Today, we delve into the fascinating story of Princess Olga of Kiev, a saint venerated by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. She is celebrated for introducing Christianity to the Rus, a pagan people of Nordic descent who ruled vast territories from the Baltic to the Black Sea during the early Middle Ages. Despite her saintly title, Olga’s life was not solely devoted to prayer and conversion. She was a formidable ruler, serving as the regent of the Principality of Kiev, and one of the most powerful women of her time. Her life is a blend of historical fact and legendary tales, particularly her cunning acts of vengeance following her husband’s death. Let’s explore the life of Princess Olga of Kiev.
To understand Olga’s story, we need to know about the Rus people and their lands. The Rus, also known as Varangians, were of Scandinavian origin and founded the Kievan Rus, a political federation that existed from 862 to 1242. This state covered areas of modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, and western Russia. The capital was Kiev, located in present-day Ukraine. The Rus were first mentioned by a Byzantine diplomat named Bertin in 839. According to the Primary Chronicle, an early Russian text, the local people invited the Rus, described as Vikings, to rule and maintain order. Rurik, one of these Vikings, established a dynasty that ruled for over seven centuries. The Kievan Rus eventually fell to the Mongol invasions between 1237 and 1242, leading to the formation of smaller states that evolved into Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
Olga’s husband, Prince Igor of Kiev, followed in the footsteps of his predecessors by raiding neighboring territories for wealth. In 945, he targeted the Drevlians, a tribe that had stopped paying tribute after the death of Igor’s guardian, Oleg. Igor’s greed led him to return to the Drevlians for more riches, but this time, they retaliated. The Drevlians, led by Prince Mal, captured and executed Igor in a gruesome manner. With Igor gone, the Drevlians sought to take over Kiev by proposing marriage to the widowed Olga, hoping to control her young son, Svyatoslav.
Olga, however, had her own plans. She pretended to accept the marriage proposal and invited the Drevlian emissaries to Kiev. Upon their arrival, she had them buried alive. She then tricked a second delegation into entering a bathhouse, which she set on fire. Olga’s revenge continued with a massacre at a funeral feast for Igor, where she and her men killed 5,000 Drevlians. But Olga’s vengeance was not yet complete.
Olga laid siege to the Drevlian city of Iskorosten, but the city held out for a year. She then proposed peace, asking for a small tribute of three sparrows and three pigeons from each household. The Drevlians complied, unaware of Olga’s plan. She attached sulfur to the birds and released them, causing fires throughout the city as the birds returned to their nests. The city was destroyed, and Olga’s revenge was complete.
After securing her rule, Olga traveled to Constantinople, where she was baptized into the Christian Orthodox faith by Emperor Constantine VII. Despite the Emperor’s marriage proposal, Olga cleverly declined, citing their godparent relationship. She returned to Kiev, attempting to spread Christianity among her people, though her son Svyatoslav resisted conversion.
Olga’s legacy as a ruler and a saint is marked by her intelligence, strength, and strategic mind. Her story is a testament to her resilience and ability to navigate the complex political landscape of her time. As a pioneer of Christianity in the region, she laid the groundwork for the eventual Christianization of the Kievan Rus, leaving an indelible mark on history.
Research the origins and expansion of the Kievan Rus, focusing on their political and cultural influence in Eastern Europe. Prepare a presentation that highlights the key events and figures, including Rurik and the impact of the Mongol invasions. Use maps and visuals to illustrate the geographical extent of the Kievan Rus.
Engage in a debate with your classmates about Olga’s acts of vengeance against the Drevlians. Was her response justified given the context of the time, or was it excessive? Use historical evidence and moral reasoning to support your arguments.
Participate in a role-playing game where you assume the roles of key figures in Olga’s court. Navigate political alliances, manage conflicts, and make decisions that could impact the future of the Kievan Rus. Reflect on the challenges faced by rulers during this period.
Write a creative narrative from the perspective of Princess Olga, detailing a day in her life as a ruler and a mother. Incorporate historical facts and imaginative elements to explore her thoughts, challenges, and aspirations.
Discuss the significance of Olga’s conversion to Christianity and its effects on the Kievan Rus. How did her faith influence her rule and the eventual Christianization of the region? Consider the religious and political implications of her actions.
