Battle at the Dorostol. Battle of Dorostol and other great battles in the history of Russia that have been forgotten

April 23, 971 the defense of Dorostol began - the battles that continued in April-July 971 between the Russian army and the army Byzantine Empire near the fortress Dorostol.

As a result of hostilities in 970, having received a tribute and concluded a peace treaty with Byzantium (according to Sakharov, the peace treaty and the tribute paid were only a distraction by the Byzantines; in medieval sources only the peace treaty of 971 is mentioned, which ended the whole war) Svyatoslav returned to Pereyaslavets ... The reason for this was the large losses among the troops and the small number of the remaining combat-ready squad:

“As if they didn’t kill my squad and me by some trick” ... since many died in the battles ... “I will go to Russia, I will bring more squads ... lay siege to us in the city. And the Russian land is far away, and the Pechenegs are hostile to us, and who will help us? Let us conclude peace with the tsar: after all, they have already undertaken to pay tribute to us - that is enough for us. If they stop paying tribute to us, then again from Russia, having gathered many soldiers, we will go to Constantinople. "

The further course of military operations is unknown to the Russian chronicler. According to one version, Svyatoslav sent to Russia for replenishment for his army. According to some authors, a small replenishment arrived from Kiev to Svyatoslav, since he himself did not leave for a new squad and continued for several months to make small raids on the Byzantines in Thrace.

In November 970, the revolt of Barda Phocas was suppressed in Byzantium, and the government troops under the command of Barda Sklira returned to Macedonia and Thrace, where they settled in winter quarters.

In April 971, Emperor John Tzimiskes personally led a campaign to Bulgaria against Svyatoslav, who did not take defensive measures. On April 10, the ground army freely overcame the mountain passes and suddenly appeared at Preslav - the capital of the Bulgarians - allies of Svyatoslav. At the same time, 300 ships of the Byzantine fleet, armed with Greek fire, headed to the mouth of the Danube in order to cut off the path of the Russians to retreat and prevent the approach of reinforcements from the left bank of the river.

Svyatoslav's lack of strength and the suddenness of the Byzantine attack led to the fact that he did not have time to take the necessary precautions. He did not occupy the Balkan passes, left open the mouth of the Danube, divided his army, but even in this way he could not allocate enough forces to cover Preslav. So the main forces of the Rus were in Dorostol, and the detachment under the command of Sfenkel was located in Preslav (the Bulgarian Tsar Boris II was also there).

At dawn 13 april the Byzantine army, having formed "dense ranks", began to approach Preslav. The Rus managed to line up in battle formation, covering themselves with large shields to their feet, and themselves rushed to the Greeks. The battle was stubborn without a clear advantage of the sides, until the emperor ordered the guard of the "immortals" to attack the left flank of the Rus. Unable to withstand the pressure of the armored cavalry, the Rus retreated to the fortress. The next day, siege weapons approached the Greeks, and they went to the assault of Preslav. 14th of April the Byzantines broke into the city and captured the Bulgarian Tsar Boris, and the Rus retreated to the imperial palace with a fence. The Greeks set it on fire, smoking out the Russians who had settled there. They were forced to go to an open place, where the Greeks surrounded them and in a stubborn battle they destroyed almost everyone. However, a small part of the army under the command of the governor Sfenkela managed to go to Dorostol, where Svyatoslav was with the main forces.

After Easter celebration 17 april John Tzimiskes moved to Dorostol, occupying along the way a number of Bulgarian cities, "which were set aside from the Russians and joined the Romans." On April 23, the Byzantine army approached Dorostol, where the main forces of Svyatoslav with the rook fleet were located.

Leo the Deacon claims that during the crossing of the Balkans, Tzimiskes had 15 thousand hoplites and 13 thousand horsemen, in addition, an elite detachment of "immortals" and a large baggage train with other troops, while Svyatoslav had 60 thousand people on his campaign to Bulgaria. In his opinion, under Dorostol, the Rus still had 60 thousand soldiers.

According to Skilitsa, Tzimiskes captured the passes with a detachment of 5 thousand infantry and 4 thousand horsemen, and "the rest of the multitude of soldiers" followed him.

According to N. Shefov under Dorostol, the Byzantine troops numbered 40-45 thousand people, including 15 thousand cavalry, and the troops of Svyatoslav - about 20 thousand people.

The Hungarian and Pechenezh allies, apparently, had left Svyatoslav by this time and did not have time to come to his aid. This confirms the message of Skilitsa that Svyatoslav in Dorostol did not hope "for any help", that "their own country was very far away, and the neighboring barbarian peoples, fearing the Romans, did not agree to help them" and the tale of bygone years: " And Ruska, the land is far away, and the pechenez men are with us, and who can help us?»

23 april the first battle took place, which began after the attack of the ambush of the Russians on a small vanguard Byzantines. They destroyed this detachment, but they themselves died.

The Rus expected the main forces of the Byzantines on the near approaches to Dorostol, "closing their shields and spears like a wall." The battle formation of the Byzantine army consisted of two lines: in the first line in the center stood the infantry, and on the flanks there were mounted men at arms, which made up two wings; in the second line, continuously shooting archers and slingers lined up. In a stubborn battle, the Russians repulsed 12 attacks of the Byzantines. In the evening, Tsimikhsy, having collected all his cavalry, threw it against the exhausted Rus, which forced them to hide behind the walls of Dorostol.

April 24 the Byzantines erected a fortified camp near Dorostol, erected tents on a small hill, dug a deep ditch around and poured an earthen rampart, on which spears were stuck into the ground and shields were hung on them.

25th of April(according to other sources 28 april) from the side of the Danube, a Byzantine fleet approached Dorostol and blocked the city. Svyatoslav ordered to pull his boats to the shore so that they would not be burned by the enemy. On the same day, Tzimiskes approached the city, but the Russians did not go out into the field, but only from the walls and from the towers they threw stones at the enemy and threw arrows. Soon the Byzantines returned to the camp. By evening, Svyatoslav's squad in horse ranks set out from the city, but Tzimiskes did not dare to attack Svyatoslav's squad, and she returned to Dorostol.

26 April the second battle took place at Dorostol. The army of Svyatoslav went out into the field and lined up on foot in their chain mail armor and helmets, closing long, to the very feet, shields and putting out spears. The Byzantines attacked the Rus, after which a stubborn battle ensued, in which the governor Sfenkel died. According to the Byzantine historian Kedrin, the Russians retained the battlefield and remained there all night with April 26-27... The battle resumed in the morning. By noon, Tzimiskes sent a detachment to the rear of the Rus. Fearing to be cut off from the city, Svyatoslav's squad retreated behind the fortress walls.

On the night April 29 The Rus dug a deep moat around Dorostol so that the besiegers could not come close to the fortress wall and set up siege engines.

That same night, taking advantage of the darkness, the Russians on boats made their first large sortie for food. Coming back with the booty, they noticed a detachment of Byzantines on the banks of the Danube, watered horses in the Danube and collected firewood on the bank. The Rus attacked the Byzantines and dispersed them.

On the same day, the Byzantines dug up all the roads to the city with deep ditches and strengthened their patrols. During subsequent three months the Rus did not leave the city, and the Byzantines, with the help of battering and throwing weapons, destroyed the fortress walls and killed its defenders.

Famine began in the city, the Bulgarians began to go over to the side of the Byzantines. Svyatoslav, realizing that if they all go over to the side of Tzimiskes, then his affairs will end badly, he was forced to start repressions - he executed in Dorostol about 300 "famous for their family and wealth of the people", the rest were imprisoned.

John Tzimiskes was not interested in a long siege, and so, already in his absence, an unsuccessful coup attempt took place in Constantinople. To speed things up, he, according to Skilitsa, suggested that Svyatoslav solve the war by a duel between them:

Seeing the situation getting worse July 19 Svyatoslav organized a large sortie with the aim of destroying the enemy siege and battering machines. Suddenly, after lunch, when the Byzantines did not expect an attack, a detachment of Rus attacked the enemy and burned all the siege structures, killing the chief of the siege machines.

This success inspired Svyatoslav. July 20 the Rus left the city and lined up for battle. The Byzantines formed a "thick phalanx". The Rus successfully repelled the attacks of the Byzantines, but during one of them the Russian commander Ikmor was beheaded by Anemas, the bodyguard of Emperor John Tzimiskes, after which the squad "threw its shields behind its back" and retreated to the city. Among the bodies left on the battlefield of the killed soldiers, the Byzantines found the bodies of women, probably the Bulgarian inhabitants of Dorostol.

