You probably noticed that many English names are very similar to the Russian ones. Did this happen by chance, or is it all about cultural borrowing?

Where did the similar Russian and European names come from?

The fact is that many names of European origin have a single cultural source. Slavic names that existed in Russia before the adoption of Christianity, such as Svetlana, Belyana, Vyacheslav, Yaroslav, Vladislav, Radomir, virtually no similar Western analogues. With the advent of Christianity, Russians began to baptize the saints, giving names in honor of saints, mostly of Greek and Byzantine origin.

That’s why we can easily find Greek interpretations of the names of Ivan, Peter, Pavel, Alexander, Alexei, Maria, Marina, Anna, Olga, Elena, Tatiana, Irina, Natalia.

English names instead of Russian.

However, names are often adapted to the peculiarities of national culture and language. Let us recall the Russian classics of the XIX century. Then in circles of higher society English and French versions of Russian names became popular. In Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin” mentioned that the mother of Tatiana and Olga “called Polynomial Praskovya”. Tolstoy in “Anna Karenina” appears Steve (Stepan) and Dolly (Daria) Oblonsky and kitty (Catherine) Shcherbatskaya, and in “War and peace” – Pierre (Peter) Bezukhov and Helen (Elena) Kuragina.

Some Russian names are derived from the” pan-European”, others simply have English counterparts with a similar sound. This is often used by Russians when moving abroad. So, Michail becomes Michael, Nikolay-Nicholas, Artem-Arthur, Margarita-Margaret, Daria-Dora.

One and the same, but in different versions.

There are names that have different versions in Russian and English, although they have a common origin. So, Alexander or Alexei in English will be called Alex. Maxim in full English version – Maximilian. Daniil – Daniel, abbreviated to Dan. Denis is Dennis. Ivan is the same as John, in the recent past the most common name in Russia and in England. By the way, Jack is short for John. There is an analogue to the Russian name Timofey – Timothy, abbreviated Tim. Matvey – Matthew or Matt. Andrey – Andrew or Andy. Evgeny is Eugene. Semyon – Simon. Fedor – Theodore. Pavel – Paul. Grigory – George. Anton – Anthony.

Female names have the following analogs: Russian Sofya – English Sophie, Maria – Mary, Irina – Irene, Varvara – Barbara, Anna – Ann, Elizaveta – Elizabeth, abbreviated – Lisa, Liz or Lizzie. Alisa is Alice. Alexandra can be called in English by Sandra. Catherine – Catherine or abbreviated Kate, Kathy. Valeria – Valerie, abbreviated as Val. Emilia – Emily. Natalia – Natalie, although in the English-speaking culture there is also the name Natasha, very similar to the Russian abbreviation from Natalia.

As you can see, very often Russian and English names have a difference only in pronunciation, and in fact it is one and the same.

There is also a whole layer of so-called “international” names, which almost equally sound in both Russian and English. These are names like Dmitry, Cyril, Roman, Mark, Victor, Philip, Victoria, Cyrus, Veronica. People with such names do not even need to change their name when moving to another country, adapting to a different culture.

Visa-free entry, free trains around the country and the opportunity to see the best teams of the world and 11 cities of Russia – foreign fans have heard about such opportunities. But several friends from abroad wrote to us at once, who do not understand how this will all work: “Now to get FAN-ID?” Como obtener FAN-ID Comment obtenir FAN-ID? (How to get a fan’s passport?) “.

We have drawn up an instruction, which, by the way, is useful to Russian football fans. So if you have friends or relatives who want to get to Russia at the 2018 World Cup, tell them about what’s written here.

Almost 3.5 million fans have already expressed a desire to buy tickets for the World Cup matches in Russia and more than a million of them are foreigners. Until November 16, many will receive a notification that their applications have been approved.

Approval of the application is not a ticket, it will come a little later. Having received it, you can already begin to design a Passport fan or, in an international vowel, FAN-ID. This is a document without which you will not be allowed to enter the World Cup match even if you have a ticket. So it is necessary to arrange it.

But FAN-ID has a second function – very useful for fans from those countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Russia. Here it is necessary to say that for a resident of, say, the EU countries, the registration of a Russian visa is seven circles of hell and the second function of FAN-ID will make life much easier for them.

FAN-ID will become that document (apart from a regular passport or other certificate) that will allow the foreigner to enter Russia 10 days before the 2018 World Cup without visas and leave no later than 10 days after the final match is played . Of course, if the border guards do not have other questions to the driver.

Well, the third point: the passport of the fan and the ticket for the match will allow you to travel by train to the city where this match is held free of charge. And in the same city on the day of the game, present these two documents in public transport – the journey will again be free for you.

Below is a step-by-step algorithm for obtaining FAN-ID for those fans whose ticket application for matches is approved.

If you are a foreigner and are outside of Russia:

1. Apply for FAN-ID on the website www.fan-id.ru. To process the application, you will need the number of the approved application for the purchase of a ticket for the match or match ticket number, as well as data of the identity document.

IMPORTANT! Specify the data of the document on which you plan to enter the Russian Federation for World Cup matches.

2. Wait for the approval of the application. The notification about the status of the application will be sent to you via SMS and by e-mail. If you think that the approval of the application does not come very long, you can check the status of the application on the site in the appropriate section.

3. After approval, you will be sent a FAN-ID by mail to the address that you indicated when you made the application. The notification that FAN-ID has been sent to you will come to the e-mail and eseme.
You can choose courier delivery to one of the visa centers located abroad. To do this, when making an application, you need to select the type of delivery “To the VFS visa center”, then select the country and specify the visa center from the list available in this country.

Tracking the delivery of items with a nested Fan Passport is available on the portal of the visa center: vfsglobal.com. The tracking code will be indicated in the SMS and e-mail notification.
The term of FAN-ID delivery abroad is up to 30 days. To the border post office of the postal exchange is carried out within 7-11 days. Further, the delivery time should be specified at the local postal operator.

IMPORTANT! The delivery of tickets for World Cup matches and the issuance of FAN-ID are not related to each other.

