THE «CHIEF» GOSTOMYSL AND THE EARLY POLITICAL UNIFICATION OF THE NOVGOROD SLAVS

Tarasov Il'ya M.

In the article examines the semi-legendary personality of the chronicled «chief» Gostomysl and determines the approximate time of his life. The author tries to determine the role of Gostomysl in the formation of the «Northern Union» of the chiefdoms of Slavs and Baltic Finns in the Volkhov-Ilmen region — the forerunner of the state of Rurik—Oleg.

Keywords:Novgorod Slavs, Krivichs, culture of Pskov long mounds, culture of Novgorod hills, Gostomysl, Russian chronicles, Novgorod