“The Tale of Bygone Years” in Brief Content
Here are the evidences of the past years about when the first mention is made of what the name “Russian land” comes from and who starts to reign in Kiev before – we will tell about this story.
About the Slavs
After the flood and death of Noah, his three sons divide the Earth among themselves and agree not to transgress to each other’s possessions. They cast lots. Japheth gets the northern and western countries. But humanity on earth is still one and on the field near Babylon for more than 40 years is building a pillar to heaven. However, God is unhappy, he breaks the unfinished pillar with a strong wind and dissipates people across the Earth, dividing them into 72 people. From one of them the Slavs who live in the domain of the descendants of Japheth are descended. Then the Slavs come to the Danube, and from there they diverge through the lands. The Slavs settle peacefully along the Dnieper and receive the names: some are glades because they live
On the Journey of the Apostle Andrew
The Holy Apostle Andrew, a disciple of the Christian faith on the coast of the Black Sea, comes to the Crimea and learns about the Dnieper, near his mouth, and floats up the Dnieper. For the night he stops under the deserted hills on the beach, and in the morning he looks at them and turns to the students around him: “See these hills?” And prophesies: “On these hills, the grace of God shines – a great city will arise and many churches will be erected.” And the apostle, arranging a whole ceremony, ascends to the hills, blesses them, puts down a cross and prays to God. At this point later, indeed, Kiev will appear.
The apostle Andrew returns to Rome and tells the Romans that in the land of Slovenes, where later Novgorod is built, something strange happens every day:
About Kie
In the land of glades three brothers live, each with his family sits on his Dnieper hill. His first brother’s name is Kiy, the second is Shchek, the third is Khoryv. The brothers create a city, call it Kyiv by the name of the elder brother and live in it. And near the town there is a forest in which glades catch animals. Kiy goes to Tsargrad, where the Byzantine king renders him great honor. From Constantinople, Ki comes to the Danube, he likes one place where he builds a small town called Kyivets. But locals do not give it to him there. Kyi returns to his lawful Kiev, where he duly finishes his life. Schek and Horeb also die here.
About the Khazars
After the death of the brothers, the Khazar detachment encounters a clearing and demands: “Pay us tribute.” Glades are advised and given from each cottage by the sword. The Khazar warriors bring this to their prince and elders and boast: “Here, we have collected some new tribute.” The elders ask: “Where from?” The warriors, obviously not knowing how the tribe that gave them tribute, answer only: “We collected them in the forest, on the hills, over the Dnieper River.” The elders ask: “What did they give you?” Warriors, not knowing the names of the things brought in, silently show swords. But the experienced elders, guessing the meaning of the mysterious tribute, are predicted to the prince: “An ominous tribute, O prince.” We got her with sabers, weapons sharp on the one hand, and these tributaries have swords, two-edged weapons. us”. This prediction will come true,
On the name “Russian land”. 852-862 years.
This is where the name “Russian land” begins to be used for the first time: the Byzantine chronicle mentions the campaign of a certain Rus to Tsargrad. But the land is still divided: the Varangians take tribute from the northern tribes, including the Novgorod Slovaks, and the Khazars take tribute from the southern tribes, including the glades.
The northern tribes expel the Varangians for the Baltic Sea, stop giving them tribute and try to control themselves, but do not have a common code of laws and therefore are drawn into civil strife, waging a war of self-destruction. Finally they agree among themselves: “Let’s look for a single prince, but outside of us, so that he would rule us, but judge, proceeding from the law.” The Estonian Chud, the Novgorod Slovene, the Slavic Krivichi and the Finno-Ugrian all send representatives from the sea to other Varangians, whose tribe is called “Rus.” This is the same common name as the names of other nationalities – “Swedes”, “Normans”, “Englishmen”. And the following four tribes offer the Rus to the following: “Our land is great in space and rich in bread, but there is no state structure in it.” Come to us to reign and rule. ” Three brothers with their families take up business, they take with them all the Rus and arrive: the oldest of the brothers, Rurik, sets sail in Novgorod, the second brother Sineus in Belozersk, and the third brother Truvor in Izborsk. Two years later, Sineus and Truvor die, all power is concentrated by Rurik, who distributes the cities to the management of his Varangians-Rus. From all those Varangian-Rus and there is a name – “Russian land”.
On the fate of Askold and Dir. 862-882 years.
Rurik has two boyars – Askold and Dir. They are not relatives of Ryurik, so they ask to go to Tsargrad with their families. They swim along the Dnieper River and see a small town on the hill: “Whose town is this?” Residents answer: “Three brothers – Kiy, Shchek, Horyv – who built this town lived and died, but we are sitting here without a ruler, paying tribute to the kinsmen of the Khazars.” Here Askold and Dir decide to stay in Kiev, they recruit many Varangians and begin to rule the land with glades. And Rurik reigns in Novgorod.
Askold and Dir go to war on Byzantium, two hundred of their ships are besieged by Tsargrad. There is a quiet weather, and the sea is calm. The Byzantine king and the patriarch pray for deliverance from godless Russia and with singing they dipped a vestment of the Holy Virgin in the sea. And suddenly there is a storm, a wind, huge waves rise. Russian ships sweep, bring to the shore and smash. Few of Russia managed to escape and return home.
Meanwhile, Rurik dies. Rurik has Igor’s son, but he is still very young. Therefore, before his death, Rurik hands the reign to his relative Oleg. Oleg with a large army, which includes the Varangians, the Chud, Slovenes, the whole, Krivichi, captures the southern cities one by one. He approaches Kiev, learns that Askold and Dir illegally reign. And he hides his soldiers in the boats, swims to the pier with Igor in his arms and sends an invitation to Askold and Dir: “I’m a merchant. We sail to Byzantium, but obey Oleg and Prince Igor. Come to us, your relatives.” Askold and Dir come to the boat. Then hidden soldiers jumped out of the boat. Endure Igor. The trial begins. Oleg discovers Askold and Dir: “You are not princes, not even from a princely family, And I am a princely family.” But the son of Rurik. ” And Askold and Dir kill.
On the activities of Oleg. 882-912 years.
Oleg remains prince in Kiev and proclaims: “Kiev will be the mother of Russian cities.” Oleg, really, is building new cities. In addition, he conquers many tribes, including Derevian, and takes tribute from them.
