Oleg Novgorodsky usually begin to deduct the formation of the ancient Russian state. His figure is really significant, because it determined the beginning of a new era, new era. His life, like his death, has many mysteries for historians. But still, Prince Oleg the Prophet, short biography which will be discussed below, is a rather interesting personality for researchers and ordinary lovers of antiquity.

Appearance in Russia

Whose biography we know only briefly, is considered the founder Old Russian state. He was a relative of the legendary Varangian Rurik, that is, he was the brother of Efanda, the commander's wife. It is believed that he was an ordinary governor, whom the Viking immensely trusted. Otherwise, would he have ordered him to take away his young son? It is worth assuming that Oleg acted in agreement with Rurik, and maybe he had a certain freedom. One way or another, but rather quickly, he took possession of Smolensk and Lyubech, and then Kyiv. By the way, the golden-domed city was captured by him by cunning: the Varangian lured out of the walls (who were also probably Vikings) and killed them, declaring himself a prince.

Achievements and successes

Prince Oleg, whose biography is discussed in this article, strengthened his power either by enlisting the support of the Slavic tribes neighboring Kyiv, or by conquering them. He established a tribute for them, which did not greatly burden the people. But his military successes were really impressive. Campaigns against the Khazars saved the Russian lands from the need to pay polyudye to the Khaganate. The great Constantinople fell, on the gates of which, according to the chronicle, the prince nailed his shield. As a result, Russian merchants could trade with Byzantium without duties and receive all kinds of support from it. Thus, Prince Oleg the Prophetic, whose brief biography is discussed above, has more merits to Russia than Rurik. Moreover, almost nothing is known about the ancestor of the princely dynasty.

Hike to Tsargrad

Prince Oleg, whose brief biography is covered in the Tale of Bygone Years, is an outstanding personality. He organized the famous campaign against Constantinople, after which he received his nickname - Prophetic. The chronicle says that he sent a huge army to the city on two thousand boats. Each boat contained four dozen vigilantes. The emperor ordered the gates of the capital to be closed, leaving suburbs and villages to be torn apart by enemies. But Kyiv prince ordered to attach wheels to the ships, on which the army reached the gates of Constantinople. The Byzantines were at a loss, so they surrendered, offering Oleg a generous tribute and peace.

Was there a trip?

Prince Oleg, whose brief biography can be found in almost every history textbook, is a controversial figure. Researchers have more questions than answers about his life. For example, the fact of a campaign against Byzantium seems unreliable. This is because the authors from Constantinople described in detail all the attacks on their country, but they do not mention Oleg's campaign. In addition, the return of Oleg and Vladimir the Great from Constantinople are very similar. Perhaps this is a description of the same event. At the same time, after Oleg in Southern City Igor also went, who also won. This is also stated by European authors who chronicled those years.

Was there a snake?

Oleg, whose biography is also known from literature lessons, died as mysteriously as he appeared in Russia. In the same one, it is described that once the sorcerer predicted his death from his beloved horse. The Varangian was superstitious, so he sat on another animal, and entrusted his pet to the servants, ordering him to take care of him until his death. The ruler remembered him during the feast, but it turned out that the horse had died long ago. Saddened by his beloved and angry that he believed the Magi, the prince went to the bones. But when he stepped on the skull, he saw a snake, which immediately stung him in the leg. Oleg died from poison.

Prince Oleg, whose biography has long been studied, could die another death. And the legend of the horse and the snake may have been borrowed from the saga of Orvard Odd. Although some scholars believe that the hero of Scandinavian legends and Prophetic Oleg are the same person. But there are several facts that allow you to think about whether the story about the death of the prince could be true. Among them are the following:

Could a snake bite through a leather boot worn in Russia? Most likely not, or did Oleg come to the mountain barefoot to the horse's bones?

But what if the snake jumped and bit the prince above the tops of his boots? But on the territory of Ukraine there are no such vipers!

