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,[a] commonly abbreviated PVL[1]) has included study of its textual variants.
Frequently used sigla (scribal symbols and abbreviations) of Primary Chronicle manuscripts and editions include:
English name | Lat | Abr | Cyr | Slavic names |
---|---|---|---|---|
Academic Chronicle | A[6] | Aka[7] | А[4] | Russian: Академическая летопись, romanized: Akademicheskaya letopis' Ukrainian: Академічний літопис, romanized: Akademichnyj litópys |
Hypatian Codex | H[6] | Ipa[7] Ipat[8] |
И[4] | Russian: Ипатьевская летопись, romanized: Ipat'evskaya letopis' Ukrainian: Іпатіївський літопис, romanized: Ipátijivśkyj litópys |
Khlebnikov Codex Xlebnikov Codex[6] |
Kh[9] X[6] |
Xle[7] | Х[4] | Russian: Хлебниковский список, romanized: Hlebnikovskij spisok Ukrainian: Хлєбниковський список, romanized: Khljebnykovśkyj spysok |
Laurentian Codex | L[6] | Lav[10][7] | Л[4] | Russian: Лаврентьевский список, romanized: Lavrent'evskij spisok Ukrainian: Лаврентіївський список, romanized: Lavrentijivśkyj spysok |
Radziwiłł Chronicle | R[6] | Rad[7] | Р[4] | Russian: Радзивилловская летопись, romanized: Radzivillovskaya letopis' Ukrainian: Радзивіллівський літопис, romanized: Radzyvíllivśkyj litópys |
Trinity Chronicle[4] | TL[10] | Tro[7] | Т[4] | Russian: Троицкая летопись, romanized: Troitskaya letopis' Ukrainian: Троїцький літопис, romanized: Trojitśkyj litópys |
English name | Lat | Abr | Cyr | Slavic names |
---|---|---|---|---|
Novgorod First Chronicle | NPL[11] N1L |
Novg. I[12] НIЛ |
НПЛ[13] Н1Л |
Russian: Новгородская первая летопись, romanized: Novgoródskaya pérvaya létopisʹ Ukrainian: Новгородський перший літопис, romanized: Novhorodśkyj pershyj litópys |
Synod Scroll Older Redaction[13] |
НПЛст[13] | Russian: Синодальный список, romanized: Sinodálʹnyy spispok[10] Russian: Старший извод, romanized: Starshij izvod | ||
Novgorod First Chronicle of the Younger Redaction |
NPLml | НПЛмл[13] | Russian: Новгородская первая летопись Младшего Извода, romanized: Novgoródskaya pérvaya létopis' Mladshego Izvoda | |
Commission Scroll[14] | K[14] | Kom[14] | К[13] | Kommissionyi[14] |
Academy Scroll[14] | Ak[14] | NAca[14] | НАк[13] | Akademichenskyi[14] |
Tolstoi Scroll[14] | T[14] | Tol[7] Tols[14] |
Тол[15] | Tolstovoi[14] |
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.[b] For example, a notation such as "3.2" refers to the "third (3rd) page, second (2nd) line".
0.1
0.2
0.2–3
0.3
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.9
3.8
3.8–3.9
4.12
4.13
4.13
5.22
5.23–25 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)
6.6–8 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)
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.
9.5–10.16
9.5–21 The legendary founding of Kiev (Kyiv)
9.17
9.26–10.16 The acts of Kyi, and the death of the four siblings.
10.5
16.21–17.3 See also Kyi dynasty.
17.4–24 Prediction of Khazar downfall.
17.25–29 See also Primary Chronicle § Opening date error.
