Oleg's main campaigns. Prince Oleg is the first ruler of Kievan Rus. Board of Dmitry Donskoy
Prophetic Oleg is perhaps one of the most mysterious rulers of Rus'. Sage on the throne, prince-magician, priest of Perun. He successfully continued the work started by Rurik-Falcon. Oleg united the Slavic lands in the face of an external threat - the Khazar Khaganate, the growing power of the West and the intrigues Byzantine Empire.
According to the story “The Tale of Bygone Years”, after the death of Prince Rurik in 879, Oleg took the throne, since Rurik’s son Igor was still small. Before death Grand Duke chose Oleg as his successor (according to one version, his brother-in-law, according to another, a relative) and ordered him to rule the Russian lands until the legitimate ruler grew up. Having headed Northern Rus', Prince Oleg did not sit idly by and immediately continued the work of his predecessor - the unification of the Slavic Russian lands into a single power. Less than three years had passed since the death of Rurik, when he gathered a powerful army - according to the chronicle story, it included warriors from the Varangians, Slovenes, Krivichi, Chud, Meri, Vesi and, taking little Igor with him, he moved south. He subjugated Smolensk and Lyubech (Northern Key to Kyiv) to his power, placing his governors there. The cities were taken without a fight.
After this, his army on boats moved down the Dnieper to Kyiv. Askold and Dir ruled in Kyiv at this time. There is no exact information about their origin. The Tale of Bygone Years reports that these were two Varangian boyars, but not of the Rurik tribe and not of the princely family. At one time, they asked Rurik for leave to go to Constantinople (Constantinople), on the way they captured Kyiv and began to rule there. Some researchers have put forward a hypothesis that these were representatives of the local princely dynasty, descendants of the founder of Kyiv - the legendary Prince Kiya.
It was not for nothing that Oleg was called the Prophetic. He decided not to resort to unnecessary bloodshed, because Askold and Dir were not going to give up power in Kyiv just like that. Oleg went to stratagem. Leaving behind most of his forces, the prince approached the city on several boats and sent a messenger to the Kyiv rulers to report that visiting merchants had arrived, coming to the Greeks from Novgorod: “Come to us, to your relatives.” Askold and Dir, unaware of the trap, came to the banks of the Dnieper. But instead of the merchants, Prince Oleg came out to meet them with little prince Igor in his arms: “You are not princes and not of a princely family, but I am of a princely family,” he said and pointed at Igor. “And this is Rurik’s son!” Askold and Dir were not spared. But they buried him honorably on the mountain.
Thus, 1130 years ago, in 882, the north and south of Rus', the two main centers of the Russian land - Kyiv and Novgorod - were united into a single state. This sharply increased the power of the Russian state. Oleg decided that Kyiv would be more convenient for governing the Russian land and declared it the capital. “May this be the mother of Russian cities!” - chroniclers convey the words of the Grand Duke. This is how a state was formed, which was included in history textbooks as the Old Russian State, or Kievan Rus. The names are conditional, because the inhabitants of the state themselves called it the Russian land, Russia.
Oleg almost immediately began to prepare for further campaigns. The army was prepared for a new campaign. Already in the next 883, Oleg began an armed conflict with the Drevlyans (a union of tribes living in Ukrainian Polesie). The Drevlyans were conquered and subjected to tribute - they took a black marten from each house. In 884, Oleg began a war with the northerners and subjugated them to Kyiv. The northerners inhabited the territories of modern Chernigov, Sumy, Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions and paid tribute to Khazaria. In 885, Oleg sent envoys to the Radimichi, saying: “Who should we give tribute to?” They say: “Kozarom”. And Oleg said to them: “Don’t give it to the goat, but give it to me.” And Dasha Olgovi is a shloyag, just like a kozar is a dayahu.” The Union of Radimichi lived in the area between the upper Dnieper and Desna rivers along the Sozh River and its tributaries. Thus, two alliances of tribes - the northerners and the Radimichi - were freed from the power of the Khazars. The unions of the Streets and Tiverts, who lived from the lower reaches of the Dnieper, the Southern Bug and the Black Sea coast, in the area between the Dniester and Prut rivers, as well as near the Danube, offered more stubborn resistance to Oleg and were later included in the single state.
There is evidence, as reported by the Hungarian chronicle, that Oleg was forced to fight with the Hungarians during their resettlement to Europe. According to the Hungarian chronicle, the Hungarians defeated the Polovtsians and besieged Kyiv. Whether Oleg was there at that time is unknown. The townspeople had to give a ransom of 10 thousand marks in silver and 1 thousand horses. In addition, some of the Rus took part in the campaign to the west. Russian sources mention that the Hungarians simply passed by in 898. It should be noted that later the Hungarians were allies of the great princes of Kyiv, participating together in wars with Byzantium.
