Prophetic Oleg (i.e., one who knows the future) (died in 912) - great Old Russian prince, who came to power immediately after the legendary Rurik, the first ruler of Rus'. It is Oleg the Prophet who deserves the credit for education Old Russian state– Kievan Rus, with its center in Kyiv. Oleg's nickname - "prophetic" - referred exclusively to his penchant for sorcery. In other words, Prince Oleg as Supreme ruler and the leader of the squad simultaneously also performed the functions of a priest, sorcerer, magician, and sorcerer. According to legend, Prophetic Oleg died from a snake bite; this fact formed the basis of a number of songs, legends and traditions.
IN ancient Russian chronicles It is said that, when dying, the first ruler of Rus', Rurik, transferred power to his relative Oleg the Prophet, since Rurik’s son, Igor, was small for years. This guardian Igor soon became famous for his courage, victories, prudence and love of his subjects. He reigned successfully for 33 years. During this time, he reigned in Novgorod, occupied Lyubech and Smolensk, made Kyiv the capital of his state, conquered and imposed tribute on a number of East Slavic tribes, made a successful campaign against Byzantium and concluded profitable trade agreements with it.
The exploits of the Prophetic Oleg began with the fact that in 882 he made a campaign in the land of the Krivichi and captured their center, Smolensk. Then, going down the Dnieper, he took Lyubech, deceiving and killing the Varangian princes Askold and Dir who ruled in Kyiv. Oleg captured the city, where he established himself, becoming the prince of Novgorod and Kyiv. This event, dated by the chronicle to 882, is traditionally considered the date of the formation of the Old Russian state - Kievan Rus, with its center in Kyiv.
In 907 Kiev prince Oleg the Prophet led (by sea and shore) to the capital of Byzantium a large army, which, in addition to the Kyiv squad, included detachments of soldiers from those dependent on Kyiv Slavic unions tribal principalities and mercenaries - Varangians. As a result of the campaign, the outskirts of Constantinople were devastated and in 911 a peace treaty beneficial for Rus' was concluded. According to the agreement, Russians coming to Byzantium for trading purposes had a privileged position.
In the famous agreement between Oleg the Prophet and the Greeks in 912, concluded after the brilliant siege of Constantinople and the capitulation of the Byzantines, there is not a word about Prince Igor (877-945) - the nominal ruler of Kievan Rus, whose guardian Oleg was. The fact that Oleg the Prophet is the first true builder of the Russian state was well understood at all times. He expanded its boundaries, established power new dynasty in Kyiv, defended the legitimacy of Rurik's heir to the throne, struck the first death blow under the omnipotence of the Khazar Kaganate. Before Oleg the Prophet and his squad appeared on the banks of the Dnieper " foolish Khazars“They collected tribute from neighboring Slavic tribes with impunity. For several centuries they sucked Russian blood, and in the end they even tried to impose an ideology completely alien to the Russian people - Judaism professed by the Khazars.
One of the most large spaces“The Tale of Bygone Years” falls on the years of the reign of Oleg the Prophet. Of the 33 years of his reign, later editors completely erased from the chronicles entries relating to 21 (!) years. It was as if nothing had happened during these years. It happened - and how! Only Oleg’s heirs to the throne didn’t like something about his actions or pedigree. From 885 (the conquest of the Radimichi and the beginning of the campaign against the Khazars, about which the original text has not survived) and 907 (the first campaign against Constantinople), only three events related to the history of Rus' were recorded in the chronicle.
What purely Russian realities remain in the chronicles? The first is the passage of migrating Ugrians (Hungarians) past Kyiv in 898. The second is Igor’s acquaintance with his future wife, Olga. According to Nestor, this happened in 903. The name of the future Russian saint was Beautiful. But Oleg the Prophet, for some reason that is not completely clear, renamed it and named it in accordance with his own name- Olga (in The Tale of Bygone Years she is also called Volga). This name change was most likely due to the fact that the future Princess Olga was Oleg the Prophet’s own daughter and he did not want this fact was given wide publicity. It is also known that Olga is the granddaughter of Gostomysl (the one who invited Rurik to rule Russia) and was born from his eldest daughter somewhere near Izborsk.
Oleg the Prophet, to whom Rurik handed over before his death and entrusted the upbringing of the young heir Igor, was a relative (“from his birth”) of the founder of the dynasty. You can also be a relative through your wife. Thus, the line of the Novgorod elder Gostomysl - the main initiator of the invitation to rule Rurik - was not interrupted.
In this case, the question again arises about the degree of kinship and the rights of inheritance of power between Gostomysl and Oleg the Prophet - one of the most prominent figures initial Russian history. If Olga is Gostomyslov’s granddaughter from his eldest daughter, then it inevitably turns out: the husband of this daughter is the Prophetic Oleg, whose figure is comparable to any of the Rurik princes. Hence his legal rights to reign. It was this fact that subsequent censors carefully removed from the chronicles, so that the Novgorodians would not be tempted to declare their rights to priority in the supreme power.
