Roman Emperor Tzimiskes against the Kyiv Prince Svyatoslav
Reconstruction of the face of Tzimiskes on a silk Byzantine tapestry brought from Constantinople in the 12th century by Bishop Gunther of Bamberg
В previous article it was told about the origin and youth of John Tzimiskes and the circumstances of his accession to the throne. Today we will continue this story.
Having ascended the throne, John discovered that things in the empire, to put it mildly, were not very brilliant. For the third year in a row, the country experienced poor harvests. The Arabs were preparing for a new war, in which they hoped to regain lost cities and lands. And in the north, a new formidable enemy suddenly appeared - the young Kiev prince Svyatoslav.
The rash decision of Nikephoros Phocas
As often happens, the Romans themselves called on the future enemy for help. Svyatoslav, in their opinion, should have struck at the Bulgarians, who were then receiving tribute from the Romans. In 966, Nicephorus Phokas decided to put an end to this and, in order to tie the Bulgarians’ hands with war, sent the patrician Kalokir, the son of the strategist of Chersonesus, to Kyiv to recruit new allies. Kavlokir brought a fairly large amount of gold - 15 centinarii, that is, 108 thousand coins. However, the envoy of Nikephoros “exceeded” the assignment - he fraternized with Svyatoslav and, it seems, agreed with him on selfless assistance in the capture of Constantinople, the throne of which was to go to Kalokir. The Hungarians and some Pecheneg tribes also acted as allies of the Russian prince.
The outbreak of war
Svyatoslav approached the mouth of the Danube, where he defeated the army of the Bulgarians who opposed him, after which he took possession of many fortresses. He liked the new lands - so much that, according to the chronicler’s report, he then said:
“I don’t like to sit in Kyiv, I want to live in Pereyaslavets on the Danube - for there is the middle of my land, all the blessings flock there: gold, pavolok, wine, various fruits from the Greek land; from the Czech Republic and from Hungary silver and horses; From Rus' there are furs and wax, honey and slaves.”
Some of the Bulgarians entered into an agreement with Svyatoslav, others sought help from the Romans. Tzimiskes tried to negotiate, but his ambassadors did not achieve success. After this, John and Svyatoslav exchanged threatening letters. The Emperor wrote:
“If you do not leave the country yourself, then we will expel you from it against your will. I believe that you have not forgotten about the defeat of your father Ingor, who, despising the oath agreement, sailed to our capital with a huge army on 10 thousand ships, and arrived at the Cimmerian Bosporus with barely a dozen boats, becoming the messenger of his own misfortune. I don’t even mention his pitiful fate when, having gone on a campaign against the Germans, he was captured by them, tied to tree trunks and torn in two. I think that you will not return to your fatherland if you force the Roman force to come out against you - you will find death here with your entire army, and not a single torchbearer will arrive in Scythia to announce the terrible fate that has befallen you.”
Svyatoslav replied:
“I see no need for the Roman Emperor to rush to us; let him not exhaust his strength on the journey to this country - we ourselves will soon pitch our tents at the gates of Byzantium and erect strong barriers around the city, and if he comes to us, if he decides to confront such a misfortune, we will bravely meet him and show him in practice , that we are not some artisans who earn a living by the labor of our hands, but men of blood who weapons defeat the enemy. In vain, out of his unreasonableness, he mistakes the Russians for pampered women and tries to intimidate us with similar threats, like infants who are frightened with all sorts of scarecrows.”
Constantinople was gripped by anxiety. The epitaph addressed to Nikephoros Phocas, which was written by John the Geometer in the spring of 970, is characteristic. In it, he called on the murdered emperor to rise from the grave and defend the capital or accept all its inhabitants into his grave.
However, Tzimiskes was also a very good commander. In preparation for decisive battles with aliens from the north, he, in particular, created a new guards unit of 500 heavily armed horsemen (cataphracts), which was called “Immortals” (perhaps by analogy with a similar unit of the Persian king Darius). This detachment included the best warriors who received armor decorated with gold and silver - their armor literally shone in the sun, which made a great impression on both the enemies and the Romans themselves. In Thrace, two experienced commanders gathered troops - Master Varda Sklir and Patrick Peter. In the east at this time, Patrick Nicholas led the remaining troops.
Already in 970, the first clashes between Russians and Romans took place. At first, Peter managed to defeat the advanced detachments of Svyatoslav, but then his army suffered a crushing defeat. The name of this patrician is not mentioned anywhere else - perhaps he died in battle.
