The Tale of Bygone Years (also called the “Primary Chronicle” or “Nestor’s Chronicle”) is the earliest surviving ancient Russian chronicle from the beginning of the 12th century. Known from several editions and lists with minor deviations in the texts introduced by copyists. It was compiled in Kyiv.

The period of history covered begins with biblical times in the introductory part and ends with 1117 (in the 3rd edition). The dated part of the history of the Old Russian state begins in the summer of 6360 (852) of Emperor Michael.

The name of the code gave rise to the first phrase “The Tale of Bygone Years...” or in part of the lists “Behold the Tale of Bygone Years...”

CONTENTS: Text (7). Various readings (130). Translation (143). APPENDICES: “The Tale of Bygone Years” (historical and literary essay) (271). Archaeographic review of the lists of “The Tale of Bygone Years” (359). Comments (379).Indices (compiled by D.S. Likhachev) (549).Name (549).Geographical (566).Old Russian written sources (578).Additions (M.B.Sverdlov) (584).List of abbreviations ( 666).