Articles
Projects of automatic weapons designed by B.E. Sosinsky in Russia in the early 20th century.
Abstract
Annotation The subject of study in this article is the period at the beginning of the development of manual automatic weapons in Russia (the turn of the 19th–20th centuries). The overall supervision of such works on new weapons was carried out by the Main Artillery Administration (GAU), albeit in a rather general manner, which meant that the level of sophistication of the created models depended on the talent of the inventor. This article analyzes a project that demonstrates a high degree of originality and expressiveness of engineering thought, as well as a considerable potential of domestic inventor-weapons designers. The focus is on the projects of a modified automatic rifle and a machine rifle developed by engineer B.E. Sosinski. This project was considered by the Russian military authorities in the 1900s. It is an undeniable fact that B.E. Sosinski was a skilled and talented engineer who had a deep understanding of and passion for weaponry and possessed significant potential as a weapon designer. However, these traits of his personality were not adequately utilized due to the peculiarities of the weaponry era in Russia. The following research methods were used in this material: historical-scientific analysis of specialized research literature, comparative-historical method, and processing of archival data. In conclusion, it is necessary to characterize Sosinski's machine gun project from the perspective of contemporary knowledge about automatic small arms. Despite the existing shortcomings, as of the date of submission (1906), it was one of the most thought-out and adequately looking proposals. In terms of the quality of technical solutions incorporated into the project, it surpassed by two orders of magnitude the primitive automatic weapon projects being developed at the same time by other Russian inventor-weapons designers. This consideration allows us to put forward the thesis that at the beginning of the 20th century, there were talented inventors in Russia with significant creative potential who, with proper organization of the design process and refinement of weaponry, were capable of creating modern samples.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):1-10
1-10
All-Russian Congresses of Old Believers of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy and the Resettlement of Lipovans to the Russian Far East in the Early 20th Century
Abstract
The article is devoted to a little-studied problem – the resettlement of Austrian and Romanian Old Believers-Lipovans to the Russian Far East at the beginning of the 20th century. The work evaluates the significance of the All-Russian Congresses of Old Believers of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy and their Council in this process. The role of the immediate leaders of this structure, D. V. Sirotkin and P. P. Ryabushinsky, as active supporters of the idea of returning "foreigners" to the homeland of their ancestors is analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the study of the arguments of both supporters and opponents of the repatriation of Lipovans and their "settlement" in the Amur region. The idea of an organized resettlement of Old Believers to the Far East – to Chinese Manchuria – to the line of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER) that was then under construction was first put forward by Finance Minister S. Yu. Witte. In 1900, the dignitary reported this to the delegation of the First Old Believer Congress that arrived in Yalta. After some time, the Yalta proposal became known to the Austrian Lipovans. The local Old Believers, who were experiencing land shortages and other difficulties, had high hopes for the Russian minister's project and expressed a desire to definitely go to Northern China as colonists, but the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 prevented the implementation of this plan. The implementation of another resettlement project (this time to the Russian Amur region) became possible after the revolutionary upheavals of 1905-1907, when the Old Believers received certain civil rights. The liberalization of religious policy in Russia against the backdrop of the deteriorating socio-economic situation in the countries of residence contributed to the return of foreign Old Believers to their historical homeland. Lipovans and Nekrasovites living in Austria, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey began to submit petitions for Russian citizenship, petitioning for resettlement in the Amur region. The tsarist government, interested in the rapid settlement and economic development of its Far Eastern outskirts, appreciated this desire. The role of the link between the Lipovan communities and the Russian authorities belonged to the Council of Congresses, whose members cared about satisfying not only the spiritual but also the material needs of their co-religionists. By and large, it was thanks to the mediating aspirations of the Council that the resettlement of the "foreigners" became possible, while the "Austrians" and "Romanians" received some benefits.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):11-29