As a rule, the snake, before stinging, hisses and tries to crawl away. Could Oleg or his entourage not notice this?

Alternatively, the prince died from poison, but the snake was slipped on him on purpose or Oleg was poisoned in advance. Unfortunately, it is impossible to establish where the truth is.

Some more interesting facts

The Russian prince Oleg, whose biography is already known to the reader, is mentioned not only in the annals of Kyiv and Novgorod. Al-Masudi (Arabic author) speaks of the unsuccessful campaign of the Rus (500 ships!) on the forehead with Olvang and Al-dir against Persia. They gave part of the booty to the Khazars, but the latter betrayed them and killed everyone. About thirty thousand warriors died there, and those who retreated beyond the Caspian were killed by the Volga Bulgars. Thus, the legendary prince died on a campaign, as befits a brave Varangian.

Here he is, smart and warlike Prince Oleg. His biography is full of white spots, because of which an aura of mystery and mystery remains around this figure. Perhaps time will find answers to all questions.

The Novgorod prince Rurik died, leaving his son Igor, to whom he could transfer power over the Novgorod land, still very small. Therefore, before his death, he appointed himself a successor - his friend and colleague Oleg. The date of the beginning of Oleg's reign is hidden in the darkness of centuries, but it is known that he reigned for a long time - 33 years, and managed to do a lot during this time.

Prince Oleg considered the main task during his reign to be the expansion of the boundaries of the principality left to him. It was necessary to establish control over the water trade route that ran along the Dnieper region in order to freely conduct trade with Eastern Byzantium. He also outlined the seizure of Kievan lands, since Kyiv was a very "tasty morsel" - it became the main center of Russian trade and a kind of stronghold that protected the lands located further from the constant raids of nomads. Whoever owned Kyiv also owned all Russian trade.

So, Oleg gathered a large army and moved towards Kyiv. He took the young Igor with him, so that from a very tender age he would master in practice the difficult science of managing a principality and waging wars. Arriving at the gates of Kyiv, Oleg did not immediately spend his energy on the battle. He captured the city in an insidious way: stopping the squad on the outskirts of the city walls, he called the rulers of Kyiv, Askold and Dir, allegedly in order to conduct some kind of negotiations with them. When the unsuspecting princes approached the boats, Oleg pointed them to young Igor with the words: “This is who the true ruler of Kyiv is, and you are not of a princely family!” After that, the combatants dealt with Askold and Dir.

Left without their princes, the people of Kiev did not resist. Oleg entered the city and proclaimed himself the Prince of Kyiv. The surrounding villages also joined his territories - for the most part voluntarily, as they needed protection from the attack of the Pechenegs.

Oleg continued to expand the boundaries of his possessions, joining more distant tribes that did not participate in trade, did not see the point in uniting and therefore offered fierce resistance.

The result of the aggressive campaigns of the far-sighted Oleg was the formation of a single state that rallied the Northern and Southern unions of the Slavs. It was already Kievan Rus with the center in the city of Kyiv. By the beginning of the 10th century, most tribes (now they were rarely called tribes, more often cities, regions, since cities and entire principalities replaced tribes and clans) were united around Novgorod and Kyiv. Kyiv, where trade was concentrated, should be considered the head of the new formation.

Relations between Russia and Byzantium

The new state, which was gaining strength, forced all its neighbors to reckon with itself, among which Byzantium occupied the leading positions. Oleg decided to undertake a campaign against Byzantium in order to facilitate trade for Russian merchants, which would contribute to rapid development Kyiv principality. A myriad of Russian soldiers went on a campaign against Constantinople - 2 thousand rooks and cavalry moving along the coast. The Greeks took up a state of siege, closing themselves in the city. Russian troops sacked the surrounding villages, showing no pity for either women or children. The Greeks were horrified and began to ask for peace. Then Oleg agreed to a cessation of hostilities and concluded a peace treaty with the enemy, the terms of which were very favorable for the Russians: merchants who arrived from the Kyiv principality did not pay any duty. When trading, they could exchange furs, servants and wax for gold, silk fabrics, and wine. In addition, after the expiration of the period that was allotted for the auction, the Greek side provided the Russian merchants with food for the way back.

