THE IMAGE OF THE ENEMY IN THE KAZAN CHRONICLE

Abstract

The article focuses on the analysis of the enemy image, one of the aspects of the “war as a divine mission” concept, in the Kazan Chronicle. The capture of Kazan required not only political, but also religious, Christian justification. The author of the Kazan Chronicle unfolds a retrospective interpretation of the events of 1552, fitting the successful campaign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible into a broad historical context. However, the goal of the nameless author is not so much to restore the chronology and achieve historical accuracy. More important is the ideological component of the text, in which a reader should see the greatness of the feat of his compatriots, who surpassed the evil, insidious, inhumane enemy. The description of the military conquest should convince that this battle was blessed by God, that it served the good purpose of defending Orthodoxy. The article shows the ambivalence of the enemy image in the Kazan Chronicle. The enemy is hateful and disgusting, but his bravery, courage, and military training inspire respect. The positive characteristics of Kazan citizens, as noted in the article, serve the purpose of showing the greatness of victory over a strong enemy.