Cross Kissing: Keeping One’s Word in Twelfth-Century Rus'
Yulia Mikhaïlova|David K. Prestel
In this study, Yulia Mikhailova and David Prestel suggest that the political culture of pre-Mongolian Rus’ may be similar to post-Carolingian Europe, where public order still existed in absence a strong centralized authority. as also west, there was an norms rather than institutions. Drawing on sources such Testament Vladimir Monomakh Homily Princes , maintain cross kissing considered sacred obligation for rulers, view given further support by behavior princes recorded chronicles. They appear trust oaths made accept will negative consequences those who break them. Violations threaten one's salvation, when chroniclers are favorably disposed certain princes, they attempt demonstrate their violations justified offence part prince with whom agreement enacted.
Slavic Review