Joachim chronicle

The Joachimschronik (Russian История Иоакима or Иоакимовская летопись ) is a chronicle about the time of the Rus from the 8th to the 11th century. It was first published in 1768 by the Russian scholar Vasily Tatishchev . Before that there was no evidence of their existence.

author

The author is said to have been the first Novgorod bishop Joachim von Korsun (-1030). But this was probably Greek, an intensive study of old Russian pagan history seems extremely unlikely. The chronicle was probably a composition by Tatishchev.

content

The Joachim chronicle describes the history of the Kievan Rus from the earliest beginnings. She describes many details and events that are not mentioned in any other ancient Russian chronicle . Most Russian historians question their historical authenticity, or at least the veracity of the facts given. But it is very difficult to prove that these are fictions. Many details appear historically possible and cannot be refuted.

Examples
1. The early history of the Rus is presented in much greater detail than in other chronicles. Slavic rulers such as Gostomysl in Ladoga and Novgorod are described as early as the 9th century . This is historically possible, but appears to be unlikely in the details.

2. The chronicle names a Scandinavian olafa as the mother of Prince Vysheslav of Novgorod , the eldest son of Vladimir the Great . This name is unusual in this form in Norse sagas . But it is historically possible that this relationship existed during Vladimir's stay in Sweden from 976 to 978. The other Old Russian chronicles and even the Norse saga of Olav Tryggvason mention only the Bohemian and Bulgarian wives of Vladimir.

text

• History of Joachim , in: Wassili Tatischtschew: Russian history since the oldest times , Vol. 1, Moscow 1768, chap. 4th

literature

• Adolf Stender Petersen: History of Russian Literature. 5th edition. CH Beck, Munich 1993, ISBN 3-406-31557-7