11-29
Labor productivity and material incentives in the Soviet metallurgy industry during the NEP years (based on materials from the "Serp i Molot" factory and the Moscow Machine Trust)
Abstract
The disclosure of the human potential of the Soviet worker was one of the most important tasks of the government in the 1920s, the solution to which was seen in increasing labor productivity. The main goal of our research is a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the dynamics of labor productivity and wages during the period of the New Economic Policy, examined through the example of the "Sickle and Hammer" factory and other industrial enterprises that were part of the Machine Trust. Throughout the work, monthly data on these indicators for the years 1924–1926 were collected and systematized, which allowed for a thorough analysis of the differences in their growth rates and the identification of factors that had a significant impact on these differences. This period was chosen as it allows for the characterization of the trends existing during the peak of the New Economic Policy. In this work, a microanalysis method was used, which allowed for the examination of the interaction between labor productivity and wages based on specific enterprises. Additionally, methods of systematic analysis, as well as problem-chronological and dialectical methods, were employed in the article. The conducted research demonstrated that the management of the "Sickle and Hammer" factory failed during this historical period to align the growth of nominal wages with the indicators of labor productivity of industrial workers. It should be emphasized that the rates of growth in real wages and labor productivity had only slight discrepancies. A significant result of this research was not only the introduction of new statistical data and materials into scientific circulation but also the systematization of the factors influencing the dynamics of labor productivity and wages in the context of the New Economic Policy. The following factors were identified as influencing labor productivity at a specific enterprise: the size of the industrial enterprise, the nomenclature and assortment of produced goods, the strategic position of the enterprise in the production chain, time loss, and the reasons determining those losses. At the same time, a number of other factors complicated the solution of the crucial task of halting the pace of wage growth. The management of the enterprise had to make managerial decisions under extremely difficult conditions of acute shortages of skilled labor, the presence of influential trade unions, and the necessity of meeting production targets.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):30-44
30-44
The experience of using artificial neural networks in solving problems of virtual reconstruction of historical manor interiors
Abstract
The article discusses the experience of using artificial neural networks for virtual 3D reconstruction of historical interiors, using the example of the Kuzminki estate from the XVIII to early XX centuries. The Kuzminki manor complex, located in the southeastern part of Moscow, is a unique architectural monument and cultural heritage, with a history dating back more than 300 years. This estate was originally a summer residence of the Stroganov family and later passed into the hands of the Golitsyn family. Famous architects such as M.F. Kazakov, I.V. Egotov, A.N. Voronikhin, and representatives of the Gilardi family contributed to its construction. Bykovsky also participated in its development since the 1840s. In this paper, we demonstrate a hybrid approach that combines classical 3D modeling with neural network tools using the example of the reconstruction of the Kuzminki Manor ballroom. The approach involves the use of 3ds Max and Corona Renderer for 3D modeling, as well as Tripo AI, Prome AI, and Midjourney for neural network tools. Special attention is given to the reconstruction of an Empire-style ceremonial chair. This includes the generation of a 3D model based on 2D references, the creation of authentic textures, and the integration of the object into a virtual space. The relevance of this research lies in the need to develop effective methods for recreating lost cultural heritage sites using modern artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The author of this study has been the first to explore the possibilities of utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) in solving the problem of virtual reconstruction of historical manor interiors, using the example of the Kuzminki estate. A comparison between classical and ANN methods has shown that ANNs offer new opportunities for creating virtual 3D interior reconstructions. They allow for a different approach to visualizing specific interior furnishings, which is not inferior to traditional modeling techniques. At the same time, ANNs act as a tool or virtual assistant, and the results can be controlled. The study confirmed the effectiveness of neural network technologies as a tool for the reconstruction of historic interiors. This is especially evident when using classical modeling and visualization techniques in conjunction with neural networks.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):45-60
