Russian heroes a short message about everyone. Who are the heroes

Health 16.10.2019

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Bogatyrs are the epic defenders of the Russian Land, the "superheroes" of the Russian people for many centuries. Let's remember the main ones.

1. Ilya Muromets. Holy hero

Ilya Muromets canonized Russian Orthodox Church, this is the main Russian hero. Ilya Muromets is the main character not only of Russian epics, but also, for example, German epic poems of the 13th century. They also call him Ilya, he is also a hero, yearning for his homeland. Ilya Muromets is also found in the Scandinavian sagas, in them he, no less, is the blood brother of Prince Vladimir.

2. Bova Korolevich. Popular hero

Bova Korolevich for a long time was the most popular hero among the people. Lubok tales about the "extraordinary hero" came out in hundreds of editions from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Pushkin wrote The Tale of Tsar Saltan, partly borrowing the plot and the names of the heroes of the fairy tales about the Boys Korolevich, which his nanny read to him. Moreover, he even made sketches of the poem "Bova", but death will 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 regard, Bova is completely unique hero- visitor.

3. Alyosha Popovich. junior

The "youngest of the younger" heroes, and therefore his set of qualities is not so "supermanly". Vice is not even alien to him: cunning, selfishness, self-interest. That is, on the one hand, he is distinguished by courage, but on the other, he is proud, arrogant, quarrelsome, perky and rude.

4. Svyatogorsk Megahero

Megahero. But the hero of the "old world". The giant, the elder hero the size of a mountain, whom even the earth does not hold, lies on the mountain in inactivity. Epics tell about his meeting with earthly cravings and death in a magical grave. Many features of the biblical hero Samson have been transferred to Svyatogora. Difficult to define exactly ancient origin. In the legends of the people, the veteran hero transfers his strength to Ilya Muromets, the hero of the Christian age.

5. Dobrynya Nikitich. Bogatyr with connections

Dobrynya Nikitich is often associated with the chronicle Dobrynya, the uncle of Prince Vladimir (according to another version, a nephew). His name embodies the essence of "heroic kindness." Dobrynya has the nickname "young", with a huge physical strength“He won’t hurt a fly,” he is the defender 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 arrives in Kyiv from conditional India, after which, according to folklorists, this case the Galicia-Volyn land is hiding, and arranges a boasting marathon in Kyiv, passes tests from the prince, and continues to brag. As a result, Vladimir learns that Duke is really very rich and offers him citizenship. But Duke refuses, because "if you sell Kyiv and Chernigov and buy papers for an inventory of Dyukov's wealth, then there will not be enough paper."

7. Mikula Selyaninovich. Bogatyr-plowman

Mikula Selyaninovich is a heroic agrarian. It is 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 hardy, but a homebody. He puts all his strength into agriculture and family.

8. Volga Svyatoslavovich. Bogatyr mage

Supporters of the "historical school" in the study of epics believe that Prince Vseslav Polotsky was the prototype of the epic Volga. 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 be a werewolf, he knows how to understand the language of animals and birds.

9. Sukhman Odikhmantievich. Insulted hero

According to Vsevolod Miller, the Pskov prince Dovmont, who ruled from 1266 to 1299, was the prototype of the hero. In the bylina of the Kyiv cycle, Sukhman goes to get a white swan for Prince Vladimir, but on the way he comes into battle with the Tatar hordes, who are building viburnum bridges on the Nepre River. Sukhman defeats the Tatars, but in battle he receives wounds that he seals up with leaves. Returning to Kyiv without a 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 the Nepra and learns that Sukhman did not lie. But it's' too late. Sukhman feels shamed, peels off the leaves and bleeds. From his blood begins the river Sukhman.

10. Dunay Ivanovich. tragic hero

According to the 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 win back, finds out that Nastasya was pregnant and stumbles upon a saber.

11. Mikhailo Potyk. Faithful husband

Folklorists disagree on who Mihailo Potyk (or Potok) should be related to. 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 with his wife Avdotya Lebedya Belaya gives a vow that whoever of them dies first, the second is buried next to the grave alive. When Avdotya dies, Potok is buried nearby in full armor and on horseback, about fighting the dragon and reviving his wife with his blood. When he himself dies, Avdotya is buried with him.

