The theory of «pairs of cities» in Old Russian state genesis (using the example of the «pair» Chernihiv – Shestovitsa in Ukrainian historiography)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problem of «pairing» of cities during the formation of the Old Russian state using the example of the «pair» Chernihiv-Shestovitsa. Particular attention is focused on the Ukrainian historiography of the Soviet and post-Soviet period, presented in the works of such historians as F.A. Androschuk, D.I. Blifeld, V.P. Kovalenko, A.P. Motsya, P.P. Tolochko, Yu.Yu. Shevchenko and others. Each of them directly studied this topic in the context of the settlements under consideration, both on the basis of gradually expanding archaeological material and on the basis of new studies that arose in the process of studying such urban «couples». Рresents the positions of Ukrainian historians regarding the relationship between Chernigov and Shestovitsa in the period of the IX–XI centuries, traces the evolution of their views in connection with the expansion of the area of archaeological study of both settlements, shows the current state of the problem in the light of the emergence of new search methods.

Keywords

• old russian state
• chernihiv
• shestovitsa
• historiography
• «pairs» of cities
• state genesis