Name that Russian Text ...! Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Death of Oleg

This Kievan Rus document tells the story of Oleg the Seer's death. According to the document, Oleg had consulted a magician and was told that his horse would cause his death. From that point on Oleg had the horse properly taken care of, but never rode or came near the horse. Upon the horse's death, Oleg went to see the bones, stepped on the skull, was bitten and died.

This document can be found in "Russia's Primary Chronicle", translated in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales" by Serge Zenkovsky.

Answer: Igor's Death and Olga's Revenge

After Oleg's death, Igor became the next Russian ruler. Upon Igor's death at the hands of the Derevlians, Olga devised a plan to avenge him. Immediately after Igor's burial, the Derevlians came to Olga and wished her to wed their Prince Mal. She then told the men to go back to their camp and wait in their boat. Olga then had her men dig a ditch and the next day her men carried the Derevlians in their boat to Olga's ditch and buried them alive.

Then she closed up more of the Derevlians in bath house to burn to death. Finally, Olga laid siege on Derva for a year. One night Olga ordered her men to do the above passage and then release the birds over the village, setting fire to the town.

As the villagers ran for safety, she either slaughtered them, made them slaves, or made them pay tribute. Document also taken from Zenkovsky's "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales".

Answer: Avraamy Palitsyn: Psuedo Dmitry

This document, also from Zenkovskys book, was written during the Times of Trouble by Avraamy Palitsyn, a monk of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery. Palitsyn's work on the Times of Trouble is one of the best known pieces of literature. His A Concise History Written in Memory of Past Generations tells readers of the First False Dmitry and his demise. Eventually the Russians found him to be a liar and he was murdered by the Boyars.

He was then burned, his ashes stuffed in a cannon and shot back towards Poland.

Answer: First Epistle to the Tsar Ivan IV

Prince Andrew Kurbsky's first epistle to the tsar is a protest against Ivan's autocratic rule in Russia. Kurbsky was a friend and military advisor to the tsar until Ivan began his policy of oprichnina. Kurbsky fled to Lithuania where he would write several letters to Ivan about his policies. Document in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales" edited by Serge Zenkovsky.

Answer: The Lay of Igor's Campaign

The Lay of Igor's Campaign was written on the occasion of the defeat of Prince Igor's campaign against the Kumans. The Lay is considered a poetic masterpiece and is considered the highest achievement in Russian literature during the Kievan era. The Lay of Igor's campaign is translated in Zenkovsky's "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales".

Answer: The Life of Archpriest Avvakum by Himself

The Life of Archpriest Avvakum by Himself was an autobiographical account of Avvakum's exile in Siberia. Avvakum was a member of the Seekers After God and opposed Patriarch Nikon's re-editing of the Greek Orthodoxy. Published in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales" by Zenkovsky.

Answer: Vladimir Christianizes Russia

Vladimir, son of Sviatoslav, was faced with a difficult decision of choosing a religion for his people. He vacillated between Islam, Judaism, Western Christianity, and Greek Orthodoxy. Vladimir sent envoys out to investigate each religion and report their findings.

The envoys were immediately awed with the beauty and prestige of the churches in Byzantium (Greek Orthodoxy). And upon being cured of his eye disease, Vladimir proclaimed he knew there was one true God. Vladimir was baptized in the Church of St. Basil and forced his people to be baptized also. Found in Russia's Primary Chronicles. Translated by Serge Zenkovsky in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, Epics, and Tales".

Answer: Life in the City of Novgorod

Found in the Novgorodian Chronicle, this passage describes the life of peasants in southern and central Russia after the princes held absoulte control. This passage reflects the hardships and every day life of the peasant population. Found in the Novgorodian Chronicles, edited and translated by Zenkovsky in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles, and Tales".

Answer: The Martyrdom of Boris and Gleb

After the death of Vladimir, a struggle erupted among his sons: Sviatopolk, Boris, and Gleb. This document describes Sviatopolk's siezure of power and systematic murder of his two brothers. As a result of Sviatopolk's actions, Boris and Gleb became the first Russian Saints. From the Primary Chronicle, edited by Zenkovsky in "Medieval Russia's Epics, Chronicles,and Tales".

Answer: Beginning of the Russian State and the Arrival of Rurik

Document describing the arrival of Rurik and the Varangians. This document is hotly debated between Russian scholars and Normanists, who believe the document to be true. Also in the Primary Chronicle, edited by Zenkovsky.