In today’s video, we are covering our first saint worshipped by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, revered for having first introduced Christianity among the Rus. These were a pagan people of Nordic descent who ruled over a vast land in the early Middle Ages, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. However, her holy title should not mislead you, as she did not dedicate her life solely to prayer and converting others. This saint was a ruler, the regent of the Principality of Kiev, and one of the most powerful women of the early Middle Ages. Most of her life is lost to the shadows of history, while the rest has emerged from the mists of legend. In today’s Biographics, we will learn how this widow of a prince, with an infant son, defended her throne against insidious suitors, hostile tribes, and invading nomadic raiders. Most of all, we will hear about the incredible story of how she avenged her husband with acts of escalating cunning. Please welcome today’s protagonist, Princess Olga of Kiev.
**The Kievan Rus**
Before I begin the story of how Princess Olga defended her family and her lands, allow me to give you some context. Who were the Rus people and what lands did they rule over? The Rus, sometimes also called Varangians, were people of Scandinavian ethnicity who founded the ‘Kievan Rus’ — a political federation that lasted from 862 to 1242. This state was located in modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, and western Russia, which is actually named after the Rus. The capital city of this federation was Kiev, in modern-day Ukraine. ‘Kievan Rus’ can simply be translated as “the lands of the Rus of Kiev.” Their Scandinavian origin was first mentioned by a Byzantine diplomat named Bertin, who first recorded their presence in his Annals of 839. Most of the stories about the origin of the Rus come from the Primary Chronicle, an early Russian text from the 12th Century. According to the Chronicle, the original dwellers of the area in the mid-ninth century invited the Rus — described also as Vikings — to rule and maintain order in their country. One of these Vikings was called Rurik, and he founded his own dynasty, which ruled over the area for more than seven centuries. The first Tsar of Russia, Ivan IV, was a direct descendant of Rurik’s. The Kievan Rus, however, ceased to exist as a political entity long before Ivan. Between 1237 and 1242, the federation was overrun by the advance of the Mongol hordes. The federation was divided into smaller, disjointed countries, which eventually evolved into Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. But now, back to Rurik, as his bloodline is directly involved in our main story today. At an unspecified time in the second half of the 9th Century, Rurik established his capital in Novgorod, and his men began raiding the surrounding area, even going as far as attacking Constantinople. When Rurik died of natural causes, his first-born son Igor was too young to rule and was put under the care of Oleg of Novgorod. After more campaigns to conquer and consolidate territories around Novgorod, Oleg moved the capital to Kiev to seize the enormous wealth amassed by two former allies of Rurik. In 912, Oleg died in a very interesting way. A prophecy had foretold him that his favorite horse would be the cause of his death. Oleg, a superstitious man, had made sure the horse was cared for as far as possible away from him. When he heard that the horse had died, Oleg considered himself freed of the curse and mockingly kicked at the poor animal’s skull. He chose poorly: a snake beneath the carcass was startled, bit Oleg on the foot, and killed him. In the meantime, Igor had come of age, and so he ascended to the throne, formally becoming Prince Igor of Kiev. By this time, he had already married a Varangian lady named Olga.
