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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 (, 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:

Critical editions

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

– Lav Tro Byč Šax Lix
– Rad Aka Ipa α
– Xle
– Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction

0.2

– Rad Aka Ipa Xle α
omitted – Lav Tro Byč Šax Lix

0.2–3

– Lav
– Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction

0.3

– Lav Byč Šax Lix
– Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction
omitted – all other manuscripts, α

1

1.1

– Lav Tro Aka Ipa Byč Lix α
– Xle
– Rad
– Šax

1.2

– Tro Byč Lix
– Rad Aka α
– Ipa
– Xle
– Šax
– Lav

1.3

– Lav Tro Ipa Byč Šax Lix α
– Aka Rad (афетъ) Xle (и афе)

1.9

– Lav
– Tro
– Rad Aka (3 ї/и variations)
– Ipa
– Xle

3

3.8

– Rad Aka Ipa Xle Šax α
– Lav Byč Lix
– Tro
– George Hamartolos
: See also Generations of Noah

3.8–3.9

– George Hamartolos
– α

4

4.12

– Lav
– Tro
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– 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

– Tro Ipa Xle Šax α
– 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 ' "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

– Tro Byč Šax Lix α; (римлѧне) Lav Xle; (римлѧнѣ) Ipa
omitted – Rad Aka

5

5.22

– Lav Byč Lix
– Rad
– Aka
– 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) called Norci, 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

– Rad Ipa Xle (деревлѧ)
– α
– Lav Aka
– Byč Šax Lix

7

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

– Lav Tro Rad Ipa Byč Lix
– Aka Xle Šax α

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

10.5

– Lav
– Tro
– Byč
– Lix
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– Xle
– Šax
– α

12

12.16

– Rad Aka Ipa
– Byč Lix α
– Lav
– Tro
– 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

– Lav
– Rad, Aka,
– 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

– Lav, Byč, Lix
– Tolstoy, Šax, α
– Ipa
– Rad, Xle
– Aka, Kom

55.22

– Ipa, Byč, Šax, Lix, α
– Aka
– Kom, Tolstoy
– Xle
– Rad
– Lav

55.23

– Rad (воротиславль. и), Xle(идеже)
– Aka
– Ipa
– Lav
– Byč, Šax, Lix
– α

55.24

omitted – Lav
– Rad (гра.), Aka (чюнь.), Ipa (города), Xle (перевѣсишто; города.), Byč (Чюдинъ), Šax (вънѣ), Lix (Чюдинъ), α (вънѣ)

55.25

– Rad, Aka, α
– Byč, Šax, Lix
– Kom, Tolstoy (другии)
– Ipa (демесниковъ), Xle (деместниковь)
– Lav
: Cross & Sherbowitz-Wetzor (1953): 'another palace, where the palace of the Cantors is now situated'.

56.1

– Lav
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– Xle
– Kom Tolstoy (деревъскаꙗ)
– Byč, Šax (Деревьска), Lix
– 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

– Lav
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– Xle
– Kom
– 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

– Lav
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– Ipa
– 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

– α
– Proverbs 1:20–22 NIV

62.21–22 biblical quotation Proverbs 13:19

– α
– 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

– α
– 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

63.9–11 biblical quotation Psalm 82:5

– α
– 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.

– α
– 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

– Lav

111.23–24 (NPL 152.10–11)

– Lav Byč Lix
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– Xle
– Kom Tol Šax
– 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

– 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).')
– 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.')
– Proverbs 1:16–19 LXX ABP

135–141.16

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

135.1

– Lav
– Rad, Aka
– Ipa
– Xle

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

– α
– Ipa Xle
Compare Novgorod First Chronicle Younger Redaction (NPL ml):
: – NPL ml

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

– α Lav Aka
– Ipa Xle Rad

141.17–142.24

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

142.16–18

– Rad Aka Ipat α
– Lav
– Xle

142.19

– all PVL mss. and editions
– NPL st.
– NPL ml.
:Compare PVL 144.28–145.20

142.19–20

– Rad Aka Ipat Xle α
– Lav Byč Šax Lix
– NPL st. NPL. ml. (Ярославъ иде къ)

142.25–144

147–149

151

151.19

– Lav Ipa Xle (горѡд) Byč Lix
– Rad Aka (град) Šax α

151.20

– Lav
– Ipa Xle Byč
omitted – Rad Aka Šax Lix α

151.21

– Lav Aka
– Rad
– Ipa
– Xle

152

152.20

– Lav
– Aka, Ipa, Rad (соломнъ), Xle (солѡмонъ) Byč, Šax, Lix, α

161

The so-called Testament of Yaroslav the Wise.

161.18

– Lav Ipa Xle
– Šax α
– Rad
– Aka
– Kom
– NAk Tol
– 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

– Lav, Bychkov, Karski, Likhachev
– Rad
– Aka
– Ipa
– 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

– Lav
– Aka
– 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 ( 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.

– Lav
– 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

– Ipa
– Xle
– Šax 1908

286.7oo

– Ipa
– Xle
– Šax 1908

286.7pp

– Ipa
– Xle
– 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:
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:
Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.20–21a:
Ipa л.102об:
Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.21b–22a:
Ipa л.102об:
Lav (Monomakh's Testament) 250.22b:
Ipa л.102об:

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

Primary sources

  • (web text)
  • (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").
  • – A 2014 digitised and improved online version of Ostrowski et al. 2003.
  • – 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.)

Literature

Further reading