Bogatyri

(from the Old Turkic bagatur, “brave warrior”), heroes of the Russian byliny (epic folk songs), defenders of the Russian land. The bogatyri performed great military deeds and were distinguished by exceptional strength, boldness, intelligence, and self-control. In the Old Russian language the word bogatyr was equivalent to khrabr, khrabor, and udalets. The word bogatyr is encountered in the chronicles, beginning in the 13th century. Most of the figures of the bogatyri are grouped together in the byliny on Kiev and Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich.