Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv (Old East Slavic: Кии, Щекъ, Хоривъ, romanized: Kii, Ščekǔ, Horivǔ; Ukrainian: Кий, Щек, Хорив, romanized: Kyi, Šček, Horyv; Russian: Кий, Щек, Хоривъ, romanized: Kii, Šček, Horiv) were three legendary brothers—often mentioned along with their sister Lybеd'(Old East Slavic: Лыбѣдь, romanized: Lybed'; Ukrainian: Либідь, romanized: Lybid'; Russian: Лыбедь, romanized: Lybed') —who, according to the Primary Chronicle,[1] founded the city of Kiev (modern Kyiv), which eventually became the capital of Kievan Rus', and is the present-day capital of Ukraine.
There is no precise and historically established information about the existence of the four legendary siblings and the establishment of the city of Kiev.[2] It has been claimed by some scholars that Kyi was also prince (knyaz) and founded the so-called Kyi dynasty, from the Slavic tribe of Polans.[3]
- ^ "An Armenian historian of the seventh century, Zenob Glak, knew of a similar legend concerning the founding of the city of Kuar (Kyiv) in the land of Poluni (Polianians) by three brothers Kuar, Mentery, and Kherean." [in:] Medieval Rus' epics, chronicles, and tales. 1974; "Similarly to Nestor's story about Kyi, Shchek and Khoryv, the Armenian legend of Kuar and his brothers says (in the 6th or in the 7th century). [in:] Київ, анциент анд модерн киты. 1983
- ^ Oleh Yastrubov. "And gave it its name Kyiv". Newspaper "Den". 14 July 2006.
- ^ Katchanovski, Ivan; Kohut, Zenon E.; Nebesio, Bohdan Y.; Yurkevich, Myroslav (2013). "Kyi, Shcheck, Khorvy, and Lybid". Historical Dictionary of Ukraine. Scarecrow Press. p. 299. ISBN 978-0-8108-7847-1.