Finally, the third event, truly epoch-making, is the appearance of writing in Rus'. The names of the Thessalonica brothers - Cyril and Methodius, the creators Slavic writing, appear in the Tale of Bygone Years also under the year 898. We owe to Prince Oleg the Prophet not only the assertion of the authority of the state, but also greatest deed, the significance of which is comparable only to the adoption of Christianity that took place 90 years later. This act is the establishment of literacy in Rus', the reform of writing, the adoption of the alphabet based on Cyrillic alphabet, which we still use today.
The very creation of Slavic writing coincided with the appearance of Rurik and his brothers on Ladoga and Novgorod. The difference is not in time, but in space: the Russian Varangians appeared in the north-west, and the Byzantine Greek Cyril (in the world Constantine) began his missionary activity on South. Around 860-861 he went to preach in Khazar Khaganate, under whose authority at that time most of the Russian tribes were, and at the end of the mission he retired to the Asia Minor monastery, where he developed Slavic alphabet. This happened, most likely, in the same year 862, when the notorious calling of the princes was recorded in the Russian chronicle. The year 862 cannot be doubted, for it was then that Cyril and Methodius went to Moravia, already having the alphabet developed in their hands.
Subsequently, Slavic writing spread to Bulgaria, Serbia and Rus'. It took almost a quarter of a century. One can only guess in what ways and at what pace this happened in Rus'. But for the widespread approval of the new written language, “gravity” alone, of course, was not enough. Required government decision and the will of an authoritative ruler. Fortunately, by that time there already was such a ruler in Rus', and he had plenty of will. Therefore, let us pay tribute to Prince Oleg the Prophet for his truly prophetic decision.
A stern and unyielding sorcerer, invested with power, he must have been very intolerant of Christian missionaries. Oleg the Prophet took the alphabet from them, but did not accept the teaching. How the pagan Slavs generally treated Christian preachers in those days is well known from Western European chronicles. Before their conversion to Christianity, the Baltic Slavs dealt with Catholic missionaries in the most brutal way. There is no doubt that a life-and-death struggle also took place on the territory of Rus'. Perhaps not last role Prince-priest Oleg also played in this.
After his death, the process of further formation of the Rurik power became irreversible. His merits in this matter are undeniable. I think Karamzin said it best about them: “Educated states flourish with the wisdom of the Ruler; but only the strong hand of the Hero establishes great Empires and serves them as a reliable support in their dangerous news. Ancient Russia is famous for more than one Hero: none of them could equal Oleg the Prophet in the conquests that confirmed its powerful existence.”
So let us bow our heads as a sign of unpaid gratitude to the great son of the Russian land - the Prophetic Oleg: eleven centuries ago, a pagan prince and warrior-priest managed to rise above his own religious and ideological limitations in the name of culture, enlightenment and the great future of the peoples of Russia, which has already become inevitable after they acquired one of their main sacred treasures - Slavic writing and the Russian alphabet.
The date of birth of Prince Oleg is unknown, he was probably a little younger than Rurik. According to legend, he was born in Western Norway, apparently in rich family Bonds, and was named Odd, then received the nickname Orvar - “Arrow”. His sister Efanda subsequently married the Varangian ruler Rurik (or he himself was married to Rurik’s daughter). Thanks to this, Oleg became his main commander. Arrived with Rurik in Ladoga and Ilmenye between 858 and 862.
After the death of Rurik in 879, Oleg became the sole prince Novgorod Rus'. Rurik was not mistaken in his choice when, on his deathbed, he bequeathed his son and the Novgorod table to Oleg. Oleg became a real father for the prince, raising Igor to be a courageous, seasoned, educated man for those times.
Oleg also took the title of prince, bestowed upon him by his friend, with all responsibility. The main goal of the rulers of those times was to increase the wealth of the prince and expand the borders of the territory under their control by annexing new lands, subjugating other tribes and collecting tribute.
Taking the lead Novgorod Principality, Oleg boldly began to seize all the Dnieper lands. His main goal there was an establishment full control over the water trade route to Eastern Byzantium and conquest Principality of Kyiv.
Many princes then wanted to rule this large principality, which by the end of the 9th century had become the center of Russian trade and the main stronghold of Rus' in restraining the raids of the Pecheneg hordes. It was quite clear that whoever ruled Kiev controlled all Russian trade.
