A Strange Oath of Ivan III

Abstract

The article is devoted to a strange oath of Ivan III, the Grand Prince of all Rus’, in 1488, registered in some Russian chronicles. The oath is very unusual and sometimes is regarded as heretical. Some scholars even associate it with the heresy of the Judaizers. Was the oath really heretical? Why did Ivan III choose such provocative language? The author attempts to answer these and contiguous questions.

Keywords

• Ivan III
• Oaths
• Swearing
• Perjury
• Heresy of the Judaizers
• Russian Chronicles