With an unprecedentedly large army – some two thousand ships – Oleg goes to Byzantium and comes to Constantinople. The Greeks close the entrance to the bay with chains, which has Tsargrad. But ingenious Oleg tells his soldiers to make the wheels and put the ships on them. A favorable wind blows to Constantinople. Warriors raise sails in the field and rush to the city. The Greeks see, and are afraid, and ask Oleg: “Do not ruin the city, we will give the tribute you want.” And as a sign of submission, the Greeks endure to him a treat – dishes and wine. However, Oleg does not take refreshments: it turns out that poison is mixed with it. The Greeks are quite frightened: “This is not Oleg, but an invulnerable saint, he was sent to us by God himself.” And the Greeks pray to Oleg to make peace: “Let’s give everything you want.” Oleg sets the Greeks to pay tribute to all the soldiers on two thousand of his ships – twelve hryvnia per person, and on the ship for forty soldiers – and another tribute to the major cities of Russia. To commemorate victory, Oleg hangs his shield on the gates of Constantinople and returns to Kiev, carrying gold, silk, fruit, wine and all sorts of jewelry.
People call Oleg “prophetic”. But here in the sky appears an ominous sign – a star in the form of a spear. Oleg, now living in peace with all countries, remembers his beloved warhorse. On this horse, he has not sat down for a long time. Five years before the march to Tsargrad, Oleg asked the magi and magicians: “Why should I die?” And one of the magicians said to him: “To die to you from the horse you love and ride.” Oleg only with his mind and not with his heart understood what he said: “I will never again mount my horse and I will not even see it,” ordered the horse to feed, but not to drive him. And now Oleg calls the oldest of the grooms and asks: “And where is my horse, which I sent to feed and guard?” The groom answers: “He died.” Oleg begins to mock and insult magicians: “
On the death of Igor. 913-945 years.
After Oleg’s death, the unlucky Igor finally begins to reign, who, although he already became an adult, went to Oleg’s subordination.
As soon as Oleg dies, the woodmen shut themselves up from Igor. Igor goes to the Derevyans and imposes a tribute on them more Oleg.
Then Igor goes on a campaign to Constantinople, having ten thousand ships. However, the Greeks from their rooks through special pipes are taken to cast a burning composition on Russian rooks. Russian from the flames of fires jumping into the sea, trying to sail away. The survivors return home and narrate about the terrible miracle: “The Greeks have something like a lightning from heaven, it they let and burn us.”
Igor collects a new army for a long time, not disdaining even the Pechenegs, and again goes to Byzantium, wishing to avenge his disgrace. Its ships directly cover the sea. The Byzantine king sends his nobles to Igor: “Do not go, but take the tribute that Oleg took. I will add to that tribute.” Igor, having reached the river just yet to the Danube, convokes a squad and begins to consult. A fearsome squad says: “What we need more is that we will not fight, but we will get gold, silver and silk.” Who knows who will prevail, are they, are they. “” What, someone will agree with the sea? , and over the depth of the sea, – a common death to all. ” Igor goes on the occasion of the squad, takes the Greeks gold and silk for all the warriors, turns back and returns to Kiev.
But the greedy Igor’s squad annoying the prince: “The servants of your commander have parted, and we, the prince’s squad, are naked.” Come, prince, with us for tribute, and you will get us, too. ” And again Igor goes on about the druzhina, goes for tribute to the woodmen, and at the same time increases the tribute arbitrarily, and the squad also creates other violence to the peasants. With the collected tribute Igor was sent to Kiev, but after some reflection, wanting more than he managed to collect for himself, he turns to the squad: “You go back home with your tribute, and I’ll return to the woodmen, I’ll take care of myself again.” And with a small remnant of the squad turns back. The villagers learn about this and confer with Mal, their prince: “Once a wolf has gone to the sheep, he will cut the whole herd, if not kill him.” So this: if we do not kill him, he will kill us all. ” And they send to Igor: ” Why are you going again? After all, he took all the tribute. “But Igor does not listen to them at that time, when the people gathered, the peasants leave the city of Iskorostenya and easily kill Igor and his squad-Mala’s people with a small number of people are dealing. And they are burying Igor somewhere near Istokeniem.
About revenge of Olga. 945-946 years.
Even during Oleg’s lifetime Igor was brought a wife from Pskov, named Olga. After the murder of Igor Olga remains alone in Kiev with her baby Svyatoslav. The villagers are making plans: “Once the Russian prince was killed, his wife Olga will be married to our prince Mala, and with Svyatoslav we will do as we please.” And the woodmen send a boat with twenty of their noblemen to Olga, and they sail to Kiev. Olga is informed that the village has unexpectedly arrived. Clever Olga takes the woodmen in the stone chamber: “Welcome, guests.” The villagers are impolite: “Yes, you have, Princess”. Olga continues the reception ceremony for ambassadors: “Tell me, why did you come here?” The villagers are blatantly saying: “The independent Derevlyan land sent us, deciding the following: We killed your mkra, because your husband, like a hungry wolf, all hapal and robbed. Our princes are rich, they have made the well-to-do Derevlyansk land. So go ahead for our prince Mala. “Olga replies:” I like it as much as you say. My husband can not be resurrected. Therefore, I will pay special honors to you in the morning in the presence of my people. Now you go and lie down for your future majesty in your boat. In the morning I will send people for you, and you will say: “We will not ride horses, we will not go on carts, we will not go on foot, but carry us in a boat”. And Olga lets the woodmen lie down in the boat, orders to dig a huge and steep tomb in the yard in front of the tower. In the morning Olga, sitting in the theater, sends for these guests. The Kievites come to the village: “Olga is calling you to give you the greatest honor”. The villagers say: “We will not go riding horses, we will not go on carts, we will not go on foot,
Now Olga sends a demand to the people of the village: “If you ask me according to the rules of marriage, then send the most notable people, so that I will marry your prince with great honor.” Otherwise, people will not let me in. ” The villagers elect the most notable people who rule the Land of Derevlya, and send for Olga. Matchmakers are, and Olga in the guest tradition first sends them to the bathhouse, offering them: “Wash and appear before me.” The sauna is heated, the villagers climb into it and, as soon as they begin to wash themselves, the bath is locked. Olga tells her to set fire to her, first of all from the doors, and the woodmen burn everything.