Prince Oleg gathered a large army of Varangians and in 882 he took the cities of Smolensk and Lyubech and imprisoned his husbands there. Further along the Dnieper in boats he went down to Kyiv, where two boyars reigned, not of the Rurik tribe, but of the Varangians Askold and Dir. He also took the young prince Igor with him on the campaign. Oleg seized power in Kyiv by cunning. According to the chronicler, Oleg asked for a meeting with the then rulers of Kyiv, Askold and Dir, stopping at the walls of the city, supposedly on his way to the south. When the princes, suspecting nothing, approached the Novgorod boats, Oleg, as the legend says, pointed to Igor and exclaimed: “You are not princes, not of the princely family. Here is the son of Rurik! After these words, he killed Askold and Dir, and Oleg’s warriors who jumped out of the boats dealt with the soldiers accompanying Kyiv rulers. None of the Kiev residents dared to oppose Oleg and his troops. Moreover, many tribes living along the banks of the Dnieper voluntarily submitted to the authority of the Kyiv prince. The Pecheneg raids devastated the Slavs, and they sought protection from the rulers, agreeing to pay them tribute for this.
Very soon Kyiv land covered everything southern borders countries. But Oleg did not calm down, continuing to subjugate other tribes more distant from the main river route. It was necessary to act by force, since the Slavs, who did not participate in trade turnover, did not see the point in joining the Principality of Kyiv and, moreover, did not want to pay tribute. Prince Oleg had to make many difficult campaigns with his squad before he managed to finish political unification Eastern Slavs. The location of Kyiv seemed very convenient to Oleg, and he moved there with his squad, declaring: “Let this be the mother of Russian cities.”
When connecting two unions - Northern and Southern - with major principalities in the center - Novgorod and Kyiv - a new political form- The Grand Duchy of Kiev, which essentially became the first Russian state.
For the next 25 years, Oleg was busy expanding his power. He subjugated the Drevlyans, northerners, Radimichi and other smaller ones to Kyiv. Many of whom were tributaries of the Khazars. The text of Oleg’s appeal to the northerners has reached us: “I am an enemy of the Khazars, therefore you have no need to pay them tribute.” To the Radimichi: “Who do you give tribute to?” They answered: “To the Kozars.” And Oleg says: “Don’t give it to Kozar, but give it to me.” “And Oleg ruled over the Derevlyans, glades, Radimichi, and with the streets and Tivertsy they commanded the army.” By the beginning of the 10th century, most of the tribes of the Eastern Slavs were under the command of the Kyiv prince.
If Rurik has already taken a step forward to the south along the eastern route Having crossed from Ladoga to Novgorod, his successor Oleg moved much further and reached the end of the road. The names of tribes are rarely found in the chronicles of that time; they were replaced by the names of cities and regions. Prince Oleg gave subordinate city regions to the administration of mayors, who had their own armed squads and were also called princes.
As the chronicles testify, there were many legends about the wealth of Byzantium at that time. So, in 907, Prince Oleg made a military campaign against Constantinople, the capital of Byzantium. His army sailed on 2000 boats of 40 warriors each, and cavalry also walked along the shore. Byzantine Emperor ordered to close the gates of the city and block the harbor with chains, giving the Varangians the opportunity to rob and plunder the suburbs of Constantinople. The chronicle tells of the extreme cruelty of Russian soldiers with which they tortured civilians and drowned them in the sea while still alive. But not content with petty robbery, Oleg launched an unusual assault on the city: “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 Greeks, locked in the city, behind high walls, begged for mercy and during negotiations offered Prince Oleg to make peace and agreed to pay a tribute of 12 hryvnia of silver per person. As a sign of victory, Oleg nailed his shield to the gates of Constantinople. As a result, the first peace treaty between the Russians and the Greeks on duty-free trade between Rus' and Byzantium appeared, drawn up legally competently and justifiably, even judging by today’s standards international law. According to Oleg's agreement with the Greeks, Russian merchants did not pay any duties. During barter trade, they exchanged furs, wax, and servants for wines, vegetables, silk fabrics, and gold. After trading period, designated by the agreement, Rus' received food for the road, as well as ship gear, at the expense of the Greek side. In addition to trade, the Greeks gladly hired Russian soldiers into their service. Quite a few Russian Varangians were in Constantinople in the imperial service. Together with merchants from Constantinople, Christian priests and preachers always came to Rus'. More and more Slavs turned to Orthodox faith, but Prince Oleg himself never accepted Christianity.
The last years of his life passed without military campaigns or battles. Oleg died at an old age in 912. There is a legend according to which the prince was predicted to die from his beloved horse. Oleg was superstitious and never sat on his pet again. Many years later, remembering him, the prince came to where the bones of his faithful friend lay. The bite of a snake that crawled out of the skull was fatal. The plot of this legend formed the basis of the ballads of A. S. Pushkin and N. M. Yazykov. The chronicle records that “the people groaned and shed tears” when Prince Oleg died. Information about the place of his burial is contradictory. There is indirect evidence that the prince’s grave is located in Kyiv; according to other sources, he was buried outside the Principality of Kyiv, on Ladoga.
Prince Oleg reigned for 33 years. For his constant success in military campaigns, for his daring and ingenuity, the people nicknamed Prince Oleg the Prophetic. Traditions and legends were written about him, attributing to him extraordinary abilities and the gift of foresight.
