Prince Oleg of Novgorod (869-912) known as the founder of Kievan Rus.But his biography is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance.This is due to the limited number of sources that tell about the life of the prince, and significant differences between the views of modern historians.
Prophetic Oleg in the tradition
According to legend chronicles the emergence of Oleg in Slavic lands due to the "vocation Normans."In one of the chronicles he was named Prince Urmanskoye (Norman).The legend named or Prophetic Oleg Prince Igor's brother-in or nephew Rurik.The chronicles say that dying Rurik Oleg made regent for his son Igor.
His reign began in Novgorod, Oleg.The chronicles tell that he was involved in urban planning and conquer neighboring nations.In Novgorod, Oleg reigned from 869 by 872 years, and then started moving south.First he won Smolensk, and then Ljubech.In these cities, Oleg put governors.Prince himself moved further south, until he came to Kiev, where at that time was ruled by Askold and Dir.According to the annals Oleg lured them from the city and killed.Then he turned to the capital of Kiev (882), dubbed it the "mother of Russian cities."
Board in Kiev, Oleg began to strengthen south-eastern border, where he built a number of towns and outposts.Then he began the conquest of the lands to the east and west of the Dnieper.Having conquered Drevlyane, Radimichi northerners PRINCE, Croats and Tivertsy Oleg greatly expanded the borders of Kievan Rus.In 907, he went to the march on Constantinople.Chronicled the story of this campaign exalts the courage and cunning prince.Frightened Greeks have concluded a peace agreement with Oleg.Prince, who won the Greeks, became known as the Prophetic (a wise, knowledgeable).In 911, Oleg sent an embassy to Byzantium, which has entered into a new contract.According to legend, Prince killed in 912 by snakebite.
Prophetic Oleg in historiography
Some modern historians believe that the Prophetic Oleg was Norwegian, and some even identify it with Odd Norwegian sagas.In particular, it is believed that the name of Oleg - a transcription of the word "Helga" indicating native Helgalanda (Norway).Other scholars believe that the "Helga" is translated as "holy" or "prophetic."Historians have not agreed in what was Oleg Prophetic.Biography calls him the prince, the boyars, the usual Varangian druzhina.
Even more controversy is the sudden death of Oleg.For some researchers, based on the X century Khazar document, said that the Khazars defeated the Prince of Kiev and forced him to make another attack on Constantinople.But the campaign was unsuccessful, and Oleg fled to Persia, where he was soon killed.Scientists believe that the Russian chroniclers did not know what happened to the Prince, so put in their poetic chronicles the history of the death of Oleg associated with your favorite horse and a snake.With regard to the opinion of some historians, the Polish Slavic G. Lovmyansky believed that the original rule in Novgorod, Oleg doubtful and Ukrainian historian N. Kostomarov argued that the prince - "fantastic person" rather than a historical figure.
