Heroes and Their Enemies in Russian Mythology

This remarkable book invites you to dive into the depths of Russian myths, where an eternal battle between light and darkness, good and evil is reflected in Slavic legends, Russian folk tales, epics, and historical songs. You’ll rediscover the stories you’ve known since childhood about confrontations between heroes such as Ivan Tsarevich and Koshchei the Immortal, Ilya Muromets and the Nightingale the Robber, as well as the adventures of the bold gusli player Sadko and his meeting with the Sea King. Legends about the boastful hero Stavr Godinovich and the robber Vasily Buslaev will reveal why fighting evil can be more complex and tangled than it seems, because sometimes the main battle happens within the hero himself. Readers will learn about the origins and deep meanings of myths, fairy tales, and epics; examine fairy-tale archetypes through the works of Vladimir Propp; and meet the true soul of Russian culture—from ancient pagan gods and to holy protectors and warriors, from Perun and Veles to Peter I and Yermak.