Gradually, relations between states began to develop in a more peaceful direction: the Russians served under imperial palace in political or military service, and Greek craftsmen, artists, builders, clergy went to Russia. Gradually, Christianity began to spread in the Kievan state.

Oleg himself remained a pagan. He died in 912. According to legend, the cause of the prince's death was the bite of a viper. Later, this legend formed the basis of many works. fiction. In the memory of the people, the first prince Kievan Rus lives like Prophetic Oleg, because he was distinguished by a clear mind and outstanding abilities to govern the state - most of his campaigns ended in success, and in domestic political life there was a harmonious system of government that allowed him to control very large and scattered territories.

Conclusion

The choice of Rurik, who left the principality in the hands of Prophetic Oleg, turned out to be very successful. The mentor of the future Prince Igor managed to unite the two Unions of Slavs - Northern and Southern - into one state, in which he established a clear principle of subordination: it was divided into cities and regions ruled by posadniks accountable to the Kyiv prince. In addition, he drew up the first legally justified peace treaty with the Greeks, which gave great advantages to the Russians and opened up great prospects for the development of Kievan Rus. Now it was necessary to preserve these achievements, but this became a task for the next prince, Igor Rurikovich.

Oleg's activities (879 - 912)

The time of Prince Oleg in the history of the Russian state bears the stamp of semi-legendary. The reason here is seen not so much in his deeds as in the extreme scarcity of written sources about him.

Only two chronicles have survived to this day, telling in scanty lines about Oleg's activities, the Tale of Bygone Years and the Novgorod Chronicle of the younger edition, since the beginning of the chronicle of the older edition did not survive. There are also documents originating from Byzantium, Muslim countries, Khazaria. But even in the latest sources, information is small and fragmentary.

In 879, a significant event in history took place in Novgorod Russia. In Novgorod, the Varangian prince Rurik, who ruled here, was dying. According to The Tale of Bygone Years, he handed over the reign to his relative Oleg for the infancy of his son Igor. According to some chronicles, Oleg was Rurik's nephew, and the heir-son was only two years old.

N. M. Karamzin will say about this in his “History of the Russian State”, in the first of its twelve volumes: “This guardian Igorev soon became famous for his great courage, victories, prudence, love of his subjects.” Such a flattering review of the first ruler Ancient Russia inspired by the chronicle "commendable" words "The Tale of Bygone Years"., Reader on the history of Russia., M., 1989 p.25.

For three years, according to the annals, nothing was heard in Kyiv about the new Novgorod ruler. As subsequent events showed, Prince Oleg most likely spent this time actively preparing a military campaign with the aim of capturing the city of Kyiv and taking control of the entire land part of the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks." A large military-political enterprise was being prepared for that time.

In 882, Prince Oleg, having gathered a large army of Varangians, Novgorodians, Krivichi, Chud from Izborsk, Vesi from Beloozero and Meri from Rostov, marched along the Dnieper to Kyiv. The army sailed on boats, there were few mounted warriors in the northern lands. Slavic odnoderevki with sewn sides could be quickly disassembled and reassembled. Such vessels were easily dragged overland from one river to another.

The basis of the princely squad was the Vikings - the Varangians, immigrants from Scandinavia. The warriors were in chain mail or iron scaly shirts, in iron helmets, with axes, swords, spears and darts (short throwing spears). The squad consisted of professional warriors who lived off their share in the collected tribute and military booty.

A distinctive feature of Russian warriors in ancient times was the red - scarlet - color of the shields. Large sizes, wooden, bound with iron, they were painted red. In battle, the warriors could line up in dense rows, hiding from the enemy with high shields, which well covered the soldiers from arrows and darts.

Ordinary military people, the militias of the Slavic tribes - "howl" - dressed and armed much more simply. In their mass, they went to battle in some ports, they had almost no chain mail. They were armed with spears, axes, bows and arrows, swords and knives. There were almost no equestrians among the "wars".

Prince Oleg, with whom little Igor was also, led his army along the well-known route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” for more than one century. According to it, the Scandinavian Vikings, who at the same time were very enterprising merchants, “travelled” to the southern European seas through the Varangian (Baltic) Sea, the Gulf of Finland, up the Neva, along Lake Ladoga, up the Volkhov, along Lake Ilmen, up the Lovat, then along the portage and along the Dnieper. Further, the Varangians sailed along the Pont-Sea (Black) to Tsargrad-Constantinople. And from there they got to the Mediterranean.

On the way to Kyiv, Prince Oleg occupied the city of Smolensk, the capital city of the Krivichi Slavic tribe. Further, Oleg's army entered the lands of the Slavic tribe of the northerners and occupied the fortified city of Lyubech. And there Oleg left his posadnik - "husband". Thus, he took possession of the Dnieper route to Kyiv itself.

In order to take possession of Kyiv, which was ruled by the Varangians Askold and Dir, his fellow tribesmen, Prince Oleg acted treacherously. Or, to put it another way, he showed the military cunning that the Scandinavian Vikings have always distinguished.

Approaching Kyiv, Oleg hid almost all the soldiers in ambushes and boats for high sides. He sent a messenger to the people of Kiev to say that the Varangian merchants, together with the little prince of Novgorod, were on their way to Greece and wished to see their Varangian countrymen. The Varangian leaders Askold and Dir, suspecting deceit, went to the banks of the Dnieper without personal protection, although they had a considerable Varangian squad, with the help of which they ruled the Kyiv lands.

When Askold and Dir went to the river bank to the moored boats, Oleg's warriors jumped out of them and ambush and surrounded them. Oleg told the Kyiv rulers: “You own Kyiv, but you are not princes and not a princely family; I am princely family, and this is the son of Rurik. With these words, Oleg raised the little prince Igor from the boat. These words sounded like a death sentence to Askold and Dir. Under the blows of swords, they fell dead at the feet of the Varangian Oleg. He thus got rid of Kyiv rulers, without any difficulty took possession of the city. Neither the Kyiv Varangian squad, nor the townspeople offered resistance. They recognized the new rulers.

The bodies of Askold and Dir were buried on a mountain near the city. Subsequently, the church of St. Nicholas was built on the grave of Askold. Near the grave of Dir is the temple of St. Irene. Askold's grave has survived to this day.

Prince Oleg, like the rest of the first Russian princes, was not particularly interested in domestic politics. Oleg sought by hook or by crook to expand the land holdings of the young Russian state. Prince Oleg made a successful campaign against Constantinople, terrifying the Greeks and without shedding a single drop of Russian blood, Oleg received rich gifts and favorable trading conditions for Russian merchants. For this success, Prince Oleg began to be called the Prophet.

Oleg made two trips to Byzantium - in 907 and 911. When in 911 the Greeks blocked the way along the Bosporus, Oleg ordered to put the boats on the rinks and, raising the sails, with a fair wind, transfer them to the Golden Horn, from where Constantinople was more vulnerable. Frightened by the appearance of troops near the capital, the Byzantines were forced to make peace. From the text of the agreement, it is known that 2000 boats participated in the campaign, “and 40 men on the ship“ The Tale of Bygone Years ”., Reader on the history of Russia., M., 1989 p. 34".

Both campaigns ended successfully for the Russians, contracts were concluded. Treaty 907 and 911 established friendly relations between Byzantium and Kievan Rus, determined the procedure for the ransom of prisoners, punishment for criminal offenses committed by Greek and Russian merchants in Byzantium, the rules for conducting litigation and inheritance, created favorable conditions trade for Russians and Greeks, changed coastal law. From now on, instead of capturing the ship and its property thrown ashore, the owners of the coast were obliged to assist in their rescue.