There is no doubt that the main historical merit of this ruler can rightfully be considered the unification of all Slavic tribes under a single command, the founding and strengthening of the first Russian state - the Grand Duchy of Kyiv. It was with the reign of Prince Oleg that the history of Kievan Rus began, and with it the history of the Russian state.
Grand Duke of Novgorod 879 – 912
Predecessor - Rurik
Successor - Igor Rurikovich
Grand Duke of Kyiv 882 – 912
Predecessor – Askold and Dir
Successor – Igor Rurikovich
Prince Oleg (Prophetic Oleg)
Ruler of Kievan Rus.
Date of Birth - ?
Date of death - 912 (according to other sources 922)
Years of reign - (879—912)
Main events during the reign:
882 - conquest of the Kyiv principality.
907 - campaign against Constantinople; signing of the first peace treaty with the Greeks.
Unfortunately, only two chronicles mentioning Oleg have survived to this day - “The Tale of Bygone Years” and “ Novgorod Chronicle the younger version,” since the beginning of the chronicle of the older version did not survive. There are also documents originating from Byzantium, Muslim countries, Khazaria. But the information in them is small and fragmentary. Moreover, the versions of the biography of Prince Oleg set out in these monuments differ, and the chronology is confused. According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Oleg is Rurik’s nephew. In 879, dying, Rurik transferred the rule to Oleg due to the infancy of his son Igor, who was only two years old.
The Novgorod Chronicle was written from earlier chronicle code, however, contains inaccuracies in the chronology of the events of the 10th century. According to this document, the princely title was granted to Oleg by the dying Rurik, and until his son Igor ascended the throne, Oleg had to take care of and look after the boy.
But still, the meaning of the two documents boils down to one thing. Fate brought together Prince Oleg and the young Prince Igor.
The date of birth of Prince Oleg is unknown, he was probably a little younger than Rurik. Rurik was not mistaken in his choice when, on his deathbed, he bequeathed his son and the Novgorod table to Oleg.
Oleg became a real father for the prince, instilling in Igor such traits as exceptional bravery, courage, honor, faith in his native gods and veneration of ancestors.
In 879, Rurik left the Novgorod throne to the young Igor, Oleg took over as guardian and for 3 years prepared for a campaign against Kyiv.
Oleg gathered a large army and in 882 moved towards Kyiv. He managed to gather under his leadership representatives of many peoples who then inhabited Rus' and about which only names have been preserved today: Vesi, Merya, Chud, Krivichi, Ilmenite Slovlen, etc. He also took the young prince Igor with him on the campaign. The army sailed on boats.
Along the way, he successively besieges and takes Smolensk, the capital city of the Krivichi Slavic tribe and the city of Lyubech, Slavic tribe northerners.
Oleg was cunning and treacherous. The prince hid the soldiers in the boats and, approaching Kyiv, sent Askold and Dir, the rulers of the city, a messenger with the news: Novgorod merchants heading to Greece want to see them. Not suspecting anything bad, they went to the banks of the Dnieper without personal guards. Oleg told them: “I am Oleg the prince, and this is Igor Rurikovich the prince” - and immediately killed Askold and Dir. Oleg showed Igor and called him the true ruler of Kyiv. The Kyiv residents and squad, without offering resistance, recognized the new government.
The location of Kyiv seemed very convenient to Oleg, and he moved there with his squad, declaring: “Let this be the mother of Russian cities.” The more developed Kiev south became the center of the Old Russian state. Having established his power in Kyiv, Oleg imposed tribute on all the lands under his control, ensured peace on the northwestern borders of Rus', and removed the East Slavic tribes from the influence of Khazaria.
In 898, Oleg was defeated by the Hungarians moving west. After the unsuccessful siege of Kyiv by the Hungarians, a Hungarian-Russian treaty was concluded that lasted two centuries. Having united the East Slavic tribes, creating Kievan Rus, Oleg took the title of Prince of Princes and became the Grand Duke. By the beginning of the 10th century, most of the tribes of the Eastern Slavs were under the command of the Kyiv prince. 
In 907, Oleg decided to go on a campaign against Byzantium. Having equipped 2000 rooks with 40 warriors each, Oleg set out for Constantinople (Constantinople). The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI ordered the gates of the city to be closed and the harbor blocked with chains, leaving the suburbs of Constantinople unprotected. But Oleg Once again used a trick: “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 Greeks offered Oleg peace and tribute. According to the agreement, Oleg received 12 hryvnia for each rowlock, and Byzantium promised to pay tribute to Russian cities. As a sign of victory, Oleg nailed his shield on the gates of Constantinople. The main result of the campaign was a trade agreement on duty-free trade between Rus' and Byzantium. One of greatest achievements foreign policy Oleg is the conclusion of an agreement with Byzantium on trade and the founding of a Russian embassy in Constantinople.
After his triumphant return to his native land, Oleg was named “Prophetic”, i.e. able to foresee the future.