**The Slaying of a Prince**
Following in the footsteps of his father and his guardian, Igor continued engaging in successful conquests, raiding neighboring territories and exacting heavy tributes to fill his coffers. But Igor was greedy and wanted more. In 945, he considered paying a visit to the land of the Drevlians, a local tribe that had been an ally to Rurik. Later, the Drevlians had paid tribute to Oleg but had stopped when he had died. Since then, the Drevlians had paid what was effectively protection money to a rival landlord. Igor saw this as a perfect occasion to collect some late payments and set off on his mission. According to the Primary Chronicle, he raided the land of Dereva and collected his tribute by violence. But on his way back to Kiev, he still felt a thirst for more gold and riches. He ordered his men to return home, except for a few followers. With them in tow, he rode back to the Drevlians “desirous of still greater booty.” Like Oleg, he had tried his luck once too many. His returning party was spotted by the Drevlians, who reported back to their leader, Prince Mal. The Prince had had enough, proclaiming, “If a wolf comes among the sheep, he will take away the whole flock one by one, unless he is killed. If we do not thus kill him now, he will destroy us all.” The Drevlian warriors then rode forth from their city of Iskorosten, massacred Igor’s soldiers, and reserved for him a gruesome execution. I will leave the description to Byzantine chronicler Leo the Deacon: “They had bent down two birch trees to the prince’s feet and tied them to his legs. And then: They let the trees straighten again, thus tearing the prince’s body apart.” With this threat disposed of, the Drevlians planned their counterattack. They would take over Kiev itself, not by conquest, but by marriage. Prince Mal ordered emissaries to visit the now widowed Olga to ask for her hand in marriage. It is not clear if this was a common habit at the time or if Mal was simply very arrogant. Back in her capital, Olga awaited Igor’s return in vain. By her side, she had her young son Svyatoslav, who was too young to fight, let alone rule. Mal’s idea was that by becoming his stepfather, he could influence the little prince into doing his own bidding. So the delegation of the Drevlians sailed a boat along the river Dnipro. Mal had sent twenty of his best advisors to put forward his proposal, clearly believing they would be welcomed with open arms. This is when the Primary Chronicle, and our own story, centers on Olga. The Princess sent her own emissaries to ask for the reason for the Drevlians’ visit. They announced that they had slain her husband, because “He was like a wolf, crafty and ravening,” but that Prince Mal was a good leader and that Olga should come to the land of Dereva and marry him. Olga’s reply was what the delegation expected. In fact, she said that their proposal was pleasing to her ears, but asked for the delegates to wait on their boat, and that they would be picked up the following morning. As the twenty Drevlians waited, Olga had the hall of her castle prepared to give them their deserved welcome. The morning after, when the Rus came to collect the Drevlians, the latter demanded to be carried into the castle in their own boat. The Rus complied, as this was the same order they had received from Olga. When they arrived in the castle, they found what surprise lay waiting for them: during the night, the Princess had commanded for a large, deep ditch to be dug within the castle walls. The Drevlians did not have time to react, as the Rus hurled them, boat and all, inside the trench. The delegates protested to no avail, as Olga ordered that they be buried alive. With her simple trap, the Princess had wiped out a large part of the enemy leadership. That was only the beginning of her revenge.
**A Feast of Mead**
Prince Mal was unaware of what had happened in Kiev, so he was not suspicious of the message he received from Olga. She insisted that she was eager to meet, but she would do so only if Mal sent more of his own distinguished men to pick her up. The Prince, who it is safe to say, was quite gullible, agreed to it and gathered more of his chieftains, warriors, and advisors to pay homage to the Rus Princess. When this second delegation arrived in Kiev, Olga demanded that they bathe before she would give them audience. The Drevlians, surely tired, sweaty, and covered in dirt from the journey, eagerly complied and entered the bathhouse that had been readied. As they relaxed inside the sauna, they were startled by a sharp noise: somebody was locking the bathhouse doors from outside. Their attempts to force their way out were futile. In horror, they heard Olga’s stern voice through the wooden doors. She had just given orders to set the house on fire. First by earth, then by fire, the Princess regent had sealed her first two murderous campaigns against the enemy tribe, with their leadership almost entirely decapitated. But she wasn’t done yet. Before Mal could become suspicious of the long absence of his men, she sent another message: “I am now coming to you, so prepare great quantities of mead in the city where you killed my husband, that I may weep over his grave and hold a funeral feast for him.” Mead was a popular alcoholic beverage in medieval times, made with fermented honey and water. When they received the message, the Drevlians set to work, preparing gallons of mead and a lavish feast. Olga arrived shortly thereafter, with a small escort in tow. She arrived at Igor’s tomb and asked her men to build a funeral mound, around which the Drevlians gathered for the funeral feast. Some Drevlian who was smarter than the others asked what had become of the two delegations they had already sent, to which the sly Olga replied that they were on their way, escorted by her late husband’s guard of honor. With their judgment clouded by the rivers of freely flowing mead, they swallowed the lie easily. Olga asked her men to wait upon the Drevlians, ensuring their cups were never empty. She waited patiently until they were all drunk, and at her signal, the massacre started. Taken by surprise, her enemies fell one by one under the blades of the Rus. According to the Chronicle, five thousand Drevlians were cut down at the Red Funeral.
