Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature 1607-6192 2713-2226 IWL RAS 821.161.1.0 Research Article Articles “Like Locusts”: the Horde in the Novgorod First Chronicle of 6746 Andreeva Ekaterina A. old-rus@imli.ru 2026 821.161.1.0 Copyright © 2026, IWL RAS 2026 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. 1. Andreeva, E.A. “Ot pervogo litsa: rechi Batyia kak otrazhenie etnokonfessional’nogo protivostoianiia v ‘Povesti o razorenii Riazani Batyem’” [“First person: Batu’s Speeches as a Reflection of the Ethno-confessional Confrontation in the ‘Tale of the Destruction of Ryazan by Batu’”]. Germenevtika drevnerusskoi literatury [Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature]. Issue 24. Ed.-in-chief O.A. Tufanova, sci. ed. M.V. Kaplun. Moscow, IWL RAS Publ., 2025, pp. 382–393. https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2025-24-382-393 (In Russian) 2. 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Trofimova, V. “Funktsionirovanie bibleiskikh tsitat v voinskikh povestiakh, voshedshikh v letopisi XIV–XV vv.” [“The Functioning of Biblical Quotations in Military Tales Included in the Chronicles of the 14th–15th Centuries”]. Vestnik slavianskikh kul’tur, vol. 48, 2018, pp. 137–150. (In Russian) 13. Tufanova, A. “‘Deviantnyi’ tekst v istoricheskom povestvovanii Drevnei Rusi: k postanovke problemy” [“‘Deviant’ Text in the Historical Narration of Old Russia: to the Problem Statement”]. Germenevtika drevnerusskoi literatury [Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature]. Issue 23. Ed.-in-chief O.A. Tufanova, sci. ed. M.V. Kaplun. Moscow, IWL RAS Publ., 2024, pp. 265–302. https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2024-23-265-302 (In Russian)