Ol'ga's Conversion and the Construction of Chronicle Narrative
Francis Butler
T A he Povesf vremennykh let, variously known in English as the Primary Chronicle or Tale of Bygone Years, is single most important source for history Kievan Rus'. Although origins are obscure, earliest portions text certainly date to after acceptance Christianity by St. Vladimir Sviatoslavich Rus', an event that itself dates AM 6496 (988/989 CE).1 In fact, these probably a considerably later period, some time ecclesiastical literary initiative Vladimir's son, Iaroslav Wise, dated 6545 (1037/1038).2 The full its currently extant form almost no than colophon Hegumen Sylvester, which appears Laurentian, Radziwill, and Academy manuscripts 6624 (1116/1117).3 entry 6463 (955/956) Povesf, describes how Ol'ga grandmother Vladimir, at once received baptism Byzantium avoided marriage Byzantine emperor, has doubtless entertained generations readers.4 Yet although this holds place lengthy heated debate about Ol'ga's (probably not 955/956), passage rather
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