The history of the appearance in the language, the very origin of the word "Rus" has always been interesting to scientists - philologists, historians, linguists. Many Russian writers gave their understanding of the term. It is also used in works of folklore. The first attempts to explain the meaning of this word are rooted in antiquity. Over the past centuries, several versions of its interpretation have been formed, but not one of them can be called absolutely true.
The origin of the word "Rus" and the literary heritage of the Russian people
In support of the thought expressed above, we can cite examples of literary works, the authors of which present their vision of the origin and interpretation of the word "Rus."
The version expressed by Nestor, as is commonly believed, is one of the oldest. The author of The Tale of Bygone Years left notes for descendants that made him think about many things, including the origin of the Russian people and their historical homeland. A different interpretation of the concepts offered by other famous literary figures of the past. Particularly noteworthy are the research works of M. V. Lomonosov, N. M. Karamzin ("History of the Russian State"), L. N. Gumilyov ("From Russia to Russia").
In the novel by V. Chivilikhin "Memory", the author puts forward a version about the existence of inexplicable sources that can feed the energy of every person living on their native land. Thanks to the ability to honor the historical Motherland, to know the language and customs of the ancestors, people can survive and overcome any hardships. The work provides evidence of the emergence of the first Russian settlements on the banks of numerous rivers and lakes.
The origin of the word "Rus" is considered in many school and university textbooks. Some authors interpret the concepts very similar. Other scholars present their view to the readers' judgment, which is different from the views of colleagues. It should be borne in mind that each of the authors has done a great deal of research before putting forward his assumption. And it deserves respect.
The influence of foreign and ancient languages on the birth of hypotheses
There are many versions in which the theory of the origin of the word "Rus" is associated with foreign languages. So, for example, in the Western European group, the root "rus" is used, the meaning of which is reduced to the word bear. In Finno-Ugric languages, a lexeme of similar sound also existed. All this served as the basis for the appearance of another additional version explaining the origin of the word "Rus."
Latin also generated a hypothesis trying to explain the meaning of this concept.
The same
root word in this language meant the countryside.
Variants of the origin of the proper name and the name of the people are available in Swedish, Iranian, Old Russian, many Slavic languages. Traditionally, the interpretation of the concept is associated with an ancient state located on the territory of Eastern and Northern Europe, as well as the peoples who inhabited it. Most linguistic scholars still tend to believe that the word "Rus" for many reasons cannot have Slavic origin - it came from a foreign language.
Version one
There is a large group of scientists, linguists, historians who connect the origin of the word "Rus" with the name of the river or a noun denoting any reservoir. This version looks the most reliable and has concrete evidence.
It is known that most of the ancient settlements of the Slavs appeared on the banks of rivers and lakes. Water greatly facilitated the life of people, was used in economic activities, was a natural barrier to the passage of enemy troops, it was possible to easily navigate through the water in the summer, and lay roads in the winter.
So the meaning of the word "Rus" is in direct connection with the name of the rivers, on the banks of which, even in ancient times, settlements were founded that became the beginning of great cities. It is known that Ros is the right tributary of the mighty Dnieper. The same name was used many centuries ago by the Neman. The word "Rus" refers to the name of one of the branches of the river in its delta. The bay where he fell was called Rusnaya.
Other small rivers that were tributaries of larger bodies of water had similar names. In this regard, we must not forget that the great Volga in ancient times was also called Ras or Ros.
Second version
According to B. A. Rybakov and a group of other scientists, the origin of the word "Rus", "Russians" is associated with the name of the tribe that lived in antiquity in the vast territories of modern Eastern Europe - to Kiev in the north and the steppe zone in the south. Later, their neighbors joined the tribes of Roses, or Rus, as they were called. The unification of the tribes served as a prerequisite for the birth of the people, who later became known as Russian, and the territory where he lived - Russia.
Third version
Another group of scientists trying to explain the origin and meaning of the word "Rus" says that its interpretation is closely connected not with water, but with the forest. Dew is the uprooter of a forest, people who settled in areas covered by forests. It was the forest that helped the tribes survive in harsh climatic conditions, giving heat, food, allowing them to craft items that are so necessary in everyday life.
Another version can be attributed to the same group of versions. As mentioned above, the word "bear" in some Western European languages is very similar in sound to the root "rus". It follows that the Russians could be called people who settled in the forest, leading a secretive lifestyle, but strong and powerful, like a bear. This animal was considered the most powerful and formidable inhabitant of the forests.
Fourth version
This hypothesis of the appearance of the word is associated with the languages of the Finno-Ugric group. In some of them, there was also a word similar in sound, pronunciation with the root "grew." Translated, it sounds like "Varangian", which means "hired warrior." Mostly Varangians were people who came from the territory of Eastern Europe. Later, the places from where most of them came came to be called Rus. Initially, the word "Varangians" was not the name of the people, but indicated the social status of a group of people.
Now there is an assumption that the Varangians and Russians are words that are close in meaning. They mean the name of one and the same people who lived on the territory of an ancient state located in the north of Europe.
Fifth version
One of the common hypotheses explaining the meaning of the word and its origin indicates that the "Rus" is not the name of the tribe. According to scientists, this was the name of those who collected tribute from people who had to pay it.
Confirmation of this version is the modern translation of "The Tale of Bygone Years", where the names of the Slavic tribes are contrasted with the word "Ros."
Words with the same root, their interpretation
Considering the meaning of the word Rus, one can not but pay attention to the existence of a whole group of forms that are close to it in meaning. After a little research, it is easy to notice that each of the given interpretations is somehow connected with water, river, sea in one way or another.
So, for example, the mermaid is a mythical creature that lives in water bodies. Ancient pagan beliefs tell about it. And in the rapids of the Dnieper is another fabulous monster, his name is Rus.
In the dialects of some regions of Russia, lexical units having a common root with the word Rus are still used. For example, Ruslina is a rod or rapid, rust is the movement of water in a fast stream, the channel is a depression on land, the place where the river flows. The names Ruslan and Ruslan are also believed to be related to the word Rus.
Instead of a conclusion
Versions of the origin of the word "Rus", their huge variety indicate a great interest in this issue not only scientists around the world, but also ordinary people. Attention to the topic has not waned for many centuries.
A large number of existing versions indicate an unresolved problem. But the following becomes clear: the formation of a powerful Old Russian state became the basis for the formation of a single nation and the emergence of the Russian language. The circumstances associated with the feudal fragmentation of Russia, the invasion of the Mongol-Tatars, led to the fact that the cultural development of certain territories went their own special way.
But, despite years of disparate existence, the "gathering of Russian lands" still took place, which subsequently led to the emergence of an independent, unified Russian state.