Hypatian Codex
Encyclopedia
The Hypatian Codex is a compendium of three chronicle
s: the Primary Chronicle
, Kiev Chronicle, and Galician-Volhynian Chronicle. It is the most important source of historical data for southern Rus'. The codex was rediscovered in what is today Ukraine in 1617 and then copied by monks in Kyiv in 1621.
The codex is the second oldest surviving manuscript of the Primary Chronicle, after the Laurentian Codex
. The Hypatian manuscript dates back to ca 1425, but it incorporates much precious information from the lost 12th-century Kievan and 13th-century Galician chronicles. The codex was possibly compiled at the end of the 13th century.
The Hypatian Codex was re-discovered again in the 18th century at the Hypatian Monastery
of Kostroma
by the Russian historian Nikolay Karamzin. Since 1810, the codex has been preserved in the Russian National Library
, St Petersburg. The language of this work is Old Church Slavonic
with many Slavisms
.
Chronicle
Generally a chronicle is a historical account of facts and events ranged in chronological order, as in a time line. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the...
s: the Primary Chronicle
Primary Chronicle
The Primary Chronicle , Ruthenian Primary Chronicle or Russian Primary Chronicle, is a history of Kievan Rus' from about 850 to 1110, originally compiled in Kiev about 1113.- Three editions :...
, Kiev Chronicle, and Galician-Volhynian Chronicle. It is the most important source of historical data for southern Rus'. The codex was rediscovered in what is today Ukraine in 1617 and then copied by monks in Kyiv in 1621.
The codex is the second oldest surviving manuscript of the Primary Chronicle, after the Laurentian Codex
Laurentian Codex
Laurentian Codex or Laurentian Chronicle is a collection of chronicles that includes the oldest extant version of the Primary Chronicle and its continuations, mostly relating the events in Northern Russia ....
. The Hypatian manuscript dates back to ca 1425, but it incorporates much precious information from the lost 12th-century Kievan and 13th-century Galician chronicles. The codex was possibly compiled at the end of the 13th century.
The Hypatian Codex was re-discovered again in the 18th century at the Hypatian Monastery
Ipatiev Monastery
The Ipatiev Monastery —sometimes translated into English as Hypatian Monastery—is a male monastery, situated on the bank of the Kostroma River just opposite the city of Kostroma...
of Kostroma
Kostroma
Kostroma is a historic city and the administrative center of Kostroma Oblast, Russia. A part of the Golden Ring of Russian towns, it is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kostroma Rivers...
by the Russian historian Nikolay Karamzin. Since 1810, the codex has been preserved in the Russian National Library
Russian National Library
The National Library of Russia in St Petersburg, known as the State Public Saltykov-Shchedrin Library from 1932 to 1992 , is the oldest public library in Russia...
, St Petersburg. The language of this work is Old Church Slavonic
Old Church Slavonic
Old Church Slavonic or Old Church Slavic was the first literary Slavic language, first developed by the 9th century Byzantine Greek missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius who were credited with standardizing the language and using it for translating the Bible and other Ancient Greek...
with many Slavisms
East Slavic languages
The East Slavic languages constitute one of three regional subgroups of Slavic languages, currently spoken in Eastern Europe. It is the group with the largest numbers of speakers, far out-numbering the Western and Southern Slavic groups. Current East Slavic languages are Belarusian, Russian,...
.