B. Chorikov. Svyatoslav in the battle with the Greeks near Adrianople
Another detachment of Rus near Arkadiopolis entered into battle with the army of Varda Sklir. In Byzantine sources there is a description of this battle:
“Varda divided the phalanx into three parts and ordered one of them to follow directly behind him in the center, and the other two to hide to the side, in the forests, and jump out of ambush as soon as they heard a trumpet sound calling for battle... From both The bravest warriors died on both sides. And then, they say, some Scythian, boasting of his strength and the might of his body, rushed forward from the phalanx of horsemen surrounding him, galloped up to Varda and struck him on the helmet with his sword. But the blow was unsuccessful: the blade of the sword, hitting the hardness of the helmet, bent and slid to the side. Then Patrik Constantine, Varda’s brother, a young man who barely had any down on his chin, but who was of enormous height and invincible, irresistible strength, drew his sword and attacked the Scythian. He was afraid of Konstantin’s onslaught and dodged the blow, leaning back on the horse’s croup. The blow hit the horse's neck, and his head flew to the side; The Scythian collapsed along with his horse to the ground and was stabbed to death by Constantine... The impermanence of happiness passed uncontrollably from one side to the other, Varda ordered a military muster to be blown and the tympanums to be beaten frequently. At this sign, the phalanx hidden in ambush rose up and rushed at the Scythians from the rear: gripped by fear, they began to incline to flee. However, at a time when the retreat had just begun, some noble Scythian, superior to the other warriors in his great height and brilliance of armor, moving through the space between the two armies, began to arouse courage in his comrades. Varda Sklir ran up to him and hit him on the head so hard that the sword penetrated to the waist; the helmet could not protect the Scythian, the shell could not withstand the strength of the hand and the devastating effect of the sword. He fell to the ground, cut in two; The Romans perked up and filled the air with joyful cries. The Scythians were horrified by this amazing, supernatural blow; they screamed, broke their formation and fled. Until late in the evening the Romans pursued them and mercilessly exterminated them.”
Persecution of Russians by the Byzantines, miniature of the “Madrid Manuscript” of Skylitzes
Tzimisces at this time was gathering troops of Anatolian themes, which came to Thrace in the spring of 971.
Revolt of Bardas Phocas
Meanwhile, in Caesarea (the modern Turkish city of Kayseri), the nephew of the murdered emperor, Bardas Phocas, tried to rebel. Mikhail Psell wrote about him:
“And this husband, as the historian says, was similar in character to his uncle the emperor: always anxious and wary, he knew how to foresee and see everything, was skilled in military tricks, experienced in various kinds of attacks, ambushes and open battles. In battles, he was more decisive and courageous than Skler. The enemy wounded by him immediately gave up the ghost, and with one battle cry he confused the entire phalanx.”
Tzimisces entered into negotiations, promising forgiveness and the preservation of all the possessions of the rebels, but Bardas Phocas did not even respond to his letter. It was necessary to recall Varda Skler from Thrace, whose brother, the same Constantine, was married to the sister of the rebel. The emperor, who completely trusted Skler, hoped that he would be able to come to an agreement with his relative. Bardas Skleros sent spies to the enemy camp, who quickly propagated the army of Phocas' supporters, so that he soon had no more than 300 soldiers loyal to him. With them he went to the fortress of the Tyrants, in which he then surrendered to the mercy of the winner, was tonsured a monk and exiled to the island of Chios. But the emperor ordered the soldiers accompanying him to gouge out their eyes.
Continuation of the war in Bulgaria
Meanwhile, John Kurkuas (grandson of the good commander about whom we spoke in previous article), did nothing, ceasing all attempts to counteract Svyatoslav's troops, which were ravaging Thrace and Macedonia. And Emperor John Tzimiskes celebrated a new marriage all winter (with the daughter of Constantine Porphyrogenitus Theodora), which was concluded on November 3, 970. This wedding was supposed to strengthen John's position as emperor. He set out on a campaign in April 971. At that time, Svyatoslav's army was divided into two parts, the first of which, under the command of the governor Sfenkel, was in Preslav, the second, commanded by the prince himself, was in Dorostol (later this city was called Silistria). According to modern researchers, the forces of the opponents were approximately equal - about 28 thousand soldiers on each side. But, as already noted, the two Russian armies were located at a distance of about 14 km from each other. At the same time, Svyatoslav, confident in his strength, did not take measures to protect the passes in the Balkan Mountains. But 160 years ago, in the Vyrbish Pass, already returning from the burnt Pliska, surrounded by the Bulgarians, Emperor Nicephorus I died along with his entire army. Tzimiskes declared to his subordinates:
“I myself know that carelessness and willful insolence in battles usually lead to the greatest danger and irreparable disaster... however, we should act decisively and make the best use of the circumstances... while the Scythians are still inactive and do not suspect our arrival, we will take advantage convenient opportunity. Victory awaits us after we pass through the mountain passes. But if they discover our intention to cross the gorge and line up their army there against us, things will not end well, then a terrible disaster will await us, our situation will become hopeless. Cheer up your spirit, remember that you are Romans, who used to put any enemy to flight with their weapons! Follow me as quickly as possible and show your courage in action!”
In just four days (from April 9 to April 12), Tzimiskes' army covered 180 kilometers and reached the capital of Bulgaria - the city of Preslav, which was taken by storm just 2 days later.
