There is probably no person in Russia who has not heard of heroes. The heroes who came to us from ancient Russian songs and tales - epics - have always been popular among writers, artists, and filmmakers. The next round of popularity of the heroes is associated with the release of a series of animated films dedicated to their somewhat modernized adventures.
At the same time, most Russians know only about a very narrow circle of heroes. In fact, the number of heroic epics that have survived to our time is in the hundreds, and the heroes themselves are divided by scientists into several categories. The heroes of the pagan and Christian eras, pre-Tatar, Tatar and post-Tatar are distinguished...
"Ilya Muromets and Svyatogor." Painting by Ivan Bilibin. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
There is a large group of heroes associated with Kiev and Prince Vladimir, but there are also those who have no relation to the “central government” at all, remaining “regional heroes” of individual cities.
The adventures of some heroes are intertwined with each other, while others act independently.
Svyatogor
Svyatogor is so huge that it is “higher than a standing forest, lower than a walking cloud.” The hero lived on the Holy Mountains; during his journey, Mother Cheese shook the Earth, forests swayed and rivers overflowed their banks.
The hero’s father was called “dark,” that is, blind, which in East Slavic mythology was a sign of creatures from another world.
Svyatogor does not perform any service, although he intersects with other heroes. So, in one of the epics, Svyatogor travels with Ilya Muromets, and they meet a stone coffin on the way. Deciding to try it on, Svyatogor turns out to be his prisoner and dies, transferring part of his powers to Ilya Muromets. In another epic, the story of the coffin is preceded by intimate adventures - Ilya Muromets is seduced by Svyatogor’s wife. Having learned about this, Svyatogor kills the fallen woman, and with Ilya, who cuckolded him, he enters into a brotherhood.
In another epic, Svyatogor compares his heroic strength with another “colleague” - Mikula Selyaninovich. A cunning opponent throws a bag on the ground, in which “all the earthly burdens” were contained, inviting Svyatogor to pick it up. This attempt ends with the death of the hero.
In epics, Svyatogor dies more often than other heroes. Scientists attribute this to the fact that this image personifies the primitive forces of nature, an element that does not serve man.
Mikula Selyaninovich
Mikula Selyaninovich, like Svyatogor, is not in any service with the prince and is not a warrior. But, unlike Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich is busy with socially useful work - he is a hero-plowman.
Mikula Selyaninovich. Illustration for the book “Russian epic heroes”. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Butko
It is impossible to fight Mikula Selyaninovich, because Mother Cheese Earth is behind him. That is why Mikula Selyaninovich is able to lift the bag with “all the burdens of the earth,” unlike Svyatogor, whom this attempt destroys.
Scientists find in the image of Mikula Selyaninovich much in common with the Slavic god Perun. According to one version, popularity in Rus' Nicholas the Wonderworker has its roots in the veneration of Mikula Selyaninovich.
If we take into account that the image of St. Nicholas served to create the story of the Christmas wizard, who in our area is stubbornly associated with Father Frost, then we can build a chain according to which Father Frost is the retired hero Mikula Selyaninovich.
Unlike Svyatogor, who in epics has only an unfaithful wife, Mikula Selyaninovich has daughters - Vasilisa and Nastasya. Nastasya became the wife of Dobrynya Nikitich, and as for Vasilisa, she is well known to fans of Soviet cartoons - this is the same Vasilisa Mikulishna who, pretending to be an ambassador from the Golden Horde, freed her husband Stavr Godinovich from prison.
Ilya Muromets
Ilya Muromets, the first in the line of the so-called “younger heroes”, heroic warriors, is perhaps best known to the general public.
After staying at home for up to 33 years, unable to use his arms and legs, he was healed by the elders and set off to perform heroic deeds. It’s curious what about Ilya’s service to the prince of Kyiv Vladimir was told epics only in part of the Russian lands - in other regions, the hero’s exploits were exclusively his personal matter.
Ilya Muromets in the painting “Heroic Leap” by Viktor Vasnetsov. Reproduction
The most common and classic feat of Ilya Muromets is the victory over the Nightingale the Robber. At the same time, Muromets is perhaps the most popular hero; more than a dozen original epics are dedicated to his exploits. Among those whom Ilya defeated were the Foul Idol, a certain snake, Tsar Kalin and many others.
Ilya’s life is quite stormy: he has a wife Zlatygorka, a son Sokolnik (in another version - a daughter), he actively interacts with other Russian heroes. Moreover, if relations with Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich are more often friendly, then meetings with Svyatogor end in tears for the latter.
If Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich do not have a real prototype, then Ilya Muromets has several of them.
Most often it is associated with Ilia Pechersky, a monk of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, who lived in the 12th century. The strongman, born in Murom, bore the nickname “Chobotok”. The hero received this nickname because he once fought off enemies with a “chobot,” that is, a boot.
"Nikitich". Illustration by Andrey Ryabushkin for the book “Russian epic heroes”. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Butko
According to one version, the hero became a monk after being seriously wounded in battle. An examination of the relics of Elijah of Pechersk showed that he actually died from the consequences of a blow to the chest with a sharp weapon. The prototype of Muromets could have died in 1204 during the capture of Kyiv Prince Rurik Rostislavich, when the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra was destroyed by the Polovtsians.
Nikitich
Unlike Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich is a person close to the Kyiv prince, carrying out his instructions. Dobrynya does not hesitate to collect and transport tribute, takes on tasks that her colleagues refuse for some reason, and has a penchant for diplomacy.
Dobrynya’s most famous opponent is the Serpent, better known as the Serpent-Gorynych, from whose captivity the hero frees the prince’s niece Zabava Putyatishna.
Dobrynya is the most creative person among the heroes. He plays tavlei (ancient Russian checkers) well, sings well and plays the harp.
Dobrynya Nikitich has extensive connections - in addition to being close to the prince, he is married to Nastasya Mikulishna, the daughter of Mikula Selyaninovich.
According to epics, Dobrynya is the son of the Ryazan governor. The most likely prototype of the hero is called Dobrynya, governor of Prince Vladimir the Saint. Dobrynya was an extremely influential person, since he was the prince’s uncle - he was his mother’s brother Malushi. For a certain time, Dobrynya was a mentor and senior comrade for the prince.
Alesha Popovich. Illustration for the book “Russian epic heroes”. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Butko
Alesha Popovich
Alyosha Popovich is the most dubious character of the “classic troika” of heroes. The son of a Rostov priest, Alyosha is boastful, arrogant, crafty, and sometimes allows himself unacceptable jokes, for which he is reproached by his comrades.
So, for example, in one of the epics Alyosha harasses Dobrynya’s wife Nastasya Mikulishna, spreading false rumors about the death of a comrade.
In another epic, Alyosha is beheaded by the angry brothers of Elena or Alena, who was seduced by him. True, in the more famous version, Alyosha Popovich had to marry Alyonushka in order to avoid the worst.
Alyosha’s main opponent is Tugarin, an evil hero, behind whom one can discern the image of a nomad, with whom the Russians have been fighting for a long time.
The main historical prototype of Alyosha Popovich is the Rostov boyar Olesha (Alexander) Popovich. An excellent warrior, Olesha served Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, and then participated in the internecine wars of his sons. Subsequently, Olesha Popovich went to serve Prince Mstislav the Old and died with him in 1223 in the Battle of Kalka, which became the first meeting of the Russians with the Tatar-Mongols. In the same battle he died Dobrynya Ryazan Zlat Belt, another candidate for the prototype of the epic Dobrynya Nikitich.
The main characters of the epics are the heroes who single-handedly defended the Russian land from hordes of enemy forces. The world depicted in epics is the entire Russian land. This is a world of opposition between good and evil, light and dark forces. In it, heroes fight against the manifestation of evil and violence; without this struggle, the epic world is impossible.
Ilya Muromets. Represents strength
Ilya Muromets canonized by Russian Orthodox Church, this is the main Russian hero. Ilya Muromets is a hero not only of Russian epics, but also, for example, of German epic poems of the 13th century. In them he is also called Ilya, he is also a hero, yearning for his homeland. Ilya Muromets also appears in the Scandinavian sagas, in which he is the blood brother of Prince Vladimir.
Nikitich. Bogatyr-diplomat
Dobrynya Nikitich is often compared to the chronicle Dobrynya, the uncle of Prince Vladimir (according to one version, nephew). His name personifies the essence of “heroic kindness.” Dobrynya has the nickname “young”, with enormous physical strength “he wouldn’t hurt a fly”, he is the protector of “widows and orphans, unfortunate wives.” Dobrynya is also “an artist at heart: a master of singing and playing the harp.”
Alesha Popovich. Junior
“The youngest of the younger” heroes, and therefore his set of qualities is not so “Superman”. He is not even a stranger to vice: cunning, selfishness, greed. That is, on the one hand, he is distinguished by courage, but on the other, he is proud, arrogant, perky and rude.
