Warriors of ancient Russia. The army of ancient Russia

The army of ancient Russia - Armed Forces of Kievan Rus (from the end of the 9th century) and the Russian principalities of the Domongolian period (until the middle of the XIII century). Like the Armed Forces of the Rannessee-medieval Slavs of the V-Viii centuries, the tasks of the fight against nomads of the steppes of the Northern Black Sea region and the Byzantine Empire, but were fundamentally different in the new supply system (from the first half of the 9th century) and penetration into the social advantage of the East Society Society of the Varangian military nobility at the end of the IX century . The army of ancient Russia was also used by the princes of the Rurikovsky dynasty for the internal political struggle in Russia.

Prehistory.

Under the 375 year, one of the first military clashes of the ancient Slavs are mentioned. Antian elder of God and together with him 70 elders were killed by Gotami.

After the decline of the Gunno empire by the end of the V century, with the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe, the Slavs are returned to the historic arena. In the VI-VII centuries, the Slavic colonization of the Balkan Peninsula, which was owned by Byzantium - the most powerful state of the VI century, crushing the kingdom of Vandals in North Africa, is the sharp in Italy and the modes in Spain and turning the Mediterranean Sea Roman lake. Many times with direct clashes with the Byzantines, the Slavic troops tried victory. In particular, in 551, Slavs were divided by the Byzantine Connection and captured her head of Asbad, which indicates the presence of an cavalry from Slavs, and took the city of Toper, the false retreat lumbling his garrison to remove from the fortress and arranged an ambush. In 597, in the siege of the city of Fessalonik, the Slavs were used by the Slavs, "Turtles", Iron Tashers and Crocheus. In the VII century, Slavs successfully acted on the sea against Byzantium (Soluni Osada in 610, a landing on O. Crit in 623, a troop under the walls of Constantinople in 626).

In the next period, associated with the domination in the steppes of the Turkic Bulgarians, the Slavs are cut off from the Byzantine borders, but in the 9th century two events occur, directly chronologically preceding the era of Kiev Rusi - the Russian-Byzantine War of 830 and the Russian-Byzantine War of 860. Both expeditions were maritime.

Organization of troops

IX-XI century

With the expansion in the first half of the 9th century, the influence of the Kiev princes on the tribal alliances of Drezlyan, Dregovich, the curvice and northerners, the establishment of the collection system (was carried out by the forces of 100-200 warriors) and the export of the dealer Kiev princes are beginning to have means for the content of numerous troops in constant combat readiness, which required To combat nomads. Also, the army could stay for a long time under the banners, making perennial hiking, which was required to defend the interests of foreign trade on the Black and Caspian seas.

The core of the troops was a princely squad, which appeared in the era of military democracy. Her number included warriors professionals. On the number of senior warriors (excluding their own warriors and servants) can be judged by later data (Novgorod Republic - 300 "gold belts"; Kulikovsky battle - more than 500 dead). The more numerous young squad was grilled (Prince's bodyguards - the number of Ibn Fadlan in the castle of Kiev Prince "Bogatiyei" defines in 400 people. Under 922), the rasters (military servants), children's (children of senior warriors). However, the squad was not a few and was unlikely to surpassed 2000 people.

A more numerous part of the troops was a militia. At the turn of the IX-X centuries, the militia was tribal. These archeology indicate the property separation from the Eastern Slavs at the turn of the VIII-IX centuries and the appearance of thousands of the lesion chorus of the local nobility, while the tribute was calculated in proportion to the courtyards, regardless of wealth from the owners (however, one of the versions of the birth of the boyars, the local one was The prototype of the older squad). From the middle of the 9th century, when the princess Olga organized the collection of Dani in the Russian northern through the history system (later we see in Novgorod a Kiev governor, moving 2/3 of the Novgorod Dane in Kiev), tribal militia lose their value.

Ski kits at the beginning of the Board of Svyatoslav Igorevich or when forming Vladimir Svyatoslavizh garrisons built by him on the border with the step of fortunes are one hundred and there are no information about the fact that this service had some time or that the warrior was supposed to be in service with any equipment .

Since the XI century, the older squad starts playing a key role in the evening. On the contrary, in a more numerous part of the Wain - in young people - Historians see not the younger squad of the prince, and the national militia of the city (merchants, artisans). As for the rural folk militia, then, for various versions, the deaths participated in the campaigns as the service station, they supplied horses for urban militia (Presnyakov A. E.) either served in Connection (Rybakov B. A.).

In the wars of ancient Russia, hired troops took a certain participation. Initially, it was Varyagi, which is associated with friendly relations between Russia and Scandinavia. They participated not only as mercenaries. Varyags meet and among the nearest associates of the first Kiev princes. In some hikes of the X century, Russian princes hired Pechenegs and Hungarians. Later, in the period of feudal fragmentation, mercenaries also often participated in internecine wars. Among the peoples that were among the mercenaries, in addition to Varyagov and Pechenegs were Polovtsy, Hungarians, Western and South Slavs, Finno-Ugry and Baltles, Germans and some others. They all armed in their style.

The total number of troops could be more than 10,000 people.

XII-XIII century

In the XII century, after the loss of Russia's sarkel cities on the Don and Tmutarakan principality, after the success of the first cross campaign, commercial routes connecting the Middle East with Western Europe, reorient for new routes: Mediterranean and Volzhsky. Historians note the transformation of the structure of Russian troops. Princely courtyard comes to the place of senior and younger friend - the prototype of permanent troops and the regiment - the feudal militia of boyars-landowners, the value of the Wehte drops (except for Novgorod; in Rostov, Boyars is defeated by princes in 1175).

