Epics are a peculiar and unique genre of Russian folklore. It contains all the experience of the development of the people.
Each epic, passing from the narrator to the narrator, has acquired new features, and sometimes storylines. Therefore, it is never possible to name the exact date of the appearance of this or that heroic parable.
It is believed that this form of storytelling, along with the harp and chant, originated in two centers of the development of Russian culture: Kiev and Novgorod.
The most famous hero of Russian epics is Ilya Muromets. It reflects all the main positive qualities attributed to Russian athletes: strong, handsome, modest, selfless. At the same time, it is very straightforward, does not tolerate dodgy people and deceivers. A peculiar ideal, as seen by a resident of Ancient Russia.
The idea of all epics is a sharp contrast of good and evil. But the listener never doubted that by the end of the story, truth and justice would prevail.
The main characters of the songs of gusla players most likely collective images. Their destinies were formed from the exploits of individual people who were committed here and there in the defense of their Native land from another nomad RAID. Over time, their achievements were clothed in an artistic description and became a fairy tale-half-truths that inspired the people to new confrontations with foreign invaders. They became a model of correct thinking and behavior to strive for.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the mission that storytellers carried, moving from settlement to settlement and telling about the next feats of the Russian people in the faces of their favorite heroes.