Olga informs the derevlyans: “I’m already leaving for you, prepare a lot of intoxicated honey in the city, where you killed my husband.” I must cry for his grave and triune for my husband. ” The villagers take a lot of honey and cook. Olga with a small squad, as the bride is supposed to, lightly, comes to the grave, mourns her husband, tells her people to pour a high burial mound and, following the customs, only after finishing pouring, orders to create a triune. The woodmen sit down to drink. Olga tells her servants to take care of the peasants. The woodworkers ask: “And where is our squad sent for you?” Olga ambiguously replies: “They are coming behind me with my husband’s brigade.” When the woodmen are drinking, Olga tells her servants to drink for the countrymen. Olga retires, having ordered her druzhina to cut the woodsmen.
Olga returns to Kiev, collects many soldiers, goes to the Derevlyansk land and defeats the Derevians who opposed it. The remaining villagers are shut in Iscorriene, and the whole summer Olga can not take the city. Then she begins to persuade the defenders of the city: “How long will it take? All your cities surrender to me, give tribute, cultivate their lands and cornfields, and you will die of hunger, without giving a tribute.” The villagers confess: “We would be glad to give only a tribute, but you will still avenge your husband.” Olga insidiously assures: “I have already avenged the disgrace of my husband and will not take revenge any more.” I will take the tribute from you little by little. Now you do not have any honey or fur, that’s why I ask very little from you. Give me three pigeons from each yard three sparrows, I will not pay you a heavy tribute, as my husband, therefore I ask you a little. “You were exhausted in the siege, why I ask you a little. I will calm down with you and go. “The villagers rejoice, they collect three pigeons and three sparrows from the yard and send them to Olga.” Olga calms the woodsmen who came to her with a gift: “You already submitted to me. Go to the city. In the morning I will depart from the city and go to the city. “The villagers joyfully return to the city, inform Olga about Olga’s words, how they understood them, and they rejoice. Olga also gives each of the soldiers a pigeon or a sparrow, orders each pigeon or sparrow to tie tear, wrap it with a small handkerchief and wind it with a thread. When it starts to get dark, calculating Olga tells warriors to let pigeons and sparrows with burned tinderies, pigeons and sparrows fly into their city nests, pigeons into pigeons, sparrows under the eaves. and, sheds, haylofts, there is no yard where it does not burn. And it’s impossible to extinguish the fire, because all the wooden yards are burning right away. The villagers run out of town, and Olga orders their soldiers to grab them. Takes the city and completely burns it, grabs the elders, kills some other people, slaves some of its soldiers, takes a heavy tribute to the remaining woodmen and goes across the whole of the Derevlyan land, establishing duties and taxes.
About the baptism of Olga. 955-969 years.
Olga arrives in Constantinople. Comes to the Byzantine king. The king talks with her, marvels at her mind and hints: “It is fitting for you to reign in Constantinople with us.” She immediately understands the hint and says: “I’m a pagan.” If you’re going to baptize me, then you baptize me yourself. “If not, I’m not baptized.” And the king and the patriarch baptize her. The patriarch teaches her about faith, and Olga, with her head bowed, stands, listening to the teaching, like a sea sponge, watered up. Names her name in baptism, Elena, the patriarch blesses her and lets go. After the baptism, the king calls her and already directly announces: “I am taking you as my wife.” Olga protests: “How can you take me as a wife, since I was baptized by myself and called my spiritual daughter?” Christians are so unlawful, and you yourself know this. ” The self-confident tsar is annoyed: “You have switched me, Olga!” Gives her many gifts and lets go home. Only Olga returns to Kiev, as the tsar sends ambassadors to her: “I gave you a lot of things.” You promised to return many gifts to me when I returned to Russia. ” Olga abruptly replies: “Wait at me reception so much, how many I waited at you, – then to you I shall give”. And with these words he wraps up the ambassadors.
Olga loves her son Svyatoslav, he prays for him and for people all the nights and days, feeds his son until he grows and grows up, then sits with his grandchildren in Kiev. Then he becomes diluted and dies in three days, bequeath not to create trivia over her. She has a priest who bury her.
About Svyatoslav’s wars. 964-972 years.
Resenter Svyatoslav gathers many brave warriors and, wandering swiftly, like a cheetah, leads many wars. In the campaign he does not carry cart for him, he does not have a boiler, he does not cook meat, but will thinly cut horse meat, or a beast, or beef, and will bake and eat on charcoal; and does not have a tent, but the felt fills, and the saddle – in the heads. And his soldiers are the same steppe. He sends out threats to the countries: “I’ll go at you.”
Svyatoslav goes to the Danube, to the Bulgarians, the Bulgarians win, he takes eighty cities along the Danube and sets down to reign here in Pereyaslavets. Pechenegs, for the first time, attack the Russian land and besiege Kiev. The Kievans send to Svyatoslav: “You, Prince, seek and protect another’s land, and threw down your own, we were almost captured by the Pechenegs.” If you do not come back and defend us, if you do not regret your paternoster, the Pechenegs will seize us. ” Svyatoslav with his team quickly sits on horses, jumps to Kiev, collects soldiers and chases the Pechenegs in the field. But Svyatoslav declares: “I do not want to stay in Kiev, I will live in Pereyaslavce on the Danube, for this is the center of my land, for here all the blessings come: from Byzantium – gold, silk, wine, various fruits: from the Czech Republic – silver, from Hungary – horses from Russia – furs, wax, honey and slaves. “
Svyatoslav leaves for Pereyaslavets, but the Bulgarians shut themselves up in the city from Svyatoslav, then they go out to battle with him, a big battle begins, and the Bulgarians almost overpower him, but in the evening Svyatoslav wins and bursts into the city. Svyatoslav blatantly threatens the Greeks: “I’ll go on you and conquer your Tsargrad, like this Pereyaslavets.” The Greeks slyly offer: “Since we can not resist you, then take a tribute from us, but only let us know how many troops you have, so that we can give each soldier on the basis of the total number.” Svyatoslav calls the number: “We are twenty thousand” – and adds ten thousand, because only ten thousand Russians. The Greeks put up against Svyatoslav hundred thousand, and do not give tribute. Russia sees a huge number of Greeks and is afraid. But Svyatoslav pronounces a courageous speech: “We have nowhere to go. Confront us with the enemy and at will, and involuntarily. Let’s not disgrace the Russian land, but we’ll lay down our bones, for we will not disgrace the dead, but if we run, we will be disgraced. We will not run away, but we will become strong. I will go before you. “There is a great battle, and Svyatoslav overcomes, and the Greeks flee, and Svyatoslav approaches Constantinople, fighting and destroying cities.