12. Hoten Bludovich. Bogatyr-groom

Bogatyr Khoten Bludovich for the sake of a wedding with enviable bride The Tea Sentry first beats nine of her brothers, then a whole army hired by the future mother-in-law. As a result, the hero receives a rich dowry and appears in the epic as a hero "who married well."

13. Vasily Buslaev. Zealous hero

The most daring hero of the Novgorod epic cycle. His unbridled temper leads to a conflict with the Novgorodians and he is desperately rowdy, betting that he will beat all the Novgorod men on the Volkhov bridge and almost fulfills the promise - until his mother stops him. In another epic, he is already mature, goes to Jerusalem to atone for sins. But Buslaev is incorrigible - he again takes up the old and absurdly perishes, 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 Russian epic hero, the name of the hero is most likely taken from the Byzantine legend about the hero Digenis, who is mentioned there with the constant epithet anikitos. Anika the warrior in verse boasts of strength and offends the weak, he is shamed for this by death itself, Anika challenges her and dies.

15. Nikita Kozhemyaka. serpent fighter

Nikita Kozhemyaka in Russian fairy tales is one of the main snake fighter characters. Before entering the fight with the Serpent, he breaks 12 skins, thereby proving his legendary strength. Kozhemyaka not only defeats the Serpent, but also harnesses him to a plow and plows the land from Kyiv to the Black Sea. The defensive ramparts near Kyiv got their name (Zmievs) precisely because of the deeds of Nikita Kozhemyaka.

Bogatyrs are the epic defenders of the Russian Land, the "superheroes" of the Russian people for many centuries.

Let's remember the main ones.

1. Ilya Muromets. Holy hero

Ilya Muromets canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, this is the main Russian hero.

Ilya Muromets is the main character not only of Russian epics, but also, for example, German epic poems of the 13th century.

They also call him Ilya, he is also a hero, yearning for his homeland. Ilya Muromets is also found in the Scandinavian sagas, in them he, no less, is the blood brother of Prince Vladimir.

2. Bova Korolevich. Popular hero

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 regard, Bova is a completely unique hero - a visiting one.

3. Alyosha Popovich. junior

4. Svyatogorsk Megahero

Many features of the biblical hero Samson have been transferred to Svyatogora. It is difficult to determine exactly its ancient origin. In the legends of the people, the veteran hero transfers his strength to Ilya Muromets, the hero of the Christian age.

5. Dobrynya Nikitich. Bogatyr with connections

Dobrynya Nikitich is often associated with the chronicle Dobrynya, the uncle of Prince Vladimir (according to another version, a nephew). His name embodies the essence of "heroic kindness." Dobrynya has the nickname "young", with great physical strength "he will not 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 Kyiv from conditional India, behind which, according to folklorists, in this case, the Galicia-Volyn land is hiding, and arranges a boasting marathon in Kyiv, passes tests from the prince, and continues to brag. As a result, Vladimir learns that Duke is really very rich and offers him citizenship. But Duke refuses, because "if you sell Kyiv and Chernigov and buy papers for an inventory of Dyukov's wealth, then there will not be enough paper."

7. Mikula Selyaninovich. Bogatyr-plowman

Mikula Selyaninovich is a heroic agrarian. It is 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 hardy, but a homebody. He puts all his strength into agriculture and family.

8. Volga Svyatoslavovich. Bogatyr mage

9. Sukhman Odikhmantievich. Insulted hero

According to Vsevolod Miller, the Pskov prince Dovmont, who ruled from 1266 to 1299, was the prototype of the hero.

In the bylina of the Kyiv cycle, Sukhman goes to get a white swan for Prince Vladimir, but on the way he comes into battle with the Tatar hordes, who are building viburnum bridges on the Nepre River. Sukhman defeats the Tatars, but in battle he receives wounds that he seals up with leaves. Returning to Kyiv without a 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 the Nepra and learns that Sukhman did not lie. But it's' too late. Sukhman feels shamed, peels off the leaves and bleeds. From his blood begins the river Sukhman.