Already in relation to the Domongolian period is known (for the Novgorod troops) about two methods of recruitment - one warrior on horseback and in armor full (equestrian and weight) with 4 or 10 sons depending on the degree of danger (that is, the number of troops collected from one territory could differ 2.5 times; perhaps for this reason, some princes trying to defend their independence, could almost resist the connected Forms of almost all other principalities, and there are examples of collisions of Russian forces with an opponent who have already won the first battle over them: a victory on the dream after the defeat on the alte, the defeat of the wish after the defeat on the Sturge, defeat at the city after defeating Kolomna). Despite the fact that the main type of feudal land ownership until the end of the XV century was a patrimony (that is, hereditary unconditional land ownership), the boyars was obliged to be a prince. For example, in the 1210s during the struggle of Galicians with Hungarians, the main Russian army twice was directed against the boyars who were late for a general collection.

The Kiev and Chernihiv princes in the XII-XIII centuries were used according to black hoods and carpets: Pechenegs, Torkov and Berendev, expelled from the steppes by Polovtsy and the settlers in South-Russian borders. A feature of these troops was constant combat readiness, which was necessary for an operational response to small Polovtsy raids.

Kind of troops

In medieval Russia, there were three types of troops - infantry, cavalry and fleet. First, the horses began to be used as a means of movement, fought with rush. The chronicler talks about Svyatoslav and his army:

Thus, for the speed of movement, the army used instead of worm suites. For the combat battle, the army was often dishearsal, Lev Deacon under the 971 year indicates the unusualness of the speech of Russian troops in the horseman.

However, professional cavalry was needed to combat nomads, so the squad becomes equestrian. At the same time, the organization was taking into account the Hungarian and Pechenezh experience. Start developing horse breeding. The development of the cavalry was faster in southern Russia than in the north, due to the difference in the nature of the terrain and opponents. In 1021, Yaroslav Wise with the army did the way from Kiev to R. Sudomir, on which Bryachland Polotsky broke, a week, that is, the average speed was 110-115 km. per day. In the XI century, the cavalry is compared with infantry, and later and surpasses it. At the same time, horse archers are distinguished, in addition to a bow with arrows, used axes, perhaps spears, shields and helmets.

Horses were important not only for war, but also for the economy, therefore divorced in the ownership villages. And also kept in the princely farms: there are cases when the princes were given to the horses of the militia during the war. The example of the Kiev uprising of 1068 shows that the urban militia was equestrian.

During the entire Domongolian period, the infantry played its role in all hostilities. She not only participated in the capture of cities and conducted engineering and transport work, but also covered the rear, made sabotage bars, and together with Connection participated in battles. For example, in the XII century, urban fortifications have a mixed battle with participation and infantry, and cavalry. There was no clear separation by armament, and everyone used that he was more convenient and that he could afford. Therefore, each had several types of weapons. However, depending on this, the tasks performed by them differed. So, in the infantry, as in Connection, it is possible to highlight heavy speakers, in addition to a spear armed with seal, a combat ax, a shield, a shield, sometimes - with a sword and armor, and light-equipped archers equipped with onions and arrows, a combat ax or an iron beam, and, Obviously, without protective weapons.

Under the 1185 year in the south for the first time (and in 1242 in the north for the last time), arrows are mentioned as a separate body of troops and a separate tactical unit. Cavalry begins to specialize in direct impact of cold weapons and begins to resemble medieval Western European cavalry in this sense. The heavy speakers were armed with a spear (or two), a saber or sword, sulitians or onions with arrows, a bristle, a mace, more often - a combat hatch. They were completely reconciling, including the shield. In 1185, during a campaign to the Polovtsy, the prince of Igor himself, and with him and the warriors, not wanting to break away from the environment in the horseman and thereby throwing on the mercy of fate black people, hurray and take an attempt to break through the ranks. Further indicates a curious detail: the prince after receiving the wound continued to move on horseback. As a result of the multiple defeat of the Mongols and Ordans of the Northeastern Russian cities and the establishment of control over the Volga trade, in the second half of the XIII century, the reverse unification of Russian troops occurs.

The fleet in the Eastern Slavs originated in the IV-VI centuries and was associated with the struggle against Byzantium. It was a river-rowing fleet applied to navigation. From the IX century there were flotilla from several hundred ships. They were intended for use as a vehicle. However, sea battles also took place. The main vessel was the rook, which was transporting about 50 people and sometimes armed with a ram and throwing machines. In the period of struggle for the Kiev prince in the middle of the XII century, Flyaslav Mstislavich were used by the rooks with a second deck part of the deck rowers, on which archers were located.

Tactics

Initially, when the cavalry was insignificant, the main combat order of infantry was "wall". At the front, it accounted for about 300 m and in depth reached 10-12 Sherleng. The warriors of the front rows had good protecting weapons. Sometimes with flanks, such a construction covered the cavalry. Sometimes the army lined up with a tavering wedge. Such tactic had a number of shortcomings in the fight against a strong coneen, the main ones: insufficient maneuverability, the vulnerability of rear and flanks. In the general battle with the Byzantines under the Adrianopole, in 970, weak flanks (Hungarians and Pechenegs) were defeated and defeated, but the main Russian-Bulgarian forces continued to break through the center and were able to solve the outcome of the battle in their favor.

In the XI-XII centuries, the troops on the shelves occur. In the XI century, the main combat order becomes a "complete row", which consisted of center and flanks. As a rule, the infantry was in the center. This construction increased the mobility of the troops. In 1023, in the battle of destruction, one Russian construction with the center (tribal militia) and two powerful flanks (squad) won over another Russian simple construction in one regiment.

Already in 1036, in the decisive battle with Pechenegs, the Russian army was divided into three regiments that had a homogeneous structure, according to territorial sign.

In 1068, on the River, the 3-thousandth army of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich Chernigov won the 12-thousand Polovtsian army. During the trips to the Polovtsy to the Kiev rule, Svyatopolka Iaslavich and Vladimir Monomakh, Russian troops were repeatedly fought surrounded by the multiple numerical superiority of the enemy, which did not prevent them from winning victories.