The Byzantine king summons his boyars to the palace: “What should I do?” The boyars advise: “Send gifts to him, we’ll find out whether he’s a gold or silk scum.” The Tsar sends gold and silk to Svyatoslav with some wise old courtier: “Watch what he looks like, what are his expression and the course of his thoughts.” They report to Svyatoslav that the Greeks came with gifts. He disposes of: “Enter”. The Greeks lay before him gold and silk. Svyatoslav looks away and says to his servants: “Take it away.” The Greeks return to the Tsar and boyars and tell of Svyatoslav: “They gave him gifts, and he did not even look at them and ordered them to be taken away.” Then the king offers one of the sent: “Check it again – send him a gun.” And they bring Svyatoslav the sword and other weapons. Svyatoslav receives him and praises the king, gives him his love and kissing. The Greeks again return to the king and talk about everything. And they persuade the tsar to boyars: “How fierce is this warrior, since he neglects values, and values weapons.” Give him a tribute. ” And they give Svyatoslav tribute and many gifts.
With great glory Svyatoslav comes to Pereyaslavets, but he sees how few of his squads remain, as many died in battle, and decides: “I will go to Russia, I will bring more troops.” The king knows that there are not enough of us and will besiege us in Pereyaslavets. And the Russian land is far away, and the Pechenegs are at war with us. “And who will help us?” Svyatoslav goes to the boats to the Dnieper rapids. And the Bulgarians from Pereyaslavets send a message to the Pechenegs: “Svyatoslav will sail past you: he goes to Russia, he has many riches taken from the Greeks, and prisoners without number, but there are not enough squads.” Pechenegs enter the rapids. Svyatoslav stops wintering at the rapids. He ends his meal, and in the camp such a violent famine begins, that further horsehead costs half the hryvnia. In the spring, Svyatoslav still sails through the rapids, but the prince of Pecheneg, the Kurya, attacks him. Svyatoslav is being killed,
About the baptism of Russia. 980-988 years.
Vladimir was the son of Svyatoslav and only Olga the housekeeper. However, after the death of his more notable brothers, Vladimir begins to reign in Kiev alone. On a hill near the prince’s palace, he puts pagan idols: the wooden Perun with a silver head and golden mustache, Horse, Dazhbog, Stribog, Simargla and Mokosh. They bring sacrifices, leading their sons and daughters. Vladimir himself is engulfed in lust: besides four wives he has three hundred concubines in Vyshgorod, three hundred – in Belgorod, two hundred – in the village Berestove. He is insatiable in fornication: he brings to himself and married women, corrupts maidens.
Volzhskaya Bulgars-Mohammedans come to Vladimir and propose: “You, O prince, are wise and intelligent, but you do not know the whole doctrine. Take our faith and honor Mohammed.” Vladimir asks: “What are the customs of your faith?” The Mohammedans say: “We believe in one god.” Mohammed teaches us how to cut secret members, do not eat pork, do not drink wine, after each death Mohammedan will give seventy beauties each death, the most beautiful of them will dabavit the beauty of the rest – this is the kind of wife everyone has. And who in this world is miserable, that’s where it is. ” Vladimir is sweet to listen to the Mohammedans, because he himself loves women and many fornication. But that’s what he does not like – the cutting of members and the non-eating of the pork meas. And about the ban on wine drinking, Vladimir says: “The fun of Russia – to drink, we can not live without that. “Then the envoys of the pope come from Rome:” We worship one God who created the heavens, the earth, the stars, the month and all life, and your gods are just pieces of wood. “Vladimir asks:” And what are your prohibitions “They answer:” Whoever eats or drinks – everything for the glory of God. “But Vladimir denies:” Get out, for our fathers did not recognize this. “Khazars of the Jewish faith come:” We believe in the one god Abraham, Isaac, Jacob ” Vladimir is interested in: “Where is this your main land?” They answer: “In Jerusalem.” Vladimir maliciously rescheduled the roughness of: “Are There” The Jews are justified: “God was angry with our fathers, and scattered us in different countries,” Vladimir indignant:. “What do you teach others, but they themselves are rejected by God and scattered? Perhaps, and we are offered such a fate? “
After that, the Greeks send a philosopher who retells Vladimir for a long time and the New Testament, shows Vladimir the curtain on which the Last Judgment is painted, righteous righteous joyfully ascend to paradise on the right, sinners on the left wander to hell torments. Life-loving Vladimir sighs: “It’s good for those who are on the right, it’s bitter for those who are on the left.” The philosopher calls: “Then be baptized.” However, Vladimir postponed: “I’ll wait a little longer.” Honors the philosopher with honor and summons his boyars: “What will the wise say?” Boyars advise: “Send messengers to find out who outwardly serves his god.” Vladimir sends ten worthy and clever: “Go first to the Volga Bulgarians, then look at the Germans, and from there go to the Greeks.” After the journey, the sent are returned, and Vladimir Boyars again summons: ” Let’s hear what they will say. “The sent report:” We saw that the Bulgarians in the mosque are without a belt; they will worship and sit down; they look here and there, like madmen; there is no joy in their service, only sorrow and strong stench; so that their faith is not good. Then they saw the Germans doing a lot of services in the temples, but they did not see the beauty in these services. But when the Greeks led us to where they serve their God, we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” The messengers report: “We saw that Bulgarians in the mosque are without a belt, they will worship and sit down, they look there and here like madmen, there is no joy in their service, only sorrow and a strong stench, so that their faith is bad. Then they saw the Germans, but they did not see the beauty in these services, but when the Greeks brought us to where they serve their God, we were confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not even describe it. “The service of the Greeks is the best of all.” Boyars add: “If there is