Grand Duke Oleg lived in the capital city of Kyiv for 25 years, expanding the borders of the Russian state, conquering and annexing neighboring tribes and nationalities to his state. During this time, Prince Igor matured and became co-ruler of the Grand Duke, studying the science of management, as reported in the chronicle, “accompanied Oleg and listened to him.” Oleg personally selected a bride for his nephew - Olga, originally from Pskov. By 907, Oleg conceived a grand campaign to attack the Byzantine Empire. A large fleet was assembled - 2 thousand boats, each could transport 40-50 warriors. Approximately 80-100 thousand troops, which included squads of the Varangians, Novgorod Slovenes, Krivichi, Drevlyans, Radimichi, Polyans, Northerners, Vyatichi, Croats, Dulebov, Chud, Meri, went on a campaign. The Byzantine Romans called the Rus - “Great Scythia”. The army marched by sea and land, on horseback. Kyiv was left to Igor.
The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise (or Philosopher), seeing the powerful army of the Rus, did not dare to give battle and locked himself in the city, giving the surroundings of Constantinople to be plundered. To prevent the Russian fleet from entering the harbor, it was closed with chains. Oleg's army destroyed the surrounding area, but did not stop there. Oleg wanted to conquer Constantinople. The Grand Duke was excellent at science - “surprised - won.” He amazed the townspeople by ordering the boats to be put on wheels, and, catching the wind, the ships moved to Constantinople. The onslaught of the Rus caused horror among the Romans. The Byzantine emperor-basileus sent envoys to Oleg. They told him: “Don’t destroy the city, we will give you whatever tribute you want.” Numerous foods and wine were brought to the Russian soldiers. But the Prophetic Oleg, sensing something was wrong, forbade them to touch food and drink. And for good reason. Food and drinks were poisoned. The enemy, unable to win honestly, conceived a meanness. The Romans were frightened, saying: “This is not Oleg, but Saint Dmitry, sent to us by God.” And they offered peace on Russian terms.
Oleg, like a real leader, first of all took care of the soldiers and ordered the Romans to give each soldier 12 hryvnia of silver. Hryvnia is a monetary and weight unit ancient Rus', equal to approximately 200 g. The amount was huge, considering the size of Oleg’s army. The Byzantine Empire pledged to pay tribute to Rus'. Russian visiting merchants received the right to duty-free trade, the Byzantines were obliged to supply them with food and let them into the baths for free. In addition, the Byzantines had to supply the Russians returning home with food and naval equipment. As a sign of his patronage over Constantinople, the prince-magician nailed his shield to the gates of the city.
In 911, Grand Duke Oleg sent an embassy to the Byzantine capital, which confirmed the terms of peace and concluded a new treaty. Compared to the 907 agreement, the clause on duty-free trade disappears from it.
There is no exact information about Oleg’s death. According to the chronicle, in 912 Oleg died “from his horse” - he was bitten by a snake, he fell ill and died. He was buried on Mount Shchekovitsa. The Novgorod Chronicle also talks about a snake bite, but places his grave in Staraya Ladoga (mound of the Prophetic Oleg), and also reports that Oleg went “overseas.” Another difference between Novgorod sources is that they report Oleg’s death in 922. Oleg went to the north of Rus', giving the reins of power in Kyiv to Igor.
Therefore, a number of researchers believe that Oleg could have died in a battle with the Khazars. Somewhere after 912, according to information from the Arab author Al-Masudi, a Russian fleet of 500 boats entered the Kerch Strait. The Khazar Kagan gave permission to the Russian flotilla to pass through the Don to the Volga, where they were going to strike the lands subject to Persia. The Khazar ruler demanded half of the spoils for himself. The Rus' campaign was very successful; they returned with rich booty. The Khazar Khagan received his share, but the Khazars violated the agreement. While the Rus were devastating the coast of the Caspian Sea, a large army was assembled, and the route along the Volga was blocked. The bloody battle lasted for three days, most of the 20-30 thousand Russian troops died in an unequal battle. A small part was able to break through higher up the river, but was destroyed by the allies of the Khazars - the Burtases and the Volga Bulgars. The snake of the chronicle messages symbolizes betrayal, and Oleg could well have fallen in this battle.
Prince Oleg - biography
How do we know about Prince Oleg, nicknamed the Prophetic?
From two chronicles:
- The Tale of Bygone Years,
- Novgorod First Chronicle.
Having gained power over Novgorod lands after the death of Rurik, as regent for his young son Igor, Oleg captured Kyiv and moved the capital there, thereby uniting the two main centers Eastern Slavs. Died in 912.
The exact origin of Oleg is not indicated in The Tale of Bygone Years. It only says that he was a relative (tribesman) of Rurik.