The Russian cavalry was homogeneous, different tactical tasks (intelligence, counter blow, pursuit) performed parts with the same method of picking and the same organizational structure. By the end of the XII century, the division of four shelf in depth was added to the division of three shelf on the front.

For the control of the troops, steags that served for all guidelines were used. Also used musical instruments.

Armament

Protective

If the early Slavs, according to the Greeks reports, there were no armor, then the VIII-IX century is the distribution of Kolchug. They were made from rings made of iron wire, which in the diameter reached 7-9 and 13-14 mm, and in thickness - 1.5 - 2 mm. Half of the rings was welded, and the other was shakeped when weaving (1 to 4). In total, they were left for at least 20,000. Later, Kolchugi met with copper rings woven for decoration. The size of the rings decreases to 6-8 and 10-13 mm. Weaving and weaving, where all rings were skill. Old Russian chain chain, on average, the length was 60-70 cm, in width (in the belt) about 50 cm or more, with short sleeves of about 25 cm and with a split gate. At the end of the XII - the beginning of the XIII century, kolchugi from flat rings appear - their diameter 13-16 mm with a width of wire 2-4 mm and a thickness of 0.6-0.8 mm. These rings flattened with a stamp. Such a form increased the cover area with the same weight of the armor. In the XIII century, there was a pan-European weighting of armor, and chain mail arises in Russia. However, rolling weaves were used for other purposes - approximately there are rolling stockings (nagavitsa). And most helmets provided Barmitsa. Kolchugi in Russia were very common and applied not only to a friend, but also doubting warriors.

In addition to Kolchug, lamellar armor was used. Their appearance refers to the IX-X century. Such a armor was made from the iron plates form close to rectangular, with several holes at the edges. Through these holes, all the plates were connected by straps. On average, the length of each plate was 8-10 cm, and the width is 1.5-3.5 cm. There were more than 500 on the armor. The lamelter had a look of a shirt to the hip length, with an expanding beer, sometimes with the sleeves. According to archeology, in the IX-XIII centuries, 1 lamellar accounted for 4 chain railings, while in the north (especially in Novgorod, Pskov, Minsk), lamellar armor were more common. And later they even displacing the chalches. There are information and their exports. Scale armor were also used, which are plates of 6 to 4-6 cm, strengthened at the top edge to a leather or a cloth basis. There were both brigantines. To protect hands from the end of the XII - early XIII century, stamped braces are used. And at the end of the XIII century, early grazles appear - round blahs dressed on top of the armor.

Helmets, according to archeology, in widespread use from the X century, and the archaeological finds of helmets (like Kolchug) on \u200b\u200bRussia more than on any other European country. At first, these were the conical helmets of Norman-type having no Norman origin, but those who came to Europe from Asia. This type did not receive wide distribution in Russia and was ousted by spherokonical helmets that appeared at about the same. These were Chernihiv's helmets, sealed from four parts of iron, and, often, richly decorated. There were other types of spherokonic helmets. Since the XII century, high shells with a spire and a nanger appear in Russia, and soon become the most common type of helmet, keeping the championship several centuries. This is due to the fact that the spherokonic form is best suited to protect against strikes from above, which is important in the areas of equestrian battle. In the second half of the XII century, helmets from the half-man appear - they richly decorated and were the belonging of noble warriors. But the use of larva is not confirmed, therefore, if it was, then only in isolated cases. There were western hemispheric helmets, but were also rare.

Large-sized shields were protective weapons of more ancient Slavs, but their design is unknown. In the X century, round flat wooden, covered skin shields with iron umbon were spread. Since the beginning of the XI century, almond-shaped shields are distributed, comfortable for riders. And from the middle of the XIII century, they begin to turn into triangular.

In the middle of the XIII century, the Galician-Volyn army had horse armor called by the chronicler tatar (pube and leather popone), which coincides with the description of the Mongolian horse armor carpini.

Throwing machines

In ancient Russia, there was a use of throwing machines. The earliest message about their application is referred to by the end of the 6th century - in the description of Soluni siege in 597. In the Greek source, they are described as follows: "They were four-branched on broad grounds, ending with a narrower top part, on which drums had very thick, with iron edges, and wooden bars were driven (like beams in a large house), having the main (Sfendon), raising which threw stones and large, and numerous, so that neither the earth could have taken their hits or human structures. But besides, only three of the four sides of the ballests were acquired by boards, so that inside were provided with arrows to arrive from the walls. " During the siege of Constantinople in 626, the Slavic-Avarian army, siege technician consisted of 12 copious mobile towers, several taranans, "turtles" and skin-covered machines. And manufactured and maintained cars predominantly Slavic detachments. Mentioned by the fracture and cenchers and at the siege of Constantinople in 814, the Slavic-Bulgarian army. In the times of ancient Russia, the use of throwing machines as Byzantines, and Slavs, notes Lion deacon, speaking about the camps of Svyatoslav Igorevich. Message from the Ioamakhova chronicle about the use of two vills by Novgorods against Dobryni, which collected them to paint, rather, is legendary. By the end of the X century, Russians stop raids on Byzantium, and the change in tactics led to a decrease in the use of siege guns. Now the precipitated city is taken either by a long blockade, or a sudden seizure; The city's fate most often was solved as a result of the battle near him, and then the main type of hostilities was a field battle. Again, throwing guns are used in 1146 by the troops of Vsevolod Olgovich with a unsuccessful siege of Zvenigorod. In 1152, during the storming of Novgorod-Seversky stones, the wall destroyed the wall and took Ostrog, after which the struggle ended with the world. In the Ipatiev Chronicle, it is noted that the Polovtsy bosses under the head of Konchaka went to Russia, with them was an Islamic master serving powerful self-timing, for the tension of which 8 (or 50) people and "live fire" were required. But the Polovtsy were broken and the cars fell to the Russians. Sereshires (from PERS. Tir-I-Cherh), referred to in the word about the regiment of Igor - perhaps there are incendiary projectiles that rushed out of such self-tracks. Preserved and arrows for them. Such an arrow was in the form of an iron rod with a length of 170 cm with a pointed end and tail plumage in the form of 3 iron blades, weighing 2 kg. In 1219, the Russians were used by large cenchers and flame retardants during the storming of the Bulgarian city of Oshl. In this case, the Russian siege technique was under the West Asian influence. In 1234, the vice was used in the field of internecine combat, which ended in the world. In the XIII century, the use of throwing machines is growing. The invasion of the Mongols was played by the invasion of the Mongols, which, when taking Russian cities, used the best technique of that time. However, throwing guns were used by Russians, for example, during the defense of Chernigov and the hill. They were actively used in wars with Polish-Hungarian invaders, for example, in a battle near Yaroslav in 1245. We used throwing machines and Novgorods when taking fortresses in the Baltic States.