On the collected 21 July Svyatoslav military council (koment) opinions were divided - some proposed to break out of the city on a dark night on boats, while others advised to start peace negotiations. Then Svyatoslav made a speech given by Leo the Deacon:

“Glory, a companion of Russian weapons, which easily defeated neighboring peoples and, without shedding blood, conquered entire countries, will perish if we now shamefully give in to the Romans. And so, with the courage of our ancestors and with the thought that Russian strength has been invincible until now, let us fight bravely for our life. We do not have the custom of fleeing to flee to the fatherland, but either live victorious or, who have accomplished famous feats, die with glory. "

After listening to their prince, the squad decided to fight.

In the morning July 22 The Russians left Dorostol and Svyatoslav ordered the city walls to be locked so that no one had any thoughts of retreating. The battle began with an attack on the Byzantine positions by the Russians. In a stubborn battle by noon, the Byzantines began to retreat under the pressure of the Rus. Then Tzimikhsiy brought in a fresh detachment of horsemen into battle, the attack of which he personally led. This allowed the tired Byzantines to rest. They went on the attack, but were repulsed by the Rus.

Then Tzimiskes divided his army into two parts. One detachment, under the command of Patrick Roman and the clerk Peter, entered the battle and began to retreat, luring the Rus squad to an open plain away from the city. At this time, the second detachment under the command of Varda Sklira attacked the Russians from the rear. The storm that began at this time carried clouds of sand into the eyes of the Russians. Fighting bravely, repulsing the constant attacks of the Byzantines, the Russians were able to break through to Dorostol and hide behind its walls.

The next day Svyatoslav invited Tzimiskes to start negotiations. The Emperor willingly accepted this offer. On the bank of the Istra River, Svyatoslav met with Tzimiskes. Svyatoslav pledged not to fight with Byzantium, and Tzimiskes had to freely let the boats of the Rus through and give out on the road two measures of bread to each soldier. Leo the Deacon reports that there were 22 thousand people who received bread. After that, the army of Svyatoslav went to Russia. On the way to Kiev, Prince Svyatoslav was killed by the Pechenegs.

Taking into account the fact that the version of this story was later written by Christian chroniclers, who, even being in Russia, took the side of Byzantium in ideological justification, it is worth noting such a version of the last time that the payment of an actual tribute to Svyatoslav by Tzimiskes after the battle could testify that Svyatoslav at least At least, if he did not win, then he certainly did not lose this battle. And Tzimiskes was ready to pay, just to achieve what he could not achieve by force. It can be assumed that the Byzantines already had agreements with the Pechenegs and, more likely, had agreements in Kiev, where at that time, the elite of the nobility, which had already come out of the influence of Svyatoslav, fell under the influence of the Christian Byzantines. Considering this fact, Tzimiskes, as a representative of Byzantium, was no longer so important how to destroy or defeat Svyatoslav, but simply to convince him to leave Dorostol. In this regard, even the actual defeat of the Byzantines could serve as a pretext for the conclusion of a peace, which would have more spurred Svyatoslav to return to Kiev.

Second war with Byzantium

The first stage of the war with the Byzantine Empire ended in victory for Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich. Constantinople had to pay tribute and agree with the consolidation of the Russian positions in the Danube. Constantinople renewed the payment of the annual tribute to Kiev. Svyatoslav was satisfied with the success achieved and dismissed the allied troops of the Pechenegs and Hungarians. Russian troops were mainly located at Dorostol. New war did not expect in the near future, no one guarded the mountain passes.

However, Constantinople did not intend to adhere to peace. The Romans saw the peace agreement only as a respite, a military trick that allowed them to lull the enemy's vigilance and mobilize all forces. The Greeks acted according to their old principle: received peace - prepare for war. This tactic of the Byzantine Empire was formulated by its commander XI Kekavmen in his work "Strategicon". He wrote: “If the enemy eludes you day by day, promising to either conclude peace or pay tribute, know that he is waiting for help from somewhere or wants to fool you. If the enemy sends you gifts and offerings, if you want, take them, but know that he does this not out of love for you, but wanting to buy your blood for it. " Numerous truces and peaces concluded by Constantinople with the surrounding states and peoples, the payment of tributes and indemnities by them were often needed only to gain time, outwit the enemy, deceive him, and then deliver a sudden blow.

The stay of the Rus on the Danube and, most importantly, the union of Bulgaria with Russia, completely contradicted the strategy of Byzantium. The union of the two Slavic powers was very dangerous for Byzantium and could lead to the loss of the Balkan possessions. The Byzantine Emperor John Tzimiskes was actively preparing for a new war. Troops were brought up from the Asian provinces. Military exercises were held near the walls of the capital. Food and equipment were prepared. The fleet is prepared for the cruise, about 300 ships in total. In March 971, John I Tzimiskes inspected the fleet, which was armed with Greek fire. The fleet was supposed to block the mouth of the Danube in order to prevent the actions of the Russian rook flotilla.

Battle of Preslav

In the spring, Vasileus, together with the guards ("immortals"), set out on a campaign. The main forces of the Byzantine army were already concentrated in Adrianople. Learning that the mountain passes are free, John decided to strike at the Bulgarian capital, and then crush Svyatoslav. Thus, the Byzantine army had to defeat the enemy troops in parts, not allowing them to join. In the vanguard was a phalanx of warriors, completely covered with shells ("immortals"), followed by 15 thousand selected infantry and 13 thousand horsemen. The rest of the troops were commanded by the proedr Vasily, he went with a wagon train, carrying siege and other vehicles. Despite the fears of the commanders, the troops passed the mountains easily and without resistance. On April 12, Byzantine troops approached Preslav.

In the Bulgarian capital was Tsar Boris, his court, Kalokir and a Russian detachment under the command of Sfenkel. Leo the Deacon calls him "the third in dignity after Sfendoslav" (the second was Ikmor). Another Byzantine chronicler, John Skylitsa, also named him Swangel and was considered "the second best". Some researchers identify Sfenkel with Sveneld. But Sveneld survived this war, and Sfenkel fell in battle. Despite the unexpected appearance of the enemy, the "Tavroscythians" lined up in battle formation and struck at the Greeks. Initially, neither side could take up, only the flank attack of the "immortals" turned the tide. The Russians retreated outside the city walls. The garrison of Preslav repulsed the first assault. The rest of the forces and siege engines approached the Romans. At night, from Preslav, he fled to Dorostol Kalokir. In the morning the assault was resumed. The Rus and Bulgarians fiercely defended themselves, throwing spears, javelins and stones from the walls. The Romans fired at the walls with the help of stone-throwing machines, threw pots with "Greek fire" into the city. The defenders suffered heavy losses, but held out. However, the preponderance of forces was clearly on the side of the Greeks, and they were able to take the external fortifications.

The remnants of the Russian-Bulgarian forces were entrenched in the royal palace. The Romans burst into the city, killing and robbing the inhabitants. The royal treasury was also plundered, which was safe and sound during the stay of the Rus in the city. At the same time, the Bulgarian Tsar Boris was captured with his children and wife. John I of Tzimiskes hypocritically declared to him that he had come "to avenge the Misyan (as the Greeks called the Bulgarians), who suffered terrible disasters from the Scythians."

The Russian troops defending the palace repulsed the first assault, the Romans suffered heavy losses. Upon learning of this failure, the basileus ordered his guards to attack the Rus with all their might. However, seeing that an offensive in the narrow aisle of the gate would cause heavy losses, he withdrew his troops and ordered the palace to be set on fire. When a strong flame broke out, the remaining troops of the Rus went out into the open and launched the last fierce attack. The emperor sent Master Varda Sklira against them. The Roman phalanx surrounded the Rus. As even Leo the Deacon, who wrote about the thousands of killed “Scythians” and a few Greeks, noted, “the dews desperately resisted, not showing their backs to the enemies,” but they were doomed. Only Sfenkel with the remnants of his squad was able to cut through the enemy ranks and went to Dorostol. The remaining soldiers chained the enemy in battle and died a heroic death. In the same battle, many Bulgarians fell, to the last they fought on the side of the Rus.

The Greeks storm Preslav. A stone thrower is shown from siege weapons. Miniature from the chronicle of John Skilitsa.

Defense of Dorostol

Leaving Preslav, the basileus left a sufficient garrison there, the fortifications were restored. The city was renamed to Ioannopol. The period of the occupation of Bulgaria by the Byzantine troops began. After some time, the emperor at a solemn ceremony will deprive Tsar Boris of the royal regalia, and eastern Bulgaria will come under the direct control of Constantinople. The Greeks wanted to completely liquidate the Bulgarian kingdom, but Byzantium was unable to subjugate the western part of Bulgaria, where an independent state was formed. In order to lure the Bulgarians over to his side and destroy the Bulgarian-Russian alliance, Tzimiskes in the destroyed and plundered Preslav announced that he was fighting not with Bulgaria, but with Russia, and wanted to avenge the insults inflicted by Svyatoslav on the Bulgarian kingdom. This was a monstrous lie common to the Byzantines. The Greeks actively waged an "information war", declaring black as white and white as black, rewriting in their favor.

