“Like Locusts”: the Horde in the Novgorod First Chronicle of 6746

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Category: Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature: Issue 25
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Abstract:

The article examines how the chronicler creates the image of the Horde enemies in the Novgorod First Chronicle (in the record about the invasion of foreigners). The first encounter with an unknown force is recreated in a symbolic spirit, taking on the characteristics of a locust invasion, referring readers to the images of the Bible and the “Revelation” of Methodius of Patara. The enemy army is presented as a mass, as “locusts” who sweep away everything in their path, leaving nothing behind, acting with fire and sword. The Hordes can not be stopped by force of arms, and they are presented as “God’s punishment” or “retribution for sins.” The name of the leader of the army, Batu, remains unnamed. The enemy’s swiftness and onslaught contrast with the human emotions of the defenders of Old Russian cities, such as fear, ignorance, and a desire to escape (as the Horde can not be defeated by force of arms). The “like locusts” comparison, stated at the very beginning of the weather report, becomes crucial for understanding and recreating the enemy’s image throughout the narrative.
Keywords: Novgorod First Chronicle, invasion, Batu, locusts, fire and sword, ignorance, confusion
Author: Ekaterina A. Andreeva
Information about the author:

Ekaterina A. Andreeva, PhD in Philology, Senior Researcher, А.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Povarskaya St., 25А, bld. 1, 121069 Moscow, Russia.

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8829-3084

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For citation:

Andreeva, E.A. “‘Like Locusts’: the Horde in the Novgorod First Chronicle of 6746.” Germenevtika drevnerusskoi literatury [Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature]. Issue 25. Ed.-in-chief O.A. Tufanova, sci. ed. M.V. Kaplun. Moscow, IWL RAS Publ., 2026, pp. 372–392. https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-372-392 (In Russian)
EDN:

https://elibrary.ru/QSXLXO
UDC: 821.161.1.0
Publication Type: Research Article
DOI: 821.161.1.0

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