The main type of Russian throwing machines was not machine self-louchers, but a variety of rigging bats. The simplest type is Patelel, which metal stones attached to the long shoulder of the lever, when people have dragged the shoulder. For nuclei of 2 - 3 kg, there were enough 8 people, and for nuclei in several tens kilograms - up to 100 and more. A more advanced and common car was a madjanik, called Plokov in Russia. Instead of traction created by people, a mobile counterweight was used. All these cars were short-lived, the "vicious" wizards followed their repair and manufacture. At the end of the XIV century, firearms appear, but the siege cars still retain the combat value until the XV century.

The eighties of the ninth century. The territory is seated with the eastern Slavs, Finno-Ugric and Baltic peoples.

Tribal leader Military leader of the Slavic tribe. It was on the leader who was the guide to the tribe. Around him united the squad of warriors. Over time, the management of the tribe passed the princes. They accounted for a privileged part of society in ancient Russia. Craftsmen and death paid tribute no longer boyars, but by prince. Inside the tribe developed inequality. All wealth was in the hands of nobility of the tribe, and this led to political power.

There are no specific information on the formation of an ancient Russian state. Perhaps it was a voluntary association, or maybe by conquering two Slavic tribes. Novgorod and Kiev formed a single state. The resulting new state was called Kievan Rus.

What is the originality of the military organization of the ancient Russian state?

The state represented a political organization for a tribal. The state was prince. The events have the right to limit the power of the prince, only the prince did not always be considered with him. The city has grown very quickly. Political power and many types of crafts of the cities of ancient Russia needed armed protection.

Attention

Social contradictions determined the role of military force.

Features of the military organization of the ancient Russian state.

The protection of the state was the ancient Russian army. The main place in the army was the princely army.

The princely army in ancient Russia was called a friend. The squad is an armed squad at Prince in ancient Russia ..

Until the tenth century, the psychological and ideological unity of Russian troops was strengthened with paganism, which dominated at the time on Russian lands. Prince Vladimir understood the power of paganism and wanted to create a single pagan religion. In Kiev, the six Slavonic gods were planned. The State Religion Prince Vladimir recognized the Christian religion. Soon, this religion will acquire a dominant nature in the psychology of the public and the ideology of the state.

Prince and the army will have to defend not only the state, but also faith Christians.

The state put the goal. Rus should be recognized by other nations as a state. With this state should be considered. And for this, the military business should be at the proper level.

Army of ancient Rus 11th century.

The Old Russian army is the formation of the Slavic state. The main task of the troops is the fight against the external enemies of the Russian land. There was such an army from the ninth century to the thirteenth.

As mentioned above, the basis of the troops represented the princely squad. The squad included the most experienced and prepared warriors. Managed a friend of the governor.

The governor in ancient Russia was the head of the troops. Only with them in difficult situations consulted the prince. The prince's squad had several hundred warriors. Naturally, this is a slight number.

If necessary, the princes collected a militia. The militias called them. The militia was usually from peasants or citizens, but it was possible to meet foreigners, representatives of the tribes of Scandinavia or nomadic peoples, where 30% are professionals. Most often it was mercenaries: Pechenegs, Germans, Hungarians and Varyags. The rest of the part was voic. In the militia could be more than ten thousand warriors. They were all without weapons. Arms received from the prince. The decision of the prince was fully implemented by all the army.

Military organization of the ancient Russian state.

Prince originally elected in the evening. Only after some time there were changes. The prince was no longer elected in the evening. His power was inherited.

The princess was always relied on most of the mining. This allowed him to keep a squad. So the basis of the troops was created. So formed the ancient Russian army.

At the end of the eighth century, princely squads and militia represented the strength of the ancient Slavs. The militia was divided into the genus, tribes, a tribe union. It can be said otherwise, it shared for hundreds, shelves, army. The genus could have from fifty to one hundred soldiers.

The army reached a number of up to several tens of thousands. So, when a holiness of Svyatoslav on Bulgaria in his army was sixty thousand people, and in the troops of Prince Oleg, there were eighty-eight thousand warriors in Byzantium. Such a numerous army in ancient Russia was called Reli. The core of Russian rati was princely squads. Squads and artisans were published.

Each city should have set "a thousand, that then it was shared on" hundreds "and" dozens ". Accordingly, the command was carried out. Thousands commanded thousands, the centuries are hundreds, and the foremen are dozens.

Military case ancient Russia

Infantry and cavalry were the main birth of troops. No military action of ancient Russia did not do without infantry. She took part in the capture of cities, conducted transport and engineering works, covered the rear.

Horses were used for military purposes and business work. They were bred in villages and farms Prince. Horses during this period were used only to deliver warriors to the place of battle. Until the eleventh century, the infantry was given the main place. However, later she occupied an equal place with the Connection, and after some time, the cavalry begins to exceed the infantry. They together participated in battles. After the defeat in a fight with steppes, and those were excellent riders, cavalry begins to form. His horses during the war, the prince issued militias.