On April 17, the Byzantine army marched quickly towards Dorostol. Emperor John I Tzimiskes sent several captives to Prince Svyatoslav with the demand to lay down, surrender to the victors and, asking forgiveness "for his insolence", immediately leave Bulgaria. The cities between Preslava and Dorostol, in which there were no Russian garrisons, surrendered without a fight. Bulgarian feudal lords joined Tzimiskes. The Romans marched across Bulgaria as invaders, the emperor gave the occupied cities and fortresses to the soldiers for plunder. John Curcuas distinguished himself in the robbery of Christian churches.

The Byzantine Emperor John Tzimiskes returns to Constantinople after defeating the Bulgarians.

Svyatoslav Igorevich found himself in a difficult situation. The enemy was able to deliver a sudden and treacherous blow. Bulgaria was mostly occupied and could not deploy significant forces to fight the invaders. The allies were released, so Svyatoslav had little cavalry. Until now, Svyatoslav Igorevich himself attacked, owned a strategic initiative. Now he had to keep the defensive, and even in a situation when all the trump cards were with the enemy. However, Prince Svyatoslav was not one of those who surrendered at the mercy of fate. He decided to try his luck in a decisive battle, hoping to crush the enemy with a fierce onslaught and turn the situation in his favor in one battle.

Leo the Deacon reports 60 thousand. the army of the Russians. He's clearly lying. The Russian chronicle reports that Svyatoslav had only 10 thousand soldiers, which is apparently closer to the truth, given the outcome of the war. In addition, a certain number of Bulgarians supported the Rus. From 60 thous. army Svyatoslav would have reached Constantinople. In addition, Leo the Deacon reported that the Romans killed 15-16 thousand "Scythians" in the battle for Preslav. But here, too, we see a strong exaggeration. Such an army could hold out until the approach of the main forces of Svyatoslav. There was a small detachment in Preslav, which could not provide a dense defense of the fortifications of the Bulgarian capital. Suffice it to compare the defense of Preslava and Dorostol. Having in Dorostol, apparently, about 20 thousand soldiers, Svyatoslav gave the enemy battles and held out for three months. If there were about 15 thousand soldiers in Preslav, they would also have held out for at least a month. It is also necessary to take into account that the army of Svyatoslav was constantly decreasing. The Hungarian and Pechenezh allies did not have time to come to his aid. And Russia, in the words of the Russian prince himself, "is far away, and the neighboring barbarian peoples, fearing the Romans, did not agree to help them." The Byzantine army had the opportunity to constantly replenish, it was well supplied with food and fodder. It could be strengthened by the crews of the ships.

On April 23, the Byzantine army approached Dorostol. In front of the city lay a plain suitable for battle. Ahead of the army were strong patrols, examining the area. The Greeks feared ambushes, for which the Slavs were famous. However, the Romans lost the first battle, one of their detachments was ambushed and completely destroyed. When the Byzantine army reached the city, the Rus built a "wall" and prepared for the battle. Svyatoslav knew that the striking force of the Byzantine army was heavily armed cavalry. He opposed her with a dense formation of infantry: the Russians closed their shields and bristled with spears. The emperor also lined up the infantry in a phalanx, archers and slingers behind, and cavalry on the flanks.

The warriors of the two armies met hand-to-hand, a fierce battle ensued. Both sides fought for a long time with equal tenacity. Svyatoslav fought along with his soldiers. Tzimiskes, who led the battle from a nearby hill, sent his best soldiers to fight their way to the Russian leader and kill him. But they were all killed either by Svyatoslav himself, or by the soldiers of his close squad. “The dews, which won the glory of constant victors in battles among neighboring peoples,” over and over again repulsed the onslaught of the Romans' hoplites. Romeev, on the other hand, was "overcome by shame and anger" because they, experienced warriors, could retreat like newcomers. Therefore, both troops “fought with unrivaled courage; the dew, which was guided by their innate brutality and fury, rushed in a furious impulse, roaring like possessed, at the Romans (Lev the Deacon tries to belittle the "barbarians", but in fact describes an element of the combat psychotechnics of the Russians. - Author's note), and the Romans attacked, using their experience and martial arts ”.

The battle went on with varying success until the evening. The Romans could not realize their numerical advantage. Towards evening, the Basileus gathered the cavalry into a fist and threw it into the attack. However, this attack was not crowned with success. The Romans' "knights" could not break the line of the Russian infantry. After that, Svyatoslav Igorevich withdrew the troops behind the walls. The battle ended without decisive success for the Romans or the Rus. Svyatoslav could not defeat the enemy in a decisive battle, and the Romans could not realize their advantage in numbers and cavalry.

The siege of the fortress began. The Greeks erected a fortified camp on a hill near Dorostol. They dug a moat around the hill, erected a rampart, and reinforced it with a palisade. On April 24, the troops fought with bows, slings and metal guns. At the end of the day, a Russian equestrian squad drove out of the gate. Leo the Deacon in "History" contradicts himself. He argued that the Russians did not know how to fight on horseback. Cataphracts (heavy cavalry) attacked the Rus, but were unsuccessful. After a hot fight, the sides parted.

On the same day, a Byzantine fleet approached Dorostol from the Danube and blocked the fortress (according to other sources, it arrived on April 25 or 28). However, the Russians were able to save their boats, carried them in their hands to the walls, under the protection of the riflemen. The Romans did not dare to attack along the river bank and burn or destroy the Russian ships. The situation for the garrison of the fortress worsened, the Romans' ships blocked the river so that the Rus could not retreat along the river. The possibilities for supplying the troops with provisions sharply narrowed.

On April 26, the second significant battle took place at Dorostol. Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich again led the troops into the field and imposed a battle on the enemy. Both sides fought fiercely, alternately crowding each other. On this day, according to Leo the Deacon, the valiant, enormous governor Sfenkel fell. According to the Deacon, after the death of their hero, the Rus retreated to the city. However, according to the Byzantine historian Georgy Kedrin, Russian soldiers retained the battlefield and remained on it all night from April 26 to 27. Only by noon, when Tzimiskes deployed all his forces, the Russian soldiers calmly turned down the formation and left for the city.

On April 28, a Byzantine wagon train with throwing machines approached the fortress. Romei craftsmen began to establish numerous machines, ballistae, catapults, throwing stones, pots with "Greek fire", logs, huge arrows. The shelling of throwing machines caused huge losses for the defenders of the fortresses, suppressed their morale, since they could not respond. Basilevs wanted to move the cars to the walls. However, the Russian commander was able to forestall the enemy. On the night of April 29, Russian soldiers dug a deep and wide ditch at a distance from the fortress so that the enemy could not come close to the walls and set up siege engines. Both sides on that day fought a hot exchange of fire, but did not achieve any noticeable results.

Svyatoslav with his ideas spoiled a lot of blood on the enemy. On the same night, the Russians succeeded in another undertaking. Taking advantage of the darkness, the Russian soldiers on boats, unnoticed by the enemy, passed through the shallow water between the coast and the enemy fleet. They procured food for the troops and on the way back dispersed a detachment of Byzantine foragers, struck at the enemy carts. Many Byzantines were killed in the night massacre.

The siege of the fortress dragged on. Neither Tzimiskes nor Svyatoslav could achieve decisive success. Svyatoslav was unable to defeat the Byzantine army, which was a first-class combat vehicle, in a series of battles. Affected by the lack of soldiers and the almost complete absence of cavalry. Tzimiskes failed to defeat the Russian army, force Svyatoslav to capitulate in the face of superior forces.

Leo the Deacon noted the highest fighting spirit of Svyatoslav's troops throughout the siege of Dorostol. The Greeks were able to overcome the moat and bring their cars closer to the fortress. The Rus suffered heavy losses. The Greeks also lost thousands of people. And yet Dorostol held on. The Greeks found women among the killed Rus and Bulgarians, who fought together with the soldiers of Svyatoslav. "Polyanitsy" (female heroes, heroines of the Russian epic) fought on a par with men, did not surrender, endured all difficulties and lack of food. This ancient Scythian-Russian tradition of women's participation in wars will continue until the 20th century, until the Great Patriotic War... Russian women, together with men, met the enemy and fought with him to the last. Svyatoslav's warriors performed miracles of fortitude and heroism, defending the city for three months. Byzantine chroniclers also noted the custom of the Rus not to surrender to the enemy, even the defeated ones. They preferred to kill themselves rather than to be captured or to be slaughtered like cattle in a slaughterhouse.