What does the Novgorod First Chronicle say about Oleg?
In the Novgorod First Chronicle, Oleg is depicted not as a prince, but as a governor under Igor. It is Igor who kills Askold, captures Kyiv and goes to war against Byzantium. And Oleg returned back to the north, to Ladoga, where he died not in 912, but in 922. The Novgorod Chronicle reports another version of Oleg’s death: some say that Oleg went “overseas” and died there.
The two chronicles depict events in completely different ways.
Which chronicle should we believe?
Let's start with the fact that the Tale of Bygone Years is recognized by everyone as the main historical source for reconstructing the past of the Old Russian state. But this does not mean that all the information she presents is considered absolutely reliable. The confidence in the information about Oleg from this chronicle is evidenced by the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 911, where Oleg is named the Grand Duke of Russia, who concludes the treaty on his own behalf.
What about the Novgorod Chronicle? The Novgorod Chronicle preserved fragments of an earlier chronicle code, on which The Tale of Bygone Years is based, therefore also deserves a certain amount of trust. According to a number of researchers, this chronicle is even older than PVL. Her information is in better agreement with eastern news about Rus' of this period.
So what should historians do? So far, historians are usually in scientific, popular science and educational texts use information taken from the Tale of Bygone Years.
The reign of Prince Oleg
According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Prince Oleg appears to be a skilled commander and prudent politician. For the first time in this chronicle it is reported in 879 in connection with the death of Rurik. The reign passed to him as Rurik’s “relative” and guardian of Igor, his young son. Thus, Oleg reigned in 879-882. in the East Slavic North among the Ilmen Slovenes, Krivichi and surrounding Finno-Ugrians (tribes Vesi, Meri, Chud).
In 882, having gathered warriors from many peoples living in the north of Rus', Oleg set out on a campaign to the south. He captured Smolensk, Lyubech, and then the path lay to Kyiv. In Kyiv, former warriors of Rurik Askold and Dir ruled. In 866, they were released by Rurik on a campaign against Byzantium. After returning from the campaign, Askold and Dir settled in Kyiv.
Having reached Kyiv, Oleg sent an ambassador to them with the words: “We are merchants, we are going to the Greeks from Oleg and from Prince Igor, and come to your family and to us.” Askold and Dir came... Oleg hid some warriors in the boats, and left others behind him, and he himself went forward, and carried the young prince Igor in his arms, and announced to them: “You are not princes and not of the princely family, but I am of the princely family "
Presenting them with Rurik’s heir, young Igor, Oleg said: “And he is Rurik’s son.” And they killed Askold and Dir.
The location of Kyiv seemed very convenient to Prince Oleg. The city was located approximately in the middle of the most important trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” He settled there with his squad, declaring: “Let this be the mother of Russian cities.”
Thus, in 882, the Kiev prince Oleg united under his rule the two main centers of statehood among the East Slavic tribes: the Kiev region (“Cuiaba” - in foreign sources) and “Novgorod” (“Slavia”). The lands of Northern and Southern Rus' became a single state - Kievan Rus. Many modern historians take the date 882 as the conditional date of birth of the Old Russian state, and Prince Oleg is considered its founder and first ruler.
The years of the reign of Prince Oleg in Kyiv are 882-912. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, after Oleg’s death from a snake bite, Rurik’s son Igor (912-945) becomes the Prince of Kyiv.
Having reigned in Kyiv, Oleg established a tribute to the Varangians for Novgorod at 300 hryvnia.
Prince Oleg devoted the following years to the conquest of Kiev's neighbors Slavic peoples on the left and right banks of the Dnieper - the Drevlyans, Northerners, Polyans, Radimichi, many peoples had previously been dependent on the Khazars and paid them tribute.
Prince Oleg's campaign against Byzantium
We learn about this campaign from the Tale of Bygone Years, which reports that in 907, Prince Oleg, having gathered a huge army, on ships, the number of which reached 2000, moved to Constantinople. According to estimates, the number of soldiers reached 80 thousand, and the army consisted of Varangians and warriors of Slavic and non-Slavic peoples subject to Rus'.
The Greeks blocked the access of enemy ships to the harbor of Constantinople with a chain. However, Prince Oleg figured out how to get around this obstacle. He ordered the ships to be put on wheels. A fair wind drove the innumerable armada overland to the walls of the Byzantine capital. The Greeks got scared and asked for peace. Prince Oleg demanded a large tribute - 12 hryvnia for each warrior. He hung his shield as a sign of victory on the gates of Constantinople. After this campaign, Prince Oleg was nicknamed the Prophetic.
However, not all researchers are sure that such a campaign even took place.