Also, under the terms of the agreement, Russian merchants received the right to live in Constantinople for six months, the empire undertook to support them during this time at the expense of the treasury. They were granted the right to free trade in Byzantium. And the possibility of hiring Russians for military service in Byzantium was also allowed.

Thus, as a result of the activities of Prince Oleg, the state of Kievan Rus was formed, a single territory was formed, most of the East Slavic tribes were united.

During the reign of Prince Oleg, Novgorod and Kiev principalities united into a single state. The ancient Russian state gradually gained power. Prince Oleg, in one way or another, managed to extend his power to the Krivichi, Drevlyans, Northerners, Radimichi, Tivertsy and others Slavic tribes. Under the protectorate of Kyiv was all the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks" and its branches to the Desna and Zapadnaya Dvina. Prince Oleg was the first to strike at the might of the Khazar Khaganate. He successfully fought with the Viuantian Empire. In 907, he concluded with the Greeks an agreement on peace and trade that was beneficial for Russia, which was later confirmed in 912. In the text of the document, Oleg is first named "Grand Duke of Russia".

Preparing for a hike. Prince Oleg wanted to establish his control throughout the trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks" and sought to establish itself in the south. In the second half of the 9th century, a Scandinavian settlement arose on the Middle Dnieper, now known as Gnezdovo. It became a stronghold for newcomers from the north on their way to Kyiv. Prince Oleg remained in Novgorod for three years, preparing conquest. In 882, having gathered a huge army, he went to the "countries of the Dnieper".

Prince Oleg - biography

How do we know about Prince Oleg, nicknamed the Prophet?

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 in The Tale of Bygone Years is not indicated. It is only said that he was a relative (tribesman) of Rurik.

And 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 "beyond the sea" and died there.

The two chronicles depict events in completely different ways.

Which chronicle to believe?

Let's start with the fact that the Tale of Bygone Years is recognized by all as the main historical source for the reconstruction of the past of the Old Russian state. But this does not mean that all the information that she sets out is considered absolutely reliable. For trust in information about Oleg from this chronicle, he says Russian-Byzantine treaty 911, where Oleg is called the Grand Duke of Russia, who concludes an agreement on his own behalf.

And what about the Novgorod Chronicle? The Novgorod chronicle has preserved fragments of an earlier chronicle code, on which the Tale of Bygone Years is based, and therefore also deserves a certain trust. According to some researchers, this chronicle is even older than the PVL. Her information is in better agreement with the eastern news about Russia of this period.

And what are historians to do? So far, historians usually use information taken from the Tale of Bygone Years in scientific, popular science and educational texts.

The reign of Prince Oleg

Prince Oleg is presented according to the Tale of Bygone Years as a skilled commander and prudent politician. For the first time in this chronicle, he was reported in 879 in connection with the death of Rurik. The reign passed to him as a "relative" of Rurik and guardian of Igor, his young son. Thus, Oleg ruled in 879-882. in the East Slavic North among the Ilmen Slovenes, Krivichi and the surrounding Finno-Ugric peoples (tribes Vesi, Meri, Chudi).

In 882, having gathered warriors from many peoples living in the north of Russia, Oleg set out on a campaign to the south. He captured Smolensk, Lyubech, then the path lay on Kyiv. Rurik's former combatants Askold and Dir ruled in Kyiv. 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 Igor prince, come to your family and to us.” Askold and Dir came ... Oleg, hid some soldiers in the boats, and left the others behind him, and he went ahead, and carried the young prince Igor in his arms, and announced to them: “You are not princes and not a princely family, but I am a princely family ".

Showing them the heir of Rurik, the young Igor, Oleg said: "And he is the son of Rurik." And they killed Askold and Dir.

