Art, literature & culture

Publication of Primary Chronicle

12th century

The Primary Chronicle, also called the Tale of Bygone Years, is a history of the early East Slavs and the state of Kievan Rus', compiled in Kyiv in the early twelfth century. It is traditionally linked to the monk Nestor of the Kyiv Caves Monastery, although it was probably put together from older sources by several writers. The chronicle begins with the biblical Flood and relates the story of the invitation to the Varangian prince Rurik, the rise of Kyiv, the baptism of Prince Vladimir in the late tenth century and the events of the following century. It is the main source for the history of the early Rus' states. The earliest surviving copies were made centuries later, and scholars study differences among the manuscripts.

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Before and after

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The era

This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes.