The execution of Igorevichi princes in Galich: juridical and rite aspects of the event

In the beginning of the 13th century (1210 or 1211) Chernigov (Seversk) princes Igorevichi, who were ruling for some time in the Upper and Middle Podnestrov'e, were murdered in Galich. Facts concerning the concluding stage of this dreadful event are of a special interest. Among different foreign and inner policy causes of the deposition and punishment of princes, one should mention savage repressions against native boyars, which became one of the main reasons of princes' death. The author strikes on the fact that the act of punishment had difficult structure. Firstly it was accomplished in the form of Veche's punishment where all Galich population took part. In the beginning princes were dragged through the whole town, beaten and abused - which was traditional form of Veche's punishments. But the second part of their execution - murdering - was realized by relatives of the boyars, who were killed by Igorevichi. Princes were really killed out of revenge, as it is mentioned in chronicle. The author mentions that even method of murdering - hanging on tree - is also important, because it was the main form of execution of murders from their vengers (relatives of those who were killed) and it was legal practice. The execution had its rite meaning and traced back to the pagan times. Hanging in pagan times concerned as a form of offering, and tree on which murders were hanged was a prototype of the world tree. Choking, which abstracted normal exit of soul from body, was also of a special meaning. And it is hard to say how these pagan ideas were recognized and reproduced in the 13th century, while using such a traditional form of murders' execution.

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