Building a Myth: Testaments of the Kievan Rus’ Grand Princes as Origin Myths
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Room 271
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Kievan Rus, State Building, Legitimacy
Abstract
During the ninth through twelfth centuries, the Grand Princes of the Kievan Rus’ were locked in a internal struggle with the other Russian princes vying for top position in Russian hierarchy. Using their dynastic link to the semi-legendary Riurik and later connection to the Orthodox Church, the Grand Princes built off these connections to form a mythology that established religious and secular legitimacy and an imperial lineage to validate state power. This paper will demonstrate that the written legacy of the Grand Princes, when broken down into its basic elements, represents different formulas of the same dynastic myth.
Recommended Citation
Seelye, Elizabeth, "Building a Myth: Testaments of the Kievan Rus’ Grand Princes as Origin Myths" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 31.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/oralpresentations/31
Additional Mentoring Department
History
Building a Myth: Testaments of the Kievan Rus’ Grand Princes as Origin Myths
SURC Room 271
During the ninth through twelfth centuries, the Grand Princes of the Kievan Rus’ were locked in a internal struggle with the other Russian princes vying for top position in Russian hierarchy. Using their dynastic link to the semi-legendary Riurik and later connection to the Orthodox Church, the Grand Princes built off these connections to form a mythology that established religious and secular legitimacy and an imperial lineage to validate state power. This paper will demonstrate that the written legacy of the Grand Princes, when broken down into its basic elements, represents different formulas of the same dynastic myth.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Easley, Roxanne