If you are a citizen of Russia, this process is simplified. The first step is exactly the same as for foreigners, but after the approval of the application you will be able to get a Passport fan not only by mail in the designated post office, but also personally at any Passport Center for the fan, whose addresses can be found there, on site www.fan-id.ru.

Also, it will be useful to see the site  http://welcome2018.com/

History of the Romanov dynasty can be read as a detective. At every step – their white spots. The origin of the dynasty, the story of the emblem and the circumstances of their accession to the throne all this still causes ambiguous interpretations of historians.

1. Prussian origin dynasty.

The ancestor of the Romanov dynasty assumed Boyar Andrew Mare at the court of Ivan Kalita and his son Simeon the Proud. We almost nothing is known about his life and origins. Chronicles mention it only once: in 1347 he was sent to Tver for the bride of the Grand Duke Simeon the Proud, the daughter of the prince of Tver Alexander Mikhailovich.

Caught in association with the new Russian state center in Moscow in the service of the Moscow branch of the princely dynasty, he so chose the “golden ticket” for himself and his family. There are numerous mentions of his descendants who became the ancestors of many noble Russian families: Stallion Semen (Lodygin, Konovnitsyn), Alexander Tree (Kolycheva) Gabriel Gavsha (Bobrykiny) Childless Basil Ventoux and Fedor Cat – the ancestor of the Romanovs, Sheremetevs, Yakovlev Goltyaevyh and Bezzubtsevyh. But the origin of the Mare is a mystery. According to legend, the family of the Romanovs, he led his lineage of the Prussian kings.

When a gap in the genealogies – it provides an opportunity for their falsification. In the case of noble birth is usually done either to legitimize their power, or to obtain extra privileges. As in this case. White spot in the genealogies of the Romanovs was filled in the XVII century under Peter I, the first King of Arms Russian Stepan Andreyevich Kolychev. New story consistent fashion even when Rurikovich “Prussian Legend”, which was designed to confirm the position of Moscow as successor of Byzantium. Since the origin of the Varangian Rurik did not fit into this ideology, the founder of the princely dynasty was a relative of the emperor Augustus. Following them, “rewrote” the history and the Romanovs.

The family legend, subsequently recorded in the “General armorial of the noble families of the Russian Empire”, States that in the year 305 ad Prussian king Protano gave the Kingdom to his brother Vaidevute, and he became the high priest of his pagan tribe in the city Romanov, where growing evergreen sacred oak.

Before his death Vedevut divided his Kingdom between twelve sons. One of them was Negron, whose family owned a part of modern Lithuania (Samogitia land). His descendants were brothers Russinger and the Gland Kabila, who was baptized in 1280 and 1283 Kabila came to Russia to serve the Moscow Prince Daniil Alexandrovich. After his baptism he was called Mare.

2. Who nurtured False Dmitry?

False Dmitry personality – one of the greatest mysteries of Russian history. Besides the insoluble question of the identity of the impostor, the problem remains of his “shadow” accomplices. According to one version, the conspiracy False Dmitry a hand Romanovs, who fell out of favor under Godunov and senior descendant of the Romanovs – Fedor, pretender to the throne, he was tonsured a monk.

Proponents of this version think that the Romanovs, Shuiskys and Galitsins dreaming about “Crown of Monomakh”, organized a conspiracy against Godunov, using the mysterious death of a young Tsarevich Dmitry. They prepared their contender for the royal throne, known to us as the False Dmitry, and led coup June 10, 1605. After, to deal with its most important competitor, themselves involved in the struggle for the throne. Later, after the accession of the Romanovs, their historians have done everything to link the massacre of his family Godunov False Dmitry exclusively with personality, and the hands of the Romanovs left clean.

3 Mystery Zemsky Sobor in 1613.

The election of Mikhail Romanov to reign was simply doomed to be covered with a thick layer of myths. How is it that in a country torn by civil strife to reign chose a young inexperienced young man, who at 16 years was neither military talent, no sharp political mind? Of course, the future king was influential father – Patriarch Filaret, who himself had once aspired to the imperial throne. But during the Zemsky Sobor he was a prisoner of the Poles, and hardly could somehow affect the process. According to the generally accepted version of the decisive role played by the Cossacks, who represented at that time a powerful force to be reckoned with. First, in False Dmitry II they were the Romanovs in one camp”, and secondly, they are certainly suited the young and inexperienced Prince, which was no danger to their liberties, have been handed down during the troubles.

Shout Cossacks forced adherents Pozharsky to offer to take a break in two weeks. During this time, started a broad campaign in favor of Michael. For many of the boyars, he also represents the ideal candidate, would allow them to keep the power in their hands. The main argument put forward was that the supposedly deceased king Fedor before his death wanted to pass the throne to his cousin Theodore Romanov (Patriarch Filaret). And as he languished in Polish captivity, the crown passed to his only son – Michael.

4 non-Existent arms.

In the history of dynastic coat of arms of the Romanov white spots is not less than the very history of the dynasty. For some reason, a long time in the Romanovs did not have his coat of arms, they used the national emblem, depicting the two-headed eagle as personal. Their own family coat of arms was created only under Alexander II. By the time of the Russian nobility heraldry practical shape, and only the ruling dynasty did not have its own coat of arms. Inappropriate would say that the dynasty is not fueled much interest in heraldry, even when Alexis came “Royal titulary” – a manuscript containing portraits of Russian monarchs with coats of arms of the Russian lands.

Perhaps, like fidelity two-headed eagle is due to the need for Romanov to show legitimate succession from Rurik and, most importantly, from the Byzantine emperors. As you know, starting with Ivan III, Russia begin to talk about how the successor of the Byzantine Empire. Moreover, that the king married Sophia Paleologos, granddaughter of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine. They took the symbol of the Byzantine double-headed eagle as his family crest.

In any event, this is just one of the many versions. It is not known why the ruling branch of the vast empire, which was related with noble houses of Europe, so persistently ignored orders heraldic, folding lids.

