The Belgorod Line as an Object of Research: Heuristic and Analytical Possibilities of Traditional and Modern Historical Methods

Published in 2020, The Belgorod Line. History. Fortification. People, a book by Andrey Papkov, Nikolay Petrukhintsev, and Dmitry Khitrov is the first attempt to understand update modern achievements studying authors reveal historical specifics behind construction of this military-defensive line broad context seventeenth century. They show background events (before 1635), building process, social processes after was erected (1658). A special place given military reforms Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, preceding famous army Peter Great. People allows scholarly community move new stage understanding features history southern border Russia, but first, it important political line. Until 1645, fortifications not systematic. But accession throne Mikhailovich Romanov, acquired clear logic. However, 1654 Russia entered war with Poland, potential Russian used for other tasks west. This development reflected under review.