ROSTOV-SUZDAL LAND IN EPICS AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE EMERGENCE OF THE EPIC TRADITION

The epic tradition of the Rostov-Suzdal-Vladimir lands is considered in the light of the thesis concerning the «maternal», «colonial», «regional» and «local» metropolises of the formation of epics. Even though only fragments of the epic tradition have been recorded in the area, Vladimir Region was one of those territories where epics were originally shaped. Scarce mentions of Rostov and traces of Suzdal in the epic texts are analyzed. An overview of the few records of epics made in the Vladimir Region is provided.