Quote:
'Druzhina' is a word for a Prince's elite host of warriors and bodyguards, it was not exclusive to Vladimir. All Princes (Knyaz') had their Druzhinas.
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Certainly! Unless much later, than "serving Knyaz" appeared at Moscow court, of course... (but this is MUCH later).
But as you must remember, bylinas mostly include a very certain Prince (if you wish) as a character. Or do you remember ones mentioning others?
As for Simargl - there are really few sources. IIRC, it's of Persian origin and some ideas on its functions in Slavic/Rus mythology may be taken from Iranic sources... It's image was certainly often used as one of a guardian, that's for sure!
To Zeldor:
There was no problem with it existing
before - just with it not existing
later !