Upon learning of the approach of the Rus, Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise ordered the city gates to be closed and the harbor to be chained off, leaving the enemy the opportunity to loot and plunder the suburbs. In response, according to the annals, Oleg ordered the ships to be pulled ashore and put “on wheels,” then went to storm the city. Frightened Greeks requested peace, resulting in a profitable peace treaty with Byzantium that was subsequently confirmed by a Russian embassy in 911.
Reasons for the Campaign
- Oleg was a Varangian, and it was important for him to provide his warriors with the opportunity to acquire a rich booty (for which Byzantium was famous).
- The use of force was supposed to be a weighty argument in the conclusion of a peace treaty on Russian terms – Constantinople was the “gateway” from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, and therefore one of the key points for traders following the route “From the Varangians to the Greeks.”
Description of events
Engraving by F.A. Bruni
According to the Tale of Bygone Years, Oleg managed to gather a large number of warriors from different tribes and nations for his campaign on Constantinople:
“…and he took with him many Varangians, and Slavs, and Chuds, and Krivichs, and Merias, and Drevlyans, and Radimichs, and Polyanians, and Severians, and Viatiches, and Croatians, and Dulebes, and Tivertsians, known as interpreters; all these the Greeks called “Great Scythia”. And Oleg went with all these on horses and ships; and the number of the ships was 2,000.”[1]Tale of Bygone Years
After sailing down the Dnieper to the Black Sea, Oleg and his troops continued their journey along the coast.
Trofimenko S. S.
Upon learning of the approaching huge army, the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise ordered the city gates to be closed and the famous Golden Horn Bay to be blocked with chains, thus providing the Varangians with the opportunity to loot and plunder the suburbs of Constantinople.
The Greeks’ hopes of defending themselves against the barbarians (as they called the Rus) were justified – for several centuries this tactic had prevented enemy ships from landing inside the city, and the high stone walls of the city had withstood the most brutal sieges.
While his warriors were plundering the unguarded suburbs outside the high walls, Oleg the Prophet came up with a legendary tactical trick – he ordered the ships to be pulled onto the shore, put on wheels, and with a favorable wind, the entire army moved towards the walls of Constantinople.
Olshansky B.M.
Horrified by the sight of ships sailing on land like on sea, the Greeks sent messengers to Oleg:
«Do not destroy the city, we will give you any tribute you want».[1]Tale of Bygone Years
However, behind the apparent submission lay treachery – along with the messengers, poisoned wine and food were sent. Apparently, the Greeks hoped to eliminate the leader of the “impudent barbarians” and in the inevitable confusion, attempt a counterattack. Oleg, however, sensed that he might be poisoned and poured the wine before the astonished messengers of the Byzantine emperor onto the ground. This episode of the annals of history is often cited as one of the reasons why the prince was called “the Prophet”.
Image from the Radzivilov Chronicle, late 15th century
«This man did not just come, but the anger sent upon us by God for our sins».[2]V. N. Tatishchev, “Russian History”, book 2, chapter 2
After that, they agreed to any conditions of peace that Oleg would demand. In a sign of sincerity, the Byzantines kissed the cross, while the Rus swore on their own weapons and in the name of their revered god Perun.
As a symbol of his victory and triumph, Oleg the Prophet nailed his own shield to the gates of Constantinople – this legendary fact was later popularized and became a motif in works of art.
2013 Artist B. Olshansky
Image from the Radzivilov Chronicle, late 15th century
In addition to favorable conditions for merchants from “Garðaríki” (Rus was referred to by various foreign historians of the time under this name), Oleg demanded a solid ransom for himself and his warriors:
And Oleg demanded that his warriors be given 12 silver hryvnias per oarlock for each of the 2,000 ships.[3]Oarlock – a device in the side of the boat to
stop the oar when rowing., and then pay tribute to Russian cities, primarily to Kiev, followed by Chernihiv, Pereyaslavl, Polotsk, Rostov, Lyubech, and other cities, for great princes under Oleg’s authority.[1]Tale of Bygone Years
Lastly, Prince Oleg ordered the Byzantines to provide expensive fabrics for the sails of his numerous fleet. When the wind tore the expensive sails on the way back, the Slavs replaced them with ordinary ones, saying:
«Let us take ordinary canvas sails, for the wind does not know what is expensive, but it knows what is strong».[2]V. N. Tatishchev, “Russian History”, book 2, chapter 2
Peace treaties between Rus and Byzantium in 907 and 911
Subsequently, in 911, Oleg the Prophet sent envoys to Constantinople, confirming the conditions of the previously concluded treaty. The points of this agreement were described in more detail in the chronicles – clauses were added describing the obligations of Rus and Byzantium to assist persons who suffered shipwrecks, as well as obligations regarding captives or escaped criminals.
Results and outcomes
- As a sign of victory, Oleg the Prophet hung his shield over the gates of Tsargrad-Constantinople.
- The Greeks paid a large ransom to Oleg and his arriving soldiers.
- Russian merchants received favorable benefits when visiting Byzantine cities.
- The Byzantine Emperor undertook to pay tribute “to Russian cities.”
- The peace treaty concluded was subsequently confirmed by the embassy of 911.
Список литературы
- Tale of Bygone Years
- V. N. Tatishchev, “Russian History”, book 2, chapter 2
- Oarlock – a device in the side of the boat to stop the oar when rowing.
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