Single Combats in the PVL. An Indo-European Comparative Analysis

Abstract

Single Combats in the PVL. An Indo-European Comparative Analysis

In the PVL, there are two accounts of single hand-to-hand combat. The first reportedly takes place between a young tanner and a giant Pecheneg sub anno 993, the second between prince Mstislav and Rededja sub anno 1022. In the present article each narrative is compared to Greek and Latin accounts as well as to a Biblical one. The coincidences found in the comparison of all five narratives lead to the conclusion that such parallels cannot be coincidental, and that the possibility of a common genetic origin must be considered.