Supporters of the idea that the campaign took place refer as evidence to the reliability of the Russian-Byzantine treaty concluded after it in 911. And the agreement was extremely successful. Russian merchants received the right to duty-free trade in Constantinople, could live for six months in the capital suburb in the monastery of St. Mammoth, receive food at the expense of the Byzantine side and repair their boats. Such an agreement could well have been preceded by the brilliant victory of Prince Oleg.
But there are serious arguments in favor of the opinion that the campaign is legendary, since only Russian sources speak about such a significant event, but Greek sources are silent. But the numerous enemy sieges and attacks that Constantinople was subjected to over the centuries were often and colorfully described by Byzantine authors. This is how the attacks of Rus' in 860 and 941 were described. And not a word about this campaign and the capture of Constantinople.
Death of Prince Oleg
The prince died in 912. The legend says that the Magi predicted that Prince Oleg would die from his own beloved horse. The prince ordered him to be taken away and remembered the ominous prophecy only a few years later, when the horse had long since died. Laughing at the Magi, he wanted to look at the bones of the horse, and said, standing with one foot on the skull: “Should I be afraid of him?” At that same moment a snake crawled out of the skull and inflicted a fatal bite on the prince.
Of course, this is just a legend, written down several centuries after Oleg’s death. For the legendary prince - a legendary death.
Results of the reign of Prince Oleg
Let us summarize the reign of the first leader of the Old Russian state.
Domestic policy of Prince Oleg
Scientists associate significant events with Oleg’s reign in Kyiv ancient Russian history. First of all, the territorial core of the Old Russian state was laid. Under him, Kyiv became the new residence of the Old Russian state. Supreme ruler Oleg was recognized by the tribes of the Ilmen Slovenes, Krivichi, Polyans, Severians, Drevlyans, Vyatichi, Radimichi, Ulichs and Tivertsi. Through his governors and local princes, he managed to lay the foundations government controlled young country. Annual surveys of the population (Polyudye) laid the foundation for the judicial and tax systems.
Foreign policy of Prince Oleg
Led by Prince Oleg and active foreign policy. Before him for two centuries Khazar Khaganate collected tribute from a number of East Slavic lands. Oleg fought with the Khazars and freed the Slavs from tribute to the Kaganate. In 898, Hungarians appeared at the borders of Oleg’s power, moving to Europe from Asia. The prince managed to establish peaceful relations with this warlike people. Oleg's campaign in 907 against the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople (Constantinople), was crowned with a brilliant victory. In 909, Rus' and the Byzantine Empire entered into a military treaty of alliance. But the trade agreement of 911 was especially successful, according to which Russian merchants received the right of duty-free trade with Byzantium, unique for that time, and, in case of need, full provision of food and shipwrights to repair their boats.
How the prophetic Oleg is getting ready now
Take revenge on the foolish Khazars,
Their villages and fields for a violent raid
He condemned him to swords and fires;
With his squad, in Tsaregrad armor,
The prince rides across the field on a faithful horse.
A. S. Pushkin. "Song of the Prophetic Oleg."
Prophetic Oleg is perhaps one of the most mysterious rulers of Rus'. Sage on the throne, prince-magician, priest of Perun. He successfully continued the work started by Rurik-Falcon. Oleg united the Slavic lands in the face of an external threat - the Khazar Khaganate, the growing power of the West and the machinations of the Byzantine Empire.
According to the story “The Tale of Bygone Years”, after the death of Prince Rurik in 879, Oleg took the throne, since Rurik’s son Igor was still small. Before his death, the Grand Duke chose Oleg as his successor (according to one version, his brother-in-law, according to another, a relative) and ordered him to rule the Russian lands until the legitimate ruler grew up. Having headed Northern Rus', Prince Oleg did not sit idly by and immediately continued the work of his predecessor - the unification of the Slavic Russian lands into a single power. Less than three years had passed since the death of Rurik, when he gathered a powerful army - according to the chronicle story, it included warriors from the Varangians, Slovenes, Krivichi, Chud, Meri, Vesi and, taking little Igor with him, he moved south. He subjugated Smolensk and Lyubech (Northern Key to Kyiv) to his power, placing his governors there. The cities were taken without a fight.
After this, his army on boats moved down the Dnieper to Kyiv. Askold and Dir ruled in Kyiv at this time. There is no exact information about their origin. The Tale of Bygone Years reports that these were two Varangian boyars, but not of the Rurik tribe and not of the princely family. At one time, they asked Rurik for leave to go to Constantinople (Constantinople), on the way they captured Kyiv and began to rule there. Some researchers have put forward a hypothesis that these were representatives of the local princely dynasty, descendants of the founder of Kyiv - the legendary Prince Kiya.
