The narration of the “oldest tale” (early and mid-11th century) about the campaign of prince Svyatoslav Igorevich against the Vyatichi and the Khazars: reconstruction and interpretation

The article proposes a reconstruction and an interpretation of the text of the Old Russian “Ancient Tale” (early - mid-11th century) about the military campaign of prince Svyatoslav Igorevich against the Vyatichi and the Khazars. The reconstruction is based on the annals for 6472-6474 about the “campaigns” of prince Svyatoslav against the Vyatichi and the Khazars from the “Initial Compilation”, which fragmentarily survived in the First Novgorodian Chronicle of Younger version. The elimination of secondary indications of years allows the author to understand that the text of the “Oldest Tale” narrated only one campaign of prince Svyatoslav against the Vyatichi, which provoked a clash with the Khazars, and then also with the Kasogs (Kashaks) and the Yasy (Alans). After the victory over all those peoples, Svyatoslav achieved the original goal of his war - he received the tribute from the Vyatichi people. This story can be considered a reflection of an authentic fragment of the historical memory of the 11th-century Russian elite about the deeds of legendary prince Svyatoslav. The main elements of this narrative do not contradict with the texts of the 10th century, which makes it possible to consider the narrative quite reliable. This campaign can be dated only widely: from the beginning of the 930s to 967.