An example in battle has always performed princes. Russian Rail has always been highlighted with its discipline, organized, cohesion and courage. And it brought her victory over the enemy, which was significantly superior to her.

What did the ancient Russian warrior looked like?

Slavs belong to the peace-loving people. Old Russian warriors almost did not differ from the peasants. Shubach, ports and lapties are basic clothing in the V - VI century. The enemy was surprised by the Russian people who fought without protective armor. They were covered with shields, simultaneously used them as a weapon. His house was protected by doubles, knives, topores with horns.

Some time later appeared "Loam". This is a sleeveless shirt, which was crushed with skin slices or plates from horse hoofs. Later, the plates of the hoof horses were replaced by metal. Such a armor defended the warrior from the arrows of the enemy and chopping strikes.

Equipment an ancient Russian warrior.

The warriors of the Old Russian army did not have a single form. Even in the squad of the prince, the equipment was different and selected in accordance with the tastes of the warriors. Protective equipment was constantly improved. Equipment without a helmet was called armor. Kolchuga is the main element of Russian armor. This defensive armor of the ancient Russian warrior played an important role. Kolchug consisted of metal plates or rings of cooked or glued together. Armor dressed on a thick leather or quilted jacket. Later, the plates were attached to the straps to a cluster or leather basis. From the tenth to the twelfth anniversary of the chain, the mail was a long-grade shirt with short sleeves.

In the twelfth century, a long sleeve appeared at the ring. Weighed ring from six to twelve kilograms. Starting from the eleventh century, scaly equipment appeared in Russian warriors.

It should be noted that Kolchug Armpex began to be called in Moscow Rus. In ancient Russian state, this armor was called armor.

Until the ninth century on the heads of the Old Russian warriors there were ordinary caps. The first Norman type helmets in Russia did not fit. Wide distribution received in Russia a helmet of a conical form. Consisted a helmet of four riveted metal plates. Governors and noble warriors decorated them with feathers and precious stones. The sword slid like this skeleton and could not harm the warrior. The blow softened due to leather and felt graders. Over time, the helmets began to have a number of additional protective devices. These were a chain mesh and a metal plate on the nose. Rarely used masks. Old Russian warriors did not hide the face, their terrible look hit the criminal.
Harvesters enjoyed rich and noble warriors.

The main weapon of the warriors of ancient Russia.

The main weapon of warriors were Luki and a spear, Bulava, Rhothenes. A special place was assigned to horse archers. They used onions and arrows used axes, spears, helmets and shields.

The history of ancient Russia is an important place for the sword. First of all, the sword is the main type of chopping weapon. And most importantly, he is a symbol of the princely power.

Its length was eighty - ninety centimeters, the blade was five - six centimeters width and a thickness of four millimeters. Every ancient Russian sword had a lot that did a sword easier. The sword, which was not intended for a stitching strike, was blunt, sometimes it even spinled. The handle of the sword and the crossress, as a rule, was decorated with bronze, silver or gold.
Warned sword in the sheath.

In the tenth century, a saber comes to change the sword. The shape of the sabers of the Russians were adopted by nomads. However, the sword remains more popular. Noble people decorated with silver and gold.

The length of the first saber reached one meter with curvature three - four and a half centimeters, and sometimes seven. The sabers had a width of three - three and eight tenth centimeters, in some cases width reached four integers and four tenth centimeters. The saber had several types of handle.

Topors in the hands took not only peasants and militias. The axes used the princely squad. In the infantry, the axes were with a long handle, and the horse warriors had a short warriors.

For hunting and military purposes, bows were widely used. They could be up to two meters of length. For their manufacture, animals, birch and juniper were used. Luke were kept in a shoe quiver made of leather and decorated with a brocade or precious stones. For the manufacture of arrows used reed, apple tree, reed, birch. The iron tip attached to the rachin.

Self-rails were the best kind of metal weapon.

Old Russian warriors used wooden shields as protection. Large, in human growth, the shields were light, they were well maneuver, but the defense decreased. At the top of the shield there was a hole for the eyes. Starting from the tenth century, the shields have a round shape, they are started to breathe hard with iron and tight skin. Single symbols and decorations appear on the shields. Warriors created a solid wall from the shields, through which enemy troops could not break through. After some time, with the advent of equestrian troops, the shields began to change. The form of them resembled the form of almond. They had two fasteners who held the shield on marchs and in battle.

Large military figures of ancient Russia.

Svyatoslav Igorevich is the son of Prince Igor and Princess Olga. His story considers the great Kiev Prince. Svyatoslav (927-872) is considered the best commander and the conqueror. He possessed a strong and harsh character. Under his leadership, the borders of Kiev Rus significantly expanded. The number of his victories is equal to the number of victories of Alexander Macedonian.

The largest military leader of Ancient Russia - Prince Vladimir.

The saints include the son of Prince Kiev, the grandson of Princess Olga Prince Vladimir (960 - 1015). In the people he will hear how the red sunshine. Vladimir is considered a state leader, a commander, reformer. He continued the politics of his predecessors. They were secondally conquered letters and radios. He stopped the princely interference.

Before his death, Prince Svyatoslav divided the land of Russia. Everyone his son got his part. Senior Yaropolk received Kiev, Oleg, Middle Son, received the Treated Earth. Novgorod went to the younger son to Vladimir. Father died, and between his sons began to laugh. Vladimir won the victory. He one became the prince of the Great Russian Power. They were captured by Kherson. The city belonged to Byzantium then. Vladimir planned a campaign to Constantinople if the Byzantine emperors denounce him in the hand of Anna's sisters. Vasily and Konstantin put forward their requirement. Vladimir must adopt faith Christian. Only the trouble happened. Upon arrival Anna Vladimir unexpectedly land.

At the offer of Anna began baptism. During his prince, Vladimir unexpectedly clearly. He believed in God.