45-60
Tyndaris between Pompey and Octavian: Political, Strategic, and Cultural Transformations in the Life of the City
Abstract
This article explores the political, strategic, and cultural changes experienced by the city of Tyndaris, a major urban settlement on the northeastern coast of Sicily, during its transition from a Hellenistic foundation to a Roman colony. The study focuses on the period from its establishment in the 4th century BCE to the reign of Augustus, analyzing its evolving political institutions, strategic function, and socio-economic structures. Particular emphasis is placed on the city’s significance during the Roman civil wars, especially under Sextus Pompey, who utilized Tyndaris as a crucial naval stronghold. After the defeat of Pompey, the city suffered serious destruction but later played a central role in the reorganization of Sicily under Octavian. The article investigates how Roman policy affected the urban landscape, including the construction of elite residences, development of agricultural estates, and reinforcement of fortifications. Based on archaeological findings and literary sources such as Cicero and Strabo, the study also discusses the mechanisms of Romanization, such as the integration of local elites into Roman social structures, the spread of Latin culture, and the transformation of civic identity. The conversion of Tyndaris into a Roman colony accelerated these processes and symbolized the city's full incorporation into the imperial framework. Additionally, the article examines Tyndaris’ changing demographic landscape, its religious practices, and its role in regional trade and communications. As a case study, Tyndaris reflects broader patterns of Roman provincial control, adaptation, and resilience, providing valuable insight into the dynamics between central imperial authority and local Mediterranean communities.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):61-71
61-71
The activities of the International Control Commission of the Communist International after the VII Congress.
Abstract
The article is dedicated to the study of the activities of the main control body of the Communist International – the International Control Commission (ICC). The object of study is the ICC, established in 1921. The paper examines the main aspects of the ICC's activities after the VII Congress of the Comintern in 1936, including the influence of the campaign for the verification and exchange of party documents in the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on the work of the ICC; the activities of the joint commission of the Personnel Department of the Executive Committee of the Comintern and the ICC (or the Anvelt-Kraevsky Commission) to review the recommendations of members of foreign sections in the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks); the introduction of a new procedure for investigating violations of party norms and the change in the role of the ICC for foreign sections. The analysis of various aspects of the Comintern's activities allows the identification of general trends that defined the directions of the organization's work as a whole and the International Control Commission in particular. The influence of the events of the Moscow Trials on the Commission's activities is examined separately, leading to a tightening of the policy of Comintern control bodies towards foreign communists. The methodological basis of the article is grounded in the principles of historicism, objectivity, and scientific rigor, as well as the structuralist approach, and the historical-comparative and historical-genetic methods. The scientific novelty of the article is primarily determined by the object of study itself: until now, the activities of the International Control Commission had not been the subject of separate works. A deeper study of this issue allows for the filling of existing gaps in the history of the Communist International. Archival documents from the RGAEPI funds were used in writing the article, including statistical data on violations of party discipline by members of national sections of the Comintern. Based on this information, the categorization and sequence of the consideration of relevant cases by the ICC leadership were reconstructed, and the correlation between events in the internal politics of the USSR, the activities of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) in the ICC, and the work of the International Control Commission in the first year after the VII Congress of the Communist International was revealed. In light of the circumstances presented, it is hypothesized that the activities of the ICC were driven by the growing suspicions of the leadership of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) towards foreign communists and, to some extent, became a prologue to the repressions against Comintern workers in a later period.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):72-88
72-88
Hydrotechnical structures of Tanais II-III centuries A.D.
