Hermeneutics of Old Russian Literature

1607-6192 2713-2226

IWL RAS

https://doi.org/10.22455/HORL.1607-6192-2026-25-719-743

Research Article

Articles

Preface in the Siberian Chronicle by Ivan Cherepanov: Author’s Concept of History

Melnichuk

Valentina A.

old-rus@imli.ru

2026

25 719 743

2026

The article examines the little-studied Chronicle of Siberia by Ivan Cherepanov, writer, architect, master of iconostasis carving of the 18th century. The role of the Preface on the Museum List of the RSL, f. 178, No. 2214 is considered. In the preface the author addresses a specific reader — a lover of historical works — with explanations with an explanation of the subject of history and its role as a science; briefly describes the content, which contributes to the reader’s holistic perception of the chronicle and strengthens the connection between the parts of the narrative. The opinion is given Greek philosophers, Tatar historians about the northeastern borders of Eurasia. A significant place in the preface is occupied by the characteristics of sources and their assessment. The question is raised about the importance of checking their reliability, i.e. verification. The preface reveals the key attitudes of the scribe to the reader and emphasizes the social benefits of historical knowledge. It plays a communicative role and testifies to the increasing activity of the reader, whom the author seeks to influence, shaping his perception and to whom he addresses several times in the Preface. To identify the originality of the preface to Cherepanov’s chronicle, a comparative analysis was performed with the prefaces to Miller’s History of Siberia, to Shcherbatov’s Russian History from Old Times, with the Preface to Tatishchev’s Russian History, and with the Introduction to Lomonosov’s Old Russian History. The genre definition stated in the title — chronicle — requires clarification, since Cherepanov uses not only chronicle techniques, but also historiographic ones.

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