**Revenge Is a Dish Best Served on Fire**
A five-thousand-man massacre still was not quite enough. Olga was bent on complete, total reprisal. Again moving swiftly, the Princess returned to Kiev and gathered her army. The boy Prince Svyatoslav joined his mother, and together, they marched back to the land of Dereva. He was just a child, but when his troops made contact with the enemy, Svyatoslav was the first to cast a spear from atop his horse. His arms were obviously too weak, and the spear barely cleared the horse’s ears. Regardless, Olga’s Generals, Sveinald and Asmund, proudly announced that the prince had already begun battle and pressed the vassals to follow his example. The Rus charged forward and completely routed the Drevlians. The surviving men, women, and children of the unfortunate tribe sought refuge within the walls of their main city, Iskorosten. Olga and her troops besieged the city, but the Drevlians valiantly repelled their assaults. They knew that this was a fight for their own existence and would resist to the bitter end. In the meanwhile, other towns and cities of their land had capitulated and were now living in relative peace with the Rus. They were, of course, paying their tribute! After one year, Iskorosten still stood firm, and Olga had to think of another plan to resolve the stalemate. One day, the besieged citizens received a message from the Princess: “Why do you persist in holding out? All your cities have surrendered to me and submitted to tribute, so that the inhabitants now cultivate their fields and lands in peace. But you had rather die of hunger, without submitting to tribute.” The Drevlians started to buckle and replied that they would be glad to pay tribute, but that they could not trust her, as she was still determined to avenge Igor. Olga was apparently relieved to start negotiations with the defenders and let them know that she considered her slain husband to have been already avenged, not once, not twice, but thrice. After all, she had already massacred two delegations, plus those who had attended the funeral feast. In order to seal the peace, she demanded one last, small tribute from the Drevlians, after which she would return home. Olga’s request was surprisingly modest, as she realized that the city had been impoverished by the siege: she only wanted three sparrows and three pigeons from each house. The Drevlians were elated. They collected the small flocks of six birds from every household and sent them to Olga, who promised to lift the siege the following morning. This was the last act of Olga’s plan of total revenge and annihilation. If one year of frontal assaults and siege engines could not achieve victory, the intellect of a Princess definitely could. And she would do so by turning innocent, harmless pet birds into a weapon of mass destruction. She ordered her soldiers to take one bird each and to attach to their talons a piece of sulfur, bound in cloth. When night fell, the soldiers released the sparrows and the pigeons. Their silent wings carried them back to their nests, their dove-cotes, under the eaves of their homes. One by one, the houses of Iskorosten were lit by fires. Soon, the whole city was burning, its inhabitants either killed in their sleep or running in terror, unable to extinguish the flames. Some of them fled outside the city walls, but they were quickly seized by Olga’s soldiers. She kept the elders captive, had some of the others sold as slaves, and many more were killed on the spot. This was the final and total triumph of Princess Olga of Kiev, victor of Iskorosten, scourge of the Drevlians, and Mother of Sparrows.
**A New Faith**
In the following years, until 948, Olga continued to act as regent for her boy prince Vyaroslav. The Drevlians had been completely subdued and paid regular tribute to the Rus. The Principality was at peace and grew prosperous. Finally, the Princess set on a journey to Constantinople, or as the Rus called it, Tasr’grad, the City of Caesars. The Chronicle does not offer a reason for this visit, but we can assume it was of a diplomatic nature. The Rus and the Byzantine Empire had a complex relationship, characterized by raids and attacks by both sides, but also by trade and occasional cooperation. It was during this period that Byzantine Emperors started to recruit Rus warriors into their elite Varangian guard. In 948, the Emperor was Constantine VII, who upon meeting Olga, immediately took a liking to her. Impressed by her beauty and intellect, Constantine remarked that she was worthy to reign with him. We have learned by now that Olga did not take well to suitors, but in this case, her reaction was… well, less violent, at least. The Princess did not outright reject the proposal, but simply stated that being a pagan, she could not marry a Christian monarch. But if he really insisted, he could baptize her. The Emperor agreed, and with the assistance of the Patriarch of Constantinople, had her converted into the Christian Orthodox faith. The Chronicle reports that Olga accepted eagerly the teachings of the Church “like a sponge absorbing water.” At her baptism, she was christened Helena, and the Emperor acted as her godfather at her own insistence. After receiving the sacrament, Olga, or Helena, was summoned by Constantine who renewed