It was not for nothing that Oleg was called the Prophetic. He decided not to resort to unnecessary bloodshed, because Askold and Dir were not going to give up power in Kyiv just like that. Oleg resorted to military stratagem. Leaving behind most of his forces, the prince approached the city on several boats and sent a messenger to the Kyiv rulers to report that visiting merchants had arrived, coming to the Greeks from Novgorod: “Come to us, to your relatives.” Askold and Dir, unaware of the trap, came to the bank of the Dnieper. But instead of the merchants, Prince Oleg came out to meet them with little prince Igor in his arms: “You are not princes and not of a princely family, but I am of a princely family,” he said and pointed at Igor. “And this is Rurik’s son!” Askold and Dir were not spared. But they buried him honorably on the mountain.
Thus, 1130 years ago, in 882, the north and south of Rus', the two main centers of the Russian land - Kyiv and Novgorod - were united into a single state. This sharply increased the power of the Russian state. Oleg decided that Kyiv would be more convenient for governing the Russian land and declared it the capital. “May this be the mother of Russian cities!” - chroniclers convey the words of the Grand Duke. This is how a state was formed, which was included in textbooks as the Old Russian State, or Kievan Rus. The names are conditional, because the inhabitants of the state themselves called it the Russian land, Russia.
Oleg almost immediately began to prepare for further campaigns. The army was prepared for a new campaign. Already in the next 883, Oleg began an armed conflict with the Drevlyans (a union of tribes living in Ukrainian Polesie). The Drevlyans were conquered and subjected to tribute - they took a black marten from each house. In 884, Oleg began a war with the northerners and subjugated them to Kyiv. The northerners inhabited the territories of modern Chernigov, Sumy, Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod regions and paid tribute to Khazaria. In 885, Oleg sent envoys to the Radimichi, saying: “Who should we give tribute to?” They say: “Kozarom”. And Oleg said to them: “Don’t give it to the goat, but give it to me.” And Dasha Olgovi is a shloyag, just like a kozar is a dayahu.” The Union of Radimichi lived in the area between the upper Dnieper and Desna rivers along the Sozh River and its tributaries. Thus, two alliances of tribes - the northerners and the Radimichi - were freed from the power of the Khazars. The unions of the Streets and Tiverts, who lived from the lower reaches of the Dnieper, the Southern Bug and the Black Sea coast, in the area between the Dniester and Prut rivers, as well as near the Danube, offered more stubborn resistance to Oleg and were later included in the single state.
There is evidence, as reported by the Hungarian chronicle, that Oleg was forced to fight with the Hungarians during their resettlement to Europe. According to the Hungarian chronicle, the Hungarians defeated the Polovtsians and besieged Kyiv. Whether Oleg was there at that time is unknown. The townspeople had to give a ransom of 10 thousand marks in silver and 1 thousand horses. In addition, some of the Rus took part in the campaign to the west. Russian sources mention that the Hungarians simply passed by in 898. It should be noted that later the Hungarians were allies of the great princes of Kyiv, participating together in wars with Byzantium.
Grand Duke Oleg lived in the capital city of Kyiv for 25 years, expanding the borders of the Russian state, conquering and annexing neighboring tribes and nationalities to his state. During this time, Prince Igor matured and became co-ruler of the Grand Duke, studying the science of management, as reported in the chronicle, “accompanied Oleg and listened to him.” Oleg personally selected a bride for his nephew - Olga, originally from Pskov. By 907, Oleg conceived a grand campaign to attack the Byzantine Empire. A large fleet was assembled - 2 thousand boats, each could transport 40-50 warriors. Approximately 80-100 thousand troops, which included squads of the Varangians, Novgorod Slovenes, Krivichi, Drevlyans, Radimichi, Polyans, Northerners, Vyatichi, Croats, Dulebov, Chud, Meri, went on a campaign. The Byzantine Romans called the Rus - “Great Scythia”. The army marched by sea and land, on horseback. Kyiv was left to Igor.
The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise (or Philosopher), seeing the powerful army of the Rus, did not dare to give battle and locked himself in the city, giving the surroundings of Constantinople to be plundered. To prevent the Russian fleet from entering the harbor, it was closed with chains. Oleg's army destroyed the surrounding area, but did not stop there. Oleg wanted to conquer Constantinople. The Grand Duke was excellent at science - “surprised - won.” He amazed the townspeople by ordering the boats to be put on wheels, and, catching the wind, the ships moved to Constantinople. The onslaught of the Rus caused horror among the Romans. The Byzantine emperor-basileus sent envoys to Oleg. They told him: “Don’t destroy the city, we will give you whatever tribute you want.” Numerous foods and wine were brought to the Russian soldiers. But the Prophetic Oleg, sensing something was wrong, forbade them to touch food and drink. And for good reason. Food and drinks were poisoned. The enemy, unable to win honestly, conceived a meanness. The Romans were frightened, saying: “This is not Oleg, but Saint Dmitry, sent to us by God.” And they offered peace on Russian terms.