The Byzantines strengthened their patrols, dug up all roads and paths with deep ditches. With the help of battering and throwing weapons, the Greeks destroyed the fortifications of the city. The garrison thinned, many wounded appeared. Hunger has become a big problem. However, the situation was difficult not only for the Russians, but also for the Romans. John I Tzimiskes could not leave Dorostol, as this would be a recognition of military defeat, and he could lose the throne. While he was besieging Dorostol, revolts constantly took place in the empire, intrigues and conspiracies arose. So, the brother of the slain emperor Nicephorus Phocas Leo Kuropalat rebelled. The coup attempt failed, but the situation was unsettling. Tzimiskes was absent from Constantinople for a long time and could not keep his finger on the pulse of the empire.

This was what Svyatoslav decided to take advantage of. The Russian commander decided to give the enemy a new battle in order, if not to defeat the enemy, then force him to negotiate, showing that Russian army, sitting under siege, is still strong and is able to stay in the fortress for a long time. At noon on July 19, Russian troops struck an unexpected blow against the Romans. The Greeks at this time slept after a hearty dinner. The Rus hacked and burned many catapults and ballistae. In this battle, a relative of the emperor, Master John Curkuas, was killed.

The next day, the Russian soldiers again went beyond the walls, but in large forces. The Greeks formed a "thick phalanx". A fierce battle began. In this battle, one of the closest associates of the great Russian prince Svyatoslav, voivode Ikmor, fell. Leo the Deacon said that Ikmor, even among the Scythians, stood out for his gigantic stature, and with his detachment he struck many Romans. He was hacked to death by one of the emperor's bodyguards - Anemas. The death of one of the leaders, and even on the Day of Perun, caused confusion in the ranks of the soldiers, the army retreated beyond the walls of the city.

Leo the Deacon noted the unity of the funeral customs of the Scythians and the Rus. Informed about the Scythian origin of Achilles. In his opinion, this was indicated by the clothes, appearance, habits and character ("extravagant irritability and cruelty") of Achilles. Contemporary Russes to L. Deacon - "Tavro-Scythians" - have preserved these traditions. The Rus "are reckless, brave, warlike and mighty, they attack all neighboring tribes."

On July 21, Prince Svyatoslav convened a council of war. The prince asked his people what to do. Some suggested leaving immediately, plunging into boats at night, since it was impossible to continue the war, having lost the best soldiers. Others suggested making peace with the Romans, since it would not be easy to hide the departure of an entire army, and Greek fire-carrying ships could burn the Russian flotilla. Then the Russian prince sighed deeply and exclaimed with bitterness: “The glory that marched after the army of the Rus, who easily defeated neighboring peoples and enslaved entire countries without bloodshed, perished, if we now shamefully retreat before the Romans. So, let us be imbued with the courage bequeathed to us by our ancestors, remember that the power of the Rus has been invincible until now, and we will fiercely fight for our lives. It is not proper for us to return to our homeland in flight; we must either win and stay alive, or die in glory, having accomplished feats worthy of valiant men! " According to Leo the Deacon, the soldiers were inspired by these words and gladly decided to engage in a decisive battle with the Romans.

On July 22, the last decisive battle took place near Dorostol. In the morning, the Russians went beyond the walls. Svyatoslav ordered to close the gates so that there was not even a thought to go back. The Rus themselves struck the enemy and began to violently press the Romans. Seeing the enthusiasm of Prince Svyatoslav, who cut through the enemy ranks like a simple warrior, Anemas decided to kill Svyatoslav. He rushed forward on horseback and struck a successful blow at Svyatoslav, but he was saved by a strong chain mail. Anemas was immediately struck down by Russian warriors.

The Rus continued their attack, and the Romans, unable to withstand the onslaught of the "barbarians", began to retreat. Seeing that the Byzantine phalanx could not withstand the battle, Tzimiskes personally led a guard - "immortals" in a counterattack. At the same time, heavy cavalry detachments dealt strong blows on the Russian flanks. This somewhat straightened the situation, but the Rus continued to advance. Leo the Deacon calls their onslaught "monstrous." Both sides suffered heavy losses, but the bloody slaughter continued. The battle ended in the most unexpected way. Heavy clouds hung over the city. A strong thunderstorm began, a gusty wind, raising clouds of sand, hit the Russian soldiers in the face. Then a heavy downpour poured down. Russian troops had to take refuge outside the city walls. The Greeks attributed the riot of the elements to divine intercession.

Vladimir Kireev. "Prince Svyatoslav"

Peaceful agreement

In the morning Svyatoslav, who was wounded in this battle, invited Tzimiskes to make peace. Basileus, amazed by the previous battle and wishing to end the war as soon as possible and return to Constantinople, willingly accepted this offer. Both generals met on the Danube and agreed on peace. The Romans freely let the soldiers of Svyatoslav through and gave them bread for the journey. Svyatoslav agreed to leave the Danube. Dorostol (the Romans called him Theodoropolis) the Rus left. All the prisoners were handed over to the Greeks. Russia and Byzantium returned to the norms of treaties 907-944. According to the Greek authors, the parties agreed to consider themselves "friends". This meant that the conditions for the payment of tribute to Kiev by Constantinople were restored. This is also stated in the Russian chronicle. In addition, Tzimiskes had to send ambassadors to friendly Pechenegs so that they would not obstruct the Russian troops.

Thus, Svyatoslav avoided a military defeat, the peace was honorable. The prince planned to continue the war. According to the "Tale of Bygone Years", the prince said: "I will go to Russia, I will bring more squads."

To be continued…

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Siege of Dorostol

The siege of Dorostol began, which lasted 65 days.

The city was completely blocked. The Romans dug all the roads with ditches, guards were posted everywhere. Reinforcements approached John almost daily.

The Rus were not ready for a long siege. Food supplies in Dorostol were soon depleted, and the Russians had to make sorties to get their own food. Skilitsa reports that one of these sorties (in the twentieth of July) was led by Svyatoslav himself. On a dark night, in the pouring rain, 2000 Rus boarded boats and sailed out of the city. Having robbed the inhabitants of coastal villages without hindrance, on the way back, they also killed the Romeian convoy servant, which led the horses to the Danube to drink. The enraged Tzimiskes threatened the chief of the fleet with death if the boats of the Rus once again appeared on the Danube.

The siege machines of the Romans every day threw the city with heaps of stones. The powerful walls of Dorostol (up to 4.7 m thick) withstood the impact of projectiles without much damage. But the Rus who were on the walls suffered severe damage from them.

Svyatoslav decided to destroy the enemy's siege equipment. On July 19, a strong Russian detachment left the city and moved directly to the Romans' guns. These cars were guarded by a relative of the emperor, Master John Curkuas. “Noticing a daring foe,” writes Leo Deacon, “Kurkuas, despite the fact that he had a severe headache and was drowsy from the wine (it was after breakfast), jumped on his horse and, accompanied by selected soldiers, rushed to meet them. ... On the run, the horse stumbled into the pit and threw the master. The Scythians saw magnificent weapons, beautifully finished badges on horse harness and other decorations - they were covered with a considerable layer of gold - and they thought it was the emperor himself. Closely surrounding the master, they brutally hacked him together with their armor with their swords and axes, planted their heads on a spear and began to make fun of the Romans, shouting that they had killed their emperor like a sacrificial animal. " The Rus were going to set fire to the siege engines, but the Romans who arrived in time defended them.

Encouraged by this victory, the Russians in the morning (it was July 20, according to the Slavic pagan calendar - Perun's day) left the city and formed a battle formation. The Romans "also lined up in a deep phalanx and moved towards them."

In this battle, the Rus was headed by a certain Ikmor (possibly the governor of the Tauride Rus). According to Leo the Deacon, he was “a brave man of gigantic stature, the first leader of the army after Sfendoslav, who [the Scythians] deservedly revered as the second among them. Surrounded by a detachment of warriors close to him, he fiercely rushed against the Romans and defeated many of them. Seeing this, one of the emperor's bodyguards, the son of the archig [emir] of the Cretans, Anemas, was inflamed by the valor of the spirit, pulled out the sword hanging on his side, galloped on his horse in different directions and, spurring him, rushed to Ikmor, overtook him and struck with the sword in the neck - the head of a Scythian, severed together with right hand, rolled to the ground. As soon as Ikmore died, the Scythians raised a cry mixed with a groan, and the Romans rushed at them. The Scythians could not withstand the onslaught of the enemy; greatly depressed by the death of their leader, they threw their shields behind their backs and began to retreat to the city, and the Romans pursued and killed them. " According to Skilitsa, among the killed Russes there were several women dressed in men's clothes.