Abstract
As a result of archaeological research in Tanais, hydraulic structures from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD have been identified in all parts of the main quadrangle of the settlement, either fragmentarily or completely. These include drainage systems, water collection cisterns, and a captured spring, which are the subjects of this study. Water collection cisterns, with rare exceptions, were located in the courtyards of urban estates and served to collect rainwater. Drainage systems could be located both on the estates, adjacent to the cisterns and directing water into them, and on the streets, diverting water beyond the city walls. One captured spring has been identified – it is structure 6 in the southern part of the settlement, which supplied most of the city with water until the mid-2nd century AD. The article provides a description of their construction and location within the city, and for the first time attempts to represent the separate structures as a unified system of drainage and water supply that functioned in the city during the analyzed period. Both systems were interconnected, as a significant volume of rainwater was directed into the water collection cisterns via the first system, providing the city with technical water necessary for economic activities, fire extinguishing, and various domestic needs. Water drainage was ensured through the construction of drainage systems both in public areas – within the streets leading to the discharge of water outside the city, and on the territory of urban estates – from the streets to the water collection cisterns. Residents drew drinking water from sources located within the city walls: until the mid-2nd century AD, this was structure 6 in the southern part of the main quadrangle of the settlement. After its burial and until the destruction of the city in the mid-3rd century AD, this role was to be fulfilled by some other source that remains unexplored to this day.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):89-99
89-99
Application of L. N. Gumilyov’s Ethnogenesis Theory to the Study of Sino-Xiongnu Relations
Abstract
The relationship between China and the nomadic peoples of Central Asia, particularly the Xiongnu, has long captivated historians. These ties, fraught with contradictions and tensions, remain a key topic for understanding Eurasian history. However, conventional approaches to their study often overlook the complexity and multilayered nature of this interaction. Here, Lev Nikolaevich Gumilyov’s theory of ethnogenesis comes to the rescue—an approach that integrates historical geography, anthropology, and ecology, offering a fresh perspective on the past. Objects of Study: The Han Empire and the Xiongnu Confederation as two historical entities whose destinies became intertwined during the early antiquity period. Subject of Study: Their interactions in the 2nd–1st centuries BCE, viewed through the lens of Gumilyov’s ethnogenesis theory. Key methods include: Applying the concepts of passionarity, encompassing landscape, and phases of ethnogenesis to interpret historical events; Comparative analysis of ecological and social factors driving conflict dynamics; Verification of theoretical propositions using historical data. The source base comprises primary historical texts such as Ban Gu’s Book of Han (Hanshu) and archaeological materials. Research Hypothesis: Gumilyov’s theory, grounded in the notions of passionarity, ethnogenesis stages, and environmental influence, can explain why Sino-Xiongnu relations developed so unpredictably and demonstrate how ecological and energy factors shaped their dynamics. Scientific Novelty: This work marks the first systematic application of Gumilyov’s ethnogenesis theory to the study of Sino-Xiongnu relations. This approach expands its geographical applicability and tests its potential in the context of Eastern societies, which had previously been overlooked in most research. Analysis Findings: Gumilyov’s model explains the nonlinear nature of their interactions, the ecological determinism of conflicts, and the cyclical character of ethnic processes. Practical Significance: The study broadens the geographical scope of Gumilyov’s theory and verifies its applicability to Eastern societies.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):100-116
100-116
Features of the Greek colonization process in the Bosporus in the 7th-6th centuries BC
Abstract
The subject of study is the apoikiae of the Greeks on the Bosporus, which emerged during the archaic period. The article examines the process of resettlement of the Hellenes, predominantly Ionians, to the Bosporus in the context of their settlement in the Northern Black Sea region and, more broadly, the phenomenon of great Greek colonization as such. The author thoroughly analyzes the general and regional reasons for the colonization process, the influence of the trade and craft sector of the polis economy on it, as well as the forms of relationships between the metropolises and apoikiai in different parts of the Greek oikoumenē. Particular attention is paid to the model of adaptation of the settlers to local conditions — the choice of safe locations with access to agricultural and mineral resources and interaction with the indigenous population. The functional purpose of the first settlements in the Northern Black Sea region is discussed separately, as is the relationship between apoikiai and emporia on the Bosporus. The methodology of the study is based on the analysis of archaeological data regarding the time of settlement emergence and interpretations of their nature, as well as a comparison with colonization processes in different areas of the Mediterranean, thoroughly studied by foreign historians. The novelty of the research lies in identifying the features of the Bosporus colonization process in light of archaeological discoveries in recent years. The author presented a cohesive picture of the settlement of Greeks in the northern part of the Black Sea during the archaic period, which allowed for the identification of a fundamental distinction between the model and intensity of Bosporus development compared to other areas of the Northern Black Sea. The key factors for the greatest attractiveness of the Bosporus for Ionian settlers in the first half of the 6th century BC were the presence of a large area of fertile lands, convenient harbors, fishery resources, and the insignificance of the indigenous population. A significant contribution of the author to the study of the topic is the determination of the sequence of settlement in the Bosporus lands, explained by the varying attractiveness of individual plots for settlers, as well as the identification of a group of fortified apoikiai, the analogues of which exist in the central and western parts of the Mediterranean.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):117-131
117-131
Italian communes and Russian city-states: features of political structure and patterns of republicanism evolution.