Oleg, like a real leader, first of all took care of the soldiers and ordered the Romans to give each soldier 12 hryvnia of silver. Hryvnia is a monetary and weight unit of ancient Rus', equal to approximately 200 grams. The amount was huge, considering the size of Oleg’s army. The Byzantine Empire pledged to pay tribute to Rus'. Russian visiting merchants received the right to duty-free trade, the Byzantines were obliged to supply them with food and let them into the baths for free. In addition, the Byzantines had to supply the Russians returning home with food and naval equipment. As a sign of his patronage over Constantinople, the prince-magician nailed his shield to the gates of the city.
In 911, Grand Duke Oleg sent an embassy to the Byzantine capital, which confirmed the terms of peace and concluded a new treaty. Compared to the 907 agreement, the clause on duty-free trade disappears from it.
There is no exact information about Oleg’s death. According to the chronicle, in 912 Oleg died “from his horse” - he was bitten by a snake, he fell ill and died. He was buried on Mount Shchekovitsa. The Novgorod Chronicle also talks about a snake bite, but places his grave in Staraya Ladoga (mound of the Prophetic Oleg), and also reports that Oleg went “overseas.” Another difference between Novgorod sources is that they report Oleg’s death in 922. Oleg went to the north of Rus', giving the reins of power in Kyiv to Igor.
Therefore, a number of researchers believe that Oleg could have died in a battle with the Khazars. Somewhere after 912, according to information from the Arab author Al-Masudi, a Russian fleet of 500 boats entered the Kerch Strait. The Khazar Kagan gave permission to the Russian flotilla to pass through the Don to the Volga, where they were going to strike the lands subject to Persia. The Khazar ruler demanded half of the spoils for himself. The Rus' campaign was very successful; they returned with rich booty. The Khazar Khagan received his share, but the Khazars violated the agreement. While the Rus were devastating the coast of the Caspian Sea, a large army was assembled, and the route along the Volga was blocked. The bloody battle lasted for three days, most of the 20-30 thousand Russian troops died in an unequal battle. A small part was able to break through higher up the river, but was destroyed by the allies of the Khazars - the Burtases and the Volga Bulgars. The snake of the chronicle messages symbolizes betrayal, and Oleg could well have fallen in this battle.
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Prophetic Oleg - the legendary governor who managed to unite the Slavic tribes into Kievan Rus
The legendary Prince Oleg can rightfully be considered the founder of the ancient Russian state - a huge medieval power centered in Kyiv, the historical cradle of the modern Ukrainian people. His services to his descendants are undeniable, since Prince Oleg became the first omnipotent ruler of the Dnieper lands, whose existence is documented. Unlike the semi-mythical Kyya, Shchek, Khoryv and their sister Lybid, as well as the mysterious Askold and Dir, a lot is known about Prince (King) Oleg (Helga): from the dating of his reign to the essence of the reforms he carried out and the results of military campaigns. Why is it worth remembering and honoring Prince Oleg?
1. He created the mighty ancient Russian state, stretching from the shores of the Baltic to the Dnieper rapids.
2. He managed to conquer the tribal unions of the Polyans, Drevlyans and Northerners who lived on the territory of modern Ukraine, which gave him a powerful resource for further conquests.
3. He was able to defeat the mighty Khozar Kaganate, wresting the East Slavic lands from its dependence, which very seriously undermined the strength of the steppe superpower. Kyiv, after Oleg, turned from a marginal town located on the westernmost outskirts of the Khozar Kaganate into the capital of a new Slavic power.
4. He managed to establish a certain order in all the lands under his control. Of course, it was based solely on the tribute collection system, but absolutely everything started from this state entities since the Middle Ages.
5. He won the war with the most powerful enemy of that time - the Byzantine Empire. Oleg managed to make a successful campaign into her possessions, approached the gates of Constantinople, forced the Roman emperor to sign a trade agreement with him that was beneficial for Kyiv, and then return unharmed with his army.
The main merits of Prince Oleg.
Arrival in Kyiv. The Norman governor Oleg (Helg), like many of his fellow countrymen, arrived in the Slavic lands from distant Scandinavia in search of fame and wealth. He joined the squad of the mighty king Rurik (Rorkha), who ruled over vast domains in the north of Rus'. After the death of Rurik in 879, Oleg, as the teacher of his three-year-old son Igor (Ingvar), became the Prince of Novgorod. However, he soon became cramped within these limits, and, having gathered a large army of Normans, Slavs and Finns, Oleg went south. By 882, Smolensk and Lyubech submitted to him, and after them Kyiv. An alien from the north treacherously killed the local rulers Askold and Dir, pretending to be a merchant. The residents of Kyiv, “...frightened by his atrocity and strong army, recognized him as their legitimate sovereign.” So Oleg subjugated the entire trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” and now not a single ship could sail along the Dnieper without paying tribute to the mighty Norman.