At night, the Russians left the city and began to pick up their fallen soldiers. Leo the Deacon described in some detail a terrible picture of a pagan funeral: the Russians piled up corpses in front of the wall, “they made many bonfires and burned, while stabbing, according to the custom of their ancestors, many prisoners, men and women.

Svyatoslav confers with the squad (miniature from the manuscript of John Skilitsa)

Having made this bloody sacrifice, they strangled several nursing babies and roosters, drowning them in the waters of the Istria [Danube]. "

At dawn, Svyatoslav held advice with the oldest squad on what to do next. According to Leo the Deacon, opinions were divided. Some commanders insisted on diving into boats at night and trying to secretly slip past the Roman ships, "because it is impossible to fight with horsemen covered with iron armor, having lost the best fighters." Others feared Greek fire and advised to make peace with the Romans first, taking an oath from them not to interfere with the departure of the Russian flotilla. Skilitsa writes that everyone spoke in favor of ending the war in one way or another. The Tale of Bygone Years conveys the speeches of the supporters of the world as follows: “If we do not make peace with the king, but the king [learns] to let us know, as there are few of us, those who have come will stumble [block us] in the city. And the Russian land is far away ... and who can help us [us]? "

“Then,” writes Leo the Deacon, “Sfendoslav sighed deeply and exclaimed with bitterness:“ The glory that marched after the army of the dews, who easily defeated neighboring peoples and enslaved entire countries without bloodshed, perished, if we now shamefully retreat before the Romans. So, let us be imbued with the courage [which our ancestors bequeathed] to us, remember that the power of the dews has been indestructible until now, and we will fiercely fight for our lives. It is not proper for us to return to our homeland in flight; [we must] either win and stay alive, or die in glory, having accomplished feats [worthy of] valiant men! ""

A very similar speech of the prince, addressed to his soldiers, we read in the Tale of Bygone Years (where it, however, precedes a certain unprecedentedly victorious battle of Svyatoslav with the Greeks): “We already have no children [nowhere to go], we will and unwillingly oppose; let not put to shame the land of Rus, but lie down with that bone, dead do not have trash; If we flee, then we are a shame. Do not run away to the imam, but let us stand strong, and I will go before you: if my head lies down, then provide for yourself [if they kill me, then act as you know yourself]. "

Svyatoslav's words inspired the Russians. On the next day, by sunset, the entire Russian army left the city; John, for his part, led the Romans out of the camp. Skilitsa reports that Tzimiskes, wishing to end the affair without unnecessary bloodshed, offered Svyatoslav a duel. “But he did not accept the challenge and added mocking words that he, they say, understands his benefits better than the enemy, and if the emperor does not want to live anymore, then there are tens of thousands of other ways to death; let him choose whichever he wants. "

At a sign from their commanders, the Romans and the Russians rushed at each other. In battle, Svyatoslav was seriously wounded. According to Leo the Deacon, it happened like this: “A battle has already begun, and the Scythians attacked the Romans with force, pierced them with spears, wounded the horses with arrows and knocked the riders to the ground. Seeing with what fierce fury Sfendoslav rushed at the Romans and inspired his ranks to fight, Anemas, who had become famous on the eve of the murder of Ikmor, rushed forward on horseback (it became a custom for him to do this, and in this way he had already struck many Scythians), dropping the reins , rushed at the leader of the dews and, striking him on the collarbone with his sword, threw him head down to the ground, but did not kill him. Sfendoslav was saved by a chain mail shirt and a shield, with which he armed himself, fearing the Romans' spears. Anemas was surrounded by ranks of Scythians, his horse fell, struck down by a cloud of spears; he interrupted many of them, but died himself ... "

The death of Anemas inspired the Russians. Having issued a victory cry (for the ears of the Romans, these were "wild, piercing cries"), they began to press against the quivering phalanx of the Romans. Then Tzimiskes, in order to save the situation, "summoned the soldiers close to him, with all his might squeezed the spear and himself rushed to the enemies ... Ashamed of the fact that the sovereign himself was going into battle, the Romans turned their horses and rushed with force at the Scythians."

The Rus, according to Skilitsa, "adequately accepted" the attack led by the emperor himself, and the battle continued with equal success. Unable to obtain victory by force, the emperor decided to resort to military cunning. As Leo the Deacon testifies, John noted that “the place of the battle is very cramped” and “that for this reason the Scythians are pushing the Romans.<...>And so the strategists were ordered to retreat back to the plain, moving away from the city and at the same time pretending that they were running away, but in reality not to run headlong, but to retreat quietly and little by little; when the pursuers are distracted at a great distance from the city, they must, unexpectedly pulling on the reins, turn their horses and attack the enemy. The order was fulfilled, and the dew, considering the retreat of the Romans a real flight, rushed after them with a war cry, encouraging each other. But when the Romans reached the designated place, they turned and bravely rushed to the enemies. There a fierce battle ensued, and it happened that the stratigus Theodore of Mysphia, whose horse was struck by a lance, fell to the ground. In this place, a stubborn fight began to boil, for the dew was trying to kill him, and the Romans tried to protect him. This Theodore, having fallen from his horse, grabbed some Scythian by the belt and, moving him by the force of his hands in all directions like a small light shield, he covered himself from the spears flying at him, and he himself, defending himself in this way, gradually retreated, approaching the Romans who finally pushed back the Scythians and saved this husband from danger. "

Apparently, the Russians very much pressed the Romans, because they urgently needed help from above. According to the church calendar, this was the day of the martyrs Theodore and George. And Leo the Deacon narrates how a white horseman suddenly descended from the sky, who began to defeat the Russians to the right and to the left. Of course, it was impossible not to recognize Saint Theodore. True, the Russians did not see anything like that, but only noticed how “suddenly a hurricane burst out interspersed with rain; rushing from the sky, he screened out the enemies; moreover, dust rose, which clogged their eyes. "

The legend of heavenly help, most likely, indicates that the victory was given to the Romans by a truly miracle. In a “hot battle,” writes Leo the Deacon, “the Scythians could not withstand the onslaught of the equestrian phalanx. Surrounded by the magister Varda, nicknamed Sklir, who with many soldiers bypassed them from the rear, they fled. The Romans pursued them to the very wall, and they perished ingloriously. Sfendoslav himself, wounded by arrows, having lost a lot of blood, almost fell into captivity; he was saved only by the onset of night. "

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The famous defense of Dorostol is an episode of the Russian-Byzantine war of 970-971. After a series of battles near the Bulgarian prince Svyatoslav had to retreat to his homeland and abandon the plan to conquer the Danube banks.

Preceding events

In 968, Byzantium sent ambassadors to Russia. The delegation had to persuade the young Svyatoslav Igorevich to go to the Danube and help the Greeks in their war against the Slavic squad really helped the Emperor of Constantinople. However, Svyatoslav wanted to get these lands and, in turn, after the defeat of the Bulgarians, declared war on Byzantium.

In addition, the prince decided to move his residence to the Danube. For a short time Svyatoslav made Pereyaslavets his capital. The military campaign of 970 never determined a winner. Svyatoslav moved to winter apartments in Pereyaslavets. There was a lack of manpower in his army. Many soldiers were wounded and tortured by ordeals in a foreign country. The prince sent a messenger to Kiev with orders to assemble a new squad. By the spring of 971, reinforcements had indeed arrived at Svyatoslav.

In the first year of the war, she was unable to deliver a consolidated blow to the enemy due to the fact that an uprising of the commander Varda Foka broke out in the country. When it was finally suppressed, the ruler John Tzimiskes himself went to Bulgaria to crush the Russian army. Svyatoslav retreated to Dorostol. This fortress became its main bastion. It was the defense of Dorostol that turned out to be a fundamental episode of that war, when it was decided which side of the conflict would win.

First encounter

Svyatoslav did not have time to fully prepare for the coming battle. The defense of Dorostol became a compulsory measure for him, to which he did not want to go. It should be noted that at this time most of the Bulgarian population was on the side of the Kiev prince.

I was able to quickly get over the Bulgarian mountain passes. On April 23, 971, there was a clash between the Greek avant-garde and a small Russian reconnaissance detachment. When a real battle began under the walls of Dorostol, the advancing Greek army moved on the Slavs, forming in two lines. In the first row were the infantry and cavalry. Archers covered them from behind. In total, the defenders of the fortress repulsed 12 attacks, after which the weakened garrison retreated outside the city walls. The Byzantines achieved this thanks to the final blow of the cavalry.

Byzantine camp

It became clear that the defense of Dorostol would last at least several days. Then John Tzimiskes gave the order to build a fortified camp under the walls of the city, where the besiegers could comfortably accommodate. Its center was a small hill, around which a moat was dug. In addition, the camp was defended with spears stuck in the ground, on which shields were hung.