Kherson Prince Vladimir returned Byzantium, and himself returned to Kiev himself with Prince. Herson and Constantinople's clergymen came to him. The relics of Saint Clement, Bishop of the Roman and his student of the hair, church utensils, icons and liturgical books were brought to Kiev.

Returning, the prince baptized his sons, everyone in her house and some boyars. It began the exposition of Christian temples.
In 988, an important event was held for history. Rus's baptism made Vladimir Saints. For historians, Prince Vladimir Great, and for the church he is holy.

Berserk - Effective and caused quite consciously combat frenzy, as an extraordinary phenomenon of human strength, in the ancient Germann and the Valvesannowan society, a warrior dedicated to God to God.
In the German peoples, it turned into a peculiar cult of the warrior-beast. Brown-like "transformations", which are the highest form of development of combat rage, are known for all Germans. Late ancient historians report on the "Frankish frenzy", about the "Wolf warriors" of the people of Langobards ... At the same time, there were so uncontrollable forces that even a closed disciplined system and the art of the "correct battle" could always be confronted.

Even the Vikings themselves treated berserkers in its pure form, among the admiration, childish respect and contempt. These are genuine "fights of war"; If they managed to use, then mainly on the position of "tamed animals."
From throwing (and from the shock) weapons of berserkers shouted a peculiar "madness wisdom." The defective consciousness included the extreme speed of the reaction, aggravated the peripheral vision and probably provided some extrasensory skills. Berrisker saw (and even predicted) any blow and managed to repel him or bounce.
Traditionally, the Berseries made up an advanced detachment starting the battle. They could not fight for a long time (the battle trance could not last long), breaking the ranks of enemies and laying the basis of the common victory, they left the battlefield of the ordinary soldiers who completed the defeat of the enemy.
Not every Berrisker knew how to competently enjoy internal energy. Sometimes they spent it too extensively - and then after the battle, the warrior fell into the state of "Berrisker's powerlessness", not explaining only physical fatigue.
The attacks of this powerlessness were so heavy that the Warrior Beast could sometimes die after the battle, not even being wounded.

The Slavs had their own "bersries" - Rykari-Wolves. And no Berserk could compare with the Slavic Rykar, because "Slavs are superior to the Germans as a body and spirit, fighting with the animal life ..." (Jordan, ancient historian, VI century).

Rykar is a living embodiment of the Slavic Wrath. Already in the title, the violent animal roar is heard, and the Word itself means literally the "growling warrior". The crystals in Russia were called special warriors, capable of successfully fighting against the enemy repeatedly superior, under any conditions, all kinds of weapons, simultaneously with both hands. The spruce looks like a full madness, but internally retains ice calm. The purpose of His life is to serve your family. Historical sources suggest that one roar was able to dispersed 10-20 warriors, and two armed people turned to flee.
Three hundred leaps of the city of Arcona are the guards of the temple of the light, they were horrified on everything not the Slavic coast of the Baltic. The same warriors were the sound and temple of Radogost in the city of Retra. There was even a whole Slavic tribe of rods - Lutychi (from the word "Lyuti"), all the warriors of which were fighting in the wolf skins.
A warrior who wants to find a patron spirit, more often a wolf or bear, was to fight them alone and naked. This is the reason why the enemies were so afraid of a squirrel, and the time passed through this test became more dangerous than the animal attacked by him.
Rykari fought naked or in some animal skins, without mail and shields (they simply prevented them!). They always threw the first to battle, with a combat tide "Yar!" Rushing forward. The roar, like obsessed, drunks destroyed the opponents, swing in a hike - in half, and equestrian - to the saddle. Having lost the weapon, hitting the enemy arrows, the river continued to break enemies with bare hands, not fearing death, not feeling neither pain or fear, possessing an inconvenient will. And neither steel, no fire could do nothing with them.

Slavic princes gained approximated soldiers and spareholders from the squabs, and often they themselves were wolf cream. The rulers of Byzantium, China, Caliphate - all were heard about the Great Slavic warriors, and had elite guardsmen, collected exclusively from Slavs in their troops.
"Olwy Ratiborich, Privit Louk, and the Loose Strong, and the strike of the final in the heart, and his squad, his whole being ..." (Radziwill chronicle: L.: Nauka, 1989, p.91) eloquently. No less eloquently says Nikonovsky chronicle about Ragdae: "And this husband went on three hundred warriors" (!). What is it, HeroPlonance? Where there! The chronicler grows from the "Bloom resistance" of bloody disassembly. Barbaric precresses are not at all his path. This is the real essence.
"There are 9 felt with a penny, and Rus has a ninety copy. Walking for strength, repayed Pondosha, and our anti-nicknames ... and the removal wallpaper, and the silence of evil ... And the half of the spiser, and our drums on them, OAI SECURITY ... "(Radziwill chronicle, p. 134. 26) ..
Unfortunately, much of what could and our forefathers were committed, forgotten by the cover of secrets and dark rumors, and requires a new discovery. Fortunately, not fully lost roots ...
Few of the researchers spend parallels with Russian fairy tales about Ivan Tsarevich and a gray wolf; about Sivka-Bourke, through the ear of which, having missed, took the strength new good well done; On Vana, which turned into a bear, etc.

In the legends of Scaldov, the Berseries are said as the great creators of victories. In the ancient Russian fairy tales - as about the shorts for the sake of victories of a wider scale. It turned out in the sorcerer warriors because they had the highest, inhuman opportunities. For they were the favorites of the gods! Masters of unorded forces!
Waking up the accumulated reserves of evolution, nature of the animal and aligning it with the trance capabilities of human consciousness, in fact, you can actually be an over-inhabited person - for the sake of success and victories in life.
Mastering trance skill, hypnotic qualities, a special fortune in which Berserk falls to attach the "hell" stupor on the enemy. The victorious brainker maneuvers are so fast and high-quality that the enemy will not even have time to understand that no longer exists ...
From the powerful Berserkov energy it is impossible to defend themselves, they can not stop them, because for a moment the reaction of the enemy Berserk has time to get ahead of the enemy for several moves, to cause 3-4 victorious impacts.
Berserk - Doctrine is not just a warrior, but, unfortunately, it became such in official history, the church got up on the way of this closed fraternity, declaring the berserkov outside the law, after which these people were exterminated for remuneration. Since that time it is considered that these were uncompatible people, full malice and rage, which cannot be controlled.