The Romans storm Preslav
The Bulgarian Tsar was captured, the treasury of the kingdom was captured, about 7 thousand Russians died, Patrick Kalokir fled to Svyatoslav in advance with the news of the approach of the imperial army.
On April 18, Tzimiskes led the army to Dorostol, where Svyatoslav was located - and the numerical advantage was now on the side of the Romans. Nevertheless, Svyatoslav decided not to hide behind the walls of the fortress, but to give battle in the field - about 18 km from Dorostol. Lev Deacon writes:
“The Tauro-Scythians tightly closed their shields and spears, giving their ranks the appearance of a wall, and awaited the enemy on the battlefield. The emperor lined up the Romans against them, placing armored horsemen on the sides, and archers and slingers behind, and, ordering them to shoot non-stop, led the phalanx into battle.”
The battle between the Russians and the Byzantines at the reconstruction of M. Gorelik
At the decisive moment, Tzimiskes sent cataphracts to attack, who crushed the formation of Svyatoslav’s soldiers, and the prince was forced to retreat to Dorostol. The Romans, apparently, were so tired of the battle that they could not organize a full-fledged pursuit - otherwise the entire army of Svyatoslav would have been destroyed on the way to Dorostol.
“Having offered prayers to the victorious martyr George for the victory (for the clash with the enemies took place on the day dedicated to his memory), the next day the emperor himself moved to Dorostol and, once there, began to strengthen the camp.”
On April 25, the siege of Dorostol began, during which the Rus often left the city for small skirmishes with the Romans. Meanwhile, Roman warships approached Dorostol, including flamethrower dromons, which blocked the fortress from the river.
John Tzimiskes at the walls of Dorostol. Miniature from a Vatican manuscript of the 14th century.
Skylitsa claims that, fearing the betrayal of the Bulgarians, Svyatoslav executed about 300 "the famous Misyans for their birth and wealth", and Tzimiskes suggested that he resolve the matter by duel:
“He did not accept the challenge and added mocking words that he, supposedly, understands his own benefit 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.”
During the Russian raid on July 18, the above-mentioned Master John Kurkuas was killed, whom the Russians mistook for the emperor because of his rich armor. Inspired by this success, the next day Svyatoslav again led the army outside the walls, but this time it was not possible to break the blockade, but the Russian governor Ikmor, who is called the second man in the army, died. Lev Deacon describes the burial ceremony of the fallen Rus:
“When night fell and the full circle of the moon shone, the Scythians came out onto the plain and began to pick up their dead. They piled them up in front of the wall, made many fires and burned them, slaughtering many captives, men and women, according to the custom of their ancestors. Having made this bloody sacrifice, they strangled (several) infants and roosters, drowning them in the waters of the Ister.”
Henryk Semiradsky. “Night Sacrifice” (“Trison of Svyatoslav’s warriors after the battle near Dorostol in 971”)
And further:
“They say that the Scythians venerate the mysteries of the Hellenes, make sacrifices according to pagan rites and pour out libations for the dead, having learned this either from their philosophers Anacharsis and Zamolxis, or from the companions of Achilles. After all, Arrian writes in his “Description of the Seashore” that Peleus’ son Achilles was a Scythian and came from a town called Myrmikion, located near Lake Maeotis (Sea of Azov). Expelled by the Scythians for his wild, cruel and insolent disposition, he subsequently settled in Thessaly. Clear evidence (of the Scythian origin of Achilles) is the cut of his cape, fastened with a clasp, the habit of fighting on foot, blond hair, light blue eyes, extravagant irritability and cruelty.”
At the council of the remaining Russian commanders, which met the next day, opinions were divided. Some suggested breaking through on ships, but there was a high risk that they would be burned by the Roman dromons. And therefore, some of the commanders insisted on negotiations with the emperor. But Svyatoslav, as you know, decided to give another battle, it was then that he uttered the famous phrase:
“The dead have no shame.”
On that day, the Roman warrior Anemas, who had previously defeated Ikmor, died:
“Anemas was surrounded by rows of Scythians, his horse fell, struck by a cloud of spears; He killed many of them, but he himself died - a husband whom none of his peers could surpass in military exploits.”
At some point, it seemed that victory was leaning towards the Russians - and then the emperor himself led the attack of the “immortals”. Later, a legend arose that in front of this detachment many saw an unknown rider on a white horse, who was declared the patron saint of warriors, Theodore Tyrone, who came to the aid of Christians.
Saint Theodore Tyrone on a 15th century Cretan icon. According to the apocrypha “The Tale of the Exploits of Fyodor Tirinin”, this saint was also a snake fighter
The Russians were forced to retreat.
In the next article we will continue the story about the war between John Tzimiskes and Svyatoslav, talk about the diplomatic successes of this emperor in Italy, two successful campaigns in the East and unexpected death.
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