City blockade

The day before, leaving the Greek provinces, the emperor gathered a fleet and sent it along the Black Sea coast to the mouth of the Danube. This squadron successfully climbed the river and on April 25 was close to Dorostol, which was now blocked. Svyatoslav all this time was in the garrison. He also had a small fleet of rooks. The prince ordered to burn the ships that could get to the enemy. The Byzantines unsuccessfully tried to force the besieged to leave the city and give a general battle. Instead, the Slavs from the city walls fired stones and arrows at their enemies.

Finally, on the 26th, Svyatoslav gave the order to his squad to go out into the field and fight the enemy. He hoped that the defense of Dorostol would end so successfully. A year of incessant battles tempered his army, all the soldiers were eager to fight. The battle continued on April 27, after the Russian army spent the night at the same place. During the battle, one of the main confidants of Svyatoslav Igorevich, Sfenkel, was killed. His fate is known thanks to the detailed description of the Balkan events left by the writer Leo Deacon.

The emperor, hoping to crush the enemy, sent a small detachment to the rear of the Slavs. Seeing the maneuver of the Byzantines, Svyatoslav with his army again retreated back to the city. The Slavic prince was not in vain afraid that he might be cut off from the fortress walls.

Three month siege

On April 29, a long siege began. It was the stubborn defense of Dorostol. The year of the war gave Svyatoslav and his soldiers a wealth of experience, which was effectively used during the siege. The Slavs dug a deep ditch, which did not allow the Byzantines to correctly install the machines needed to destroy the fortress walls.

The besieged managed to carry out several successful sorties outside the city. There was not enough food in the fortress. The scouts brought new provisions to Dorostol, which helped the garrison to maintain strength. During one of the sorties, a Byzantine detachment was defeated, whose soldiers watered their horses on the Danube. After this episode, the Greeks dug up all the roads that led to the besieged city.

For the next three months, the Byzantines successfully held the city in their grip. The food was running out. Famine began, after which the local Bulgarians in small groups began to go over to the side of the enemy. If Svyatoslav had not taken action, then the defense of Dorostol would have ended badly. What war was not complete without repression? The Kiev prince staged demonstrative executions of doubting Bulgarians, thanks to which he restored discipline in the city.

By July, the situation remained the same. Tzimiskes was in a hurry to end the siege as soon as possible, because in his absence in Constantinople a time of troubles began. The defense of Dorostol continued, and then the emperor invited Svyatoslav to end the war in a tête-à-tête duel. but Kiev prince refused this, sending John a mocking answer.

Last battles

On July 19, the Slavic detachment went on a sortie. The Byzantines lost their vigilance, they did not think that the besieged would have enough audacity to attack a large camp. But that's exactly what happened. Svyatoslav with his detachment destroyed the siege engines, leaving the Greeks with nothing.

The Slavs were encouraged by their success. The next day they left the city to give another battle to the Byzantines, who were already tired of them.The defense of Dorostol was stopped only after the Slavs fought twice with the army of the emperor (July 20 and 22).

During last fight the Greeks managed to divide the army of Svyatoslav. The prince suffered heavy losses. It became clear that the defense of Dorostol was ending. The date of July 23 is the end of a long siege, during which four battles took place.

Peace conclusion

Finally, Svyatoslav invited the emperor to discuss the terms of the peace treaty. The parties agreed to end the war. Tzimiskes promised to let the Slavs go home. At the same time, the Byzantines gave them all the necessary provisions. In return, Svyatoslav renounced the Danube lands.

Perhaps the Kiev prince hoped to resume the war after several years of peace. However, on the way back, his detachment was killed by the Pechenegs. It happened on the Dnieper rapids during the crossing. Not only the war ended, but also the life of Svyatoslav.

300 ships

Defense of Dorostol- battles in April-July 971 between the Russian army and the army of the Byzantine Empire at the Dorostol fortress, which ended a series of campaigns of Prince Svyatoslav Igorevich to Bulgaria and Byzantium. As a result of the battles, Prince Svyatoslav was forced to make peace with Byzantium and leave the Balkans.

Background

Fight at Preslav

Forces of the parties

Defense of Dorostol

First battle (April 23)

On April 23, the first battle took place, which began after an ambush by the Russians on a small forward detachment of the Byzantines. They destroyed this detachment, but they themselves died.

The Rus expected the main forces of the Byzantines on the near approaches to Dorostol, " closing shields and spears like a wall"(See order of battle" wall "). The battle formation of the Byzantine army consisted of two lines: in the first line in the center stood the infantry, and on the flanks there were mounted men at arms, which made up two wings; in the second line, continuously shooting archers and slingers lined up. In a stubborn battle, the Russians repulsed 12 attacks of the Byzantines. In the evening, Tsimikhsy, having collected all his cavalry, threw it against the exhausted Rus, which forced them to hide behind the walls of Dorostol.

On April 24, the Byzantines erected a fortified camp near Dorostol, erected tents on a small hill, dug a deep ditch around and poured an earthen rampart, on which spears were stuck into the ground and shields were hung on them.

Famine began in the city, the Bulgarians began to go over to the side of the Byzantines. Svyatoslav, realizing that if they all go over to the side of Tzimiskes, then his affairs will end badly, he was forced to start repressions - he executed about 300 in Dorostol " famous for their birth and wealth of the Misyan”, The rest he imprisoned.

Seeing that the situation was deteriorating, on July 19 Svyatoslav organized a large sortie with the aim of destroying the enemy siege and battering machines. Suddenly, after lunch, when the Byzantines did not expect an attack, a detachment of Rus attacked the enemy and burned all the siege structures, killing the chief of the siege machines.

Third fight (July 20)

This success inspired Svyatoslav. On July 20, the Russians left the city and lined up for battle. The Byzantines formed a "thick phalanx". The Rus successfully repelled the attacks of the Byzantines, but during one of them the Russian commander Ikmor was beheaded by Anemas, the bodyguard of Emperor John Tzimiskes, after which the squad “ threw shields behind my back”And retreated to the city. Among the bodies of the killed soldiers left on the battlefield, the Byzantines found the bodies of women, probably Bulgarian residents of Dorostol.

At the Svyatoslav military council (koment), which was convened on July 21, opinions were divided - some suggested breaking out of the city in boats on a dark night, while the other part advised starting peace negotiations. Then Svyatoslav made a speech given by Leo the Deacon:

“Glory, a companion of Russian weapons, which easily defeated neighboring peoples and, without shedding blood, conquered entire countries, will perish if we now shamefully give in to the Romans. And so, with the courage of our ancestors and with the thought that Russian strength has been invincible until now, let us fight bravely for our life. We do not have the custom of fleeing to flee to the fatherland, but either live victorious or, having accomplished famous feats, die with glory. "

After listening to their prince, the squad decided to fight.

Fourth fight (July 22)

On the morning of July 22, the Rus left Dorostol and Svyatoslav ordered the city walls to be locked so that no one had any thoughts of retreating. The battle began with an attack on Byzantine positions by the Russians. In a stubborn battle by noon, the Byzantines began to retreat under the pressure of the Rus. Then Tzimiskes brought in a fresh detachment of horsemen into battle, the attack of which he personally led. This allowed the tired Byzantines to rest. They went on the attack, but were repulsed by the Rus. Then Tzimiskes divided his army into two parts. One detachment, under the command of Patrick Roman and the clerk Peter, entered the battle and began to retreat, luring the Rus squad to an open plain away from the city. At this time, the second detachment under the command of Varda Sklira attacked the Russians from the rear. The storm that began at this time carried clouds of sand into the eyes of the Russians. Fighting bravely, repulsing the constant attacks of the Byzantines, the Russians were able to break through to Dorostol and hide behind its walls.

Losses

Leo the Deacon reports that the Russians had 15 thousand killed in this battle, the Byzantines took 20 thousand shields and many swords, while the Byzantines allegedly had only 350 people killed and “ many wounded". There are doubts that these data are correct.

Consequences of the battle

The next day Svyatoslav invited Tzimiskes to start negotiations. The Emperor willingly accepted this offer. On the banks of the Danube, Svyatoslav met with Tzimiskes. Svyatoslav pledged not to fight with Byzantium, and Tzimiskes had to freely let the boats of the Rus through and give out on the road two measures of bread to each soldier. Leo the Deacon reports that there were 22 thousand people who received bread. After that, the army of Svyatoslav went to Russia. On the way to Kiev, Prince Svyatoslav was killed by the Pechenegs.

