<i>Franks, Northmen, and Slavs: Identities and State Formation in Early Medieval Europe</i>, and: <i>Pokhodzhennia Rusi</i>, and; <i>Liudi i kniaz´ v drevnerusskikh letopisiakh serediny XI–XIII vv</i> (review)
Edward L. Keenan
Reviewed by: Franks, Northmen, and Slavs: Identities State Formation in Early Medieval Europe, and: Pokhodzhennia Rusi, and; Liudi i kniaz´ v drevnerusskikh letopisiakh serediny XI–XIII vv Edward L. Keenan Ildar H. Garipzanov, Patrick J. Geary, Przemysław Urbańczyk, eds. Europe. 212 pp. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, 2008, ISBN-13 978-2503426157. $81.00. Omelian (Omeljan) Pritsak, Rusi (The Origin of Rus´), 1: Starodavni skandinavs´ki dzherela (krim islands´kykh sag) (Old Scandinavian Sources Other Than the Icelandic Sagas). 1,073 Kiev: Oberehy, 1997, ISBN 9665131001. 2: sagy Stara Skandynaviia Old Sagas Scandinavia). 1,303 2003. 9665132156. Tat´iana Vilkul, vv. People Prince Russian Chronicles from Mid-11th to 13th Centuries). 406 Moscow: Kvadriga, 2009, 978-5917910185. In 2002, Grigorii Iakovlevich Perel´man solved, three widely acclaimed papers, "Poincaré's Conjecture," which had troubled mathematicians since 1904. two little-noticed volumes that appeared between 1981 2003, Omeljan Pritsak (1919–2006) did much resolve so-called "Varangian problem," has challenged historians 1749.1 Mathematicians, however reclusive, work faster than do historians. Although it may seem strange review, 2011, a first English 1981—and translation 8–14 years ago—I believe Pritsak's sophisticated analysis not received attention deserves. The conclusions reached are: yes, what we call Ruś was established by merchant warriors Scandinavia; evidence is there—in wide variety sources; should acknowledge germ Kyivan state, like those [End Page 501] French kingdoms, introduced (somewhat carelessly) Vikings. Pritsak—a Slavist, Orientalist, Scandinavianist—marshaled his vast array times places. We be surprised: he been investigating matters concerning peoples Eurasia—first Germany, as editor Ural-Altaische Jahrbücher, more recently United States native Ukraine—since 1950s. research far-reaching, profound, for practical purposes universal. His bibliography source base contain works Western Eastern languages, including appear all relevant sources, accessed original. He declares: "What presented here another theory…. eighth ninth centuries multiethnic, multilingual, unified social economic entity (of low culture) emerged, represented maritime trading society Mare Balticum transplanted bearers culture Nostrum." view, this new "transformed into Christian linguistically Slavic high became Kievan Rus´" (33). For its tendency overreach, stunning achievement.2 It does incline repetition; at takes us bit fast on curves; volume 2 includes few typos (for not, presumably, responsible). imprudent attempt summarize already runs 2,400 pages, with several apparently yet come. himself, however, provided systematic overview 1 ("Exposition Entire Work," 3–33; 1:67–98 Ukrainian translation), upon following remarks are based. begins story (3) familiar 1749 scandal involving Gerhard Friedrich Müller (Fedor Ivanovich Miuller, 1705–83), Nikita Popov (1720–82), Mikhail Vasil´evich Lomonosov (1711–65), Müller's contention state founded Norsemen.3 Having listed views various parties, concludes, "historians have too often substituted political (or patriotic) issues improved techniques historical methodology … they biased their use materials [disregarding] semantics original, relying translations, instead acquiring knowledge sources cultures come" (7). 502] (The...
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