Act | Novgorod First Chronicle (NPL) | Laurentian Codex (Lav) | Hypatian Codex (Ipa, Ipat) | Radziwiłł Chronicle (Rad) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Church Slavonic | Modern English | Church Slavonic | Modern English | Church Slavonic | Modern English | Church Slavonic | Modern English | |
Revolt 19:14–16[41] |
В лѣто 6362 (854) (...) И въсташа словенѣ и кривици и меря и чюдь на варягы, и изгнаша я за море; и начаша владѣти сами собѣ и городы ставити.[42] | In the year 6362 (854) (...) And the Slovenes and Krivitsi and Merya and Chud rose against the Varangians and expelled them beyond the sea; and they began to rule themselves and set up cities. | Въ лето 6369. Изъгнаша варяги за море, и не даша имъ дани, и почаша сами в собе володети.[43] | 6368–6370 (860–862). The tributaries of the Varangians drove them back beyond the sea and, refusing them further tribute, set out to govern themselves.[44] | В лѣто [6370 (862)] И изгнаша Варѧгы за море, и не даша имъ дани. Н почаша сами в собѣ володѣти.[45][42] | In the year [6370 (862)] And they expelled the Varangians across the sea, and gave them no tribute, and they themselves became masters. | В лѣт. ҂ѕ҃.т҃.о҃. Бы[г]ша варѧгы за морь[ꙗ] и не да им дани. и почаша сами в собѣ володѣти.[41] | In the year 6370, [they] exiled the Varangians beyond the sea and gave them no tribute. And they themselves became masters of their own affairs. |
Conflict 19:16–18[46] |
И въсташа сами на ся воеватъ, и бысть межи ими рать велика и усобица, и въсташа град на град, и не бѣше в нихъ правды.[42] | And they arose to fight with themselves, and there was great strife and discord between them, and they rose up city upon city, and there was no righteousness among them. | И не бе в нихъ пра вды, и въста родъ на родъ, быша в них усобице, и во евати почаша сами на ся.[43] | There was no law among them, but tribe rose against tribe. Discord thus ensued among them, and they began to war one against another.[44] | и не бѣ в нихъ правды, и въста родъ на род, и быша оусобицѣ в них, и воєвати сами на сѧ почаша.[45][42] | And they had no righteousness, and clan stood up against clan, and they were plagued by strife within them, and they began to fight against each other. | и не бѣ в них правды. и восташа род на род. и быша в них оусобици. воевати по <...>[46] | And there was no righteousness among them. And they rose up clan against clan. And there were wars among them <...>. |
Agreement 19:18–20[47] |
И рѣша к себѣ: «князя поищемъ, иже бы владѣлъ нами и рядилъ ны по праву».[42] | And they resolved to themselves: "Let us look for a prince who would rule over us and reward us according to our rights." | Реша сами в себе: «По ищемъ собе князя, иже бы володелъ нами и су дилъ по праву».[43] | They said to themselves, "Let us seek a prince who may rule over us and judge us according to the Law."[44] | И ркоша: «поищемъ сами в собѣ кнѧзѧ, иже бы володѣлъ нами и рѧдилъ по рѧду, по праву».[45][42] | And they said: "Let us look for a prince for ourselves, who would command us and rule according to order, according to the law". | <...> зѧ. иже бы <в...> рѧдилъ по правоу[47] | <...>ce, who would <r...> according to the law". |
Journey & ethnonym 19:20–24[48] |