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Notes (edit)

L. G. Beskrovny/ Ed. N. M. Korobkov, G. P. Meshcheryakov, M. N. Tikhomirov. - M .: Military publishing house People's Commissariat armed forces, 1946. - p. 2.
M.V. Levchenko Essays ... - p. 277 f.
Sakharov A.N.... - M .: International relations, 1982 .-- S. 240.
Sakharov A.N.... - M .: International relations, 1982 .-- S. 240 .:

The further course of military operations is not known to the Russian chronicler. He is also ignorant of the passage of the Greeks through the Balkans, the capture of Preslav, the battles for Dorostol.
K. Marx and F. Engels Vol., Vol. XVI, part I. - p. 409.
Razin E.A.- SPb. : Polygon, 1999.
/ Resp. ed. Skazkin S.D. - Moscow: Nauka, 1967.
Chefs ON. AST ISBN 5-17-010649-1.
PVL, part I, p. 51.
Chronicle on the Ipatiev list, St. Petersburg, 1871, p. 431
TSB
According to Leo the Deacon, the Russians first appeared on horseback “ and did not know how to fight on horses", Which is most likely a delusion (note - Razin E. A. History of military art. In 3 volumes - St. Petersburg: Polygon, 1999)
Word about Igor's regiment, ed. "Soviet writer", 1953, p. 44
Bulgarians
John Skylitsa, "Review of Histories"
According to the Deacon. According to Kedrin - - in a wedge-shaped system
Сеdr., II, p. 406.21-23
History of Lev Deacon Kaloiskogr, St. Petersburg, 1820, p. 94.
Leo the Deacon writes that the battle began at sunset, which is unlikely, since the battle was stubborn and long. Kedrin reports that around noon a crisis of the battle emerged, therefore, the beginning of it must be attributed to the morning
According to Kedrin, and according to Leo the Deacon - July 24
Word about Igor's regiment, ed. "Soviet writer", 1953, pp. 44-45

Literature

E. A. Belov The struggle of the great book. Kiev Svyatoslav Igorevich with Emperor Tzimiskes // Journal of the Ministry of Public Education. - 1873. - No. 12.
Golitsyn N.S. Ruska military history... - SPb. , 1877.
Leo the Deacon. History / Per. M. M. Kopylenko. - M., 1988.
Razin E.A. History of military art. - SPb. , 1994 .-- T. 2.
Sakharov A.N. Svyatoslav's diplomacy. - M .: International relations, 1982.
Skrynnikov R. G. Russian history. IX-XVII centuries - M., 1997.
A. D. Chertkov Description of the campaign of the great book. Svyatoslav Igorevich against Bulgarians and Greeks // Russian historical collection. - M., 1843 .-- T. VI Book. 3-4.
Chefs ON. Battles of Russia: an encyclopedia. - M .: AST, 2006 .-- S. 171-172. - (Military History Library). - ISBN 5-17-010649-1.

Excerpt from the Defense of Dorostol

- Ecoutez, chere Annette, [Listen, dear Annette,] - said the prince, suddenly taking his interlocutor by the hand and bending it down for some reason. - Arrangez moi cette affaire et je suis votre [Arrange this business for me, and I am forever yours] the most faithful slave a tout jamais pan, comme mon headman m "ecrit des [as my headman writes to me] reports: rest er n !. She is good surnames and rich. All that I need.
And with those free and familiar, graceful movements that distinguished him, he took the maid of honor by the hand, kissed her and, kissing, waved the lady-in-waiting hand, lounging in the armchairs and looking away.
“Attendez [Wait],” Anna Pavlovna said, thinking. - Today I will speak Lise (la femme du jeune Bolkonsky). [with Liza (the wife of the young Bolkonsky).] And maybe it will be settled. Ce sera dans votre famille, que je ferai mon apprentissage de vieille fille. [I will start learning the craft of an old girl in your family.]

Anna Pavlovna's living room began to fill up little by little. The highest nobility of Petersburg arrived, people of the most heterogeneous age and character, but the same in the society in which they all lived; the daughter of Prince Vasily arrived, the beautiful Helen, who had stopped by for her father to go with him to the envoy's holiday. She was wearing a cipher and a ball gown. Known as la femme la plus seduisante de Petersbourg [the most charming woman in St. Petersburg,], a young, little princess Bolkonskaya, who got married last winter and now did not go out into the big world because of her pregnancy, but still went on small evenings, also arrived. Prince Ippolit, the son of Prince Vasily, arrived with Mortemar, whom he introduced; Abbot Morio and many others also arrived.
- Have you seen it yet? or: - are you not familiar with ma tante [my aunt]? - Anna Pavlovna said to the visiting guests and very seriously led them to a little old woman in high bows, who swam out of the other room, as soon as guests began to arrive, she called them by name, slowly moving her eyes from the guest to ma tante [aunt], and then walked away.
All the guests performed the ceremony of greeting the unknown, uninteresting and unnecessary aunt. Anna Pavlovna with sad, solemn participation followed their greetings, silently approving them. Ma tante spoke to everyone in the same terms about his health, about her health and about the health of Her Majesty, which, thank God, was better today. All those who approached, out of decency without showing haste, with a sense of relief from the heavy duty they had fulfilled, left the old woman so that they would never come to her all evening.
The young princess Bolkonskaya arrived with work in an embroidered gold velvet sack. Her pretty, with a slightly blackened mustache, the upper lip was short across the teeth, but the lovelier it opened and the lovelier it sometimes stretched out and sank onto the lower one. As is always the case with quite attractive women, her lack - the shortness of her lips and a half-open mouth - seemed to be her special, her own beauty. It was fun for everyone to look at this, full of health and liveliness, pretty future mother who so easily endured her position. It seemed to the old people and the bored, gloomy young people who looked at her that they themselves were becoming like her, having spent some time with her. Whoever spoke to her and saw at every word her bright smile and shiny white teeth, which were seen incessantly, thought that he was especially kind today. And everyone thought that.
The little princess, waddling over, with small quick steps walked around the table with a work bag on her hand and, cheerfully straightening her dress, sat down on the sofa, near the silver samovar, as if everything she did was part de plaisir [entertainment] for her and for everyone those around her.
"J" ai apporte mon ouvrage [I took over the job], "she said, unrolling her reticule and addressing everyone together.
- Look, Annette, ne me jouez pas un mauvais tour, - she turned to the hostess. - Vous m "avez ecrit, que c" etait une toute petite soiree; voyez, comme je suis attifee. [Don't play a trick on me; you wrote to me that you have a very small evening. See how badly I am dressed.]
And she spread her arms to show her, in lace, gray graceful dress, belted with a wide ribbon a little below the breasts.
- Soyez tranquille, Lise, vous serez toujours la plus jolie [Be calm, you will all be the best], Anna Pavlovna answered.
"Vous savez, mon mari m" abandonne, "she continued in the same tone, addressing the general," il va se faire tuer. Dites moi, pourquoi cette vilaine guerre, [You know, my husband is leaving me. Going to die. Tell why this nasty war,] - she said to Prince Vasily and, without waiting for an answer, turned to the daughter of Prince Vasily, to the beautiful Helen.
- Quelle delicieuse personne, que cette petite princesse! [What a lovely person this little princess is!] - said Prince Vasily quietly to Anna Pavlovna.
Soon after the little princess entered a massive, fat young man with a bobbed head, glasses, light pantaloons in the fashion of the time, with a high frill and a brown tailcoat. This fat young man was the illegitimate son of the famous Catherine grandee, Count Bezukhoi, who was now dying in Moscow. He has not served anywhere yet, just arrived from abroad, where he was brought up, and was for the first time in society. Anna Pavlovna greeted him with a bow, referring to the people of the lowest hierarchy in her salon. But, despite this inferior greeting in its kind, at the sight of Pierre entering, Anna Pavlovna's face depicted anxiety and fear, similar to that which is expressed at the sight of something too huge and unusual for a place. Although, indeed, Pierre was somewhat larger than the other men in the room, this fear could only relate to that intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room.
- C "est bien aimable a vous, monsieur Pierre, d" etre venu voir une pauvre malade, [Very kind of you, Pierre, that you came to visit the poor patient,] - Anna Pavlovna told him, looking at her aunt in fright, to which she let him down. Pierre muttered something incomprehensible and continued to search for something with his eyes. He smiled joyfully, cheerfully, bowing to the little princess as if she were a close acquaintance, and went up to his aunt. Anna Pavlovna's fear was not in vain, because Pierre, not listening to his aunt's speech about her Majesty's health, left her. Anna Pavlovna frightenedly stopped him with the words:
- Do you know Abbe Morioh? he is a very interesting person ... - she said.
- Yes, I heard about his plan for eternal peace, and it is very interesting, but hardly possible ...
“Do you think?…” Anna Pavlovna said, to say something and again turn to her studies as a mistress of the house, but Pierre did the opposite impoliteness. Before, he left without hearing the words of the interlocutor; now he stopped by his conversation the interlocutor who needed to leave him. He, bending his head and spreading his large legs, began to prove to Anna Pavlovna why he believed that the abbot's plan was a chimera.
“We’ll talk later,” said Anna Pavlovna, smiling.
And, having got rid of the young man who did not know how to live, she returned to her occupation as a mistress of the house and continued to listen and look closely, ready to give help at the point where the conversation weakened. As the owner of the spinning workshop, having seated the workers in their places, strolls around the institution, noticing the immobility or the unusual, creaking, too loud sound of the spindle, hurrying, holding it back or starting it in the proper course, so Anna Pavlovna, walking around her living room, approached the silenced or a circle who spoke too much and, with one word or movement, again started a uniform, decent talking machine. But among these worries, everything was visible in her, a special fear for Pierre. She looked at him with concern as he went up to listen to what was being said about Mortemar, and went to another circle where the abbot was talking. For Pierre, brought up abroad, this evening of Anna Pavlovna was the first that he saw in Russia. He knew that the entire intelligentsia of St. Petersburg was gathered here, and his eyes were dizzy like a child in a toy shop. He was still afraid to miss the clever conversations he might hear. Looking at the confident and graceful expressions of the faces gathered here, he kept expecting something particularly clever. Finally, he approached Morio. The conversation seemed interesting to him, and he stopped, waiting for an opportunity to express his thoughts, as young people love it.