a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not accept her, and she was wiser than all our people.” Vladimir hesitantly asks: “And where will we receive the baptism?” Boyars answer: “Yes, wherever you want.” The messengers report: “We saw that Bulgarians in the mosque are without a belt, they will worship and sit down, they look there and here like madmen, there is no joy in their service, only sorrow and a strong stench, so that their faith is bad. Then they saw the Germans, but they did not see the beauty in these services, but when the Greeks brought us to where they serve their God, we were confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not even describe it. “The service of the Greeks is the best of all.” Boyars add: “If there is a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not accept her, and she was wiser than all our people.” Vladimir hesitantly asks: “And where will we receive the baptism?” Boyars answer: “Yes, wherever you want.” that the Bulgarians in the mosque stand without a belt; they will worship and sit down; they look now and then, like madmen; there is no joy in their service, only sorrow and strong stench; so that their faith is not good. Then they saw the Germans doing a lot of services in the temples, but they did not see the beauty in these services. But when the Greeks led us to where they serve their God, we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” that the Bulgarians in the mosque stand without a belt; they will worship and sit down; they look now and then, like madmen; there is no joy in their service, only sorrow and strong stench; so that their faith is not good. Then they saw the Germans doing a lot of services in the temples, but they did not see the beauty in these services. But when the Greeks led us to where they serve their God, we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” Only sorrow and strong stench; so that their faith is not good. Then they saw the Germans doing a lot of services in the temples, but they did not see the beauty in these services. But when the Greeks led us to where they serve their God, we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” Only sorrow and strong stench; so that their faith is not good. Then they saw the Germans doing a lot of services in the temples, but they did not see the beauty in these services. But when the Greeks led us to where they serve their God, we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” then we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism be taken? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.” then we are confused – in heaven or on earth, for nowhere on earth is there a spectacle of such beauty that we can not describe. The service of the Greeks is the best of all. “Boyars add:” If you are a bad Greek faith, then your grandmother Olga would not have accepted her, and she was wiser than all our people. “Vladimir hesitantly asks:” And where will the baptism take? “The boyars reply: “Yes, wherever you want.”
And a year passes, but Vladimir is still not baptized, but suddenly he goes to the Greek city of Korsun, besieges him and, looking up to heaven, promises: “If I take, I’m baptized.” Vladimir takes the city, but again does not get baptized, but in search of further benefits requires the Byzantine kings-co-rulers: “Your glorious Korsun took.” I heard that you have a sister, a girl. If you do not give her to marry me, I will create Tsargrad the same, that Korsun “. The kings answer: “It is not the duty of the Christians to marry the Gentiles.” Cross themselves, then we will send a sister. ” Vladimir insists: “First send your sister, and those who come with her baptize me.” The kings send a sister, dignitaries and priests to Korsun. The Korsunians meet the Greek queen and escort her to the ward. At this time, Vladimir’s eyes fall ill, he sees nothing, is very worried, but does not know what to do. Then the queen urges Vladimir: “If you want to get rid of this disease, then immediately get baptized.” If not, you will not get rid of the disease. ” Vladimir exclaims: “Well, if this is true, then the Christian God is truly the greatest.” And he orders himself to be baptized. Korsunsky bishop with queens of princes baptize him in the church, which stands in the middle of Korsun, where the market. As soon as the bishop lays his hand on Vladimir, he immediately sees and leads the queen to marry. Many of Vladimir’s squad are also baptized. Korsunsky bishop with queens of princes baptize him in the church, which stands in the middle of Korsun, where the market. As soon as the bishop lays his hand on Vladimir, he immediately sees and leads the queen to marry. Many of Vladimir’s squad are also baptized. Korsunsky bishop with queens of princes baptize him in the church, which stands in the middle of Korsun, where the market. As soon as the bishop lays his hand on Vladimir, he immediately sees and leads the queen to marry. Many of Vladimir’s squad are also baptized.
Vladimir with the Queen and Korsun priests enters Kiev, immediately orders to overthrow the idols, cut them down, others to burn, Perun orders them to tie the horse to the tail and drag to the river, and twelve men make him beat with sticks. They drop Perun into the Dnieper, and Vladimir orders specially assigned people: “If you get stuck, push it with sticks until it carries it through the rapids.” And the order is executed. And the pagans mourn over Perun.
Then Vladimir sends out all over Kiev announcing on his behalf: “Rich or poor, even a beggar or slave, – one who in the morning will not be on the river, I will consider my enemy.” People go and reason: “If it was not in favor, the prince and the boyars would not be baptized.” In the morning Vladimir with the Tsaritsyns and the Korsun priests goes to the Dnieper. A lot of people gather. Part comes into the water and stands: one to the neck, others to the chest, children near the shore, babies to be held. Those who do not roam are waiting. Priests on the shore of prayer do. After baptism, people disperse to their homes.
Vladimir orders cities to build churches in places where idols used to stand, and bring people to all cities and villages to baptism, starts collecting children from his nobility and giving books to books. The mothers of such children weep for them, as if they were dead.
On the fight against the Pechenegs. 992-997 years.