10. Dunay Ivanovich. tragic hero

11. Mikhailo Potyk. Faithful husband

Folklorists disagree on who Mihailo Potyk (or Potok) should be related to. 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 with his wife Avdotya Lebedya Belaya gives a vow that whoever of them dies first, the second is buried next to the grave alive. When Avdotya dies, Potok is buried nearby in full armor and on horseback, about fighting the dragon and reviving his wife with his blood. When he himself dies, Avdotya is buried with him.

12. Hoten Bludovich. Bogatyr-groom

Bogatyr Khoten Bludovich, for the sake of a wedding with an enviable bride, China Sentry, first beats nine of her brothers, then a whole army hired by her future mother-in-law. As a result, the hero receives a rich dowry and appears in the epic as a hero "who married well."

13. Vasily Buslaev. Zealous hero

In another epic, he is already mature, goes to Jerusalem to atone for sins. But Buslaev is incorrigible - he again takes up the old and absurdly perishes, 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 is most likely taken from the Byzantine legend about the hero Digenis, who is mentioned there with a constant epithet anikitos.

Anika the warrior in verse boasts of strength and offends the weak, he is shamed for this by death itself, Anika challenges her and dies.

15. Nikita Kozhemyaka. serpent fighter

Svyatogor is older than many gods. Many are familiar with this mighty giant from the epic, where he meets Ilya Muromets and hides him, along with his horse, in his pocket.
There is a lot of mystery in the image of Svyatogor. Why, for example, does he live in a mountainous place, get stuck in the ground, as if in a swampy swamp, and cannot lift a bag where all the "earthly thrust" is hidden? Why doesn’t he guard the borders of Holy Russia, like Ilya and other heroes, doesn’t plow the land, like Mikula Selyaninovich? For what reason does he live alone, and not together with other giants - Gorynya, Dubynya and Usynya? What does the mention in one of the versions of the epic about his "dark" father mean? And how did it happen that he, mighty and invincible, at once loses his strength in a stone coffin he accidentally found?
Svyatogor, in Slavic mythology the son of Rod, the brother of Svarog, and the Svarozhichs were his nephews.
His father is called "dark", that is, blind, erroneously: Rod is primordial, omnipresent, all-seeing. Svyatogor was born in order to guard the world of Reveal and not let dark monsters from Navi come here. The entrance was at the foot of the pillar on which the sky rested. The pillar itself (or the World Tree) was located in the holy mountains, from where the name of the giant comes. This is not an easy task - to stand on the border of Light and Darkness. Other giants, Gorynychi - Gorynya, Dubynya and Usynya - were born by the dark, blind lord Viy out of envy and in opposition to Svyatogor. Viy, partly familiar to us from the story of Gogol, put his three sons to guard the exit from Navi, so that the souls of the dead could not escape from there. So, standing on the other side of the border, they were enemies of Svyatogor.
The enormous weight of Svyatogor prevented him from leaving his post and moving to other places. Yet one day, according to Makosh's prediction, he was forced to leave the Holy Mountains. The goddess predicted to the giant that he would marry the serpent. The giant was upset, but decided to find his betrothed - maybe she’s not so scary? Went to distant seas, moved from one island to another. And finally I saw a snake. Svyatogor decided that it would be better to die a bachelor than to marry such a monster. He turned away and stabbed her with his sword. Then he threw a golden altyn in atonement for his deed and, bursting into burning tears, wandered away.
Meanwhile, the blow of Svyatogor had a magical effect on the snake: she freed herself from the spell cast on her and became, as before, the beautiful girl Plenka. The beauty raised the golden altyn. He turned out to be inexchangeable, and she gave him to the townspeople. They put the coin into circulation and soon became unspeakably rich. They did not forget their benefactor either - they generously endowed Plenka, and she equipped a caravan with the money received and went in search of a savior. How long, how short she wandered, but she found Svyatogor and told him her story. The giant did not immediately believe that this beauty of the girl is the very snake that he hacked to death. Then he waved his hand: you never know what miracles happen in the world! He married Plenka, as Mokosh predicted, and soon their daughters were born - Plenkini.
This story also became known in Greece: either the Aryan people of the Dorians brought it there, or the Balkan Slavs. Only the Greeks began to call Svyatogor in their own way Atlant (or Atlas). His wife Plenka was considered the Oceanid Pleione. Their daughters were called the Pleiades. These girls became stars, and Perseus, showing their father the head of the Gorgon Medusa, turned Atlanta into a rock. These mountains in Africa are still called Atlas.
There are many more stories about Svyatogor, and you can’t retell them all. Let us recall only one of them. The giant was tired of defending the gods, which he did not really see, and he decided to build a stone staircase to the sky and look at them himself. Rod did not deprive him of his strength and Svyatogor coped with the work: he reached the very throne of the Most High in heaven.
God did not scold him for arbitrariness, praised him for his work and said that he would fulfill any desire of the giant. Svyatogor asked for unmeasured strength and more wisdom than any of the gods. Oh, I would know that any desire has also reverse side, so, probably, I would beware of asking for intelligence and strength. “You will be stronger than the Svarozhichs, but the stone will overpower you yourself,” the Most High answered him. “You will become wiser than the gods, and a man will deceive you!” Only the giant grinned in response, did not believe what was said. Is he, who built a stairway to heaven out of rocks, afraid of some kind of pebble! Well, what about the small human race, what are the bugs under their feet, what can they do to him?
And everything happened according to the word of the Almighty. And the stone coffin, in which Svyatogor jokingly lay down, became his last refuge, and the hero Ilya Muromets outwitted the giant. Or maybe it's for the best: the time of the giants has passed, the era of people has come. Yes, and Svyatogor was tired of eternal life, it was time for him to rest. He managed only with his last breath to transfer part of his strength to his hero.
It is known about Ilya that he accomplished many feats for the glory of Holy Russia, and in his old age he came to the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery and became a monk there. He spent days and nights in his cell, atoning for his sins, voluntary and involuntary. Therefore, he did not notice how the killer crept up to him and inflicted a treacherous stab in the back. However, there is not a word about this in the epics. Anthropologists who studied the remains of Ilya Muromets learned about this. They also determined that since childhood, the hero’s left leg was shorter than his right one - that’s why he lay “thirty years and three years” on the stove, until the wandering sorcerers breathed mighty power into him.