Bova Korolevich. Lubok hero
Bova Korolevich for a long time was the most popular hero among the people. Popular folk tales about the “precious hero” were published in hundreds of editions from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Pushkin wrote “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, partially borrowing the plot and names of the heroes of the fairy tales about the Boy Korolevich, which his nanny read to him. Moreover, he even made sketches of the poem “Bova,” but death would prevent him from finishing the work. The prototype of this knight was the French knight Bovo de Anton from the famous chronicle poem Reali di Francia, written in the 14th century. In this respect, Bova is a completely unique hero - a visiting hero.
Svyatogor. Mega-hero
Mega-hero of the “old world”. The giant, the elder hero the size of a mountain, whom even the earth cannot support, lies on the mountain in inaction. The epics tell of his meeting with earthly cravings and death in a magical grave. Many features of the biblical hero Samson were transferred to Svyatogor. It's hard to pinpoint it exactly ancient origin. In the legends of the people, the veteran hero transfers his strength to Ilya Muromets, the hero of the Christian century.
Duke Stepanovich. Bogatyr Major
Duke Stepanovich comes to Kyiv from conventional India, which, according to folklorists, is followed by in this case The Galicia-Volyn land hides, and organizes a marathon of boasting in Kyiv, passes tests from the prince, and continues to boast. As a result, Vladimir finds out that Duke is indeed very rich and offers him citizenship. But Duke refuses, because “if you sell Kyiv and Chernigov and buy paper for an inventory of Dyukov’s wealth, there won’t be enough paper.”
Mikula Selyaninovich. Bogatyr Plowman
Mikula Selyaninovich is a bogatyr agrarian. Found in two epics: about Svyatogor and about Volga Svyatoslavich. Mikula is the first representative of agricultural life, a powerful peasant plowman. He is strong and resilient, but homely. He puts all his strength into farming and family.
Volga Svyatoslavovich. Bogatyr magician
Supporters of the “historical school” in the study of epics believe that the prototype of the epic Volga was Prince Vseslav of Polotsk. Volga was also correlated with Prophetic Oleg, and his campaign in India - with Oleg’s campaign against Constantinople. Volga is a difficult hero; he has the ability to become a werewolf and can understand the language of animals and birds.
Sukhman Odikhmantievich. Insulted hero
According to Vsevolod Miller, the prototype of the hero was the Pskov prince Dovmont, who ruled from 1266 to 1299. In the epic of the Kyiv cycle, Sukhman goes to get a white swan for Prince Vladimir, but on the way he comes into conflict with the Tatar horde, who are building Kalinov bridges on the Nepra River. Sukhman defeats the Tatars, but in the battle he receives wounds, which he covers with leaves. Returning to Kyiv without the white swan, he tells the prince about the battle, but the prince does not believe him and imprisons Sukhman in prison until clarification. Dobrynya goes to Nepra and finds out that Sukhman did not lie. But it's' too late. Sukhman feels disgraced, peels off the leaves and bleeds. The Sukhman River begins from his blood.
Danube Ivanovich. Tragic hero
According to epics about the Danube, it was from the blood of the hero that the river began with same name. The Danube is a tragic hero. He loses to his wife Nastasya in an archery competition, accidentally hits her while trying to get even, finds out that Nastasya was pregnant and stumbles upon a saber.
Mikhailo Potyk. Faithful husband
Folklorists disagree on who should be associated with Mikhailo Potyk (or Potok). The roots of his image are also found in Bulgarian heroic epic, and in Western European fairy tales, and even in the Mongolian epic “Geser”. According to one of the epics, Potok and his wife Avdotya Swan Belaya make a vow that whichever of them dies first, the second one will be buried alive next to him in the grave. When Avdotya dies, Potok is buried nearby in full armor and on horseback, he fights the dragon and revives his wife with its blood. When he himself dies, Avdotya is buried with him.
Khoten Bludovich. Bogatyr-groom
The hero Khoten Bludovich, for the sake of his wedding with the enviable bride Chaina Chasovaya, first beats her nine brothers, then an entire army hired by his future mother-in-law. As a result, the hero receives a rich dowry and appears in the epic as the hero “who married well.”
Vasily Buslaev. Zealous hero
The most daring hero of the Novgorod epic cycle. His unbridled temper leads to conflict with the Novgorodians and he desperately rages, bets that he will beat all the Novgorod men on the Volkhov Bridge and almost fulfills his promise - until his mother stops him. In another epic, he is already mature and goes to Jerusalem to atone for his sins. But Buslaev is incorrigible - he again takes up his old ways and dies absurdly, proving his prowess.
