Dobrynya Nikitich

Dobrynya Nikitich (Russian: Добры́ня Ники́тич, Ukrainian: Добриня) is one of the most popular bogatyrs (epic knights) from the Rus' folklore. Albeit fictional, this character is based on a real warlord Dobrynya, who led the armies of Svyatoslav the Great and tutored his son Vladimir the Great.

Many byliny center on Dobrynya completing tasks set him by prince Vladimir. Dobrynya is often portrayed as being close to the royal family, undertaking sensitive and diplomatic missions. As a courtier, Dobrynya seems to be a representative of the noble class of warriors. He is a professional archer, swimmer, and wrestler. He plays the gusli, plays tafl, and is known for his courtesy and cunning.

The bylina starts with Dobrynya's mother telling Dobryana to avoid the Saracen Mountains, to not trample on baby dragons, to not rescue Russian captives, and to not bathe in the Puchai River. Dobrynya disobeyed his mother and did all four things.

When he bathed in the Puchai River, he encountered a dragon (sometimes identified as the three-headed Zmey Gorynych). Dobrynya could not defend himself, thinking he would die. Dobrynya then discovered "a hat of the Greek land" and used it to defeat the dragon.

The dragon pleaded for Dobrynya to not kill him, and the two made a nonaggression pact. The dragon then flew off and captured Zabava Putyatishna, the niece of Prince Vladimir.

When Dobrynya arrived at Kiev, Prince Vladimir requested him to rescue his niece. He then went off to the Saracen Mountains to free his niece and fight the dragon.

Dobrynya fought the dragon for three days. On the third day he wanted to give up and leave, but a voice from Heaven told to fight for three more hours. Dobrynya eventually killed the dragon in three hours.

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Wikipedia