Страна», «земля», «волость»: специфіка вживання на рівні термінології та конкретних територіальних одиниць в «Повісті временних літ»

Abstract

The author investigates a problem of the use of concepts "strana", "zemla", "wolost" in "the Story of temporary years" as at a level of a terminology, and concrete territorial units. These terms have some contexts of use in a source, but basic accent the author makes on administrative-political aspect of a problem. The word "strana" in this aspect is used under the relation before the large territorial formations at a level of the country. And this country has ethnic colouring. Close up to "strana" there is a concept "zemla". But "zemla" is used in a source much more often, is used basically in relation to " Ruskaya zemla" (whereas "strana" – foreign countries) and is used in relation to territorial units, which are inside "of Ruskaja zemla". Taking into account vague of the terms "strana" and "zemla", the author considers to unjustified use them in political-administrative meaning. With reference to ІХ – ХІ it is more expedient to centuries to use these terms only in geographical aspect. The basic attribute "wolost" is possession by it by prince. That is this certain possession of prince, which could consist of one or several territorial units (cities, of villages etc.) Thus author denies opinion about wolost as territories, which is near cities and is subordinated to it.