In 911, Oleg sent an embassy to Constantinople, which confirmed the “many years” of peace and concluded a new treaty. Compared to the “treaty” of 907, the mention of duty-free trade disappears from it. Oleg is referred to in the treaty as the “Grand Duke of Russia.”
Oleg died in 912. The Tale of Bygone Years says that Oleg’s death was preceded by “the appearance of a star in the west.” 
There is a legend about the death of Prophetic Oleg. The Magi predicted to the prince that he would die from his beloved horse. Oleg ordered the horse to be taken away and remembered the prediction only four years later, when the horse had long since died. Oleg laughed at the Magi and wanted to look at the bones of the horse, stood with his foot on the skull and said: “Should I be afraid of him?” However, a poisonous snake lived in the horse’s skull, which fatally stung the prince.
Oleg’s burial place is not known for certain. According to the version reflected in the Tale of Bygone Years, his grave is located in Kyiv on Mount Shchekovitsa. In the Novgorod Chronicle, the grave is located in Ladoga, but at the same time it is said that he went “overseas.”
Prince of Novgorod
879 — 912
Oleg the Prophet is a Varangian, prince of Novgorod (from 879) and Kiev (from 882). Often considered as the founder of the Old Russian state.
The chronicle gives his nickname Prophetic, that is, one who knows the future, foreseeing the future. He was named so immediately upon his return from the 907 campaign against Byzantium.
Prophetic Oleg's farewell to his horse. V. Vasnetsov, 1899
In the chronicles there are two versions of Oleg’s biography: the traditional one, set out in the “Tale of Bygone Years”, and according to the Novgorod First Chronicle, which preserved fragments of an earlier chronicle that has not reached us, with confusion in chronology.
According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Oleg was a relative (tribesman) of Rurik, perhaps (according to the Joachim Chronicle) his brother-in-law. After the death of Rurik in 879, Oleg began to reign in Novgorod, since Igor Rurikovich was still a small child.
Capture of Kyiv
Oleg shows little Igor Askold and Dir. Miniature from the Radziwill Chronicle (XV century).
In 882 Oleg undertook successful campaigns against Smolensk and Lyubech. After that, he went down the Dnieper to Kyiv, where the princes were Rurik’s fellow tribesmen, the Varangians Askold and Dir. Oleg lured them to his boats and announced to them:
“You are not a prince of the family of princes, but I am of the family of princes.”
Presenting Rurik's heir, young Igor, Oleg killed Askold and Dir.
Nikon Chronicle, compilation various sources XVI century, gives more detailed story about this capture. Oleg landed part of his squad ashore, discussing a secret plan of action. Having declared himself ill, he remained in the boat and sent a notice to Askold and Dir that he was carrying a lot of beads and jewelry, and also had an important conversation with the princes. When they climbed into the boat, it was as if the sick Oleg said: “I am Oleg the prince, and here is Rurikov Igor the prince” - and immediately killed Askold and Dir.
ILYA GLAZUNOV.Prince Oleg and Igor.
The location of Kyiv seemed very convenient to Oleg, and he moved there with his squad, declaring:
“Let Kyiv be the mother of Russian cities.”
Thus, he united the northern and southern centers Eastern Slavs. For this reason, it is Oleg, and not Rurik, who is sometimes considered the founder of the Old Russian state.
For the next 25 years, Oleg was busy expanding his power. He subjugated the Drevlyans, Northerners, and Radimichi to Kyiv. Last two tribal union were tributaries of the Khazars. According to legend, Oleg allegedly said: “I am their enemy, but I have no enmity with you. Don’t give to the Khazars, but pay me.” Oleg then conquered the southernmost of the East Slavic tribes, the Ulichs and Tivertsi.
The Tale of Bygone Years dates the appearance of the Ugrians near Kiev to 898 during their migration to the west. According to the Hungarian chronicle, Prince Almos defeated an unnamed Russian prince (obviously Oleg), besieged him in Kyiv and agreed to leave only after the Russes paid him a ransom of 10 thousand marks in silver.
March on Byzantium
Oleg's campaign to Constantinople. Engraving by F. A. Bruni, 1839.
In 907, having equipped 2000 rooks with 40 warriors each (The Tale of Bygone Years), Oleg set out on a campaign against Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Philosopher ordered the gates of the city to be closed and the harbor blocked with chains, thus giving the Varangians the opportunity to rob and plunder the suburbs of Constantinople.
Tikhonovsky V.G. Prince Oleg's campaign against Constantinople in 907
However, Oleg launched an unusual assault: “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 Greeks offered Oleg peace and tribute. According to the agreement, Oleg received 12 hryvnia for each rowlock, and Byzantium promised to pay tribute to Russian cities. As a sign of victory, Oleg nailed his shield on the gates of Constantinople. The main result of the campaign was a trade agreement on duty-free trade between Rus' and Byzantium.
