The work of V. G. Mirzosva is one of the first monographs in our literature devoted to the early stage of Russian historiography. It gives an interesting sketch of the origin of historical knowledge in Ancient Russia, considers the most important Old Russian historical source - epics and annals. The book shows what an important role they played in affirming the unity of the Russian people, in strengthening the norms of public life, in the fight against numerous enemies of the Old Russian state. The book is illustrated with color images of the rarest ancient miniatures.