The Domostroi: Rules for Russian Households in the Time of Ivan the Terrible is a book about household management from the 16th century. It is possible to purchase the book in translation, and both the text itself and its history offer clues to life in Russia during the Middle Ages.
Who Wrote The Domostroi?
No one is quite certain who wrote The Domostroi, and it is likely that its authorship is shared by several authors who added to its contents while editing and copying the text. Scholars know the name of one of these individuals – Sil'vestr. There has been some argument over Sil'vestr's role in the writing of The Domostroi; his involvement is problematic because there is also dispute over which preserved manuscript (of 43) is the first copy.
Who Used The Domostroi?
Some evidence of The Domostroi's readership remains in the signatures contained within the pages of surviving manuscripts. While originally the book was used by regular people – merchants, skilled laborers, members of the gentry – it eventually began appealing to Orthodox officials who could influence or author statements of public policy.
What Information Does The Domostroi Contain?
The Domostroi offers its readers advice on many subjects. Its topics include parenting, religion, charity, storage of food supplies, management of servants, and even recipes. Much of the text is couched in religion and morals, and references God, scriptures, and Orthodox practices.
While The Domostroi was probably intended for, and read by, mostly men, it also contains advice for women. The treatment of this topic is not surprising – a woman was to obey her husband, learn from him, help him manage the household, and “ask his advice and consult him every day.” In turn, a husband was supposed to consult his wife concerning dinner preparations. This supposed even-handedness, whenever it pops up, is contradicted within the text, and the patriarchal overtones are not at all hidden.
What Can We Learn From The Domostroi?
The Domostroi is a fascinating text full of tidbits about the (ideal) life of its readers. It can be used, not only as a significant aid to historical research about domestic life in medieval Russia, but as a window through which to see the development of Russian culture and societal norms. It's possible to compare and contrast today's expectations with those of the past, or use The Domostroi as a way to track how specific traditions were enhanced or discarded.
References
Pouncy, Carolyn Johnston, ed., trans. The Domostroi: Rules for Russian Households in the Time of Ivan the Terrible. Ithica: Cornell University Press, 1994.