The long-awaited emergence own arms under Alexander II Romanov only added questions. For the execution of the Imperial order came from the king of arms of Baron B.V. Kene. The basis was taken prapor magistrates Nikita Ivanovich Romanov, at one time the main opposition leader Alexei Mikhailovich. Rather its description as the banner itself by the time it was lost. It was a golden griffin on a silver background with a little black eagle with raised wings and lion heads on the tail. Perhaps Nikita Romanov borrowed it in Livonia during the Livonian War.

The new coat of arms of the Romanov is a red griffin on a silver background, holding a golden sword and tharch topped with small eagle; black border on eight severed heads of lions; four gold and four silver. Firstly, it is striking to change the color of a griffin. Heraldry historians believe that Kene decided not to go against the established while the rules that prohibit placing a gold piece on silver background, with the exception of coats of arms of the highest personages as Pope of Rome. Thus, changing the color of a griffin he lowered the status of the coat of arms. Or played the role of “Livonia version”, according to which Kene put an emphasis on the origin of the emblem of Livonia, Livonia since the XVI century was the reverse combination stamp colors: silver griffin on a red background.

On the symbolism of the Romanov coat of arms and still there is a lot of controversy. Why so much attention is paid to a lion’s head, and not the figure of an eagle, which by historical logic should be in the center of the composition? Why was he with wings down, and what, in the end, the historical background of the Romanov coat of arms?

5 Peter III – the last of the Romanov dynasty?

As you know, kind of broke at the Romanov family Nikolay II. However, some believe that the last ruler of the Romanov dynasty was Peter III. The young emperor infantile quite an awkward relationship with his wife. Peter III harbored no feelings for his wife, preferring it to his mistress. But the son – Paul still born many years after marriage.

Rumors of illegitimate heirs uncommon in the history of the world dynasties, especially in turbulent time for the country. So here came the question: is it true Paul – son of Peter III? Or is he the son of the first favorite of Catherine, Sergei Saltykov.

The essential argument in favor of these rumors was that the imperial couple for many years had no children. Therefore, many believed that this union altogether fruitless, hinting at the Empress, mentioning in his memoirs that her husband was suffering from phimosis.

Origin of Paul still remains an unsolved mystery that troubled and subsequent generations of the Romanovs. Unsurprisingly, otherwise it turned out that the Romanov dynasty was interrupted by another of Peter III, and subsequent monarchs on the throne is not more than usurpers. And yet, in justification of Catherine the Great, it is worth saying that the similarity of portraits of Paul and Peter III is obvious.

Only one nation in the Russian language is called an adjective. And this … Russian. Why it happened and where do come from this word? We will investigate.

The Vikings?

According to today’s most popular theory, the word “Russian” has Scandinavian roots. Based on this assumption the “Tale of Bygone Years”.

That’s what Nestor wrote about the birth of a nation called Russia: “Banish the Vikings over the sea, and did not give them the tribute, and began to govern themselves, and there was not among them, the truth, and stood born on race, and was their strife, and began to fight each other. And said, “Let us look for a prince who would owned by us and judged rightly.” And they went over the sea to the Varangians, to the Rus. Those Vikings were called Rus, others are called Swedes, and others Normans and Angles, and still others Gotlanders. Tribes appealed to them: “Our land is great and rich, but there is no order. Come and reign over us. “And elect three brothers with their leave, and took with them all the Rus, and came and sat Sr., Rurik of Novgorod and the other Sineus – on Beloozero, and the third, Truvor, and – in Izborsk. And from those Vikings nicknamed Russian land. “

From this we can conclude that the Russian – is borrowed from of Scandinavians name of the people who called to him on the board of representatives of the tribe of Rus.

But what is it that the word means – “Russia”? Since ancient times and still Finns call their neighbors, the Swedes Ruotsi, meaning “rowers, sailors” (from the Old Norse verb “to swim, row”). It is possible that the Vikings, who came to Russia from Scandinavia, took its name from the same source.

Blonde hair?

Another version of the foreign origin of the word “Russian” – Iran. Its author – scientist, thinker and public figure Vladimir Vernadsky – believed that the roots of the word goes back to the Iranian “ruhs” (or “rohs”), which means “light, bright, white.”

Which is very likely, because protoslavonic very long coexisted with Iranian tribes (Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans) in the south of modern Russia – the Azov region and the Black Sea region. Dark-haired and dark-skinned Iranians might well nickname of its neighbors in the principal distinguishing features – blonde hair, eyes and skin.

Red faces?

Also based on appearance could be called and the Byzantines. Arab traveler of the IX-X centuries, al-Masudi in his notes refers to the tribe, which the Byzantines called “russiya”, which means “red, redheads”.

His colleague, Ibn Fadlan, who personally had seen these “Rusy” notes their unprecedented redness. What exactly is meant: blush burned skin from the sun, or even red noses – is unclear so far.

The fields of the village?

Search for the roots and in Latin. In particular, in the words of rus («village, village, field, arable land”) and rusticus («rustic, rural, peasant”). But why not? The value is consistent with the ancient Russian lifestyle.

Toponymy?

Were the theory and about native Russian origin. So Austrian baron, and at the same time a writer and historian, Sigismund von Herberstein, who lived in the XV-XVI centuries, believed that Russia got its name from a very ancient city near Veliky Novgorod – Russ. The same version adhered historian Vasily Tatishchev, who found the source of the Russian state in the Old Ruse.

River?

Slovak linguist and ethnographer Paul shafarik revealed that the proto-Slavic language, the river was called the word of rusa. Hence, in the language of the word born  “ruslo” (track) and a “rusalka” (mermaid).

“River” version is actually two. On the second, Russian got his name from the right tributary of the Dnieper, located south of Kiev, – Ros.

The Bears?

Well, what Russian without vodka, balalaika and bears! The most desperate researchers find the origins of the word “Russian” in the Western European root urs («bear»). Rearrange the letters the same reasons that turned the Greek μάρμαρος in “marble”.

So, with the origins, we are more or less sorted out. Now we have to understand why the British, French, Germans and other nationalities in the Russian language denoted by nouns, and themselves Russian – adjective.

Some attribute this to the fact that the Russian – very special, anyone not like people and deserves “special” names. But here it is worth recalling that a similar situation exists in other languages: European, for example, almost all nationalities are expressed by adjectives (German, français).