Russian heroes are not just a story. They reflect the essence of the Russian person, his attitude to the Motherland. Ilya Muromets, Alyosha Popovich, Gorynya, Dobrynya Nikitich and many others devoted their lives to serving Russia. They fought countless enemies of our people, guarding and protecting ordinary people. The exploits of Russian heroes will forever remain in memory - in the form of epics, songs and legends, as well as other epic composed by eyewitnesses of those events. It is they who make us proud of our people and the land that has raised such giants.

The history of the heroes in Russia

Probably, each of us at school or on TV heard stories about powerful and invincible heroes. Their exploits inspire, inspire hope and make them proud of their own people, their strength, dedication and wisdom.

Many historians divide Russian heroes into older and younger ones. If you follow the epic and epics, then you can clearly draw the line between the Old Slavonic demigods and already Christian heroes. Russian ancient heroes are the all-powerful Svyatogor, the mighty Verni Gora, Mikula Selyaninovich, the Danube and others.

They are distinguished by their unbridled natural power. These heroes are the personification of the deified forces of nature and its invincibility. In later sources, they are given a somewhat negative connotation. They become heroes who cannot and do not want to apply own strength for the benefit of. Most often, these are just destroyers, showing off their power in front of other heroes and ordinary people.

This was done in order to push people towards a new world - the Christian one. Heroes-destroyers are being replaced by heroes-creators, defenders of the Russian Orthodox land. These are Dobrynya Nikitich, Nikita Kozhemyaka, Peresvet and many, many others. It is impossible not to recall the exploits of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets. This is a favorite image for many writers and artists. Having recovered from a serious illness, the knight went to defend his own land, and then retired to the monks.

The most famous Russian heroes and their exploits

Our history contains many famous names. Probably everyone knows the phrase: "And glorious, but also strong heroes in the Russian land." Although our people for the most part are not warlike, they prefer to work on the ground, but from ancient times powerful heroes and defenders of the Fatherland came out of their midst. These are Svyatogor, Mikula Selyaninovich, Danube Ivanovich, Peresvet, Sadko and many, many others. These heroes shed their own blood for native land and stood up to protect civilians in the most troubled times.