Many historians consider this campaign a legend. There is not a single mention of it among Byzantine authors, who described similar campaigns in sufficient detail in 860 and 941. There are also doubts about the treaty of 907, the text of which is an almost verbatim compilation of the treaties of 911 and 944. Perhaps there was still a campaign, but without the siege of Constantinople. The Tale of Bygone Years, in its description of Igor Rurikovich’s campaign in 944, conveys “the words of the Byzantine king” to Prince Igor: “Do not go, but take the tribute that Oleg took, and I will add more to that tribute.”
In 911, Oleg sent an embassy to Constantinople, which confirmed the “many years” of peace and concluded a new treaty. Compared to the “treaty” of 907, the mention of duty-free trade disappears from it. Oleg is referred to in the treaty as the “Grand Duke of Russia.” There is no doubt about the authenticity of the 911 agreement: it is supported by both linguistic analysis, and mention in Byzantine sources.
The Tale of Bygone Years reports that in 912, Prince Oleg died from a snake bite.
Oleg nails his shield to the gates of Constantinople. Engraving by F. A. Bruni, 1839.
Boris Olshansky. Shield on the gates of Constantinople
Novgorod version of the biography. Eastern campaigns Oleg
In the First Novgorod Chronicle, Oleg is presented not as a prince, but as a governor under Igor. Igor also kills Askold, captures Kyiv and goes to war against Byzantium, and Oleg returns back to the north, to Ladoga, where he dies in 922.
“Olga goes to Novugorod, and from there to Ladoga. The friends will say that when he goes over the sea, I will bite the serpent in his foot, and then he will die; there is his grave in Ladoz.”
This information contradicts the Russian-Byzantine treaty of 911, where Oleg is called the Grand Duke of Russia, but at the same time, it is better consistent with eastern news about Rus' of this period.
Sometime after 912, according to the Arab author Al-Masudi, a Russian fleet of 500 ships entered Kerch Strait. The Khazar king allowed the Russians to pass through the Don to the Volga, and from there descend into the Caspian Sea. As a result, the Russians ravaged the coast of Azerbaijan. According to the terms of the agreement, they gave half of the spoils to the Khazar king, but the royal guard, consisting of Muslims, demanded revenge for the death of their co-religionists. The Tsar was unable (or did not want) to save the Rus, but sent them a warning about the danger. The battle lasted three days and ended in victory for the Muslims. 30 thousand Russians died. The surviving 5 thousand fled up the Volga, where they were exterminated by the Burtases and Bulgars.
Victor Vasnetsov. Oleg's meeting with the magician
The name of the Russian leader is not mentioned in the message, and the campaign is not mentioned in Russian chronicles. Perhaps a vague hint of him is the phrase of the Novgorod Chronicle about Oleg “others say that he went overseas...”.
Triumph of Prince Oleg
Sometimes they try to connect a certain Russian with Oleg’s personality leader H-l-g-w, which, according to a Khazar source (“Cambridge Document”), was captured by agreement with Byzantium Khazar city Samkerts on Taman Peninsula, but was defeated by the governor of Samkerts Pesach and sent last to Constantinople. The Byzantines burned the Rus' ships with fire, and then H-l-g-w went to Persia, where he himself and his entire army died. Name H-l-g-w restored as Helg, Helgo. He is referred to in the document as “the ruler of Russia,” which makes his identification with Oleg very tempting.
However, the events described relate to the reign of Igor (the Russian campaign against Byzantium coincides in the description with the campaign of 941, and the campaign against Persia with the Russian raid in 944 on Azerbaijani city Berdaa). In historiography, there have been attempts to interpret this message as evidence of the duumvirate of Igor and Oleg; in this case, Oleg’s life is extended until the mid-40s of the 10th century, and the beginning of his reign is assumed to be later than indicated in the chronicle.
Oleg at the horse bones. V. Vasnetsov, 1899
The circumstances of the death of Prophetic Oleg are contradictory. According to the Kyiv version, his grave is located in Kyiv on Mount Shchekovitsa. The Novgorod Chronicle places his grave in Ladoga, but also says that he went “over the sea.”
In both versions there is a legend about death from a snake bite. According to legend, the Magi predicted to the prince that he would die from his beloved horse. Oleg ordered the horse to be taken away and remembered the prediction only four years later, when the horse had long since died. Oleg laughed at the Magi and wanted to look at the bones of the horse, stood with his foot on the skull and said: “Should I be afraid of him?” However, a poisonous snake lived in the horse’s skull, which fatally stung the prince.