Others defend the view that the Russian – is not a nationality, as initially in Russia is home to many different tribes (polyane drevlyans, chud, mordvinians, komi and others), Which are joined together by this common name. It may well be. Just do not forget the simple fact that in the Russian language, adjectives are properties to turn into nouns: scientist, ice cream, dining, etc.

The territory of Russia is large and diverse. At its vastness beautiful in its multifaceted nature and magnificent buildings, the creation of Russian civilization. In addition, the site of the largest countries in the world have sheltered dozens of different peoples. This is – the greatest wealth of incredible hospitality of the state.

We know that in Russia live many nationalities – Russians, Udmurt, Ukrainians. And some people live in Russia yet? Indeed, in the far corners of the country for centuries lived numerically small and little known, but interesting with its unique ethnic culture.

National composition of the population of Russia.

It is worth noting that the Russian account for approximately 80% of the total population. Full list of peoples of Russia would be very large. According to some estimates, there are more than 200 different nationalities. These data correspond to the state in 2010. We begin our acquaintance with the rest of the national structure of Russia with the most common. Large popular are those that are present on the territory of the state in the amount of more than 1 million.

Tatars.

The ratio of the Tatar nation among all others in the country is 3.8%. This nationality has its own language and areas of high prevalence. Above all, it includes several ethnic groups: the Crimean Tatars, Volga-Urals, Siberia and Astrakhan. Most of them live in the Volga region.

Ukrainians.

We extend our small tour on the theme of what people live in Russia, and move on to the Ukrainians. Their number in Russia is 2% of the total population. According to the materials of some historical references, the name of the nation derives from the word “margin”(okraina), which was the basis for the name of the country – Ukraine.

Living on the territory of the Russian Ukrainians continue to honor its traditions, noting the holidays in their customs, wearing national costumes. Feature Ukrainian clothes – embroidery in various schemes. Basic symbolic colors in decoration – red and black.

Bashkirs.

The ratio of ethnic Bashkirs to the entire population of the country – 1.2%. Territory, where most of these people – Altai, Tyumen and other areas of Russia (Orenburg, Sverdlovsk, Kurgan, and other). Ethnologists still not agreed where the name of nationality and what it means. The most common interpretation – “main wolf”, “separate people”, “brother-in-law Ugrians.” Together, the different assumptions about 40. Culture is significant Bashkirs their songs, tales, ditties.

Chuvash.

Then talk about Chuvashia, answering the question of what the peoples living in Russia. Chuvash nation is 1.1% of the population of Russia. Most Chuvash live in Tatarstan, Samara, and many other areas of the country, the Krasnoyarsk Krai. And today their main occupation – crafts, animal husbandry and agriculture. Culture Chuvash amazingly beautiful and interesting. They have their own ancient mythology developed. National clothes is extremely diverse, has many dozens of different color options.

The Chechens.

Chechens in Russia about 0.9% of the total population. This is one of the most severe nationalities in the country. However, they differ wit, they are inherent courage and endurance. Feature Chechen songs – deep, with nothing commensurate longing for his own home. In their poetry and songs of many motives exile. Such poetry in any other folklore not meet. You may notice the similarity with the Circassian ethnic Chechen and Lezgian. There is a simple explanation: all three nationalities are united caucasian. And we continue to uncover interesting questions about what people live in Russia.

Armenians.

In the population of Russia Armenians comprise 0.8%. Their culture is very ancient. Its roots can be traced to the Greek culture. A special flavor of this nation creates their irrepressible joie de vivre and hospitality.

Armenian music appeared BC. And today we know a lot of the world’s singers with Armenian roots. Among them, the French singer Charles Aznavour, David Tukhmanov, Dzhivad Gasparyan and many others. Clothing Armenians different luxury pretentiousness. A children’s costumes simply irresistible, which was not observed for the other nations. We now know what peoples inhabiting Russia, but that’s not all. In the far corners of the vast country still live people who are not so many in number, but their culture is so diverse and interesting that we simply can not remember them.

Small Nations.

The people, the number of which exceeds 1 million Russians know quite a lot. But there is also a small peoples of Russia, about which you can not even hear my entire life. Thus, in the Volga-Vyatka region many centuries these peoples live as Mari, Mordvinians. North area – home for Karelia, Komi, Sami, Nenets. In the Urals live Komi-Permian, Udmurtia. In the Volga region long settled Kazakhs and Kalmyks. Western Siberia – a homeland for Selkups, Altai, Mansi, Khanty, Shor, Eastern Siberia – the birthplace of Tuva, Buryatia, Khakassia, Dolgan and Evenki. In the Far East live such peoples as the Yakuts, Koryak, Evens, Udege, Nanai, Orochi, and many other nations, the number of which is very small. The peculiarity of the small nations that they have kept to this day revere their ancient pagan beliefs. They are characterized by adherence to animism (animate objects of nature and animals) and shamanism (belief in shamans – people talking with spirits).

How many people live in Russia?

In 2002 was conducted pan-European census. The collected data also included information about the ethnic composition of the population. Was then obtained interesting information about what the peoples living in Russia, and about their numbers.

Indicators census in Russia demonstrated that the country is home to 160 different nationalities. This figure is huge in comparison with European countries. On average, they live in the people belonging to 9,5 nationalities. Globally, Russian figures are also high. Interestingly, in 1989, when the census was conducted similarly to Russia, has compiled a list of 129 nations. The reason for this difference in performance, according to experts, the possibility of self-determination themselves as belonging to a particular nationality. Such an opportunity came in 1926. Previously different peoples of Russia, declared to the Russians, based on geopolitical factors.

Dynamics in the ratio of nationalities.

According to experts on demographic research issues in recent years, the number of Ukrainians in Russia decreased threefold. Belarusians also become much less as Mordovians. Increased the number of Armenians, Chechens, Azeris, Tajiks. Some of them even were among those which more than a million in Russia.

