Maintained by: David J. Birnbaum (djbpitt@gmail.com)
Last modified:
2020-08-25T22:09:49+0000
Chronology of the Primary chronicle
Based on Cross’s 1930 summary.
- 1039
- Kievan Metropolitanate established, providing an occasion for the compilation of the
древнейший киевский свод. Uses folk songs, byliny, and other occasional
written sources, as well as personal observations beginning with the reign of
Jaroslav (1019–54).
- 1073
- Continuation prepared in the Crypt Monastery: первый киевопечерский свод.
Copies the 1039 text, but adds personal observations from 1054 on. Author is Nikon,
who spent time in Tmutorakan, which gets a lot of attention.
- 1093
- The 1073 text is supplemented with an account of the death of Theodosius and other
details.
- 1095
- Primitive monastic compilation (начальный свод). John, Abbot of
the Crypt Monastery, prepares a general Rus′ chronicle with less citation from
Hamartalos and other sources than prior chronicle redactions, but with sharp
criticism of reigning Prince Svjatopolk (1093–1113). Includes content from
eleventh-century Novgorod annalistic writing. Influences the 1432 Novgorod First
Chronicle, younger redaction. Covers events through 1093.
- 1111
- Nestor (?) compiles a chronicle in the Crypt Monastery, drawing on and extending the
1095 compilation. The style and contents differ substantially from the Life of
Theodosius and Narrative of Boris and Gleb, also attributed
to Nestor.
- 1116
- Sylvester revises the text at St. Michael’s Monastery in Vydobiči (near Kiev) at the
behest of Vladimir II (Monomax), whose father, Vsevolod, had founded the monastery,
in order to produce a text less friendly to Svjatopolk. Sylvester continues the
chronicle through 1113 (death of Svjatopolk) and leaves a colophon dated 1116.
- 1118
- Someone at the Kievan Crypt Monastery produces a new version in a move to restore
the prestige of the monastery.