The Bronze Horseman

Pushkin, Alexander (1799–1837), translated by Kline, A. S. (contact-email)

The Bronze Horseman is a significant narrative poem by Alexander Pushkin, written in 1833 about Saint Petersburg’s founding and the catastrophic flood of 1824. Despite completion in 1833, it remained unpublished in its final form until after Pushkin’s death due to censorship. The work is structured into an introduction and two main parts, employing four-foot iambic meter throughout, and features a blend of solemn and playful tones.

The poem opens with a mythic account of Peter the Great founding the city in 1703, envisaged as Russia’s gateway to Europe. Pushkin venerates Saint Petersburg, applauding its architectural grandeur and seasonal extremes. In the narrative, a destitute Evgenii dreams of a future with his love, Parasha, before a flood ravages the city, destroying Parasha’s home and driving him to madness. After a year, a vengeful Evgenii curses the statue of Peter the Great, which animates and pursues him, culminating in Evgenii’s death. The details of the flood (1824) are taken from contemporary records. The curious may refer to the account (1826) given by Vasily Nikolayevitch Berkh, geographer and historian.

Author Details

Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, born on 6 June 1799 in Moscow, is often hailed as the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature.

Born into the Russian nobility, Pushkin's father was of the old aristocracy, while his mother Nadezhda Ossipovna Gannibal, was descended from Abram Petrovich Gannibal - an African nobleman raised in the imperial Russian household.

Pushkin's literary talent emerged early. He published his first poem at 15 and had already gained recognition by the time he graduated from the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. Upon graduation from the Lycée, Pushkin recited his controversial poem "Ode to Liberty", one of several that led to his exile by Emperor Alexander I - primarily in the south of Russia and later at his family estate, Mikhailovskoye. Pushkin wrote his play, “Boris Godunov” while under strict surveillance by the emperor's political police and unable to publish. His novel in verse, “Eugene Onegin”, was serialized between 1825 and 1832.

Pushkin's literary prowess continued to flourish with works such as "Ruslan and Ludmila." Despite government restrictions, his efforts continued to gain influence. He was eventually allowed to return from exile and took up a position in the National Archives under Emperor Nicholas I.

Pushkin's personal life was tumultuous. He married Natalia Goncharova and became involved in court society. However, his jealousy led to a fatal duel with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d'Anthès, his wife's alleged lover (and her sister’s husband), in 1837, his death at the age of 37 a significant loss to Russian literature and wider European culture.

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Kline, A. S.

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