Russian folklore is very rich and diverse in its history, culture and traditions, which are reflected in songs, epics and tales. The epics composed by the common people were distinguished by the beauty and plausibility of their narrative, with the presence of a little artistic fiction, which gave them even greater originality inherent in the ancient Russian era. At the center of epics there is always a positive character - a hero who embodied invincible strength and boundless love for Mother Rus', a people's protector. Of course, the image of a hero is collective. The people created the image of the hero, placing their hopes and aspirations on him in order to show the next generations and educate the ideology of the invincibility of Rus' before enemy forces.
The main qualities of Russian heroes were- military valor and efforts to protect the native land. The virtues of heroes are tested in battle, in an unequal battle, which is associated with the composition of the epic, colorfully saturated with exaggeration.
Who were these demigods endowed with superhuman strength?
The most popular character in ancient Rus' is Ilya Muromets. This character absorbed all the features inherent in mythological heroes - miraculous healing and the acquisition of superhuman strength. Ilya comes from from a simple peasant family, chained to his bed since childhood, until some passersby come and miraculously heal him. From this episode begins the heroic life of Ilya Muromets, whose exploits were artistically reflected in epics and legends.
Another, no less important hero is Nikitich, who lived in the same era as Ilya Muromets. The chanting of the irresistible strength and courage of the Russian hero begins with a duel with the serpent Gorynych. The story about Dobrynya Nikitich contains not only fantastic stories, he also appears as a wise and brave warrior who carries out all the orders of Ilya Muromets. Dobrynya became the standard warrior of the era of Kievan Rus.
The third famous hero is - Alesha Popovich, who is often represented as a young, brave, savvy and cunning warrior.
One of the most mysterious images of Russian epics is Svyatogor, having strength superior to the great heroes of ancient Rus'. The character of Svyatogor was taken from ancient mythology, which incorporated ideas about the great mountain giants who embodied the grandeur and equanimity of the mountains. The epics about Svyatogor are tragic stories about how a mighty giant dies not in battle for a just cause, but in a dispute with some unknown, irresistible force.
An equally mysterious hero in the Russian epic is Volkh Vseslavevich, who was born from a fantastic serpent. The Volkh is considered a sorcerer and priest pagan gods. Volkh is the hero of "The Tale of Igor's Campaign." Despite his fame, the character of Volkh was not a historical figure, but merely a product of the artistic imagination of the people.
Unlike Volkh, Danube Ivanovich is a character with a real-historical basis. The story of the Danube begins with a fight with Dobrynya Nikitich. The Danube is part of the Kyiv heroism.
The story of the Danube and the hero Nastasya is also fascinating. At his own wedding, as a result of a crazy argument, Danube kills Nastasya, missing while shooting with a bow. Unable to bear the grief of loss, Danube kills himself.
Russian heroes play a huge role in Russian history. The epics tell about those glorious men who established Rus', protected and defended the Russian people from the invasion of enemy forces. Russian heroes in epics embodied the idea of reunification of the Slavs, invincibility and inviolability of the ancient Russian state before external enemies, being a role model in patriotism and courage for future generations.
The memory of great heroes has remained throughout the centuries. Ancient Rus'. One of them is the hero Ilya Muromets. My report is dedicated to this amazing hero.
Epics about the hero
About heroes in Ancient Rus' legends and epics were composed. Epics are heroic songs that old storytellers performed while playing the harp. This is such an old stringed instrument.
There are many epics about Ilya Muromets, and each has several dozen more variants. These works were very popular in ancient times. Especially in the Russian North, where most of the works dedicated to Ilya Muromets and his service to Prince Vladimir have been preserved. In the southern regions, Ilya Muromets was often portrayed as a Cossack and served no one. But the enormous strength of Ilya and his the role of defender of the Russian land from invaders.
Miraculous healing and the first exploits of Ilya
The epics say that for 33 years Ilya could not get up: his legs were paralyzed. But one day strangers came to the house. They asked the patient to bring them water so much that Ilya could not stand it and tried to get up. He succeeded, he brought water, but the strangers told him to drink it himself. He drank the water, was healed and gained great strength. The wanderers told Ilya where to find the heroic horse and armor and sent Ilya to Prince Vladimir. On the way, the Russian hero accomplished a feat, protecting the city of Chernigov from nomads.
