Justice of the Rus

( 1019 ) Commentary by Brian Bonhomme, Youngstown State University

“If a man kills a man [the following relatives of the murdered man may avenge him]: the brother is to avenge his brother; the son, his father; or the father, his son; and the son of the brother [of the murdered man] or the son of his sister, [their respective uncle]. If there is no avenger, [the murderer pays] 40 grivna wergeld.” - Short Version, Article 1
“If they kill the bailiff, deliberately, the [actual] murderer has to pay 80 grivna [as bloodwite], and the guild is not liable. And for the prince's adjutant, 80 grivna.” - Short Version, Article 19
“And after Iaroslav his sons: Iziaslav, Sviatoslav, and Vsevolod … met in a conference and canceled the [custom] of blood revenge, and [instead ordered] composition of [the crime] by money.” - Expanded Version, Article 2
“After the death of [Prince] Sviatopolk, [Prince] Vladimir, son of Vsevolod, called his councilors [for a meeting] …. And they ordered that he who lends money at third-of-the-year rates be limited by the third collection of interest.” - Expanded Version, Article 53

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