University of Virginia Library

Bold Alyosha Popovich

SEVERAL references are made to Alyosha in
various Chronicles, under the name of Alexander
Popovich. The most important, from the
Nikonof Chronicle of the year 1224, states that
"Alexander Popovich with his servant Torop" (Akim
of the song), "Dobrynya Golden Belt of Ryazan, and
seventy great and brave bogatyrs were slain in the
battle of Kalka, by the Tatars, through the wrath of
God at our sins."

This is the famous battle described in "Ilya Murometz
and Tzar Kalin," where Russian chivalry perished.

What relation the character of the Alyosha of epic
song bears to that of the actual historical personage, it
is impossible, with our meagre information, to decide.
It is probable, however, that his name of Popovich,
pope's (priest's) son, determined the characteristics of
the epic hero, rather than his personal traits.—Numerous
tales (skazkas)[3] bear witness to the unpopularity
of priests and their relatives in Russia. His language
and deeds in some short poems justify Dobrynya's
description of him as a scorner of women in "Dobrynya
and Alyosha." He bears some resemblance to the
Loki of Northern mythology, the mischief-maker.

An incantation, "The Patrol of the Flocks," mentions
among evil spirits, wild beasts, and other noxious

influences to be guarded against, "popes and their
popesses, monks, nuns," and so forth.

Tugarin, adapted from Tugar-Khan, is the spirit of
the storm, the fire-flashing cloud, one of the dragons
combated by Dobrynya as well as by Alyosha.