Abstract
The article is dedicated to identifying the common patterns of political system development in the city-states of medieval Italy and the urban republics of the Russian Northwest - Novgorod and Pskov. Alongside the Novgorod Republic, which existed from the 12th to the 15th centuries, trading city-states flourished in Northern Italy during nearly the same chronological period (from the late 11th century to approximately the mid-15th century). These included not only the well-known Venice or Genoa but also hundreds of larger and smaller republics, the history of which demonstrates similar processes to those occurring in the Russian popular governments, hundreds of kilometers away from them. Based on specific historical material, the evolution of these republics is examined, and comparisons are made with the well-known republic of Great Novgorod. The method of comparative historical analysis, utilizing a broad historical material, allows for conclusions to be drawn about the common laws of evolution in the political entities being examined. For the first time in the historiography of this problem, the method of comparative analysis is applied to a wide range of material, meaning that Great Novgorod is compared not exclusively with Venice or any other single Italian republic, but simultaneously with many of them, which allows for a broader view of the picture and helps to identify regularities in political development and understand the current place of the Novgorod Republic in European and world history. By examining the political evolution of the Novgorod Republic and a significant number of city-states in northern medieval Italy, a conclusion is made about the identical nature of changes in the power structures of Italian and Russian republics, based on which the commonality of the evolutionary path of medieval republicanism is asserted. Numerous differences in the political systems of Italian city-states and Great Novgorod do not allow for judgments about the backwardness or any other "defects" of the Novgorod polity.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):132-148
132-148
The Supreme Royal Decrees of Vietnam as a Source on the History of Buddhism (11th-20th Centuries)
Abstract
The article analyzes the corpus of “High Royal Decrees” of Vietnam (11th – 20th centuries) – imperial edicts of the genres chiếu, sắc, dụ, lệnh, and the accompanying resolutions of Châu bản. These documents record the monarchs' positions regarding the Buddhist Sangha, temple-monastery economy, and religious rhetoric, making them a key source for reconstructing state-buddhist relations. Special attention is paid to how the Buddhist categories of karuṇā (compassion), dāna (giving), and the ideal of the “harmony of the three teachings” (Tam giáo đồng nguyên) are transformed into legal imperatives and means of legitimizing supreme authority. The study covers the Li, Trần, Later Lê, and Nguyễn dynasties and traces the evolution of the decree formularies, their legal power, circle of recipients, and administrative context up to 1945. An interdisciplinary approach is applied: textual analysis and diplomatic criticism of sources, historical-legal and socio-anthropological analysis, as well as critical discourse analysis of preambles and formal clichés. This work introduces a comprehensive typology of “High Decrees” for the first time in Russian historiography based on diplomatic, legal, and religious studies criteria; clarifies the hierarchy of genres and identifies their signaling significance in the monarchic governance system. Based on 182 decrees of Minh Mạng, a three-tiered model of control over the Sangha is reconstructed: a rank grid, examinations based on the Vinaya, and quarterly reports from abbotts. It shows that the transition from Buddhist to Neo-Confucian ideology was accompanied by a transformation of decrees from tools of patronage into mechanisms of oversight; however, the Buddhist thesaurus of karuṇā and merit remained a constant marker of legitimacy. The work forms a source research basis for a digital database of decrees and opens up prospects for comparative studies of Buddhist law in East and Southeast Asia.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):149-160
149-160
The Higher Royal Decrees of Indonesia from the 7th to the 16th Centuries as a Source for the History of Buddhist Practices in the Archipelago
Abstract