Victory over the Nightingale the Robber
The people of Chernigov complained to Ilya about Nightingale the Robber, and the hero won and took the criminal prisoner. Scientists believe that he was either the leader of a real bandit gang, or the commander of a detachment of nomads. Ilya shot, wounded Nightingale and took him to the prince. Vladimir ordered the robber to whistle. This whistle made everyone very scared, and several people died. Ilya executed Nightingale so that he could no longer cause harm.
The filthy idol
Then Ilya defeated the filthy Idol, which captured Kyiv. The hero accomplished this feat, disguised as a beggar wanderer, in order to penetrate the palace, which had already been captured by the enemy. He easily defeated the Idol, grabbing it with one hand. Then the hero went out into the courtyard and killed all the enemies with a stick, that is, a wanderer’s crutch.
Kalin the Tsar
Ilya Muromets - one of the most beloved heroes among the people, because he was from a peasant background. He was respected and revered more than anyone else. Even in V.M. Vasnetsov’s painting “Three Heroes” the mighty hero is depicted in the center as the strongest. But the prince did not love Ilya. Once he kept a hero in prison for three years, wanting to starve him to death. But the prince’s daughter secretly brought Ilya something to eat. And when Tsar Kalin attacked Kyiv, the prince repented of having killed the hero, and his daughter admitted that she fed the hero and he is alive. Ilya was released, and he, not harboring anger in the face of a common danger, went to battle. But other heroes, also offended by the prince, did not want to fight for Vladimir. Having killed almost all the enemies, Ilya was nevertheless captured. But other heroes come to his aid, and together they defeat the enemy.
Alien hero
Ilya also became famous for his victory over some alien hero equal to him in strength. They fought for three days and three nights, and only in the end did Ilya win and smash the enemy to the ground.
Venerable Elijah
Surprisingly, Ilya Muromets there was a prototype - a monk of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Having examined his relics, scientists came to the conclusion that he actually suffered from a serious spinal disease for a long time and could not walk. But then he recovered and became a hero. At about 40 years old - this was then considered old age - he entered a monastery and died at about 45 years old. Monk Ilya Muromets is considered a saint.
The real Ilya was also famous for his enormous physical strength, heroic build and military victories. But he could not serve Prince Vladimir, because he lived 200 years later.
Ilya Muromets is both a hero of epics and a real hero of Ancient Rus'.
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Bogatyrs are the epic defenders of the Russian Land, “superheroes” of the Russian people for many centuries.
Let's remember the main ones.
1. Ilya Muromets. Holy hero
Ilya Muromets is canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church; he is the main Russian hero.
Ilya Muromets is the main character not only of Russian epics, but also, for example, of German epic poems of the 13th century.
In them he is also called Ilya, he is also a hero, yearning for his homeland. Ilya Muromets also appears in the Scandinavian sagas, in them he is, no less, the blood brother of Prince Vladimir.
2. Bova Korolevich. Lubok hero
Bova Korolevich was the most popular hero among the people for a long time. Popular folk tales about the “precious hero” were published in hundreds of editions from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Pushkin wrote “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, partially borrowing the plot and names of the heroes of the fairy tales about the Boy Korolevich, which his nanny read to him. Moreover, he even made sketches of the poem “Bova,” but death would prevent him from finishing the work.
The prototype of this knight was the French knight Bovo de Anton from the famous chronicle poem Reali di Francia, written in the 14th century. In this respect, Bova is a completely unique hero - a visiting hero.
3. Alyosha Popovich. Junior
“The youngest of the younger” heroes, and therefore his set of qualities is not so “Superman”. He is not even a stranger to vice: cunning, selfishness, greed. That is, on the one hand, he is distinguished by courage, but on the other hand, he is proud, arrogant, abusive, perky and rude.
4. Svyatogor. Mega-hero
Mega-hero. But a hero of the “old world.” The giant, the elder hero the size of a mountain, whom even the earth cannot support, lies on the mountain in inaction. The epics tell of his meeting with earthly cravings and death in a magical grave.
Many features of the biblical hero Samson were transferred to Svyatogor. It is difficult to determine exactly its ancient origins. In the legends of the people, the veteran hero transfers his strength to Ilya Muromets, the hero of the Christian century.
5. Dobrynya Nikitich. A well-connected hero
Dobrynya Nikitich is often correlated with the chronicle Dobrynya, the uncle of Prince Vladimir (according to another version, nephew). His name personifies the essence of “heroic kindness.” Dobrynya has the nickname “young”, with enormous physical strength “he wouldn’t hurt a fly”, he is the protector of “widows and orphans, unfortunate wives.” Dobrynya is also “an artist at heart: a master of singing and playing the harp.”
