About the book: 2001 / The book examines the reliability of information from the oldest Russian chronicles, used to reconstruct the events of the early centuries of Russian history. The first part is devoted to the analysis of the structure, chronology, terminology and stylistics of “The Tale of Bygone Years”, issues of its authorship, the number of editions, their volumes, dating and probable time of composition of the final text. The second part examines controversial issues of textual criticism and attribution of monuments of Russian literature and art of the 12th–15th centuries. (Ipatiev Chronicle, “The Tale of Igor’s Host”, “Zadonshchina”, “Trinity” by Andrei Rublev), as well as a number of events in the history of the 14th–16th centuries. (The Battle of Kulikovo, the second marriage of Vasily III, the oprichnina of Ivan IV). The book is intended for specialists in the history of Russia, literary historians, university teachers, students, as well as a wide range of readers interested in these issues. It is recommended as a textbook for seminar classes. * * * The book contains tables and inline pictures.