In this article, we will consider the testament to the children of Vladimir Monomakh - "Instruction". An analysis of this work will be very interesting, since this work has an almost thousand-year history. It is imbued with a belief in good, elevates moral standards and guides descendants along the path of peace, advising them to forget their differences in favor of a common goal. To understand this work in full, however, not only careful reading is required, but also a knowledge of the historical context, against which the wisdom of the governor’s recommendations stands out even more clearly.
Biography
Vladimir Vsevolodovich ruled over various regions of Russia before becoming the great Kiev prince in 1113 . He was called Monomakh, since his mother was, in all probability, the daughter of the emperor of Byzantium, Constantine Monomakh.
The future Grand Duke grew up in conditions of political tension - he survived a series of military conflicts with the Polovtsy, which posed a serious threat to the ancient Russian state, and internal strife. When analyzing the text "The Preachings of Vladimir Monomakh," it is necessary to note some facts of his personal biography. Unlike many young offspring of the princely family, Vladimir showed an amazing peacefulness. For example, he refused claims to the throne of Kiev after the death of his father in favor of his older brother. Of course, such a sequence was provided for by traditions, but in many other similar situations, the applicants unleashed conflicts for personal power, weakening the country.
Text basis
The main position of Vladimir is faith in God, from which various strategies of behavior, approved and supported by Christianity, follow: observe these oaths, help the weak and poor, honor the elders, and lead a righteous life. Here he points out the need for prayer.
However, Vladimir Monomakh also reveals a more ancient motive in his will. An analysis of the “Precepts” demonstrates that reverence of a guest is of great importance to the ruler. You may have heard that from ancient times there was an unwritten code in which the acceptance of a guest in your home was recognized as mandatory regardless of the time of day or living conditions. As in fairy tales, where “feed, drink and sleep” is the only possible option for a stranger to meet, in everyday life the traveler who looked at the light was inviolable. It was not even necessary to ask who he was and where he came from - he could tell it only at his request, already being accepted by the owners.
So, the analysis of Vladimir Monomakh's “Teaching to Children” shows that the text is a combination of ideas of religious and everyday morality.
Unity theme
Vladimir, as a wise politician, opposes the fragmentation of the state. Of course, he saw throughout his life how often the thirst for personal power undermines the stability of the country: in internecine wars, the struggle for power with the use of intrigue and the involvement of external military forces, he sees only a way to “undermine” the welfare of Russia. As we know from the biography of the prince, he himself did not take the opportunity to strengthen his influence until he received a legal right to do so.
Looking into the coming century, we see what turned the unwillingness of the descendants to analyze the “Instructions of Vladimir Monomakh” and to heed the advice of the wise ruler: the Mongols, swirling through Russia, swept away all the troops of the princes who were separated from each other and established their rule for several centuries.
War theme
Vladimir, accepting the system of Christian values and urging to believe in God and help those in need, does not advocate a rejection of the war. Indeed: he is a politician, and without military force it is simply impossible to ensure the security of the country and people. An analysis of the “Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh” as a historical source shows that the prince participated in more than eighty campaigns and concluded dozens of agreements, which he himself narrates.
It cannot be said that the author always acted “objectively fair”, but always in the interests of his country. For example, having accepted the request for the help of an impostor, claiming the Byzantine throne, the prince could not help but realize the deception. The lengthy hostilities that became the last between Kiev and Tsargrad (Constantinople) ended without any serious success, and the agreement was sealed by dynastic marriage.
References
Vladimir is a highly educated person. The work is replete with quotes, especially from the Bible, which speaks not only of the developed morality of the prince, but also of the deliberate study of the issue in anticipation of writing his will to the children.
When analyzing the “Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh”, one can see the names of many Russian cities. Some of them today are large centers: Vladimir, Novgorod, Kursk, Smolensk, Rostov. Others lost their former significance: Suteisk, Kordno, Starodub, Berestye, Turov.
Other scenes are given in the text: thanks to the records of the Grand Duke on hunting for deer and boars, martens and tours, as well as many other animals, scientists can draw conclusions about the stability of their habitat. Thus, a historical source can serve the needs of a wide variety of sciences.
Presentation form
Unfortunately, in the original you cannot read this text without preparation - the Russian language of the 12th century is very different from the modern one both in spelling and pronunciation. Have you heard about such letters as "yat", "nus big" and "nus small"? Do you know what sounds meant symbols that looked like a soft and hard sign? So, reading the text in its original form will be problematic.
Thus, when analyzing the work “The Teachings of Vladimir Monomakh,” you should be guided by translations. They are usually accompanied by a large number of notes that will simplify your work. Comments written by professional historians will allow us not to turn to encyclopedias and other sources on every issue.
Despite the difference in spelling, the grammatical structure of the Russian language is largely preserved. This will allow you to see the stylistic features and literary techniques used by the author.
Conclusion
The original text of the “Instructions” might not have survived to the present day. Most likely, he would have died in the Moscow fire of 1812, if not for a successful combination of circumstances. For fun, look at the original text and try to decipher what is written.
However, the analysis of “The teachings of Vladimir Monomakh” can be carried out according to an adapted version. This work is an important historical document reflecting both state problems and realities, as well as facts from the personal biography of the Grand Duke.
Be sure to get acquainted with other texts of different eras. Only referring to the original documents instead of free interpretations, you come closer to understanding the meaning that the author put into the written, as well as the context that served as the reason for the creation of the text. And remember that hard work always bears fruit.