This legend finds parallels in the Icelandic saga of the Viking Orvar Odd, who was also fatally stung at the grave of his beloved horse. It is unknown whether the saga became the reason for the invention of the Russian legend about Oleg, or, on the contrary, the circumstances of Oleg’s death served as material for the saga. However, if Oleg is historical character, then Orvar Odd is the hero of an adventure saga, created on the basis of some oral traditions no earlier than the 13th century. The sorceress predicted 12-year-old Odd's death from his horse. To prevent the prediction from coming true, Odd and his friend killed the horse, threw it into a pit, and covered the corpse with stones. This is how Orvar Odd died years later:
“And as they walked quickly, Odd kicked and bent down. “What was it that I hit my foot on?” He touched the tip of the spear, and everyone saw that it was the skull of a horse, and immediately a snake rose from it, rushed at Odd and stung him in the leg above the ankle. The poison took effect immediately, and the entire leg and thigh became swollen. Odd was so weak from this bite that they had to help him go to the shore, and when he got there, he said; “You should now go and cut out a stone coffin for me, and let someone stay here sitting next to me and write down the story that I write about my deeds and life.” After that, he began to compose a story, and they began to write it down on a tablet, and as Odd’s path went, so did the story [follows hanging]. And after that Odd dies."
Oleg's death. Engraving by F. A. Bruni, 1839.
The date of Oleg’s death, like all chronicle dates of Russian history until the end of the 10th century, is conditional. Historian A. A. Shakhmatov noted that 912 is also the year of death of the Byzantine emperor Leo VI - Oleg's antagonist; perhaps the chronicler, who knew that Oleg and Leo were contemporaries, timed the end of their reigns to the same date (a similar suspicious coincidence - 945 - and between the dates of Igor's death and the overthrow of his contemporary, the Byzantine Emperor Roman I). Considering, moreover, that Novgorod tradition places Oleg’s death in 922 (see above), the date 912 becomes even more doubtful. The duration of the reigns of Oleg and Igor is 33 years each, which raises suspicions about the epic source of this information.
The Polish historian of the 18th century H. F. Friese put forward the version that the Prophetic Oleg had a son, Oleg Moravsky, who, after the death of his father, was forced to leave Rus' as a result of the fight with Prince Igor. A relative of the Rurikovichs, Oleg Moravsky, became the last prince Moravia in 940, according to the writings of Polish and Czech writers XVI-XVII centuries, however, it family connection with Prophetic Oleg is only Frieze’s guess.
Death of Oleg. Engraving
The Russian pronunciation of the name Oleg probably arose from the Scandinavian name Helge, which originally meant (in Proto-Swedish - Hailaga) “saint”, “possessing the gift of healing.” Several bearers of the name Helgi are known from the sagas, whose lifetime dates back to the 6th-9th centuries. The sagas also contain similar sounding names Ole, Oleif, Ofeig.
Among historians who do not support Norman theory, attempts have been made to challenge the Scandinavian etymology of the name Oleg and connect it with native Slavic, Turkic or Iranian forms. According to L.P. Grot, it is difficult to connect Oleg’s name with the Swedish name “Helge” for semantic reasons, since the meaning of the latter - “saint” is opposite in meaning to the pagan nickname of the Russian prince.
Funeral service for Oleg. V. Vasnetsov
The chronicle story about Oleg's death is the basis of literary works:
A.S. Pushkin
SONG ABOUT THE PROPHETIC OLEG
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.
From the dark forest towards him
An inspired magician is coming,
An old man obedient to Perun alone,
The messenger of the covenants of the future,
He spent his entire century in prayers and fortune-telling.
And Oleg drove up to the wise old man.
"Tell me, magician, favorite of the gods,
What will happen to me in life?
And soon, to the joy of our neighbors-enemies,
Will I be covered with grave soil?
Reveal to me the whole truth, do not be afraid of me:
You will take a horse as a reward for anyone.”
“The Magi are not afraid of mighty lords,
A princely gift they don't need it;
Their prophetic language is truthful and free
And friendly with the will of heaven.
The coming years lurk in darkness;
But I see your lot on your bright brow.
Now remember my words:
Glory to the warrior is joy;
Glorified by victory your name;
Your shield is on the gates of Constantinople;
Both the waves and the land are submissive to you;
The enemy is jealous of such a wondrous fate.
AND blue sea deceptive shaft
In the hours of fatal bad weather,
And the sling and the arrow and the crafty dagger
The years are kind to the winner...
Under the formidable armor you know no wounds;
An invisible guardian has been given to the mighty.
Your horse is not afraid of dangerous work;
He, sensing the master's will,
Then the humble one stands under the arrows of enemies,
Then he rushes across the battlefield.
And the cold and the lashing are nothing to him...
But you will receive death from your horse.”
Oleg grinned - however
And the gaze was darkened by thoughts.
In silence, leaning his hand on the saddle,
He gets off his horse, gloomy;
And a faithful friend with a farewell hand
And he strokes and pats the cool guy’s neck.
"Farewell, my comrade, my faithful servant,
The time has come for us to part;
Now rest! no one will step foot
Into your gilded stirrup.
Farewell, be comforted - and remember me.
You, fellow youths, take a horse,
Cover with blanket, shaggy carpet;
Take me to my meadow by the bridle;
Bathe; feed with selected grain;
Give me spring water to drink.”
And the youths immediately departed with the horse,
And they brought another horse to the prince.
The prophetic Oleg feasts with his retinue
At the clink of a cheerful glass.