There are curious facts:

1 - In the Nikonovskaya chronicles there are amazing lines dated 1000 year: "Runly Radia, it's a delete, I will be on three hundred Warrior on three hundred" (I have been praised by a remote, having broken one against 300 warriors).
From the legends it is known that Ragdai was like a wolf, and the fairy tales about the sword-folder take the beginning precisely from this character. Coim, he waved, as if he had no weight.

2 - Russian Voivode Evpathy Kolovrat hurried from 1500 a detachment to the help of Ryazan, besieged by Batu ... did not have time ... Looking as a ash region, he decided to enter into battle with the enemy argeon and defeated him on his head. When Batu was informed about the attack, he sent warriors (Tumen) to close the question. Russians resist. Baty sent the second Tumen. Russians again resist. Having affected by Vityazy's Vitya, he offered them money and positions. They replied: "No." - "What do you want?" - asked Bati. "We want to die," the squad of Kolovrat replied.
After such an answer, the Batie was forced to stop the army (the unheard of the moment in the history of war), rebuild it from a hiking order in combat and move all his power to a handful of Russians.
It is clear only one thing that a simple person could not do this, whatever rage he possessed, there is a limit of human forces (physical).

There are official theories according to which the aggressiveness of Berserke is explained by the reception before the fighting of psychotropic substances, namely Muskarin, the Emanitan poison. Today we know that people in the poisoning of the Municipality wildly beating around themselves, they are excited, they are visited by delusional thoughts. In surrounding and doctors, they see the fairy creatures, gods, spirits. Toxic effect stops after 20 hours, and then people, immersed in a deep dream, from which they in most cases wake up only after 30 hours. This view is the most common, but other possible causes, such as hysteria, epilepsy, mental illness and heredity.

From Russia to Muscovy

The army of ancient Russia

So the story of our Fatherland has ordered that, since the first mentiones in the annals about the Old Russian state, the military aspect of its development has advanced to the fore. Famous Russian historian Sergey Mikhailovich Soloviev, for example, from 1055 to 1462. Specified 245 news of the invasions on Russia and the most important collisions. 200 of them come on 1240-1462, that is, for two centuries, Russia fought almost annually. Protecting its freedom and independence, the peoples of our Fatherland many times had to reflect foreign invasions. Hence it is clear the role of the Russian army, which could differ on one or another temporary segment, but it always remained special and truly significant.

The military traditions of the Russian army take their origins from the Eastern Slavs. In the Eastern Slavs, all adult men were military, the "People's Army" system functioned. Numerous wars, which led the Slavs in the VI-VIII centuries, contributed to raising the influence of military leaders. Around these leaders, people are beginning to be grouped, for whom the war is gradually turning into the main source of extraction of existence, and the military business is in the profession. Military squads are born, which become the organizational core of the Armed Forces. But they were small, since the economic possibilities of the Slavic tribes did not allow to contain a numerous permanent army. The main mass of warriors was militia convened for the period of hostilities.

According to the chronicles of 982, from the numerous composition of the tribes and nationalities of the Eastern Slavs, Sloven, Radimit, Polyan, Northerners, Vyatichi, Polokhana, Werseys, Krivichi, Volyan, Dlebov and Drevlyan, a large East Slavic state of Kievan Rus with a center in Kiev has been formed. The main reason for the emergence of this union was a long and bloody struggle of individual feudal tribal connections with nomadic tribes - Khazars, Polovtsy, Pechenegs. The struggle it was exhausting and not always successful. Permanent robbing raids of nomads forced the feudal princes all the cup to think about combining into the union in order to organize more reliable protection against enemies. The active development of internal trade and economic relations between the tribes also contributed to the acceleration of the consolidation process of all forces.

Prince and Druzhina

The head of the ancient Russian troops stood the prince. At Prince, there was always a squad that was used to solve both external and internal tasks. The word "squad" itself comes from the word "friend", and the last, according to the historian S.M. Solovyov, from Sanskrit "ORD" - I go, following. The squad is a partnership, uniting people who gathered to follow one expensive. Prince with a friend was formed spiritual proximity. The squad shared her senior and younger. The army of Kiev Rus consisted of two kinds of troops - infantry and cavalry at the decisive role of walking troops. During the period of feudal fragmentation, the first place is put forward cavalry. But, nevertheless, the Russian infantry that consisted mainly from the rural and urban militia was, as in the countries of Western Europe, the secondary sense of troops. She repeatedly solved the outcome of battles. The river and sea fleet have not yet been an independent sense of troops, although they took part in all distant campaigns. Until the XV century, military warriors accounted for spears (throwing and shock action), swords, onions with arrows, knives, combat axes. However, it should be emphasized that in the Russian army, the onions and arrows never acquired a decisive role. Russian warriors The outcome of the battle always sought to solve in a hand-to-hand fight. Swords were heavy. When excavations, a 126 cm sword was found under Chernihiv, whose only the handle of weighed 950 was needed to be truly the hedgehogs to fight with such a sword. From the past century, a saber gets becoming increasingly distribution. In the twentieth century there appears on the leek-self-arbulence. The troops were provided with various siege and throwing appliances. Paradust and vices were used (throwing machines in Russia in the X-XVI centuries). Stone kernels or incendiary projectiles were used as shells for throwing machines, the so-called "live fire", representing the vessels filled with fuel liquid. They were thrown into the location of the enemy, mainly in fortified cities. From the technical means of control were visual and sound. The oldest means of management was a banner. Put the stog meant building a combat order. Drums, brass tools were widely used from the sound.