Идоша за море к варягомъ[42] | They went over the sea to the Varangians | Идоша за море къ варягомъ, к руси. Сице бо ся зваху тьи варязи суть, яко се друзии зо вутся свие, друзии же урмане, анъгляне, друзи и гъте, тако и си.[43] | They accordingly went overseas to the Varangian Rus': these particular Varangians were known as Rus', just as some are called Swedes, and others Normans, English, and Gotlanders, for they were thus named.[44] | идоша за море к Варѧгом. к Руси; сіце бо звахуть ты Варѧгы Русь, ӕко се друзии зовутсѧ Свеє, друзии же Оурмани, Аньглѧне, инѣи и Готе, тако и си.[45][42] | They went across the sea to the Varangians, to the Rus'; for this reason thou shalt call the Varangians the Rus', as the others are called Svej [Swedes], and the others Ourmany [Normans?], Anĭgliane [Angles], and still others Gote [Goths/Gotlanders?], so they are. | и идоша за море к варѧго<м> к ру<с> сице бо тїи звахоус варѧзи роус ꙗко се дроузии зовоутьс свие дроузииж оуръмѧни. инъглѧне. дроузии и готе. тако и си[48] | And they went across the sea to the Varangian[s], to the Ru[s]; for these Varangians were called Rous, as others are called Svye (Swedes), and others Ourŭmiany [Normans?], Ynŭgliane [Angles], and others Gote [Goths/Gotlanders?], so they are. |
Invitation 19:24–20:3[49] |
и ркоша: «земля наша велика и обилна, а наряда у нас нѣту; да поидѣте к намъ княжить и владѣть нами».[42] | and said: "Our land is great and plenty, but we have no order; so come to us to reign and rule us". | Реша русь, чюдь, словени, и кри вичи, вся: «Земля наша велика и обилна, а наря да в ней нетъ. Да поидете княжитъ и володети на ми».[43] | The Chuds, the Slavs, the Krivichians, and the Ves' then said to the people of Rus', "Our land is great and rich, but there is no order in it. Come to rule and reign over us."[44] | Ркоша Русь, Чюдь, Словенѣ, Кривичи, и всѧ: «Землѧ наша велика и ѡбилна а нарѧда въ неи нѣтъ. да поидете кнѧжит̑ и володѣть нами».[45][42] | The Rus', Chud, Slovenes and Krivichi said: "Our land is great and rich, but there is no order in it. So go reign and rule over us and judge." | рѣша роуси. чюд. и словене. и кривичи. и вси. землѧ наша велика и ѡбилна. а нарѧда в неи нѣтъ. да поидѣте оу нас кн҃жити. и володѣти:-[49] | |
Arrival 20:3–11[50] |
Изъбрашася 3 брата с роды своими, и пояша со собою дружину многу и предивну, и приидоша к Новугороду. И сѣде старѣишии в Новѣгородѣ, бѣ имя ему Рюрикъ; а другыи сѣде на Бѣлѣозерѣ, Синеусъ; а третеи въ Изборьскѣ, имя ему Труворъ. И от тѣх варягъ, находникъ тѣхъ, прозвашася Русь, и от тѣх словет Руская земля; и суть новгородстии людие до днешняго дни от рода варяжьска.[42] | Three brothers took off with their clans, and they brought a great and foremost army with them, and came to Novѣgorodѣ. And the eldest sits in Novѣgorodѣ, his name is Ryurikû; the second sits on Bѣlѣozesѣ [Bele-Ozero, "White Lake"], Syneusû; and the third sits in Izbor'skѣ, his name is Truvorû. And from those Varangians, the finders of those things, were nicknamed Rus', and from those things came the Rus' land; and the people of Novgorod are from the Varangians until this day. | И изъбрашася 3 братья с роды своими, по яша по собе всю русь, и придоша: старейший Рю рикъ, а другий - Синеусъ на Беле-озере, а третий Изборьсте Труворъ. От техъ прозвася Руская зе мля, новугородьци, ти суть людье ноугородьци от рода варяжьска. Преже бо беша словени.[43] | They thus selected three brothers, with their kinsfolk, who took with them all the Rus' and migrated. The oldest, Rurik, located himself in Novgorod; the second, Sineus, at Beloozero; and the third, Truvor, in Izborsk. On account of these Varangians, the district of Novgorod became known as the land of Rus'. The present inhabitants of Novgorod are descended from the Varangian race, but aforetime they were Slavs.[44] | и изъбрашасѧ триє брата с роды своими, и поӕша по собѣ всю Русь и придоша къ Словѣномъ пѣрвѣє, и срубиша город̑ Ладогу. и сѣде старѣишии в Ладозѣ Рюрикъ, а другии Синєоусъ на Бѣлѣѡзерѣ, а третѣи Труворъ въ Изборьсцѣ. и ѿ тѣхъ Варѧгъ прозвасѧ Рускаӕ землѧ.