Bogatyr
Bogatyr (Russian богатырь ) is the name given stretching from medieval Russian legends, which in various heroic ballads ( byliny ) are sung.
Word origin
The word Bogatyr comes from the Altaic and goes back to the historical Turko - Mongol name of honor Baghatur ( Mongolian: ᠪ ᠠ ᠭ ᠠ ᠲ ᠦ ᠷ Baghatur / Ba ' ature ( Khalkha Mongolian: Баатар ), Turkish: Batur, Tatar and Kazakh: Батыр Batyr ). The original meaning of the word was a "hero" or " brave warrior ".
This term was introduced by the Turko - Mongol conquests in the 13th century in many non-Turkish languages and exists today in various forms such as in Bulgarian Багатур ( Bagatur ), Russian Богатырь ( Bogatyr ), Georgian Bagatur, Persian and North Indian Bahadur, Hungarian and Polish Bátor Bohater.
Historical Background
In real life, Bogatyri were mostly free mercenaries who learned recognition as Bogatyr thanks to their training and bravery. They were responsible for guarding the borders, training and management of the armed forces of a Knjaz ' ( princes ). These soldiers are known by the legends and tales from the time of Kievan Rus before the Mongol conquest. Especially at the time of Kievan Rus and the struggle of Russian principalities with the nomads from Central Asia and Finno - Ugrians from the Western Ural many legends arose about the Bogatyri. They act there as a protector of the rulers and boundaries of the ancient Russian cities and even played an important role in the succession conflicts of Kievan Rus. Some hired themselves out there as a mercenary and caravan guards and traveled according to the legends and traditions even as far as India. Especially Dobrynja Nikititch was known that he probably fought as mercenaries for the Kipchaks or Seljuk Turks in what is now Pakistan and North India, and thereby acquired a large fortune. Thus, it is assumed that it is the three mercenaries on the painting - was really, although there are very few written sources about it - Ilya Muromets, Dobrynja Nikititch and Aljosha ( Alexei ) Popovich.
Today is " Bogatyr " in Eastern Europe and the Russian-speaking countries, a pet name for a very strong stretching.