It was about them that epics and songs were formed. At the same time, over time, they corresponded many times. They added new and new facts and details. Even the character of the characters has undergone significant changes.

This process was especially affected by the adoption. This divided our history, led to the denial and condemnation of everything old. Therefore, in the images of more ancient heroes, one can now see negative features. It's about about Svyatogor, Peresvet, Danube Ivanovich.

They were replaced by heroes of a new generation. And almost all of them served the princes, not the people. The most famous heroes of the Russian land are Ilya Muromets, Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich. They were praised in songs and epics. They flaunt on famous painting Vasnetsov. It is they who are most known to children, thanks to numerous cartoons and fairy tales. What did they do? And why are they always depicted together?

According to many historians, these three most famous Russian heroes never met. According to some sources, Dobrynya lived in the 15th century, Ilya in the 12th, and Alyosha, the youngest of the heroes, in the 13th century.

Viktor Mikhailovich portrayed them all together as a symbol of the invincibility and invincibility of the Russian people. The exploits of 3 heroes were accomplished in different time, but historians agree that most of them are quite real. For example, the same Nightingale the Robber, the war with the Pechenegs, the Tatar prince Tugarin actually took place. So, it is logical to assume that great deeds were also committed.

Alyosha Popovich and his exploits

In the picture of Vasnetsov, this young man is depicted with a bow and arrows, and near the saddle you can see the harp, which speaks of his cheerful disposition. Sometimes he is reckless, like any young guy, and sometimes cunning and wise, like a seasoned warrior. Like many heroes of the Russian land, this is rather a collective image. But this character also has a real prototype.

According to some reports, this is the son of the Rostov Orthodox priest Leonty. But residents (Ukraine) also consider him a countryman. Local legends say that he often visited local fairs and helped people.

According to another version, this is the famous Rostov hero Alexander. He lived in the 12th-13th century and was a prominent historical figure. Often his image is intertwined with another, no less prominent character of the epics, Volga Svyatoslavich.

The glorious deeds of the Russian heroes would be incomplete without stories about how Alyosha met Tugarin himself in battle. This Polovtsian khan is the real historical face of the Tugorkans. And in some epics Alyosha Popovich fought with him several times. Also, this hero earned fame in numerous internecine wars of that time. And died in famous battle at Kalka (1223).

Ilya Muromets

This is perhaps the most famous and revered hero in Russia. He embodies everything positive features There is very little confirmed information about him, but it is reliably known that he was ranked as

This man spent his childhood and youth practically without movement, as he suffered from a serious paralytic disease. However, at the age of 30, Ilya was healed and fully on his feet. This fact was confirmed by many serious scientists who studied the remains of the saint. Therefore, the exploits of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets begin at a fairly mature age.

This character has become best known to all adults and children thanks to the epic, which tells of his battle with the Nightingale the Robber. This criminal controlled one of the main routes to Kyiv - the capital ancient Russia. Prince Mstislav, who ruled at that time, instructed the combatant Ilya Muromets to accompany the next trade convoy. Having met with the robber, the hero defeated him and cleared the road. This fact documented.

In addition to this, other victories of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets are also known. Epics tell about the battle of the knight with the Idolish Pogany. So, perhaps, they called the nomad rapist. There is also a story about the struggle with Baba-Gorynka and his own son.

In his declining years, Ilya, having received a serious wound and tired of such military life, retired to the monastery. But even there he could not find peace. The researchers note that the hero-monk died in battle at the age of 40-55 years.

Great Svyatogor

This is one of the most famous and mysterious heroes. Even the victories of the Russian hero Ilya Muromets fade before his glory. His name fully corresponds to his appearance. Usually he is represented as a mighty giant.

We can say that there are quite a few reliable epics about this hero. And they are all associated with death. However, Svyatogor says goodbye to life not in an unequal battle with numerous enemies, but in a dispute with an irresistible and unknown force.

One of the legends says that the bogatyr found a “bag of change”. The hero tried to move it, but died without moving the thing from its place. As it turned out, this bag contained all the "heaviness of the earth."