his proposal. There were no obstacles now; she should become his wife! But she replied that this was not possible. He was her godfather, after all, which made her his daughter in the eye of the church. It was unlawful for a man to marry his own daughter! The Emperor considered her reply, then simply said, “Olga, you have outwitted me.” He then covered her in gifts, gold, silver, and silks, and bade her farewell. Olga had barely returned to Kiev when she received a message from the Emperor. Apparently, those gifts were not entirely for free, and he expected slaves, wax, furs, and mercenaries in return. Olga was unfazed and simply replied to the Byzantine envoy that she would pay back her due only if the Caesar was willing to spend as much time in Kiev as she had spent in Constantinople. It is not recorded whether the Emperor paid her a visit, so we will assume he didn’t… and she had outwitted him again! Now, as a recently converted Christian, Olga tried to spread her newfound religion among her people, starting with her own son. But Prince Svyatoslav was not convinced, fearing he would be mocked by his subjects if he did so. Olga accepted this refusal as her only defeat so far, but according to the Chronicle, she prayed day and night for God to forgive the souls of Svyatoslav and the Rus. By 956, Prince Svyatoslav had come of age, and, hungry for conquest, he built a valiant army and set off on several lengthy campaigns away from Kiev. While he was away, the land of the Rus was invaded by the Pechenegs, a nomadic tribe. They swept through the country and eventually attacked Kiev. Olga shut herself up in the city with her grandsons, Yaropolk, Oleg, and Vladimir. Now it was her turn to be under siege. The only chance of survival for the Kievans was to send a message to a relief force on the other side of the river Dnipro. A clever boy, whose name was never recorded, volunteered for the sortie. He could speak the language of the Pechenegs and so he simply walked out of the city with a bridle in his hand, asking the nomadic riders if anybody had seen his horse. The ruse worked, and he was able to jump into the river and swim to the other shore. The relief army soon arrived, and their general, called Pretich, convinced the leader of the Pechenegs that his was just the vanguard of a massive army led by Vyaroslav. The Pechenegs bought the lie and agreed to a truce. In the meanwhile, Olga had sent a messenger to recall the Prince, who returned in time to decisively drive the Pechenegs back into the steppes. For many years, Svyatoslav remained in Kiev, finally fulfilling his duties as ruler, in addition to his early honors as a conqueror. But in 969, he
Olga – Olga was a regent of Kievan Rus’ for her son Svyatoslav from 945 until 960. She is known for her efforts to introduce Christianity to the region. – Princess Olga’s conversion to Christianity marked a significant turning point in the religious history of Kievan Rus’.
Kiev – Kiev is the capital of modern-day Ukraine and was the center of the Kievan Rus’, a federation of Slavic tribes under the rule of the Varangians. – The city of Kiev played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in Eastern Europe during the 10th century.
Rus – Rus refers to the medieval state of Eastern Europe, which was a precursor to modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and was founded by the Varangians. – The formation of the Kievan Rus’ laid the foundation for the cultural and political development of Eastern Europe.
Christianity – Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, which became the dominant religion in Europe during the Middle Ages. – The adoption of Christianity by the Kievan Rus’ in 988 significantly influenced the region’s cultural and political landscape.
Vikings – Vikings were Norse seafarers known for their raids and settlements across Europe during the late eighth to early eleventh centuries. – The Vikings played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Kievan Rus’ through their trade and military expeditions.
Drevlians – The Drevlians were an East Slavic tribe that lived in the area of modern-day Ukraine and were known for their conflict with the Kievan Rus’. – The Drevlians’ rebellion against Kievan Rus’ led to a series of events that culminated in Princess Olga’s legendary acts of revenge.
Revenge – Revenge is the action of inflicting harm or punishment on someone in retaliation for a wrong or injury suffered. – Princess Olga’s revenge against the Drevlians is a well-documented episode in the history of Kievan Rus’.
Emperor – An emperor is a sovereign ruler of great power and rank, especially one ruling an empire. – The Byzantine Emperor played a significant role in the conversion of Kievan Rus’ to Christianity by sending missionaries to the region.
Faith – Faith refers to a strong belief in religious doctrines based on spiritual conviction rather than proof. – The spread of the Christian faith in Kievan Rus’ was instrumental in unifying the diverse Slavic tribes under a common religion.
History – History is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and is often recorded in chronological order. – Understanding the history of Kievan Rus’ provides valuable insights into the cultural and political evolution of Eastern Europe.