The dynamics in the ratio nationalities are considered affected by several factors. One of them – the fertility decline which affected the whole country. Another – this emigration. From Russia left a large number of Jews. Russian Germans also emigrated from the country. Positive dynamics is observed in the small indigenous peoples. They, on the contrary, over the past decade has increased. Thus, we see that the question of what nations inhabit Russia, always relevant for the study because of its dynamics.

A live somewhere only Russian?

We learned that in Russia there are a lot of different nationalities, besides Russian. Many who have discovered how many people live in Russia, may be wondering whether the area in which they live only Russian. The answer is clear: the region with a completely uniform composition of the Russian population does not exist. Approaching this only Central District, The Central Black Soil District, Northwest District. All other areas of the country are full of different nationalities.

Conclusions.

In the article we looked at what people live on the territory of Russia, and learned how they are called and where are more prevalent. We have once again seen as a rich country is not only natural resources but also human, and it is many times more important.

In addition, we found that the national composition of the population of Russia is not something static. He changed over the years under the influence of various factors (migration, the possibility of self-determination and others).

I hope that article was interesting for you: have helped to make the mental journey across the expanses of Russia and introduced so different, but so friendly and interesting people.

Ivan Susanin – a folk hero, a symbol of “peasant” loyalty to the king. For 400 years, the name and the legend of the miraculous salvation of the first sovereign of the Romanov dynasty became a part of folklore.

Where did you learn?

The history of the heroic deeds of Ivan Susanin till XIX century his descendants passed from mouth to mouth. The general public learned about it only in 1812, with the release of the story of the writer Sergei Nikolaevich Glinka in the journal “Russian Herald”.

Later, it was based on this publication play “Ivan Susanin” and the famous opera by Mikhail Glinka “Life for the Tsar.” Glinka told the story of Ivan Susanin. In 1613, the expulsion of Poles from Moscow, their gangs looting in the inner regions of Russia. In February this year, the Zemsky Sobor in Moscow proclaimed king, and, moreover, in absentia, Mikhail Romanov. But he Mikhail Fedorovich was at this time in their ancestral lands in the Kostroma region and one of the Polish gang decided to destroy him. But where to find him, the Poles did not know.

Entering the village Domnino, they met a peasant Ivan Susanin and decided he had to extort, where dwells the newly elected king. But Susanin, having seen that the Poles would destroy the young sovereign, not only did not tell them where he is, but also led them to the opposite side. On the way, he went into his house and quietly sent his little son to the king, to warn him of the danger. Having got the Poles in an impenetrable thicket, Ivan Susanin said: “The villains! Here is my head; do with me what you want; Who are you looking for, that you do not get! “. After that, the Poles hacked to death hero, but they get out of the thicket, and the king could not be saved.

Son-in-law heir Susanin.

Thus, the story of Ivan Susanin 200 years found new details of a literary character. Naturally, the dying words of Ivan Susanin invented himself Glinka. Many of the details he added to the story of Susanin “for effect.” But what exactly it was more? What do we really know about Ivan Susanin?

Something you might think. For example, what Susanin was a widower and he had a daughter. In a Royal Charter, this November 30, 1619 (unique and the earliest source about the existence of Kostroma farmer) son-in-law of Ivan Susanin Bogdan Sabinina given half the village with a “whitewash” from all taxes and duties “for service to us, and the blood, and patience…”. There is no doubt that such a document could only be a recognition of the contribution of the family before the king.

Relatives Susanin.

Some suggested that the mother’s name was Susanna Susanin, and he was the village headman are more speculation. But patronymic Susanin – Osipovich, was invented by historians in the XIX century and is not supported by any documents.

However, the fact that the king came down to a simple peasant and two more of Moscow confirmed the privileges are exempt from taxes, in 1633 and 1691 respectively deserves attention.

In the story of Glinka, compared with the text reading and writing, there are two main fictional story. The first – the son of Susanin. As we know, it was the heiress daughter Antonida (including royal privileges), which was only possible in the absence of male offspring. But the son could die before? Studies show that this is not so. Back in 1731 the descendants of Susanin attempt was made to enter into the story of the rescue of the king of another relative – the future husband of his daughter. He was allegedly sent Susanin warn the king of the danger.

However, this invention is not believed and the petition (which was intended to obtain wider benefits) is not approved. Thus, the son and son-in-law Susanin did not exist and were added to the legend about the salvation of the king later. The same can be said about the fact that the Susanin took the poles in the thicket (or swamps). Seventeenth-century documents we only know that the Susanin was not given location of the king, and romantic episode with the blind places, was added later.

Ivan Susanin and DNA

In the early 2000s, the media published several reports about the discovery of the tomb of Ivan Susanin. Archaeologists have based his hypothesis on the fact that several skeletons found during excavations near the village of Domnino were traces of blows with knives, swords possible.

However, they proceeded from the hypothesis that Susanin was buried, that also has to be proved. Criminologists doctors who have studied the remains discovered, while noting the many similarities in the structure of anthropometric found skeletons and descendants Susanin in 8 – 15 generations, declined to uniquely identify the most probable skeleton. Had to decide the fate of the DNA analysis of bones, but the study did not produce any reliable positive results.

Ivan Susanin XX century.

Nevertheless, it is hardly now be doubted that the feat of Ivan Susanin was coined. Documented examples of such actions are well known in the country’s history.

The most famous is the peasant feat Matvey Kuzmin winter of 1942. In the area of his village in the Pskov region battalion of German 1st Mountain Division would like to make a detour the positions of the Soviet troops. As a conductor Germans chose 83-year-old Matthew Kuzmin. However, the one volunteering to lead a detachment, quietly posted 11-year-old grandson of Sergei (it was not already an invention of later narrators) to the location of the Soviet troops and handed him over time and place of ambush.

At the appointed time Matvey Kuzmin brought the Germans on the position of the Soviet heavies. The history of this feat came in the Soviet press, and Matvey Kuzmin was posthumously awarded the title hero of the Soviet Union.