Pechenegs come, and Vladimir goes against them. On both sides of the river Trubezh, near the ford, troops stop, but each army does not dare to cross to the opposite side. Then the Pecheneg prince approaches the river, calls Vladimir and suggests: “Let’s expose you your fighter, and I’m mine.” If your fighter strikes mine on the ground, then we do not fight for three years, but if my fighter strikes yours, then we fight for three years. ” And leave. Vladimir sends the heralds through his camp: “Is not there anyone who would have fought against the pechenegom?” And there is no one who desires anywhere. And in the morning the Pechenegs come and lead their fighter, but ours do not. And Vladimir starts to grieve, continuing all the same appeals to all his soldiers. Finally, an old warrior comes to the prince: “I went to war with four sons, and my youngest son stayed at home.” Since childhood, who would overcome him. Once I grumbled at him when he was squeezing the skin, and he got angry with me and with frustration tore the rawhide soles with his hands. “The son is brought to the delighted prince, and the prince explains everything to him, but he is not sure:” I do not know, I can whether to fight with pechenegom. Let me be tested. Is there a bull, big and strong? “They find a big and strong bull, this youngest son tells the bull to furious, put red-hot iron to the bull and let it go.” When the ox rushes past this son, he grabs the bull by his hand and tears off the skin with meat, how many Vladimir lets himself: “You can fight with the pechenegom.” And at night tells the soldiers to get ready to immediately rush to the Pechenegs after the fight. “In the morning the Pechenegs come calling,” What, there is no fighter? And ours is ready. “Both Pechenegi’s troops converge to produce their fighter. He is huge and terrible. It turns out that the fighter from Vladimir Pecheneg sees him and laughs, because he is outwardly ordinary. Mark the area between the two troops, let the fighters. They start the fight, tightly clasp each other, but our hands choke the pechenega to death and throw him to the ground. Our people are shouting, and the Pechenegs are fleeing. The Russians chase after them, they steal and drive away. Vladimir rejoices, he pawns the city at that ford and calls it Pereyaslavets, because our young man captured the glory of the Pecheneg warrior. Vladimir is doing great things with this young man and his father, and with victory and great glory he returns to Kiev. but our hands choke the pechenega to death and throw him to the ground. Our people are shouting, and the Pechenegs are fleeing. The Russians chase after them, they steal and drive away. Vladimir rejoices, he pawns the city at that ford and calls it Pereyaslavets, because our young man captured the glory of the Pecheneg warrior. Vladimir is doing great things with this young man and his father, and with victory and great glory he returns to Kiev. but our hands choke the pechenega to death and throw him to the ground. Our people are shouting, and the Pechenegs are fleeing. The Russians chase after them, they steal and drive away. Vladimir rejoices, he pawns the city at that ford and calls it Pereyaslavets, because our young man captured the glory of the Pecheneg warrior. Vladimir is doing great things with this young man and his father, and with victory and great glory he returns to Kiev.
Three years later Pechenegs come to Kiev, Vladimir with a small squad goes against them, but can not stand the struggle, runs, hides under the bridge and hardly escapes from the enemies. Salvation occurs on the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord, and then Vladimir promises to set up a church in the name of the Holy Transfiguration. Getting rid of the Pechenegs, Vladimir sets the church and arranges a grand feast near Kiev: he orders three hundred boilers to cook honey; summons its boyars, as well as posadniks and elders from all cities, and many more people; distributes three hundred hryvnia miserable. Having celebrated eight days, Vladimir returns to Kiev and again arranges a big celebration, summoning countless people. And so does every year. Allows every beggar and wretched to come to the prince’s court and get everything you need: drink, and food, and money from the treasury. He also orders the wagons to be prepared; load them bread, meat, fish, various fruits, barrels of honey, barrels of kvass; to drive around Kiev and shout: “Where are the sick and the infirm, who can not walk and get to the prince’s court?” That tells me to give out everything I need.
And with the Pechenegs there is an incessant war. They come and for a long time besiege Belgorod. Vladimir can not send help, because he has no warriors, and the Pechenegs are huge. The city is very hungry. The townspeople decide to attend the veche: “After all, we will die of hunger.” It is better to surrender to the Pechenegs – they will kill someone, but they will leave someone alive. ” One older, not attending the veche, asks: “Why did the veche gather?” He was informed that people would surrender to the Pechenegs in the morning. Then the old man asks the city elders: “Listen to me, do not give up three more days, but do what I tell you.” They promise. The old man says: “Scrape at least a handful of oats, or wheat, or bran.” They find. The old man tells the women to make a talker, which is used to cook jelly, then orders the digging of a well, inserting a vat into it, and filling the vat with a chatterbox. Then the old man tells him to dig a second well and put a vat there, too. And sends to seek honey. They search for a basket of honey, which was hidden in a princely cellar. The old man orders to prepare a honey broth and to fill the tub in the second well. In the morning he orders to send for the Pechenegs. The sent townspeople come to the Pechenegs: “Take hostages with us, and you – about ten people – go into our city and see what’s going on there.” Pechenegs triumph, thinking that the townspeople will surrender, take hostages from them, and send their noble people to the city. And they are told by the townspeople, taught by the clever old man: “Why do you ruin yourself? Can you stand up for us? Stand for at least ten years – what can you do to us? We have food from the ground.” If you do not believe, then look with your own eyes. ” The townspeople lead the Pechenegs to the first well, scoop up a bucket, pour it on pots and cook jelly. After taking the jelly, they come up with the pechenegs to the second well, scoop up the honey vodka, add to the jelly and start eating – the first ones, followed by the Pechenegs. Pechenegs are surprised: “Our princes will not believe this, if they do not try for themselves.” The townspeople fill them with a whole korchag with an acid swallow and a honey broth from the wells. A part of the Pechenegs with the korchaga returns to his princes: those who have cooked, eat and are also amazed; Then they exchange hostages, remove the siege of the city and go home.
About reprisals with the Magi. 1071
The Magi comes to Kiev and predicts from the people that in four years the Dnieper has started to flow back, and the countries will change places: the Greek land to become the place of the Russian, and the Russian land to the place of the Greek, and other lands to be exchanged. The ignorant believe the ignorant, but true Christians mock him: “By you you are amused to perdition.” So with it happens: for a night goes missing.
But two sorcerers appear in the Rostov region at the time of poor harvest and declare: “We know who hides the bread.” And walking along the Volga, in which volost they come, immediately accuse noble women, allegedly that bread hides, that – honey, that – fish, and that – fur. Hungry people lead to the magi of their sisters, mothers and wives, and the Magi women shoulder seemingly cut and take out either bread or fish. Many women sorcerers kill, and their property is taken away.
These magi come to Beloozero, and with them already three hundred people. At this time, with Belozersky collects a tribute to Jan Vyshatich, voivode of the Kiev prince. Jan finds out that these wizards are only the smears of the prince of Kiev, and he sends an order to the people accompanying the Magi: “Give them to me.” But people do not obey him. Then to them goes Jan himself with twelve volunteers. People, standing near the forest, are ready to attack Jan, who approaches them only with a hatchet in his hand. Of those people, three people come out, come to Jan and scare him: “Go to death, do not go.” Yang orders them to kill and approaches the others. Those rush to Yana, the front of them misses an ax, and Jan, intercepting, beats him with the back of the same ax and tells the warriors to cut the others. People run away into the forest, killing at the same time Janov’s priest. Yan enters Belozersk and faces residents: “If you do not grab the wise men, then I will not leave you for a year.” Belozertsev go, capture the Magi and lead to Jan.