Protective equipment consisted of a shield, helmet, chain chain. Noble warriors had shields with a metal base and metal plates in the center. Rus almost did not know the heavy years and the shells used by Western European knights. Such were the main distinguishing features of the combat composition, the organization and weapons of Russian troops in the period under review.

Military priest

It is necessary to pay attention to the moral and psychological training of troops in Kievan Rus. Here, the main role was played by the ministers of Cults - Magitis, sorcerers, Kudesniki, who were part of the Druzhnaya Tip and ensuring the mercy of the pagan gods - idols. They provided rites of sacrifice, prayers, ritual actions, "they appealed to the pagan gods for the assistance of military successes of troops."

The ministers of the cult also provided the rite of "burial" of the warriors, the goal of the rituals of which was to move death from living, to demonstrate their viability. Magitis, sorcerers, Cudessians have a gift of psychological impact on warriors, which was particularly important on the eve of hostilities. In case of success, it was believed that the pagan gods won, and above all the sturperzitz Perun, as he was revered by the god of a squad. The championship of the Polyansky god Perun - Lord of Thunder, the idol of wars and wins reflected the meaning of military affairs for the courts of the country and the people, the defense of the native land, abundant data, which were raised by non-cried tribes and peoples. There is no doubt that the Prince and Druzhina were interested in the ministers of the cult, gifted their shares of military trophies, Dani, other income. However, paganism as a chaotic combination of various rites beliefs, religious reverence facilities still soon disconnected than the tribes and peoples were united. And they understood in Russia. The first attempt to introduce a single religion - Christianity took the princess Olga, who committed the Christian rite of baptism and tried through Christianity to introduce an ancient Russia to the culture of European states and ideologically subjugate a friend to himself. However, Olga's hopes did not come true. Even the Son refused to follow the example of the mother. Olga's covenant embodied her grandson, Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. In 988, Christianity was proclaimed by Vladimir State Rosi in Russia. The rite of baptism was held everywhere, together with Greek priests, a grandjaceous squad participated as a gun of coercion.

Battle on the Ice. Miniature of the facial chronicle arch, the middle of the XVI century

In medieval Russia, there were three types of troops - infantry, cavalry and fleet. First, the horses began to be used as a means of movement, fought with rush. The chronicler talks about Svyatoslav and his army:

WHO WHO NOT HAPPENED NEVED Nor Boiler; neither meat cooking, but by cutting a horse horse, whether, or beef, on the coals of bakes is a nuclear place, nor the name of the name, but the lining postwa

Thus, for the speed of movement, the army used instead of worm suites. For the combat battle, the army was often dishearsal, Lev Deacon under the 971 year indicates the unusualness of the speech of Russian troops in the horseman.

However, professional cavalry was needed to combat nomads, so the squad becomes equestrian. At the same time, the organization was taking into account the Hungarian and Pechenezh experience. Start developing horse breeding. The development of the cavalry was faster in southern Russia than in the north, due to the difference in the nature of the terrain and opponents. In 1021, Yaroslav Wise with the army did the way from Kiev to R. Sudomir, on which Bryachland Polotsky broke, a week, that is, the average speed was 110-115 km. per day. In the XI century, the cavalry is compared with infantry, and later and surpasses it. At the same time, horse archers are distinguished, in addition to a bow with arrows, used axes, perhaps spears, shields and helmets.

Horses were important not only for war, but also for the economy, therefore divorced in the ownership villages. And also kept in the princely farms: there are cases when the princes were given to the horses of the militia during the war. The example of the Kiev uprising of 1068 shows that the urban militia was equestrian.

During the entire Domongolian period, the infantry played its role in all hostilities. She not only participated in the capture of cities and conducted engineering and transport work, but also covered the rear, made sabotage bars, and together with Connection participated in battles. For example, in the XII century, urban fortifications have a mixed battle with participation and infantry, and cavalry. There was no clear separation by armament, and everyone used that he was more convenient and that he could afford. Therefore, each had several types of weapons. However, depending on this, the tasks performed by them differed. So, in the infantry, as in Connection, it is possible to highlight heavy speakers, in addition to a spear armed with seal, a combat ax, a shield, a shield, sometimes - with a sword and armor, and light-equipped archers equipped with onions and arrows, a combat ax or an iron beam, and, Obviously, without protective weapons.

Under the 1185 year in the south for the first time (and in 1242 in the north for the last time), arrows are mentioned as a separate body of troops and a separate tactical unit. Cavalry begins to specialize in direct impact of cold weapons and begins to resemble medieval Western European cavalry in this sense. The heavy speakers were armed with a spear (or two), a saber or sword, sulitians or onions with arrows, a bristle, a mace, more often - a combat hatch. They were completely reconciling, including the shield. In 1185, during a campaign to the Polovtsy, the prince of Igor himself, and with him and the warriors, not wanting to break away from the environment in the horseman and thereby throwing on the mercy of fate black people, hurray and take an attempt to break through the ranks. Further indicates a curious detail: the prince after receiving the wound continued to move on horseback. As a result of the multiple defeat of the Mongols and Ordans of the Northeastern Russian cities and the establishment of control over the Volga trade, in the second half of the XIII century, the reverse unification of Russian troops occurs.

The fleet in the Eastern Slavs originated in the IV -vi centuries and was associated with the struggle against Byzantium. It was a river-rowing fleet applied to navigation. From the IX century there were flotilla from several hundred ships. They were intended for use as a vehicle. However, sea battles also took place. The main vessel was the rook, which was transporting about 50 people and sometimes armed with a ram and throwing machines. In the period of struggle for the Kiev prince in the middle of the XII century, Flyaslav Mstislavich were used by the rooks with a second deck part of the deck rowers, on which archers were located.