At the same time, he Matvey Kuzmin about Ivan Susanin hardly knew – Pskov hunter was probably illiterate. But if knew that too unsurprisingly. In Russia, as well as later in the Soviet Union, a feat of Ivan Susanin was widely used in mass propaganda. Glinka’s opera “A Life for the Tsar” changed its name to “Ivan Susanin”, the patriotic image of Kostroma peasant turned writers, artists, poets and throughout the XIX and XX centuries. On the real Ivan Susanin we know very little, but more than about any other peasant of the time. Its existence is documented, even by his silence he accomplished the feat, and did not give the young Michael Romanov, who hunted the Poles.

Catherine II was so sure that it will revive the Byzantine Empire that even a grandson named Constantine, and was preparing to give him power. Annexation of the Crimea was part of this ambitious project.

Fall of an Empire.

May 30, 1453 can be considered the date of closure of Byzantium. That same day, after two months of siege, Mehmed II entered Constantinople, and commanded to turn the symbol of Constantinople, St. Sophia Cathedral, into a mosque.

After this victory, the Sultan, who considers itself the successor of Emperor Constantine took the title Caesar of Rome. The fall of the holy city for the whole of Europe was the first sign of the beginning of the end of the world, the more so after this event began many of the plague, and the Turks were advancing farther west. Pope Pius II called a council, which introduced a draft Crusade to Constantinople, but the idea was never implemented.

Grandson Constantine.

Three hundred years later, echoing the designs of Pius II plan matured where this cannot be expected in Russia. The so-called Greek project is the result of discussions by Catherine II and her favorite Potemkin in 1780 because of the success of the Russo-Turkish war of 1768-1774, in particular, the protectorate of Crimea, obtaining the Northern shore of the Black sea and a solid contribution.

Of military success was Archipelago sea expedition, in which the Russian fleet for the first time fought far from the borders of Russia and was able to lay the beginning of the separation of Egypt from the Ottoman Empire. The main goal of this project becomes not only as the capital of the conquest of the entire Orthodox world – Constantinople. The Empress is so inspired by the idea that even named his grandson after Constantine – a name that wore the first and last emperors of Byzantium.

Grandson on the throne!

Dreaming of the Third Rome played a leading role in the politics of rapprochement with Vienna – Russian Empress in 1782 wrote to the Austrian Emperor Joseph II on its plans for the redistribution of Europe.

Catherine hopes that the Emperor “will not refuse to help me in the restoration of the ancient Greek monarchy on the ruins of the fallen barbarous government, are now dominant, while taking me on a commitment to maintain the independence of the restored monarchy of mine.”

Firstly, Catherine insists that Russia does not need new territories, but Moldavia, Wallachia and Bessarabia she chooses to combine into a single buffer state – Dacia, territorial concept which is practically a complete analog of modern Romania. Throne of the hypothetical state takes orthodox emperor to be in league with the great empires – the Russian and the Austrian.

Secondly, Russia and Austria should unite to defeat Porto and take Istanbul, again making it to Constantinople. As conceived by Catherine the reins had to take over her grandson Constantine, however reformed Byzantium would be completely independent.

Empress chariot.

One of the main reasons for the Greek project, the assurances of Catherine, was the fight against the infidels, but Joseph and the king of France, Louis XVI, not in a hurry to believe that plan.

Meanwhile, Catherine conducted an extensive correspondence with the French philosopher Voltaire, who urged the Empress that the “fall of the Ottoman Empire will be glorified in Greek, Athens will be one of your capitals, Greek language will be universal …”, and that only Catherine can “expel the barbarians and make Constantinople the capital of Russian Empire.”

Among the advice of Voltaire was a recommendation to use the capture of Constantinople by the chariot, which is clearly reminiscent of the heroic war of the Greek epic.

Byzantine knot.

Louis supporting the Ottoman Empire after the Russian Union of proposals sent to Turkey for military training its army for war. Joseph also confused by the influence that Russia would acquire in the Balkans, besides, he did not agree with the concept of Dacia.

England also did not support the Greek project.

Meanwhile Catherine surrounds young Constantine Greek nurses and builds near Tsarskoye Selo, a reduced copy of St. Sophia Cathedral.

However, these arrangements were not the only steps to translate the revival of Byzantium – Empress, using the French war in America and an alliance with Austria decided to capture the Crimea as well as the costs of maintaining its independence, become exorbitant, besides, the peninsula would be a good link between the New Russia and Europe.

Christian duty.

Conceived in 1778 by Potemkin in memory of the ancient Greek city of Kherson Chersonesos and its plan to build a Yekaterynoslav (now – Dnepropetrovsk), the future capital of New Russia, becoming one of the many moves in a big game on the accession of Catherine the land to the south.

One of the religious and moral motives to justify the annexation of the Crimea becomes the fact that Vladimir who baptized Rus, he was baptized is in the Chersonese, and in light of the need for the conquest of the Crimea is becoming something of a Christian duty.

While Versailles nourishes vague hopes to make a peacemaker in the war Ports and Russia, Catherine vengeance busy building fortifications on the Crimean Black Sea coast.

As the Russian army was already in the Crimea in 1782, the annexation was fast and Catherine suggested Tatars to swear allegiance to her or to go to Turkey (left 200, 000). New province called Tauridia and former Khan went to Kaluga pressure Prince Tauride – Potemkin engaged in the development of new lands.

After the annexation.

The annexation of the Crimea, surprisingly, quite warmly welcomes both France and Austria. After the capture of the Crimea Russia establishes a protectorate over Georgia at the same time fierce fighting with the Chechens and Dagestani in the North Caucasus, moving everything to the south. Turkey refers to the states of Europe to ask for help, but no country meets her affection.

The result of emerging confrontation was the second Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791, of which Russia emerged victorious: the border between the Russian Empire and Turkey began to pass on the Dniester River.

However, the Port received while Moldavia and Bessarabia. Gain from this war disappointment Catherine: the great project to revive the Byzantine Empire was never destined to become.

Despite the fact that soon will create a new sea port – Odessa, which inhabit the Greeks, and in the beginning of the XIX century, not long survive a Russian protectorate over the seven Greek islands, Catherine dreams of Constantinople and were only dreams.

Greeks, pleading for the return of the Empress of their homeland and left without if asked, and the only reminder of the grand project was Constantine, who speaks fluent Greek.