Jan interrogates the wise men: “Why did you destroy so many people?” The Magi answer: “Those breads are hidden, when we destroy such, there will be a harvest.” If you wish, we will directly take out a grain from the person, or fish, or something else. ” Ian denounces: “This is a complete deception: God created man from the earth, man is permeated with bones and blood veins, there is nothing else in it.” The Magi object: “It is we who know how man is created.” Jan says: “Well, how do you think?” The magicians rant: “God washed himself in a bath, sweated, wiped himself with a rag and threw it from heaven to earth.” Satan was contending with God, to whom of the Rag to create man, and the devil created man, and God put his soul in him, because when a man dies, the body goes to the earth, and the soul goes to God. ” Jan exclaims: “In what god do you believe?” The Magi are called: “In Antichrist.” Jan asks: “Where is he located?” The Magi answer: “He sits in the abyss”. Jan pronounces the verdict: “What is this god, since he sits in the abyss?” This is the demon, the former angel, cast down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God descends from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this Antichrist, and you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death – there. ” The Magi boast: “The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we must answer only to the prince himself.” Jan says: “The gods lie to you.” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put them in their mouths, gag them, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. After a while, Jan asked the Magi: Jan asks: “Where is he located?” The Magi answer: “He sits in the abyss”. Jan pronounces the verdict: “What is this god, since he sits in the abyss?” This is the demon, the former angel, cast down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God descends from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this Antichrist, and you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death – there. ” The Magi boast: “The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we must answer only to the prince himself.” Jan says: “The gods lie to you.” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put them in their mouths, gag them, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. After a while, Jan asked the Magi: Jan asks: “Where is he located?” The Magi answer: “He sits in the abyss”. Jan pronounces the verdict: “What is this god, since he sits in the abyss?” This is the demon, the former angel, cast down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God descends from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this Antichrist, and you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death – there. ” The Magi boast: “The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we must answer only to the prince himself.” Jan says: “The gods lie to you.” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put them in their mouths, gag them, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. After a while, Jan asked the Magi: Sits in the abyss. “Jan pronounces a sentence:” What is this god, since he sits in the abyss? This demon, the former angel, cast down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God descends from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this antichrist. And you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death there. “Magi boast:” The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we only have to answer to the prince himself. “Jan says:” The gods lie to you ” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put a gag in their mouths, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. “After a while, Jan asks the wise men: Sits in the abyss. “Jan pronounces a sentence:” What is this god, since he sits in the abyss? This demon, the former angel, cast down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God descends from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this antichrist. And you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death there. “Magi boast:” The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we only have to answer to the prince himself. “Jan says:” The gods lie to you ” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put a gag in their mouths, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. “After a while, Jan asks the wise men: thrown down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God comes down from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this antichrist. And you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death there. “Magi boast:” The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we only have to answer to the prince himself. “Jan says:” The gods lie to you ” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put a gag in their mouths, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. “After a while, Jan asks the wise men: thrown down from heaven for his arrogance and waiting in the abyss, when God comes down from heaven and imprisons him with servants who believe in this antichrist. And you also have to take the flour from me here, and after death there. “Magi boast:” The gods tell us that you can not do anything to us, for we only have to answer to the prince himself. “Jan says:” The gods lie to you ” And orders them to beat them, rip their beards with forceps, put a gag in their mouths, tie them to the sides of the boat and put this boat in front of him along the river. “After a while, Jan asks the wise men:
“What do the gods say to you now?” The Magi answer: “The gods tell us that it is not possible for us to be alive from you.” Ian confirms: “This is correctly told you.” But the Magi promise Yan: “If you let us go, then you will be good, and if you kill us, you’ll get a lot of grief and evil.” Yang rejects: “If I let you go, then evil will come from God. And if I ruin you, then I will have a reward.” And he turns to the local escorts: “Which of your relatives are killed by these magicians?” And the others admit: “I have a mother”, another: “Sister”, the third: “Children.” Ian calls: “Take revenge for your own.” The victims grab the Magi, kill them and hang them on the oak. The next night the bear climbs on the oak, gnaws at them and eats them, so the Magi perished, and foresaw others, and did not foresee their deaths.
Another magician begins to excite people already in Novgorod, he deceives almost the whole city, appears as a kind of god, claiming that he foresees everything, and blasphemed the Christian faith. He promises: “I’ll cross the Volkhov River, as on land, before everyone.” Everybody believes him, a turmoil begins in the city, they want to kill the bishop. The bishop puts on a robe, takes a cross, goes out and says: “Who believes in the magician, let him follow him.” Whoever believes, let him follow the cross. ” People are divided in two: the prince of Novgorod and his squad meet at the bishop, and the rest of the people go to the sorcerer. Between them there are skirmishes. The prince hides an ax under his cloak, comes to the sorceress: “Do you know what will happen in the morning and until the evening?” Magus boasts: “I see everything.” The prince asks: “Do you know what will happen now?” The Magus highlights: “I will create great miracles.” The prince snatches the ax, cuts the sorcerer, and he falls dead. And people disagree.
On the blindness of Terebovl Prince Vasilk Rostislavich. 1097
The following princes gather in the city of Lyubech for the sake of peace between themselves: the grandchildren of Yaroslav the Wise from various of his sons Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, Vladimir Vsevolodovich, Davyd Igorevich, Davyd Svyatoslavich, Oleg Svyatoslavich and the great-grandson of Yaroslav, the son of Rostislav Vladimirovich Vasilko Rostislavich. The princes persuade each other: “Why do we destroy the Russian land, quarreling among themselves?” And the Polovtsi seek to scatter our land and rejoice when there are wars between us. “From now on, we unite unanimously and preserve the Russian land. Let everyone own only his own father.” And on that they kiss the cross: “Henceforth, if any one of us goes against someone, then we will all be against it, and the honest cross, and the entire Russian land.” And after they have kissed, they part on the side.