Another legend tells about the journey of Svyatogor with Ilya Muromets. Here the change of "generations" of heroes is shown. One day, friends find an empty coffin. The prophecy on it read: who is destined by fate, he will lie in it. Elijah, he was great. And when Svyatogor lay down in the coffin, he was covered with a lid, and he could not escape. Despite all the power of the giant, the tree did not succumb to him. The main feat of Svyatogor the hero is that he transferred all his strength to Ilya Muromets.

Nikitich

This hero, depicted together with Ilya Muromets and Alyosha Popovich, is one of the most revered and famous in Russia. In almost all epics, he is inextricably linked with Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. At the same time, there is an opinion that the latter is his own uncle. In history, Dobrynya is a prominent statesman, whose advice was listened to by many nobles.

However, in epics it is rather a collective image, which has the features of a mighty Russian knight. The exploits of the hero Dobrynya Nikitich are in the fight against numerous enemy troops. But his main act is the battle with the Serpent Gorynych. The famous painting by Vasnetsov depicts the battle of the defender of the Russian land with the 7-headed dragon, but the plot was based on a real basis. "Serpent" used to be called the enemy. And the nickname "Gorynych" indicates its origin or habitat - the mountains.

There were also legends telling how Dobrynya found his wife. Historians note that she was a foreigner. Nastasya Nikulichna (in other versions - Mikulishna) had good physical data. They began to measure their strength, and after the victory of the knight, the girl became his wife.

Like all the exploits of epic heroes, the activities of Dobrynya Nikitich are connected with the service of the Prince and the People. That is why they set him as an example, compose fairy tales, songs and epics, drawing him as a hero and liberator.

Volkh Vseslavievich: prince-magician

This hero is known rather as a sorcerer and a werewolf. He was the prince of Kyiv. And the legends about him are like a fairy tale. Even the birth of the Magus is shrouded in mysticism. They say that his mother conceived him from Veles, who appeared to her in the form of an ordinary snake. The birth of the hero was accompanied by thunder and lightning. His childhood toys were a golden helmet and a damask club.

Like many Russian folk heroes, he often spent time with his retinue. They say that at night he turned into a wild wolf and got food for the soldiers in the forest.

The most famous legend about the Magus Vseslavievich is the story of the victory over the Indian king. Once the hero heard that evil was being plotted against his Motherland. He took advantage of witchcraft and defeated a foreign army.

The real prototype of this hero is Prince Vseslav of Polotsk. He was also considered a sorcerer and a werewolf, he also took cities by cunning and ruthlessly killed the inhabitants. And the snake played an important role in the life of the prince.

Historical facts and legends are mixed into one. And the feat of Volkhv Vseslavievich began to be praised in epics, like others glorious deeds Russian heroes.

Mikula Selyaninovich - a simple peasant

This hero is one of the representatives of the heroes. His image is a reflection of the legends about the plowman god, the protector and patron of the Russian land and peasants. It was he who gave us the opportunity to cultivate the fields and enjoy the gifts of nature. He drove out the Destroyer Giants.

According to legend, the hero lived on the Drevlyane land. Unlike other ancient knights who came from princes, Mikula Selyaninovich represented the class of peasants. He devoted his whole life to working in the field. Whereas other heroes-defenders of the Russian land fought with a sword in their hands. This has its own meaning, since all the benefits of the state and people come precisely from hard and daily work.

The most famous works that describe the character and life of Mikula Selyaninovich are epics about Volga and Mikul, as well as about Svyatogor.

For example, in the story of the werewolf prince, the bogatyr enters the service of a squad assembled to resist the Varangian invasion. But before that, he laughs at Volga and his soldiers: they can’t even pull out his plow stuck in the ground.

The exploits of Russian heroes have always been sung by the people. But you can also find disdain for heroes who, having enormous strength, cannot use it correctly. An example of such an attitude is the epic Svyatogor and Mikula Selyaninovich. Here two principles are opposed - creative and destructive.

Svyatogor wanders the world and does not know where to apply his own power. One day he meets Mikula with a bag, which the hero-warrior cannot lift and is straining. There is all the "gravity of the earth." In this story, you can see the superiority of conventional labor over military force.

Vasily Buslaev

This hero is not like the others. He is a rebel, always goes against the general opinion and orders. Despite superstition ordinary people, he does not believe in signs and predictions. At the same time, this is the image of a hero-defender.

