Topic
#Byzantine Empire
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People · Grand Principality of Moscow
Sophia Palaiologina: The Byzantine Princess Who Married Ivan III
Sophia (Zoe) Palaiologina, niece of the last Byzantine emperor, married Ivan III in 1472. What did she really bring to Moscow, and what is legend?
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War & Warriors · Rus'
The Rus' Attack on Constantinople (860): The Vikings' First Raid on Byzantium
In 860 a Rus' fleet raided the outskirts of Constantinople. What Patriarch Photios saw, who the attackers were, why they left and where the storm legend began.
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War & Warriors · Kievan Rus'
Sviatoslav I: The Warrior Prince
Who was Sviatoslav I of Kiev? The pagan prince who broke Khazaria, conquered Bulgaria, defied Byzantium and died at the Dnieper rapids in 972.
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People · Kievan Rus'
Igor of Kiev and the Drevlian Tribute
Igor of Kiev ruled the Rus' until the Drevlians killed him in AD 945. See how Greek fire, a costly treaty and a greedy tribute round sealed his fate.
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People · Kievan Rus'
Oleg of Novgorod: The Prophetic Prince
Who was Oleg of Novgorod? The Varangian who took Kiev, raided Constantinople and died by a snake, sorted into history and legend.
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People · Kievan Rus'
Olga of Kiev: Revenge, Regency and Sainthood
Olga of Kiev buried envoys alive and burned a city with birds, then became a saint. Here is what really happened and what the sources say.
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People · Kievan Rus'
Vladimir the Great: The Warlord Who Baptised Kievan Rus'
Vladimir the Great seized Kiev with Viking help, then baptised Kievan Rus' in 988. Here is what the sources really say about his life and legacy.
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War & Warriors · Byzantine Empire
The Varangian Guard: The Viking and English Axemen Who Guarded Byzantium
Who were the Varangian Guard? Discover how Viking and English axemen guarded Byzantine emperors from AD 988 to c. 1400, what they earned and how it ended.