“Hindustan is ours” and “Russian soldiers washing their boots in the Indian Ocean” – it could become a reality in the distant 1801, when Paul I, together with Napoleon attempted the conquest of India.

Impregnable Asia.

How successful was on the development of Russian East, just as it proved to be unsuccessful in the south. In this regard, Russia is constantly haunted by bad luck: the harsh steppes and Pamir mountain ranges have always proved an insurmountable obstacle to Russian. But it probably was not the geographical obstacles, and in the absence of clear objectives.

By the end of the XVIII century Russia firmly entrenched in the southern borders of the Ural mountain range, but the raids of nomads and intractable Khanate prevented promotion empire to the south. However, Russia is not only glanced at the still unconquered Emirate of Bukhara and Khiva Khanate, but then – in the direction of the unknown and mysterious India.

At the same time, Britain, whose American colony disappeared like a ripe fruit, concentrated its efforts on India, occupies an important strategic position in the Asian region. While Russia skidded on the way to Central Asia, England, moving farther and farther to the north, was seriously considering plans for conquest and colonization mountainous regions of India, favorable for farming. Interests of the two nations is about may be experiencing.

“Napoleon’s plans”.

Its plans for India was also France: but it is not so much interested in the area, as the hated British, strengthen its rule there. Time to knock them out of India was the most suitable. Britain torn by wars with the kingdoms of Hindustan, significantly weakened his army in the region. Napoleon Bonaparte had to find just the right ally.

First Consul turned his attention to Russia. “With your lord we change the face of the world!” – Napoleon flattered Russian envoy. And he has not lost. Paul I, known for its grandiose plans to join the Russian Malta or the administration of a military expedition to Brazil willingly went to the rapprochement with Bonaparte. Russian support for the king of France was interested in nothing less. The goal – the weakening of England – they had in common.

However, the first idea of ​​a joint campaign against India gave Paul I, and Napoleon only supported this initiative. Paul, according to the historian A. Katsura, was well aware that “the possession of the keys to the world hidden somewhere in the center of Eurasia.” Eastern dream two major powers had all the chances to become a reality.

Indian blitzkrieg.

Preparing for the campaign was conducted in secret, all information transmitted mostly through couriers orally. Roll a joint to India set aside a record time – 50 days. The Allies relied on the support of the Maharaja of Punjab Type Said that would accelerate progress of the expedition. On the French side was supposed to make the 35000th army led by glorified general Andre Massena , and a Russian – the same number of Cossacks led by Ataman of the Don Army Vasily Orlov. In support of an elderly chieftain Paul ordered to appoint an officer Matvei Platov, Ataman of the Don Army of the future and a hero of the war in 1812. In the short term for the campaign were prepared: 41 Cavalry Regiment and two companies of horse artillery, which amounted to 27,500 people and 55,000 horses.

Nothing boded trouble, but a grand idea still under threat. Blame the British officer John Malcolm, who in the midst of preparing the Russian-French campaign first made ​​an alliance with the Afghans, and then with the Shah of Persia, who had recently sworn allegiance to France. Napoleon this turn of events is clearly not happy and he temporarily “freeze” the project.

But the ambitious Paul used their endeavors to bring to an end and February 28, 1801 sent don an army to conquer India. This Grand and ambitious plan he outlined Orlov in parting letter, noting that wherever you are appointed, the British have “their establishments trade, purchased, or money, or weapons. You have all this ruin, oppressed owners to release land to bring Russia into the same addiction, it the English”.

Back to home.

It was clear that the expedition to India was not planned properly. Orlov was unable to gather the necessary information about the route through Central Asia, he had to lead an army on the cards traveler F. Ephraim, composed in 1770-80’s. Did not work Ataman assemble and 35 thousandth army – a campaign acted on the strength of 22 thousand people.

Winter Journey on horseback through the Kalmyk steppe was a stern test for even the hardened Cossacks. Their movement hindered wet from the melted snow cloaks, and rivers, only began to break free from the ice, and sand storms. Was not enough bread and fodder. But the troops were ready to go further.

All changed murder of Paul I on the night of 11 to 12 March 1801. “Where are the Cossacks?” – This was one of the first questions newly Emperor Alexander I to Count Lieven, participated in the development of the route. Sent a messenger with a handwritten Alexander order to terminate the campaign caught the expedition, only 23 of March in the village Machetnom Saratov province. Cossacks were told to return to their homes. Curiously, the story repeated itself five years ago, when after the death of Catherine II was returned, sent in the Caspian Dagestan land expedition Zubov-Tsitsianov.

English track.

Another 24 October 1800 was made an unsuccessful attempt on Napoleon, which were involved in the British. Most likely, on the plans of Bonaparte reacted English officials, afraid to lose their millions, they brought the East India company. But refusal to participate in the campaign of Napoleon the activities of the English agents had been forwarded to the Russian Emperor. Many researchers, in particular historian Cyril Serebrinsky, see the death of Paul the English track.

This is indirectly confirmed by the facts. For example, one of the developers of the Indian campaign and the main conspirator Count Palen was seen in the relations with the British. In addition to the British Isles generously supplied money mistress St. Petersburg British Ambassador Charles Uitvorda to that, according to researchers, prepared the ground for conspiracy against Paul I. It is also interesting that Paul’s correspondence with Napoleon 1800-1801 years was bought in 1816 from a private individual Great Britain and subsequently burned.

New Perspectives After the death of Paul Alexander I to the surprise of many, continued to build relationships with Napoleon, but they tried to build a more favorable position for Russia. The young king hated arrogance and gluttony of the French ruler. In 1807, during a meeting at Tilsit Napoleon tried to persuade Alexander to sign an agreement on the division of the Ottoman Empire and the new campaign in India. Later on February 2, 1808, in a letter to him Bonaparte as expounded his plans: “If an army of 50 thousand Russian and French right through Constantinople in Asia and would appear on the Euphrates, it would make England tremble and threw her to the feet of the mainland”.

It is not known how this attitude to the idea of ​​the Emperor of Russia, but he preferred to any initiative did not come from France, and from Russia. In subsequent years already without France Russia begins to actively explore Central Asia and to establish trade relations with India, excluding in this case every adventure.