6. Duke Stepanovich. Bogatyr Major
Duke Stepanovich comes to Kiev from conventional India, behind which, according to folklorists, in this case the Galician-Volyn land is hidden, and organizes a marathon of boasting in Kyiv, undergoes tests from the prince, and continues to boast. As a result, Vladimir finds out that Duke is indeed very rich and offers him citizenship. But Duke refuses, because “if you sell Kyiv and Chernigov and buy paper for an inventory of Dyukov’s wealth, there won’t be enough paper.”
7. Mikula Selyaninovich. Bogatyr Plowman
Mikula Selyaninovich is a bogatyr agrarian. Found in two epics: about Svyatogor and about Volga Svyatoslavich. Mikula is the first representative of agricultural life, a powerful peasant plowman.
He is strong and resilient, but homely. He puts all his strength into farming and family.
8. Volga Svyatoslavovich. Bogatyr magician
Supporters of the “historical school” in the study of epics believe that the prototype of the epic Volga was Prince Vseslav of Polotsk. Volga was also correlated with the Prophetic Oleg, and his campaign in India with Oleg’s campaign against Constantinople. Volga is a difficult hero; he has the ability to become a werewolf and can understand the language of animals and birds.
9. Sukhman Odikhmantievich. Insulted hero
According to Vsevolod Miller, the prototype of the hero was the Pskov prince Dovmont, who ruled from 1266 to 1299.
In the epic of the Kyiv cycle, Sukhman goes to get a white swan for Prince Vladimir, but on the way he comes into conflict with the Tatar horde, who are building Kalinov bridges on the Nepra River. Sukhman defeats the Tatars, but in the battle he receives wounds, which he covers with leaves. Returning to Kyiv without the white swan, he tells the prince about the battle, but the prince does not believe him and imprisons Sukhman in prison until clarification. Dobrynya goes to Nepra and finds out that Sukhman did not lie. But it's' too late. Sukhman feels disgraced, peels off the leaves and bleeds. The Sukhman River begins from his blood.
10. Danube Ivanovich. Tragic hero
According to epics about the Danube, it was from the blood of the hero that the river of the same name began. The Danube is a tragic hero. He loses to his wife Nastasya in an archery competition, accidentally hits her while trying to get even, finds out that Nastasya was pregnant and stumbles upon a saber.
11. Mikhailo Potyk. Faithful husband
Folklorists disagree on who should be associated with Mikhailo Potyk (or Potok). The roots of his image are found in the Bulgarian heroic epic, and in Western European fairy tales, and even in the Mongolian epic “Geser”.
According to one of the epics, Potok and his wife Avdotya Swan Belaya make a vow that whichever of them dies first, the second one will be buried alive next to him in the grave. When Avdotya dies, Potok is buried nearby in full armor and on horseback, fights the dragon and revives his wife with his blood. When he himself dies, Avdotya is buried with him.
12. Khoten Bludovich. Bogatyr-groom
The hero Khoten Bludovich, for the sake of his wedding with the enviable bride Chaina Chasovaya, first beats her nine brothers, then an entire army hired by his future mother-in-law. As a result, the hero receives a rich dowry and appears in the epic as the hero “who married well.”
13. Vasily Buslaev. Zealous hero
The most daring hero of the Novgorod epic cycle. His unbridled temper leads to conflict with the Novgorodians and he desperately rages, bets that he will beat all the Novgorod men on the Volkhov Bridge and almost fulfills his promise - until his mother stops him.
In another epic, he is already mature and goes to Jerusalem to atone for his sins. But Buslaev is incorrigible - he again takes up his old ways and dies absurdly, proving his youth.
14. Anika warrior. Bogatyr in words
Anika warrior is still called today a person who likes to show off his strength far from danger. Unusual for a Russian epic hero, the name of the hero was most likely taken from the Byzantine legend about the hero Digenis, who is mentioned there with a constant epithet anikitos.
Anika the warrior in the verse boasts of strength and offends the weak, death itself shames him for this, Anika challenges her and dies.
15. Nikita Kozhemyaka. Wyrm Fighter
Nikita Kozhemyaka in Russian fairy tales is one of the main characters-snake fighters. Before entering into battle with the Serpent, he tears 12 skins, thereby proving his legendary strength. Kozhemyaka not only defeats the Snake, but also harnesses him to a plow and plows the land from Kyiv to the Black Sea. The defensive ramparts near Kiev got their name (Zmievs) precisely because of the actions of Nikita Kozhemyaka.
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