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The appex of the Kiyv Rus culture in the XI-XIIth centuries was notable not
only by the development of architecture, painting, music, applied arts, crafts, etc.,
but also by the spread of education, scientific knowledge and the foundation of a
distinct philosophical tradition. Written memoirs of Greco-Roman and Byzantine

culture, such as, for example, excerpts from the works of Plato, Aristotle, the
works of the theologians Gregory the Theologian, John Chrysostom, John
Damaskina, Vasily the Great, etc were bing translated. A popular form of literature

was the so-called apocrypha (non-canonical religious works), which tald about the
life of Adam, Christ, the saints. Also, the geographic knowledge expanded. The
well-known textbook "Christian topography" by the Alexandrian merchant Kozma

Indikoplov, who in the VIth century visited and described Africa and the Arabian
Peninsula, was well-known. In addition, local geographic works were widespread,
for example, "Walking by Danilo Mnicha", in which Danylo from Chernigiv

described his journey to Palestine. Chronicles were being maintained, they
depicted the most significant historical events. This is first and foremost the "Tale
of the Past Years", initiated by about 1039 by an unknown monk of the Kiyv Cave
Monastery. Later, it was carried on by Nikon the Great and finalized in 1112 by

Nestor the Chronicler. Chronicles were created in many other monasteries.
Another famous one is the Galician-Volyn Chronicle, written by during the times

of Prince Danylo and his successors. Legal aspects of the culture of Kyiv Rus are
reflected in the Statute of Volodymyr Monomakh and the collection of norms of
old Rus laws – “Ruska Pravda”. In the territory of the Galician-Volyn Rus, church
and secular legal norms were regulated by the so-called Feedbook.

Various "teachings", "words" were especially popular in Kyiv Rus. During
the times of Kyiv Rus "Words" were the works of religious and instructive
character that analysed moral and philosophical issues, contemplated a historical

event or social problem. Instructive writing was prepared by Prince Volodymyr
Volodymyr Monomakh (1053-1125), the most famous of which is "Instruction of
Volodymyr Monomakh to His Children". In the first part of this work, the prince

speaks of the values of peace and love, the danger of conflict and discord. In the
second part, he thinks over the duties of a good owner concerning his neighbors. It
is extremely important that Volodymyr Monomakh at the beginning of the XIIth

century never called anyone to be punished by death, "Do not kill innocent or
guilty, and do not order to kill them". Volodymyr Monomakh is undoubtedly
guided by the principles of the evangelical moral doctrine. However, his appeal is
still relevant, because this has not become a universally valid principle of social

life in modern culture, although the prohibition of death penalty extends to more
and more countries. The third part of the "Instruction" contains the stories about
various adventures and dangers of prince’s own life. Except for Volodymyr

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