30 Facts About Sviatoslav I

Sviatoslav or Syatoslav I Igorevich was Grand Prince of Kiev known for his persistent campaigns in the east and south, which precipitated the collapse of two great powers of Eastern Europe, Khazaria and the First Bulgarian Empire.

Sviatoslav I conquered numerous East Slavic tribes, defeated the Alans and attacked the Volga Bulgars, and at times was allied with the Pechenegs and Magyars.

In contrast with his mother's conversion to Christianity, Sviatoslav I remained a staunch pagan all of his life.

Some scholars see the name of Sviatoslav I, composed of the Slavic roots for "holy" and "glory", as an artificial derivation combining the names of his predecessors Oleg and Rurik, but modern researchers question the possibility of such a translation of names from one language to another.

Sviatoslav I's life was spent with his druzhina in permanent warfare against neighboring states.

Sviatoslav I's appearance has been described very clearly by Leo the Deacon, who himself attended the meeting of Sviatoslav I with John I Tzimiskes.

Sviatoslav I had a bald head and a wispy beard and wore a bushy mustache and a sidelock as a sign of his nobility.

Sviatoslav I preferred to dress in white, and it was noted that his garments were much cleaner than those of his men, although he had a lot in common with his warriors.

Sviatoslav I wore a single large gold earring bearing a carbuncle and two pearls.

Sviatoslav I speculated that Predslava came from the Hungarian nobility.

At the time of Igor's death, Sviatoslav I was still a child, and he was raised by his mother or under her instructions.

Sviatoslav I's influence did not extend to his religious observance.

Sviatoslav I had several children, but the origin of his wives is not specified in the chronicle.

Shortly after his accession to the throne, Sviatoslav I began campaigning to expand Rus' control over the Volga valley and the Pontic steppe region.

Sviatoslav I began by rallying the East Slavic vassal tribes of the Khazars to his cause.

Sviatoslav I employed Oghuz and Pecheneg mercenaries in this campaign, perhaps to counter the superior cavalry of the Khazars and Bulgars.

Sviatoslav I destroyed the Khazar city of Sarkel around 965, possibly sacking the Khazar city of Kerch on the Crimea as well.

On his way back to Kiev, Sviatoslav I chose to strike against the Ossetians and force them into subservience.

In 967 or 968, Nikephoros sent his agent, Kalokyros, to persuade Sviatoslav I to assist the Byzantines in a war against Bulgaria.

Sviatoslav I was paid 15,000 pounds of gold and set sail with an army of 60,000 men, including thousands of Pecheneg mercenaries.

Sviatoslav I defeated the Bulgarian ruler Boris II and proceeded to occupy the whole of northern Bulgaria.

Sviatoslav I promptly returned and defeated the Pechenegs, who continued to threaten Kiev.

Sviatoslav I refused to turn his Balkan conquests over to the Byzantines, and the parties fell out as a result.

In summer 969, Sviatoslav I left Rus' again, dividing his dominion into three parts, each under a nominal rule of one of his sons.

John Tzimiskes first attempted to persuade Sviatoslav I to leave Bulgaria, but he was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, John, having quelled the revolt of Bardas Phokas, came to the Balkans with a large army and promoting himself as the liberator of Bulgaria from Sviatoslav I, penetrated the impracticable mountain passes and shortly thereafter captured Marcianopolis, where the Rus' were holding a number of Bulgar princes hostage.

Sviatoslav I retreated to Dorostolon, which the Byzantine armies besieged for sixty-five days.

Sviatoslav I has long been a hero of Belarusian, Russian, and Ukrainian patriots due to his great military successes.

Sviatoslav I plays a major role in the Soviet historical anthology film The Legend of Princess Olga, which tells the story of his mother, Olga.

Sviatoslav I appears in various segments, both as a child as an adult.