Vasily Buslaev is from Veliky Novgorod. That is why there is so much local color in the epics about him. There are two stories about him: "Vasily Buslaevich in Novgorod" and "Vasily Buslaevich went to pray."

Everywhere you can see his mischief and lack of control. For example, choosing a squad for himself, he arranges several extraordinary tasks. As a result, there are 30 fellows who support Vasily in everything.

The deeds of Buslaev are not the exploits of Russian heroes who followed the rules and obeyed the prince in everything, respecting the traditions and beliefs of ordinary people. He respected only strength. Therefore, his activity is a wild life and fights with local men.

Peresvet

The name of this hero is closely connected with the battle on the Kulikovo field. This is a legendary battle in which countless glorious warriors and boyars perished. And Peresvet, like many other heroes, defenders of the Russian land, stood with his chest in front of the enemy.

Scientists are still arguing whether he really was. After all, according to legend, together with his brother Andrei, he was sent to help Dmitry Donskoy by Sergius of Radonezh himself. The feat of this hero was that it was he who inspired the Russian army to fight. He was the first to fight with the representative of Mamaev's hordes - Chelubey. Practically without weapons and armor, Peresvet defeated the enemy, but fell dead with him.

A study of earlier sources suggests the unreality of this character. In the Trinity Monastery, in which Peresvet, according to history, was a novice, there are no records of such a person. In addition, it is known that Sergius of Radonezh could not meet with Prince Dmitry immediately before the battle.

But almost all the exploits of Russian heroes - one way or another - are partially invented or exaggerated by storytellers. Such stories raised morale, brought up

The original Russian "superheroes" were heroes who defended our land hundreds of years ago. In epics and legends, images of many Russian heroes have been preserved, and we will be introduced to them this post.

Ilya Muromets. Holy hero

Ilya Muromets canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church, this is the main Russian hero. Ilya Muromets is the main character not only of Russian epics, but also, for example, German epic poems of the 13th century. They also call him Ilya, he is also a hero, yearning for his homeland. Ilya Muromets is also found in the Scandinavian sagas, in them he, no less, is the blood brother of Prince Vladimir.

Nikitich. Bogatyr with connections

Dobrynya Nikitich is often associated with the chronicle Dobrynya, the uncle of Prince Vladimir (according to another version, a nephew). His name embodies the essence of "heroic kindness." Dobrynya has the nickname "young", with great physical strength "he will not 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."

Alyosha Popovich. junior

Bova Royal. Popular hero

Svyatogor. Megahero

Megahero. But the hero of the "old world". The giant, the elder hero the size of a mountain, whom even the earth does not hold, lies on the mountain in inactivity. Epics tell about his meeting with earthly cravings and death in a magical grave. Many features of the biblical hero Samson have been transferred to Svyatogora. It is difficult to determine exactly its ancient origin. In the legends of the people, the veteran hero transfers his strength to Ilya Muromets, the hero of the Christian age.

Duke Stepanovich. Bogatyr-major

Mikula Selyaninovich. Bogatyr-plowman

Volga Svyatoslavovich. Bogatyr mage

Sukhman Odikhmantievich. Insulted hero

Dunay Ivanovich. tragic hero

Michael Potyk. Faithful husband

Folklorists disagree on who Mihailo Potyk (or Potok) should be related to. 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 with his wife Avdotya Lebedya Belaya gives a vow that whoever of them dies first, the second is buried next to the grave alive. When Avdotya dies, Potok is buried nearby in full armor and on horseback, he fights the dragon and revives his wife with his blood. When he himself dies, Avdotya is buried with him.

Hoten Bludovich. Bogatyr-groom

Vasily Buslaev. Zealous hero

Nikita Kozhemyaka. serpent fighter

Anika warrior. Bogatyr in words

Anika warrior is still called today a person who likes to brag about his strength far from danger (& couch fighter). Unusual for a Russian epic hero, the name of the hero is most likely taken from the Byzantine legend about the hero Digenis, who is mentioned there with the constant epithet anikitos. Anika the warrior in verse boasts of strength and offends the weak, he is shamed for this by death itself, Anika challenges her and dies.