The "Corpus of Higher Royal Decrees" (VKR) of Indonesia from the 7th to the 16th centuries is considered a primary source for the socio-economic and religious history of the archipelago. The texts analyzed document the granting of land, tax exemptions, judicial decisions, and rituals of power sanctification. The study encompasses multilingual monuments in Sanskrit, Old Malay, Old Javanese, and Old Balinese, inscribed on stone and metal, allowing for the tracing of the transformation of the diplomatic canon, the evolution of Buddhist discourse, and regional features of state-legal practice. Special attention is given to the relationship between legal content and the cosmological concepts of monarchy and the role of VKR in establishing a sustainable resource base for temples, monasteries, and educational centers. This approach reveals the mechanisms of integrating Buddhist ethics into the legal space and demonstrates how epigraphy served as a tool for legitimizing power, managing land resources, and regulating the religious environment. The analysis relies exclusively on peer-reviewed academic editions of VKR; formulaic-diplomatic and historical-philological methods were applied, along with critical discourse analysis of ritual formulas, legal hermeneutics, and inter-publisher cross-verification of dating, toponyms, and terminology. This work presents for the first time a comprehensive typology of VKR, including prasasti, jayapatra, and sima-grants, and shows their functional complementarity in managing land and religious institutions. A three-phase evolution of the formula has been established: from the early sanctioning style of Srivijaya through the rhetorically rich phase of Central Java to the legally condensed syncretism of the Majapahit era. It was found that as curses were reduced, the tantric block of invocations intensified, and fiscal prescriptions were systematically ordered, indicating an increase in the legal competence of the administrative apparatus. The role of copper grants as a mobile carrier of collective memory has been demonstrated, ensuring the continuity of legal norms during dynastic changes. It has been shown that VKR established a stable ideological archetype of the "king-defender of Dhamma," relevant to contemporary Buddhist organizations in Indonesia.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):161-174
161-174
Funeral complexes of the Isteekh Byraan burial ground in Central Yakutia: materials from the current stage of research
Abstract
This article is dedicated to the current stage of research on the Isteekh Byraan burial ground in the Khangalassky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The burial ground is located in the Erkeeni valley (Middle Lena) on a hill 50 meters high. Research on the burial ground began in 1933 with the excavation of the burial of the famous Yakut leader Mazary Bozekov, grandson of Tygyn Darkhan, and continues to this day. The purpose of this article is to introduce the results of archaeological work conducted by employees of the Institute for Humanitarian Research and North Indigenous Peoples Problems (Siberian Branch, RAS), in the territory of the cemetery. The main material consists of finds from the archaeological expedition between 2015 and 2023. A total of seven burials were investigated: four male, two female, and one horse burial. The discovered burials are pagan. The buried individuals were oriented with their heads to the west. Two male burials are earlier, while the others date back to the 18th century. Similar burial structures, rituals, and artifact and costume complexes indicate the affiliation of the buried individuals to a single cultural community. A complex of scientific data has been obtained, expanding the information base on the cultural identity and social structure of the Isteekh Byraan burial ground. The small number of burials within a relatively large area of the cemetery is likely related to the fact that only individuals of high social status were buried in this region. At the same time, it is worth noting the rather sparse artifact and costume complexes of the investigated burials – possibly indicating that the high social status of the buried individuals was primarily due to their blood ties with representatives of the ruling elite, the Tygynids.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):175-184
175-184
Construction of schools in Moscow in 1935 based on materials from the publication "Evening Moscow on the Construction of Schools."