[45][42] | And having chosen three brothers from their people, they took with them all the Russes and came first to the Slavs (Slovenes), and they built the city of Ladoga. Rurik [Ryurikû], the eldest, settled in Ladoga [Ladozѣ], Sineus [Syneousû], the second, at Beloozero [Bѣlѣoozerѣ, "White Lake"], and Truvor [Truvorû], the third, in Izborsk [Izborǐstsѣ]. From these Varangians the land of Rus' received its name.[51] | И избрашас .г҃. е братѧ. з роды своими. и поꙗша собѣ всю роу. и приидоша к словеном первое. и сроубиша город ладогоу. и сѣде в ладозѣ стареи рюрикъ. а дрѹгии с<и>де оу нас на белѣѡзере. а третии трѹворъ въ изборьскѹ. и ѡ тѣх вѧрѧгъ. прозвасѧ роускаа землѧ новгород тїи сѹт люде новгородци ѿ род варежска преж бо бѣ[50] | |
Deaths 20:11–19[52] |
По двою же лѣту умрѣ Синеусъ и брат его Труворъ, и прия власть единъ Рюрикъ, обою брату власть, и нача владѣти единъ.[42] | Two years later Syneusû and his brother Truvorû died, and only Ryurikû took power, the authority of both his brothers, and he began to reign alone. | По дву же лету Синеусъ умре и братъ его Труворъ. И прия власть Рюрикъ, и раздая мужемъ свои мъ грады: овому Полотескъ, овому Ростовъ, дру гому Белоозеро. И по темъ городомъ суть находни ци варязи; перьвии насельници в Новегороде словене, Полотьски кривичи, в Ростове меря, в Беле-озере весь, в Муроме мурома. И теми всеми обладаше Рюрикъ.[43] | After two years, Sineus and his brother Truvor died, and Rurik assumed the sole authority. He assigned cities to his followers, Polotsk to one, Rostov to another, and to another Beloozero. In these cities there are thus Varangian colonists, but the first settlers were, in Novgorod, Slavs; in Polotsk, Krivichians; at Beloozero, Ves', in Rostov, Merians; and in Murom, Muromians. Rurik had dominion over all these districts.[44] | По дъвою же лѣту оумре Синеоусъ и братъ єго Труворъ, и приӕ Рюрикъ власть всю ѡдинъ. и пришед' къ Ильмєрю и сруби город' надъ Волховом', и прозваша и Новъгород' и сѣде ту кнѧжа', и раздаӕ мужемъ своимъ волости, и городы рубити, ѡвому Полътескъ, ѡвому Ростовъ, другому Бѣлоѡзеро. И по тѣмь городомъ суть находницѣ Варѧзи; пѣрвии наслѣдници в Новѣгородѣ Словенѣ, и в Пол̑о̑тьскѣ Кривичи, Ростовѣ Мерѧне, Бѣлѣѡзерѣ Весь, Муромѣ Мурома. И тѣми всѣми ѡбладаше Рюрикъ.[45][42] | After two years Sineus [Syneousû] died, as well as his brother Truvor [Truvorû], and Rurik [Ryurikû] assumed the sole authority. He then came to Lake Il'men' and founded on the Volkhov a city, which they named Novûgorod', and he settled there as prince, assigning cities[51] and towns to his men, Polûteskû to the one, Rostovû to the other, and Bѣlo-oozero to another. And Varangians were the finders of these towns; the original descendants in Novѣgorodѣ were Slovenѣ, and in Polôtĭskѣ were Krivichi, Rostovѣ Meriane, Bѣlѣоozerѣ Ves', Muromѣ Muroma. And Ryurikû possessed all these things. | дници соуть варѧзи. а первии насельници в новѣгород словени. в полоцкѹ кривичи. в ростове мерѧне. в белѣѡзере вес. в муромѣ мурома. и тѣми всѣми ѡбладаше рюрикъ.[52] | |
(Next) | (Text continues with a story about Igor and Oleg's campaign against Kiev, modern Kyiv).[42] | (Text continues with a story about the reign of Askold and Dir in Kiev, modern Kyiv).[42] | (Text continues with a story about the reign of Askold and Dir in Kiev, modern Kyiv).[42] |
25.10–21 See also Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin § Second phase (900–902)
26.21
41.13 reference to Acts 19:13–14.[55]
The death of Igor of Kiev.