Establishment of a tribute system and victory over the Khazars. Oleg wished to stay in the south, proclaiming: “Let Kyiv be the matter of Russian cities!” It was from there that he now made his campaigns, and tribute from the conquered peoples flocked there. Novgorod paid Kyiv in silver (300 hryvnia annually), the Drevlyans - with black marten skins, the northerners and Radimichi gave one small coin from each plow. In addition to them, Oleg also subjugated the populous Slavic tribes Dulebs, White Croats and Tiverts living in Western Russian lands. In his vigorous activity, the new Kiev ruler affected the interests of the formidable ruler of the eastern steppes - the Kagan of the Great Khazaria. Wars repeatedly broke out between them for the right to collect tribute from the northerners and Radimichi. Oleg said to the latter: “I am their enemy, but I have no enmity with you. Don’t give to the Khazars, but pay me,” and assigned them a completely symbolic amount of tax. After several military clashes with the Khazars, Oleg discouraged uninvited guests from appearing in the Dnieper region. Now most of the Eastern Slavs paid tribute to him and his Vikings. This was hardly a big relief for the local population.
Campaigns against Byzantium. In 907, the huge army of Prince Oleg set off on a campaign against the capital of the Byzantine Empire, the city of Constantinople. 2000 longships, each with 40 well-armed warriors, soon approached the Golden Horn Bay. The Greek emperor Leo the Philosopher was unable to organize any defense; he only ordered the harbor to be blocked off with a chain, leaving the Russians to plunder the city suburbs. The Kiev prince found unusual way come close to Constantinople: “And Oleg ordered his soldiers to make wheels and put ships on wheels. And when a fair wind blew, they raised sails in the field and went to the city.” The frightened Byzantines were ready to pay off Oleg at any cost, who, as a sign of contempt for them, nailed his shield on the gates of Constantinople. The prince demanded that the emperor give him 12 hryvnia in silver for each warrior, and also established a separate payment, which was supposed to go to all big cities ancient Rus'. In addition, Oleg concluded a very profitable trade agreement with the Byzantine ruler, opening up wide commercial opportunities for Russian merchants in the numerous markets of Constantinople.
The prince's return to Kyiv was truly triumphant; his subjects were amazed at the size of the booty brought and in admiration they nicknamed Oleg the Prophetic, that is, a clairvoyant or a sorcerer.
The Grand Duke died in 912, as befits a hero, under mysterious circumstances. A legend has been preserved that Oleg allegedly accepted death from his horse, as the Magi prophesied to him. The attempt to deceive fate ended in complete failure: the prince got rid of his beloved horse and when, after waiting for his death, he came to look at the bones, he was bitten by a poisonous snake that had taken refuge in the horse’s skull. By the way, this plot is also found in later Scandinavian epics, for example in “The Saga of Odd the Arrow”.
Brief biography of Prince Oleg.
879 - after the death of Prince Rurik, he becomes regent under the still small prince Igor.
882 - sails from Novgorod to Kyiv and captures it.
883 - conquered the Drevlyans.
884 - brought the northerners under his rule.
885 - managed to take the Radimichi under his hand.
885 - imposed tribute on the Polyans, Northerners, Drevlyans and Radimichi.
907 - makes his first campaign against Byzantium.
911 – Prince Oleg’s second campaign against Byzantium.
912 - Prince Oleg dies.
“Having said this, Heid began to sing some mysterious song.”
“That’s what it means, Odd,” she explained. “You will live longer than others - three hundred years, and you will travel many lands and seas, and wherever you come, your fame will grow. Your path lies far from here, but you will die in Berurjod. There is a gray horse with a long mane standing here in the stable, named Faxie, and this horse will cause you death.
- Tell your tales to old women! - Odd shouted and, jumping up from his seat, ran up and hit the sorceress right in the face, so that blood poured onto the floor...
After some time, Odd called Asmund with him, and they went to where the horse stood. They threw a bridle on him and led the horse to the seashore, into the hills. There they dug a hole almost twice the height of a man and, having killed the horse, threw it there. Then the foster brothers filled this pit with such large stones as they could lift, and poured many small stones and sand on top, so that a high mound stood over the horse’s grave. And then Odd said:
“Now the sorceress’s prediction that this horse will cause me death cannot be fulfilled.”
Having completed all this, they returned home.
... they began to hastily go down the stones, and while they were walking along a narrow path, Odd hurt his leg on something and stopped.