Abstract
In 2025, it will be 90 years since the adoption of the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow. This date is significant not only for the capital itself, but also for several dozen Moscow schools built in 1935. The object of this study is the coverage of the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow in the Moscow press. The subject of the research is the coverage of school constructions in the specialized publication (a supplement to the newspaper of the Moscow City Committee of the VKP(b) and the Moscow Soviet "Evening Moscow") "At the Construction of Schools." The main goal of the work was to analyze the mentioned publication, to identify previously unknown facts about school construction in Moscow in 1935, to chronologically systematize its issues, and to compare them with the addresses of school constructions in the capital. The author used contextualization methods, historical-genetic analysis, and content analysis, which allowed for the identification of key trends and characteristics typical of the establishment of mass school construction in the mid-1930s. The issue of mass school construction in pre-war Moscow remains insufficiently covered in academic literature, making this research relevant. In this regard, the author presents a contextual analysis of the situation preceding the start of the large-scale project. The publication "At the Construction of Schools," analyzed in the article, is introduced into scientific circulation for the first time and provides a unique opportunity to trace the process of establishing mass construction in the pre-war capital. The article reveals the issue of coverage of the implementation of the General Plan in materials from the capital's periodicals. The materials of the publication cover previously unknown facts about the process of school construction in the capital in 1935 (the participation of shock workers from the Metro Construction and their subsequent direction to the construction of city embankments, the installation of a statue of the best bricklayer in the courtyard of one of the city's schools, etc.). The table compiled by the author can be used by interested parties to find relevant information regarding the construction of a particular school building in Moscow.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):185-195
185-195
Tatishchev's program for educating the state elite
Abstract
The article deals with the management thought of Russia in the 18th century and the training of management personnel. V. N. Tatishchev was a prominent administrator, politician and diplomat of the second quarter of the 18th century. In his conceptual work “A Conversation between Two Friends about the Benefits of Science and Schools,” he formulated a program for the formation of a system for training the management elite in the country. The objective of this article is to identify conceptual elements in V. N. Tatishchev’s ideas about the goals, principles and mechanisms of the state’s educational activities. The basic method of the work performed is a structural analysis of V. N. Tatishchev’s text and the identification of its structural elements. The result of the analysis was the identification of three structures that allow Tatishchev to present his views on the training of the country’s management elite in a single system and to propose a program for the creation of educational institutions. The first structure is value-based. It includes the goal and principles that should underlie the work on creating an education system. The second structure is resource-based. In it, the author outlined the opportunities that need to be used to create such a system. The transition from the first to the second structure was a historical review of the measures taken by Emperor Peter I, as well as an analysis of the state of affairs in this area contemporary to Tatishchev. The third structure is instrumental. This is a set of specific actions that must be taken to solve the problem. The novelty of the study consists in identifying the conceptual elements of V.N. Tatishchev's views in the field of training management personnel. His findings can be used in studying management thought and public administration activities in Russia.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):196-206
196-206
About the connection of the term “moskhi” with the name of the Galgai medieval settlement of Metskhal
Abstract
The article examines the question of the origin of the name of the medieval Galgai settlement "Metskhal" in the Dzheyrakh gorge of Ingushetia, its connection with the name of the Moskhi people mentioned in ancient and early medieval sources, localized in the Moskhi Mountains, as well as in other areas of Transcaucasia. In the XIX century Metskhal was the center of the Metskhal Society, an ethnoterritorial group of Ingush. According to the information collected by N. G. Volkova, the settlement with this name (Metskhal) was located on the territory of Mtskheta-Mtianeti in Georgia, in the area where the Georgian geographer of the first half of the XVIII century Vakhushti Bagrationi localizes Dzurdzuketi. The purpose of the article is to show, based on the etymological analysis of the terms "Metskhal" and "moskhi", as well as the analysis of some historical, historiographical sources, that these terms are of the same root. To obtain an objective result, various sources were used in the research process, of which the main ones are the works of famous scientists G. J. Gumb, V. V. Latyshev, N. G. Volkova, Dyakonov, G. A. Melikishvili, B. B. Piotrovsky, B. K. Dalgat, local historian A. S. Suleymanov, etc. When studying this issue, the work used narrative, historical-genetic, historical-chronological, historical-comparative, etc. methods. In the course of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that the terms "Metskhal" and "Moskhi" are of the same origin, associated with the Dzurdzuk, including the society of Ortskhoev-Metskhalians who migrated from Mtskheta-Mtianeti to the northern slopes of the Central Caucasus and displaced the local Feppin kists who settled in the Jeyrakh gorge. At the same time, some of the families of these Dzurdzuk migrated further east and settled in Gula, Tsori and Merzha, where they later became known as "Gula", "Tsora" and "Merzha". In the author's opinion, the Dzurdzuki, who migrated to Mtskheta-Mtianeti from the area of their ancient residence on the territory of the Southeastern Black Sea region, could unite under the common name "meskh(oi) // metskhal(oi)". The scope of application of the results of the work includes the study of the history of the Nakh and Transcaucasian peoples. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the article shows in a more specific way the connection of the term "Moshi" with the Nakh peoples. The author outlined promising directions for further research on this issue.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):207-223
207-223
Bribery of Athenian generals in the 5th - 4th centuries BC.
