. The chronicle narrations about the first princes have distinct agonal semantics, which is verified by sources of various written traditions. The ritual nature of military conflicts was expressed in their division into separate symbolically significant stages (such as the declaration of war, the verbal squabble, the duel of the strongest fighters, the conclusion of peace and exchange of gifts). Warfare acquired the features of sacredness in the medieval perception. It was reflected in the syncretism of the pagan and Christian mentality. Both defensive (shield) and offensive (sword, spear) arms were interpreted as symbols embodying the defense, patronage or triumph of the winners. War and military confrontation were an integral part of everyday life and spiritual culture.

Keywords: Early Rus’, 10th—13th cc., military conflict, rite, sacralization of war, military ethos, the heroic epic, weapon

Information about author:

Alexandr Romensky (Sevastopol, Crimea). Candidate of Historical Sciences. The State Historical-Archaeological Museum Reserve “Tauric Chersonesos”. Drevnyaya St., 1, Sevastopol, 299045, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]