History of Ukraine-Rus

The work of the renowned artist and public figure Mykola Arkas stands as a significant historiographic monument of the early 20th century. Originally conceived in 1901 as a study guide for his grandson, the project evolved into a broad and profound exploration of Ukrainian history. Arkas’s goal in creating this book was to present the history of Ukraine in a form accessible even to an unprepared reader.

The book was edited by writer, historian, and philologist Vasyl Domanystkyi, best known as the author of the first complete edition of the Kobzar. The simplicity and clarity of the narrative brought the book enormous popularity. The first print run of 7,000 copies, published in 1908, sold out within a month.

The author’s worldview and historical perspective avoided both pro-Russian and extreme nationalist positions. Arkas’s history is distinctly pro-Ukrainian, written from a populist standpoint that sees the people—not the state—as the true creators of history.

Here is what O.V. Nikovsky, the librarian of the Odesa “Prosvita,” wrote upon reading History of Ukraine-Rus:
“When I finished reading the book, I saw that the author had done everything possible to ensure the content would be absorbed easily, quickly, and lastingly by the reader — including illustrations and, most notably, the marginal notes that serve as a synopsis. Combined with the fact that the text is written in an engaging, popular style suitable for the average reader, one can expect that History will be useful for gymnasiums, for rural schoolteachers, and, for now, for every Ukrainian. After all, we don’t have any other history like this one.”