- Why did I hurt my leg? - he said.
He began to dig up the ground with a spear, and everyone saw a horse’s skull in the ground. A snake crawled out from there, crawled up to Odd and bit him on the leg below the ankle. And from its poison Odd’s entire leg and thigh were swollen.
Odd saw what had happened, and he ordered his men to carry him down to the seashore, and when they arrived there, Odd said:
“Well, now go and carve a stone tomb for me, and let others sit here with me and carve runes, writing down a song that I will compose as a keepsake for my descendants.”
Historical memory of Prince Oleg.
The image of the prophetic Oleg has repeatedly attracted artists and poets. Among the works of art dedicated to this historical character are the following:
Prophetic Oleg on social networks.
How often do Yandex users from Ukraine look for information about Oleg the Prophet?
To analyze the popularity of the query “Prophetic Oleg”, the Yandex search engine service wordstat.yandex is used, from which we can conclude: as of July 4, 2016, the number of queries per month was 5, as can be seen in the screenshot:
Since the end of 2014, the largest number of requests for “Prophetic Oleg” was registered in November 2015 – 198,524 requests per month.
TERMS
Anti-Norman theory(M. Lomonosov, B. A. Rybakov), according to which the state was formed in 882.
beekeeping- collecting wild honey.
Grand Duke- head of the Grand Duchy of Rus' in the 10th-15th centuries, the Russian state in the 15th - mid-16th centuries.
Veche- national assembly in Rus' in the 10th-14th centuries. It resolved issues of war and peace, summoned and expelled princes, adopted laws, and concluded treaties with other states.
Byzantium- a state that arose in the 4th century in the eastern part of the Eastern Empire as a result of its collapse. It existed until the 15th century. The capital was Constantinople, in Rus' it was called Constantinople. IN 1453 Byzantium captured Ottoman Empire, the capital was renamed Istanbul.
Military democracy- a social structure in which a military nobility (prince and squad) is distinguished, concentrating significant material values and political power in their hands.
Ancient Rus'- the first name of the state in the 11th-13th centuries.
Druzhina-armed detachments under the prince, participating in wars, managing the principality and the prince’s personal household.
Smoke - yard taxation unit.
Purchases- peasants who took a loan (“kupa”) from landowners with livestock, grain, and tools and were forced to work off the debt.
Prince– at first it was the leader of the tribe, the head of the squad. With the development of feudal society - the head of the principality. The eldest was called great, the rest - appanage.
Chronicles- historical chronicles in the 11th-18th centuries. Recording events by year.
quitrent- annual collection of tribute - money, food, handicrafts - from peasants.
Verv-peace- community.
Shift farming- a method of cultivating land in which bushes were cut down and burned, and fertilizer was used for 5-7 years.
Slash-and-burn agriculture- forests were uprooted and burned. This fertilizer was enough for up to 15-3-20 years.
Polyudye- the prince and his retinue travel around all their lands to collect tribute.
The path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”- a waterway connecting Northern Rus' with the South. He walked from the Varangian (Baltic) Sea along the Neva, Lake Ladoga, the Volkhov River, Lake Ilmen, the Lovat River, then dragged to the Dnieper River, along it to the Black Sea, then along the sea coast to Byzantium.
Early feudal monarchy- state transition period from the primitive communal system to the feudal one. In the 8th-11th centuries. the process of formation took place in Rus' feudal relations while preserving elements of the primitive communal system (veche, blood feud, paganism, tribal customs).
Ryadovichi- smerds (peasants) who entered into an agreement (series) with landowners on the conditions of working for him or using his land or tools.
Smerda- free community peasants who had their own farm and arable land.
Destiny- the share of a member of the princely family in the ancestral domain.
Feudalism- a stage of human development that replaced the primitive communal system. Under feudalism, the land belonged to feudal lords - large landowners (“feud” - land), who transferred rights by inheritance. The peasants had their own farm, family, fed themselves, and bore duties. The feudal lord appropriated the labor of the peasants in the form of feudal rent.
Feudal rent- payment for the use of the land of feudal lords in the form of labor (corvee labor), natural food dues or cash dues.
Khazars- nomads, Turkic-speaking people. The state is the Khazar Khaganate, the capital is Itil. Svyatoslav finally defeated them in 965.
Serfs- feudal-dependent population, according to legal status close to slaves. The sources of the formation of this class: captivity, sale for debts, marriage with a serf or servant, etc.
Centrist theory- the state of Rus' was formed as a result of internal pan-Slavic development, but with the participation of the Varangians (A.L. Yurganov, L.A. Kovtsa and most modern historians).
Servants- in the 9th-12th centuries - slaves, later - a wide range of feudal-dependent people.