Between Incomprehension and Scorn: The Moldavian Church Slavonic Chronicles through the Eyes of Romanian Science
Abstract
This paper's aim is to acquaint the reader with the history of research on the Moldavian chronicles in the Church Slavonic language in Romania. The analysis is focused on the unsatisfactory state of current research into these chronicles, and on its genesis and causes.
The research dates back to the 19th century, when modern Romanian historiography and Slavic and literary studies were founded. Special attention is paid to the work of Ioan Bogdan, the first publisher of these chronicles.
His influence on the next generation of Romanian researchers and the ways in which they attempted to move beyond his conclusions, thinking, and analytical methods are also analysed. The overall failure of these Romanian scholars' efforts is the key reason for the unfavourable assessment of the current state of resarch and its need for substantial improvement.