Abstract: The subject of research is the internal chronology in the poem "Vladimir". The author of the article analyzes the text of the poem by Kheraskov in order to determine how much time in Vladimir corresponds to the historical time. The first clear time reference point in the work is the appearance and death of the Varangian Christians, a record of this is given in The Tale of Bygone Years under 983, this is followed by the choice of faith in 986 and a march on Kherson, where Vladimir receives baptism in 988. In this time range, the main events of the poem unfold. In her study Semenova compares M. Kheraskov's poem to historical sources known to the poet. Tracing the internal chronology of the work, resorting to the method of Yu.M. Lotman, used in the analysis and commenting of "Eugene Onegin", we can determine by what time the author refers to the events described in the "Vladimir". This study found that the sequence of events in the poem "Vladimir" coincides with the testimony of historians. At the same time, the internal time in the work does not correspond to the historical time. Kheraskov smoothes the chronological holes characteristic of the chronicles, compressing the narration. Even taking into account several gaps in time, everything that happens in Kiev since the beginning of the narration (983), i.e. the campaign and the conquest of Kherson, Vladimir's baptism and marriage, does not stretch for 5-6 years, as in the sources.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the historical component of the epic poem "Vladimir" by Mikhail Kheraskov. The poem on the theme of Russian history presupposes references to historical sources and processing of historical material. At the same time, the poem did not have to be authentic, the author was free to interpret historical events in accordance with the idea of the work. It is also necessary to consider the genre features of the epic poem which requires the author to emphasize the scope and significance of the events described. A few works are devoted to "Vladimir", the historical basis of the work is not studied, which determines the relevance of this research. The author of the article attempts to reveal the correlation of history and fiction in the poem by Kheraskov. Comparison of the poem by Kheraskov with historical sources allows to determine in which cases the poet more or less freely interprets the historical material or contributes fictional details to the work. Kheraskov in "Vladimir" stands heroic pathos, and creates the image of a strong enemy, accentuates the exploits of the protagonist, thickens the paint creating a full battle canvas, and fills in the gaps in the testimonies of historians with bright details. Historicity in the poem recedes into the background, but it remains the foundation on which the plot of the poem is built.