The image of the Latins and Latinism in “Walking abbot Daniel in the holy land”

Melnikov Anton Valerievich

The article deals with the problems of perception of the image of Latins and Latins in the " Walking of Abbot Daniel in the Holy Land." "The walk of Abbot Daniel" is considered within the framework of the General perception of Latinism and Latins in the intellectual tradition of Ancient Russia of the XII century. Civilizational and hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, as well as methods of imagology and content analysis are used in writing. The task set in the article is realized by the method of content analysis of all references in the work about the Western European peoples and representatives of the elite of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, who can be considered Latins. In addition to direct indications of events related to the participation of "Latins", the General context of Daniel's pilgrimage is investigated. It is established that the" walking " of Daniel was not only a personal pilgrimage, but had the character of a diplomatic action aimed at establishing contacts between Russian princes and political forces of the crusaders. Participation in the "journey" took in addition to Abbot other notable persons from the various Rus principalities, Abbot also remembers the names of all the Russian princes, which is indicative of an all-Russian character of his mission. Abbot Daniel does not use a dualistic approach either when referring to Latins or when referring to Muslim Gentiles, noting that the political groups of crusaders and Muslims who were in a state of struggle did not cause any danger to his group. The perception of Latins and Latinism was favourably influenced by the cordial reception given to pilgrims by the authorities of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, at the same time some features of a negative attitude to the Catholic religion were noted, it was noted that the worship of Catholics is recognized as having no grace-giving power. In General, if we compare the image of the Latins in the "Walk of Abbot Daniel" with the Chronicles and polemic works of the first half of the XII century, it will be more complete and positive.

Keywords:Latins, Abbot Daniel, the Holy Land, Jerusalem, Baldwin I, fryagi