Several centuries enthusiasts and adventurers unsuccessfully search the library of Ivan the Terrible. Serious scientists impress – search meaningless. But hope still remains.

Birth of a legend.

Leave a trace in the history of two ways: to create something brilliant or mess things up something crazy. But if a person is not able to be born a genius and laurels Gerostrat does not appeal – there is a third way: to become part of the historical myth. How does this happen? Cnachala arises legend. Then she acquires details and “evidence” of those who want to get their “15 minutes of fame.” Over time, the stories of these “witnesses” are beginning to refer to the descendants – and here’s the finished historical myth, in which real people take pride of place. Let’s see how to create the myth of the library, and who, thanks to him, “heritage” in history. Thus, the legend: a unique library, which was collected by the Byzantine emperors for centuries, brought to Moscow Princess Sophia Palaeologus as a dowry to her husband – Grand Prince Ivan III. To protect the precious scrolls from fire, the Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti designed for special library cache. The last owner of the library was Ivan the Terrible, after his death the library was gone.

Witnesses.

Now go to the “witnesses.” “Livonian Chronicle” end of the XVI century, tells the story of Pastor Johann Vettermana, was captured by the Russian during the Livonian War. Having heard about the scholarship and righteous life pastor, Ivan the Terrible, invited him to Moscow and ordered the prisoner Diakitè show your library. Seeing many priceless books, Pastor said that “I would give all his possessions, even all her children, so that only those books … brought many benefits to Christianity.” Must be a lot of fervor Holy Father amused clerks: after all, the prisoner had no children, no property. He offered to translate into Russian part of the manuscripts. Looking around the store, the pastor realized that the work ahead is possible – for a lifetime. Suddenly forgot about the “benefits of Christianity,” and hurried tactfully refuse.

Amusing story, but it is improbable. Really, Ivan the Terrible were better things to do than brag “filthy peasant” for its library. Of course, the pastor nafantaziroval, but fantasy has immortalized his name in the pages of “Livonian Chronicle” by making part of the myth of the library of Ivan the Terrible. We still hear about Vettermane.

In the XIX century historian Ivan Zabelin studying archives times of Peter I, the sexton found reports Conon Osipova. He recounted a story he heard from a friend – clerk Vasily Makarieva. Performing certain order of the princess Sophia, clerk explore dungeons Kremlin and stumbled upon a secret room, cluttered trunks. Makariev somehow decided that it was stored in them precious manuscripts of the library of Ivan the Terrible. Having the light of day, he reported everything to Sophia, but the princess ordered forget what they saw. For many years, the clerk kept the secret, told her only Osipov. Quirky sexton decided to try their luck and find the treasured room. But given Makarieva move turned buried in the ground, to get to the cache alone is unthinkable. I had to go to the authorities. V1724, Peter I ordered to clear the underpass and look for the library. Digging a long time, but to no avail. However, the sexton was not discouraged. Ten years, he continued to fill the high court petitions for new excavations in the Kremlin, and finally has his diggers made ​​one more attempt to reach a secret room. Vain.

Pointer …

As time went on. In 1822, Professor, University of Dorpat Christopher von Dabelov wrote an article “On the Law Faculty in Dorpat.” Among other things, he cites a document, which he called “Index of an unknown person.” It was no less a list of manuscripts kept in the library of Ivan the Terrible. This document, according to the professor, he was sent from the archives of the city Pernau. Article interested colleagues Dabelova – Professor Walter Klossiusa. Perhaps list was our old friend – Pastor Vetterman (by then “Livonian captive” has become part of the myth of the library)? Klossius met Dabelovym, but he said that he had a copy of the document, and he sent the original back to Pernau. How could an experienced archivist to part with such a treasure? Cursing oversight colleagues Klossius hurried to the archive Pernova. But as the list of vanished into thin air, he did not appear in any inventory.

Nevertheless, v1834 year, after the death Dabelova, Klossius published an article “The Library of Grand Prince Vasily Ivanovich and Ivan Vasilyevich king”, which described in detail the discovery of professors and announced the list of the manuscripts of “Index” – the works of Titus Libya, Tacitus, Polybius, Suetonius, Cicero, Virgil, Aristophanes, Pindar, etc. Myth overgrown all new “detail”.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century and up to the last days of his life (1949), the library was looking archaeologist Ignatius Stelletsky. He asserted that, in v1914 Pernove found the same coveted “Index.” But he had only to rewrite it as soon document … gone. Scientists have raised Stelletskogo laugh. Nevertheless, he methodically and persistently sought the royal library in Vologda, Alexander settlement and, of course, in the Moscow Kremlin. In 1933, the Stelletsky delivers a memo to Stalin and seeking permission to excavate. Digging long, the result is predictable – zero.

Was there a library?

Now back to reality and think: Was there a library? It’s hard to imagine that in 1453 fleeing from the Turks defenders of Constantinople had loaded on the ship and take hundreds of books. But suppose a miracle happened, a library rescued and brought to Moscow. She could have been killed in a fire, it could pull apart the Polish invaders in the Time of Troubles. But who knows what. And it was valuable library book? Academician Dmitry Likhachev said: “Even if the library of Ivan the Terrible discover discovery will not be of great scientific value. A significant part of this collection were the church books that Sophia Palaeologus was brought to Russia from Byzantium, to pray in their own language”.

There is another interesting version of the library of Ivan the Terrible … is already found! Not all, of course, only a small part. Here is what the newspaper “Trud” November 22, 1944: “The cabinets USSR State Library named after VI Lenin kept many thousands of ancient manuscripts and manuscripts. Among other … five books in large format vintage leather bindings from the personal collection of Ivan the Terrible. “Can journalists make a mistake? But nearly half a century later Head of the Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library (former “Lenin Library”) Victor Deriagin confirmed: “We have stored 600 thousand manuscripts, of which 60 thousand ancient, more than three hundred Greek (mainly Byzantine). Some date back to the VI century BC It is possible that there are also books Sophia Paleologos”.

So it is time to recall the famous Russian proverb, and stop looking for “gloves in his belt?”