Abstract
The classical period in the history of Ancient Athens is the time of the highest flourishing of polis democracy and maximum foreign policy influence of this polis on the rest of the Greek world. During this period, Athens establishes maritime alliances, fights against Persia, Sparta, and Macedonia. The international authority of Athens was ensured, among other things, by the military victories of Athenian strategists. However, the strategists did not always emerge victorious in military confrontations with their adversaries. The focus of this article is on cases of bribery involving Athenian generals in the 5th – 4th centuries BC. The author examines, based on written sources, instances of legal prosecution of generals accused of bribery, as well as mentions of generals accepting bribes. The research component of the work is structured chronologically, addressing cases from earlier to later dates. In addition to general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, the method of systematization is widely used, as mentions of bribery by Athenian strategists are found in various historical sources. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that the author examines bribery as one aspect of the life of Athenian generals in classical times for the first time. Previous researchers studied either the judicial processes against generals in general or bribery as a separate socio-economic phenomenon in the life of the Athenian polis. As a result of the research, the author concludes that most accusations of receiving bribes do not appear well-founded, and the public's desire to find culprits for defeats may have been stronger than the sympathies for a strategist who had previously brought numerous military victories to the polis. The conclusions of researchers regarding the consideration of personal merits when pronouncing verdicts by the Athenian jury and the prevalence of bribery in Athens during the classical period have also been adjusted.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):224-234
224-234
The campaign for domestic priorities in science and technology in 1947-1948 (based on materials from higher education institutions in Leningrad)
Abstract
The present study is dedicated to the examination of the history of domestic science, specifically the late Stalin period campaign for national priorities. The issue is considered through the example of higher education in Leningrad. In preparing this work, unpublished materials on the activities of the organizations of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) in Leningrad's universities, held in the Central State Archive of Historical and Political Documents of St. Petersburg, were widely used. It was the party structures that acted as initiators and organizers of most political and ideological campaigns during the Soviet period, which explains the importance of referring to this source. In addition, data from specialized periodicals ("Bulletin of the Ministry of Higher Education of the USSR" and "Herald of Higher Education") were actively utilized, which published legislative and regulatory documents, as well as journalistic articles by party leaders and university representatives. Among the methods employed in the research, interpretive analysis can be highlighted, which allowed for the reconstruction of discursive strategies through which a desirable image of the science of the past was created and transmitted, and a typological method that helped identify common features of the conduct and consequences of the campaign for various universities in Leningrad. As a result, it was concluded that the campaign for national priorities essentially amounted to crude scientific revisionism aimed at asserting the primacy of domestic scholars and achieving the autonomy of Soviet science, severing ties with the West. As a result, those who published abroad, recommended foreign literature to students, or otherwise displayed "fawning" and "subservience" were criticized and punished, textbooks and educational programs were rewritten. At the same time, despite all the negative consequences of the rude and largely destructive interference of ideology in science, it should be noted that the struggle for national priorities contributed to an increased attention to the study of the history of science and technology and the concentration of significant resources on the development of this discipline.
Historical Journal: Scientific Research. 2025;(3):235-242
235-242