This article investigates certain textual problems which exist in the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 971. The text of this document survives only in the medieval Russian chronicle, 'Povest’ Vremennikh Let'. Two problems are investigated. The first one concerns the name of synkellos Theophilos, and the second deals with the name of Sveneld. The author proposes that there was a metathesis in the former name and that, in the original Byzantine text, he was known as Philotheos, as referred to by Leo the Deacon for the events in 969. The metathesis in his name may illuminate certain problems of transmission of historical information between different Byzantine and early Russian works. The author argues not only that Leo the Deacon and John Scylitzes drew on a number of common sources (at least two), but so did Scylitzes and the writer of PVL, in particular for the section concerning the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 971.
This article examines the issue of when the title of Velikii Kniaz? was first
used in the light of accumulated textual analyses of the Povest? Vremennykh
Let. Section 2 presents the current state of research. Section 3 outlines the
historiographical viewpoints on the Povest? and how the time of its
composition relates to first use of the title. Particular emphasis falls on
four Byzantine-Rus? treaties mentioned in the Povest?. It is argued that the
time when first version of the PVL emerged - the 1110s - sets a terminus ante
quem on the introduction of the title of Grand Prince in Kievan Rus?. Section
4 investigates two other sources discussed in current research: a letter by
Metropolitan Nikephoros to Prince Vladimir Monomakh, and the seal of Prince
Mstislav. Section 5 offers two explanations of why the title entered
Byzantine usage and of when conditions for it became ripe in Kievan Rus?.
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