And their curls are white as morning snow
Above the glorious head of the mound...
They remember days gone by
And the battles where they fought together...
“Where is my friend? - said Oleg, -
Tell me, where is my zealous horse?
Are you healthy? Is his running still as easy?
Is he still the same stormy, playful person?”
And he heeds the answer: on a steep hill
He had long since fallen into deep sleep.
Mighty Oleg bowed his head
And he thinks: “What is fortune telling?
Magician, you lying, crazy old man!
I would despise your prediction!
My horse would still carry me.”
And he wants to see the horse's bones.
Here comes the mighty Oleg from the yard,
Igor and old guests are with him,
And they see - on a hill, on the banks of the Dnieper,
Noble bones lie;
The rain washes them, the dust covers them,
And the wind stirs the feather grass above them.
The prince quietly stepped on the horse's skull
And he said: “Sleep, lonely friend!
Your old master outlived you:
At the funeral feast, already nearby,
It’s not you who will stain the feather grass under the ax
And feed my ashes with hot blood!
So this is where my destruction was hidden!
The bone threatened me with death!”
From dead head grave snake,
Hissing, meanwhile she crawled out;
Like a black ribbon wrapped around my legs,
And the suddenly stung prince cried out.
The circular buckets, foaming, hiss
At the mournful funeral of Oleg;
Prince Igor and Olga are sitting on a hill;
The squad is feasting on the shore;
Soldiers remember days gone by
And the battles where they fought together.
Series "SLAVS"
The bird is red in plumage, but the man is in skill.
Russian folk proverb
In 882, Prince Oleg the Prophet captured Kyiv, killing its princes Askold and Dir by cunning. Immediately after entering Kyiv, he uttered his famous words that from now on Kyiv was destined to be the mother of Russian cities. Prince Oleg did not say these words by chance. He was very pleased with how well the place was chosen for the construction of the city. The gentle banks of the Dnieper were practically impregnable, which allowed us to hope that the city would be reliable protection for its inhabitants.
The presence of a barrier from the water border of the city was very relevant, since it was along this part of the Dnieper that the famous trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. This path also represented a journey through large Russian rivers. It originated in Gulf of Finland Baikal Sea, which at that time was called the Varyazh Sea. Then the path went across the Neva River to Lake Ladoga. The path from the Varangians to the Greeks continued at the mouth of the Volkhov River to Lake Ilni. From there he traveled through small rivers to the sources of the Dnieper, and from there he passed all the way to the Black Sea. In this way, starting in the Varangian Sea and ending in the Black Sea, the trade route known to this day passed.
Foreign policy of the prophetic Oleg
Prince Oleg the Prophet, after the capture of Kyiv, decided to continue expanding the territory of the state by including new territories that were inhabited by peoples who had paid tribute to the Khazars since ancient times. As a result, the following tribes became part of Kievan Rus:
- Radimichi
- clearing
- Slovenia
- northerners
- Krivichi
- Drevlyans.
In addition, Prince Oleg the Prophet imposed his influence on other neighboring tribes: the Dregovichi, Ulichs and Tiverts. At the same time, Ugric tribes, displaced from the territory of the Urals by the Polovtsians, approached Kyiv. The chronicles do not contain information about whether these tribes passed through Kievan Rus in peace or were knocked out of it. But what can be said for certain is that Rus' put up with their presence near Kyiv for a long time. This place near Kyiv is still called Ugorsky. These tribes later crossed the Dnieper River, captured nearby lands (Moldova and Bessarabia) and went deep into Europe, where they founded the Hungarian state.
New campaign against Byzantium
The year 907 will be marked by a new turn in Russian foreign policy. Anticipating big booty, the Russians go to war against Byzantium. Thus, Prince Oleg the prophetic becomes the second Russian prince to declare war on Byzantium, after Askold and Dir. Oleg's army included almost 2000 ships with 40 soldiers on each. They were accompanied by cavalry along the shore. The Byzantine emperor allowed the Russian army to freely plunder the nearby environs of Constantinople. The entrance to the city’s bay, called Golden Horn Bay, was blocked with chains. Chronicles Nestor describes the unprecedented cruelty of the Russian army with which they ravaged the surrounding area Byzantine capital. But even with this they could not threaten Constantinople. Oleg’s cunning came to the rescue, and he ordered equip all ships with wheels. Further along the ground, at tailwind, set sail in full sail for the capital of Byzantium. And so they did. The threat of defeat loomed over Byzantium, and the Greeks, realizing the grief of the danger hanging over them, decided to make peace with the enemy. Prince of Kyiv demanded that the losers pay 12 (twelve) hryvnias for each warrior, to which the Greeks agreed. As a result, on September 2, 911 (according to the chronicles of Nestor) between Kievan Rus and Byzantine Empire a written peace treaty was drawn up. Prince Oleg achieved the payment of tribute to the Russian cities of Kyiv and Chernigov, as well as the right to duty-free trade for Russian merchants.