From Enemies to Allies

The Mystery of Prince Oleg’s Campaign against Constantinople

Bibliographic Data

ID21219949
AuthorsAleksandr A Romensky (0000-0003-0936-3740, Taurida National V.I. Vernadsky University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume11
Pages697-719
Publication date2021-12-30
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudia Ceranea Journal of the Waldemar Ceran Research Centre for the History and Culture of the Mediterranean Area and South-East Europe (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2084-140X • E-ISSN: 2449-8378
PublisherUniwersytet Lodzki (University of Lodz) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.18778/2084-140x.11.37
OpenAlexW4225709050
LanguageEN
References cited14

This article proposes a rethinking of the main patterns of Rus-Byzantine relations at the turn of the 9th–10th centuries. The Christianization of some groups of Rus’ elite after 860 seems to be plausible, but short-lived. The crisis in relations with Khazaria prompted a search for new trade privileges in Byzantium. The so-called Oleg’s campaign on Constantinople was nothing other than his joining the military service. During the constant struggle with Arabs, the Empire needed to receive new military forces from Rus’. Possibly the recruitments were accompanied by a provocative demonstration of strength. This action was rethought in Rus’ian chronicle writing as the great victory of “Oleg the Prophet”. The joining of Rus’ troops to the Byzantine navy occurred no later than 906, when logothetes Himerios was able to defeat the Muslims. The Rus-Byzantine treaty of 911 strengthened the partnership and fostered the baptism of some Rus mercenaries

Ancient history · Archaeology · Byzantine architecture · Christianity · Christianization · Elite · Empire · Navy · Nothing · Political science · Politics · Treaty · Victory · Byzantine Studies and History · Eurasian Exchange Networks · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History · Law · Philosophy

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