Anna Pavlovna's evening was started. Spindles from different sides evenly and incessantly made noise. Except for ma tante, near which sat only one elderly lady with a tear-stained, thin face, somewhat stranger in this brilliant society, the society was divided into three circles. In one, more masculine, the center was the abbot; in another, young, the beautiful Princess Helene, the daughter of Prince Vasily, and the pretty, ruddy, too plump in her youth, little Princess Bolkonskaya. In the third, Mortemar and Anna Pavlovna.
The Viscount was a handsome young man, with gentle features and methods, who obviously considered himself a celebrity, but, out of good manners, modestly left himself to be used by the society in which he found himself. Anna Pavlovna, obviously, treated her guests to them. Just as a good maître d'hotel serves as something supernaturally beautiful that piece of beef that you don't want to eat if you see it in a dirty kitchen, so this evening Anna Pavlovna served her guests first to the viscount, then to the abbot, as something supernaturally refined. In Mortemar's circle they immediately started talking about the murder of the Duke of Enghien. The Viscount said that the Duke of Enghien died of his magnanimity, and that there were special reasons for Bonaparte's anger.
- Ah! voyons. Contez nous cela, vicomte, [Tell us this, viscount,] - said Anna Pavlovna, happily feeling how this phrase was responding a la Louis XV [in the style of Louis XV], - contez nous cela, vicomte.
The Viscount bowed in obedience and smiled politely. Anna Pavlovna made a circle around the viscount and invited everyone to listen to his story.
“Le vicomte a ete personnellement connu de monseigneur, [the Viscount was personally acquainted with the duke,]” Anna Pavlovna whispered to one. “Le vicomte est un parfait conteur,” she said to the other. “Comme on voit l” homme de la bonne compagnie [As you can see a man of good society now], ”she said to the third, and the viscount was served to society in the most elegant and favorable light for it, like roast beef on a hot dish sprinkled with herbs.
The Viscount was about to begin his story and smiled thinly.
- Come here, chere Helene, [dear Helene,] - said Anna Pavlovna to the beautiful princess, who was sitting at a distance, making up the center of another circle.
Princess Helene smiled; she rose with the same unchanging smile quite beautiful woman with which she entered the living room. Slightly rustling with her white ballroom robe, trimmed with ivy and moss, and shining with the whiteness of her shoulders, the gloss of hair and diamonds, she walked between the parted men and straight, not looking at anyone, but smiling to everyone and as if graciously giving everyone the right to admire the beauty of their camp , full of shoulders, very open, in the fashion of the time, chest and back, and as if bringing with her the brilliance of a ball, she went up to Anna Pavlovna. Helene was so good that not only was there not even a shadow of coquetry in her, but, on the contrary, she seemed to be ashamed of her undoubted and too strong and triumphantly acting beauty. She seemed to want and could not diminish the effect of her beauty. Quelle belle personne! [What a beauty!] - said everyone who saw her.
As if struck by something extraordinary, the Viscount shrugged his shoulders and lowered his eyes while she sat down in front of him and illuminated him with the same invariable smile.
- Madame, je crains pour mes moyens devant un pareil auditoire, [I really fear for my abilities in front of such an audience,] he said, bowing his head with a smile.
The princess leaned her open, full hand on the table and did not find it necessary to say anything. She waited, smiling. Throughout the story, she sat upright, glancing now and then at her full, beautiful hand, which changed its shape from pressure on the table, now at an even more beautiful chest, on which she was straightening a diamond necklace; She straightened the folds of her dress several times and, when the story made an impression, looked back at Anna Pavlovna and immediately assumed the same expression that was on the lady's face, and then again calmed down in a radiant smile. After Helene, the little princess also passed from the tea table.
“Attendez moi, je vais prendre mon ouvrage, [Wait, I'll take my job,]” she said. - Voyons, a quoi pensez vous? - she turned to Prince Hippolytus: - apportez moi mon ridicule. [What are you thinking about? Bring my reticule.]
The princess, smiling and talking to everyone, suddenly made a rearrangement and, sitting down, recovered cheerfully.
“Now I'm fine,” she said, and, asking to start, set to work.
Prince Hippolytus carried her a reticule, went over to her and, drawing a chair close to her, sat down beside her.
Le charmant Hippolyte impressed with his extraordinary resemblance to his beautiful sister, and even more so because, despite the resemblance, he was strikingly foolish. His facial features were the same as those of his sister, but in the latter everything was illuminated by the cheerful, self-satisfied, young, invariable smile of life and the extraordinary, antique beauty of the body; on the other hand, the brother's face was clouded with idiocy and invariably expressed self-confident grumpiness, and the body was thin and weak. Eyes, nose, mouth - everything seemed to shrink into one vague and boring grimace, and arms and legs always took an unnatural position.
"Ce n" est pas une histoire de revenants? [Isn't this a ghost story?] - he said, sitting down beside the princess and hastily attaching his lorgnette to his eyes, as if without this instrument he could not begin to speak.
- Mais non, mon cher, [Not at all,] - the surprised narrator said with a shrug.
- C "est que je deteste les histoires de revenants, [The fact is that I hate ghost stories,] - he said in a tone that was obvious, - he said these words, and then he realized that they meant.
Because of the self-confidence with which he spoke, no one could understand whether what he said was very clever or very stupid. He was in a dark green tailcoat, in pantaloons of the color cuisse de nymphe effrayee, [thighs of a frightened nymph,] as he himself said, in stockings and shoes.
Vicomte [Viscount] told very nicely about the anecdote then circulating that the Duke of Enghien had secretly traveled to Paris to meet with m lle George, [Mademoiselle Georges] and that there he met Bonaparte, who also enjoyed the favors of the famous actress, and that there, meeting with the duke, Napoleon accidentally fell into the swoon to which he was exposed, and was at the mercy of the duke, which the duke did not take advantage of, but that Bonaparte was subsequently magnanimous for this and avenged the duke with death.
The story was very sweet and interesting, especially in the place where the rivals suddenly recognize each other, and the ladies seemed to be in excitement.
- Charmant, [Charming,] - said Anna Pavlovna, looking inquiringly at the little princess.
“Charmant,” the little princess whispered, sticking a needle into her work, as if to show that the interest and charm of the story prevented her from continuing her work.
The Viscount appreciated this tacit praise and, smiling gratefully, went on; but at this time Anna Pavlovna, who was still looking at the young man who was terrible for her, noticed that he was talking too hotly and loudly with the abbot, and hastened to help the dangerous place. Indeed, Pierre managed to strike up a conversation with the abbot about political equilibrium, and the abbot, apparently interested in the young man's innocent ardor, developed his favorite idea in front of him. Both listened and spoke too animatedly and naturally, and Anna Pavlovna did not like this.
“The remedy is European equilibrium and droit des gens [international law],” said the abbot. - It is worth one powerful state like Russia, glorified for barbarism, to become disinterestedly at the head of an alliance with the goal of balancing Europe - and it will save the world!
- How do you find such a balance? - Pierre began; but at that moment Anna Pavlovna came up and, glancing sternly at Pierre, asked the Italian about how he endured the local climate. The Italian's face suddenly changed and took on an insulting feigned sweet expression, which, apparently, was familiar to him in conversation with women.
“I am so fascinated by the delights of the mind and education of society, especially women, into which I had the good fortune to be accepted, that I have not yet had time to think about the climate,” he said.