The location of Kyiv seemed to Prince Oleg very convenient. The city was located approximately in the middle of the most important trade route "from the Varangians to the Greeks." He settled there with a retinue, announcing: "Let this be the mother of Russian cities."

Thus, in 882, Prince Oleg of Kyiv united under his rule the two main centers for the formation of statehood among the East Slavic tribes: the Kiev region (“Kuyaba” - in foreign sources) and “Novgorod” (“Slavia”). The lands of Northern and Southern Russia became a single state - Kievan Rus. Many modern historians take the date 882 as a 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 - 882-912. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, after the death of Oleg from a snakebite, Rurik's son Igor (912-945) becomes Prince of Kyiv.

Having reigned in Kyiv, Oleg set a tribute to the Varangians in 300 hryvnias for Novgorod.

Prince Oleg devoted the following years to the conquest of neighboring Kyiv Slavic peoples on the left and right banks of the Dnieper - Drevlyans, northerners, glades, Radimichi, many peoples before that were dependent on the Khazars and paid tribute to them.

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 the Varangians and warriors of Slavic and non-Slavic peoples subject to Russia.

Access to enemy ships in the harbor of Constantinople, the Greeks blocked the 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 an innumerable armada overland to the walls of the Byzantine capital. The Greeks were frightened and asked for peace. Prince Oleg demanded a large tribute - 12 hryvnias for each warrior. As a sign of victory, he hung his shield on the gates of Constantinople. Prince Oleg after this campaign was nicknamed the Prophetic.

However, not all researchers are sure that there was such a campaign at all.

Supporters of the idea that the campaign took place, as evidence, refer to the authenticity of the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 911 concluded after it. And the deal was extremely successful. Russian merchants received the right to duty-free trade in Constantinople, they could live for six months in the capital's suburbs in the monastery of St. Mammoth, receive food and repair their boats at the expense of the Byzantine side. Such an agreement could well have been preceded by a brilliant victory for Prince Oleg.

But there are serious arguments in favor of the opinion that the campaign was legendary, since only Russian sources speak of 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 described by Byzantine authors often and colorfully. This is how the attacks of Russia in 860 and 941 were described. And about this campaign and the capture of Tsargrad - not a word.

Death of Prince Oleg

The prince died in 912. The legend tells that the Magi predicted death from Prince Oleg from his own beloved horse. The prince ordered to take him away and remembered the ominous prophecy only a few years later, when the horse died long ago. Laughing at the Magi, he wanted to look at the bones of the horse, and he said, standing with one foot on the skull: “Should I be afraid of him?” A snake crawled out of the skull at the same moment, and inflicted a fatal bite on the prince.

Of course, this is just a legend, written down several centuries after Oleg's death. Legendary prince - legendary death.

The results of the reign of Prince Oleg

Let us sum up the results of the reign of the first head of the Old Russian state.

Domestic policy of Prince Oleg

Scientists associate significant events of ancient Russian history with the reign of Oleg in Kyiv. 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. The tribes of the Ilmen Slovenes, Krivichi, Polyans, Northerners, Drevlyans, Vyatichi, Radimichi, Ulichi and Tivertsy were recognized as the supreme ruler of Oleg. Through his governors and local princes, he managed to lay the foundations government controlled young country. Annual detours of the population (Polyudye) laid the foundation for the judicial and tax systems.

The foreign policy of Prince Oleg

Led by Prince Oleg and active foreign policy. Before him, for two centuries, the Khazar Khaganate collected tribute from a number of East Slavic lands. Oleg fought with the Khazars, and freed the Slavs from tribute to the Khaganate. At the borders of Oleg's state in 898, Hungarians appeared, 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 Tsargrad (Constantinople) was crowned with a brilliant victory. In 909 Russia and Byzantine Empire signed a military treaty of alliance. But the trade agreement of 911 was especially successful, according to which Russian merchants received the unique right for that time of duty-free trade with Byzantium, and, if necessary, full provision of food and ship craftsmen to repair their boats.