Svyatopolk with Davyd Igorevich returned to Kiev. Davydov someone tunes: “Vladimir conspired with Vasilko against Svyatopolk and you.” Davyd believes false words and slanders Svyatopolk on Vasilka: “He conspired with Vladimir and encroaches on me and on you.” Take care of your head. ” Svyatopolk in confusion believes Davyd. Davydi suggests: “If we do not seize Vasilka, then there will be no princeling either in Kiev or in Vladimir-Volynsky.” And Svyatopolk listens to him. And Vasilko and Vladimir do not know anything about this.
Vasilko comes to worship in Vydubitsky monastery near Kiev. Svyatopolk sends him: “Wait until my name day.” Vasilko refuses: “I can not wait – as if there was no war at home.” Davyd tells Svyatopolk: “You see, he does not count with you, even when he is in your estate, and when he leaves his estate, he’ll see how your cities are working and remember my warning. Call him now, grab and give it to me “. Svyatopolk sends to Vasilko: “If you do not wait for my name day, then come right now – we’ll sit with Davyd.”
Vasilko goes to Svyatopolk, on the road meets his druzhinnik and discourages: “Do not go, prince, – they will seize you.” But Vasilko does not believe: “How will they catch me?” Just kissed the cross. ” And he comes with a small squad on the prince’s court. Meets him
Svyatopolk, they go into the hut, comes and David, but sits like a dumb. Svyatopolk invites: “Let’s have breakfast”. Vasilko agrees. Svyatopolk says: “You sit here, but I’ll go and dispose of it.” And it turns out. Vasilko tries to talk with David, but he does not talk and does not listen to horror and deceit. After sitting a little, Davyd gets up: “I’ll go for Svyatopolk, and you sit down.” And it turns out. As soon as Davyd comes out, Vasilko is locked up, then he is chained to double chains and placed guard at night.
The next day Davyd proposes Svyatopolk to blind Vassilka: “If you do not do this and let him go, do not reign to either you or me.” The same night, Cornflower in fetters on a cart transported to the town for ten miles from Kiev and enter into some kind of hut. Vasilko sits in it and sees that the sheepdog Svyatopolk sharpens the knife, and guesses that they are going to blind him. Then the grooms sent by Svyatopolk and David enter, spread out the carpet and Vasilka, who fights desperately, tries to knock him down. But others are also thrown in, Vasilka is lying, tie him up, grab the board from the stove, put it on his chest and sit down at both ends of the board, but they can not hold it. Then two more are added, they remove the second board from the furnace and press Vasilka so ferociously that his chest is cracking. Holding the knife, the shepherd approaches Vasilk Svyatopolk and wants to plunge into the eye, but misses and slits his face, but again he stabs the knife into the eye and cuts the apple, then the second apple. Vasilko lies, as if dead. And, like a dead man, they take him with a carpet, put him on a cart and drive him to Vladimir-Volynsky.
On the way, they stop for lunch at the market in Zvidena. They squeeze Vasilka with a bloody shirt and give it to the priest to wash. She, postirav, puts on him and begins to mourn Vasilka, as if dead. Vasilko, waking up, hears crying and asks: “Where am I?” To him answer: “In the Zvizhene”. He asks for water, and after drinking, kneading, feels his shirt and says: “Why was she shot from me? In that bloody shirt, I should have died and appeared before God.”
Then Vasilka hurried along the frozen road to Vladimir-Volynsky, and Davyd Igorevich with him, as if with some catch. Vladimir Vsevolodovich, in Pereyaslavets, learns that Vasilko is caught and blinded, and terrified: “This evil has not happened in the Russian land, either under the grandfathers or our fathers.” And he immediately sends to Davyd Svyatoslavich and Oleg Svyatoslavich: “We will gather and correct this evil, which was created in the Russian land, and between us brothers, because now brother’s brother will begin to pin, and the Russian land will die – our enemies, the Polovtsians will take it.” They are gathered and sent to Svyatopolk: “Why did he blind his brother?” Svyatopolk is justified: “I did not blind him, but Davyd Igorevich.” But the princes object to Svyatopolk: “Vasilko is not caught in the Davydovo city and blinded, but in your city is caught and blinded. Svyatopolk agrees, the princes kiss the cross in front of each other and make peace, then the princes drive Davyd Igorevich out of Vladimir-Volynsky, give him Dorogobuzh, where he dies, and Vasilko again reigns in the Terebovle.
On the victory over the Polovtsians. 1103 g.
Svyatopolk Izyaslavich and Vladimir Vsevolodovich with their squads are conferring in a single tent about a campaign against the Polovtsians. Svyatopolk’s squad excuses: “Now spring – we will damage arable land, we will ruin smerds”. Vladimir is ashamed of them: “You are sorry for the horse, but you do not regret the most stink of it, because the smell begins to plow, but the Polovec will come, kill the stink with an arrow, take his horse, go to his village and take his wife, children and all his possessions.” Svyatopolk says: “I’m already ready.” Send to other princes: “Let’s go to Polovtsy – either live or die.” The assembled troops reach the Dnieper rapids and from the island of Khortitsa they gallop for four days.
Learning that Russia is going, the Count of Polovtsy converges on the advice. Prince Urusoba offers: “Ask for peace.” But the young people say to Urusoba: “If you are afraid of Russia, then we are not afraid. We will crush them.” And the Polovtsian regiments, like an immense coniferous thicket, are coming to Russia, and Russia is opposing them. Here, from the sight of Russian warriors, great horror, fear and trembling attack the Polovtsians, they seem to be drowsy, and their horses are sluggish. Our own, mounted and on foot, cheerfully attack the Polovtsians. The Polovtsy flee, and the Russians steal them. Twenty Polovtsian princes are killed in the battle, including Urusoba, and Belduzuz is taken prisoner.
The Russian princes who have won the Polovtsians sit, lead Beldyuza, and he offers gold, silver, horses and cattle for himself. But Vladimir says to Belduzu: “How many times have you sworn and still attacked the Russian land, why did not you punish your sons and your clan not to break your oath and you shed Christian blood? Now let your head be in your blood.” And he orders to kill Beldius, whom they cut into pieces. Princes take cattle, sheep, horses, camels, yurts with property and slaves and return to Russia with a huge number of prisoners, with glory and a great victory.
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