Слов’янське віче: зіставний аналіз середньовічних західноєвропейських і руських джерел

Abstract

Background: Slavic veche has been a subject of research for a long time. It was studied at least since the middle of nineteenth century. Researchers used various approaches to the problem. Some contemporary scholars analyze Slavic veche based on medieval western European sources (chronicles, hagiography and other). Such an approach may lead to a better understanding of eastern European assemblies in particular and societies in general. Purpose: The goal of the article is to compare information about Slavic veche, presented in medieval western European and Old Rus' sources. Former texts depict assemblies and societies of the western Slavs (Veneti, Lutici, Obodrites and other tribes). Information of western European sources should be compared to descriptions of veche, that can be found in Old Rus' chronicles (in the “Primary Chronicle” and the “Novgorod First Chronicle”). As a result, it is possible to create a better framework for a future analysis of Slavic veche. Results: The paper shows clear parallels between information of medieval western European sources, on the one hand, and the “Primary Chronicle” and the “Novgorod First Chronicle”, on the other. Moreover, typological comparison of these two groups of textshighlights key characteristics of Slavic veche. Among them, participation of broad masses of people in assemblies, unity in decision making, strong influence of ruler, judicial function, non-institutional character of assemblies. To conclude, data of western European sources in combination with information of the “Primary Chronicle” and the “Novgorod First Chronicle” lay a foundation for a much broader investigation of Slavic veche. Key words: Slavs, veche, western European sources, Old Rus' chronicles.