Olga's revenge on the Derevlians. See also Olga of Kiev § Drevlian Uprising.
55.23
55.24
60.25–62.8 Olga's visit to Tsargrad (Constantinople), and conversion to Byzantine Christianity.[58] See also Olga of Kiev § Conversion.
60.26
61.21b–22
62.8–25 Epilogue to Olga's conversion
62.14–18 biblical quotation Proverbs 1:20–22
62.21–22 biblical quotation Proverbs 13:19
62.22–23 biblical quotation Proverbs 2:2[70]
62.23–24 biblical quotation Proverbs 8:17[70]
62.24–25 biblical quotation John 6:37[70]
63.8–9 biblical quotation 1 Corinthians 1:18[70]
63.9–11 biblical quotation Psalm 82:5[70]
63.13–19 biblical quotation Proverbs 1:24–31[75] (or 1:25–30[76])
63.29–64.1 biblical quotation Exodus 21:17[63] (MT; LXX: Exodus 21:16). See also Textual variants in the Book of Exodus § Exodus 21.
65.14–18 Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria (first part)
65.19–67.20 Siege of Kiev (968)
69–73 Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria (second part)
84.18
111.23–24 (NPL 152.10–11)
Volodimer' I defeated the Pechenegs on the river Trubizh, and alleged founded Belgorod (Bilhorod Kyivskyi) and Pereyaslavl' (Pereiaslav).
Killing of Boris and aftermath. See also Boris and Gleb.
Killing of Gleb and aftermath. See also Boris and Gleb.
135.1
Battle of Liubech (1016) between Sviatopolk I of Kiev and Yaroslav I of Kiev.
142.16–18
151.19
151.20
151.21
152.20
The so-called Testament of Yaroslav the Wise.
161.18
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).
218.6–226.3 Cuman (Polovtsi) invasion of Rus' (1093). See also Siege of Torchesk and Battle of the Stuhna River.
218.20–21
226.3–255 Chernigov war of succession (1093–1097). See also Oleg I of Chernigov#Chernigov war of succession.
235.20
256–257.13.
257.13–263.17 The blinding of Vasilko Rostislavich.
263.17–273.16 Internecine war in Rus' 1097–1100.
273.16–274.22 Council of Uvetichi (c. 1100).
1101–1102. Dynastic challenges to Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev by Yaroslav Yaropolkich of Brest (?) and Mstislav Volodimerovich of Novgorod. Peace with Polovtsi.
1103 campaign against the Polovtsi (Cumans) by Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev and Vladimir II Monomakh.
1104: various dynastic events, siege of Minsk, signs in sky.
1105–1107: various dynastic events, Semigallians defeat Vseslavichi.
1107: Polovtsi raid by Boniak. Peace treaty.
1107–1109: Sviatopolk II Iziaslavich of Kiev orders construction of various church buildings.
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 Only in Lav, Rad and Aka: colophon of Sylvester of Kiev (1116).
286.7a–7pp Only in Ipa and Xle: Primary Chronicle continuation of the Hypatian Codex and Khlebnikov Codex (1110–1117).