Caspian expeditions of the Rus'

The 913 Massacre Campaign

A fleet of 500 ships launched the first large-scale raid in 913. These vessels reached the southern shores of the Caspian Sea through the country of the Khazars. To secure peaceful passage, the Rus' promised the Khazars half of their spoils. They sailed down the Dnieper River into the Black Sea, then into the Sea of Azov, and up the Don River past the Khazar city of Sarkel. By a portage they reached the Volga which led them into the Caspian Sea. The Rus' attacked in the Gorgan region around Abaskun and pillaged Tabaristan. An attempt to repel them near islands in the southwestern part of the Caspian Sea proved unsuccessful. They roamed and raided at will across the sea. They plundered regions of Arran, Tabaristan, Beylagan, and Shirvan. Everywhere they looted as much as possible taking women and children as slaves. News of their outrages preceded them on the homeward journey. In the Volga Delta the Rus' were attacked by Khazars and some Christians with apparent acquiescence from the Khazar ruler. Those who escaped were finished off by Burtas and Volga Bulgars according to al-Masudi.

When did the first Caspian raid occur and who was the ruler of Tabaristan at that time?

The first Caspian raid occurred sometime in the reign of Hasan ibn Zaid, ruler of Tabaristan between 864 and 884. The Rus' sailed into the Caspian Sea and unsuccessfully attacked its eastern shore at Abaskun.

What happened during the large-scale Caspian expedition of 913 led by the Rus'?

A fleet of 500 ships launched the first large-scale raid in 913 to attack regions including Arran, Tabaristan, Beylagan, and Shirvan. The Rus' plundered these areas taking women and children as slaves before being attacked by Khazars and Burtas on their return journey through the Volga Delta.

How did the second large-scale campaign of 943 end for the Rus' forces under Prince Igor?

The second large-scale campaign is dated to 943 when Igor was prince of Kievan Rus'. The city of Bardha'a was saved only by an outbreak of dysentery among the Rus', which reduced their numbers and forced them to leave by night carrying treasure and captives.

When did Sviatoslav I of Kiev destroy the Khazar capital of Atil and what were the consequences?

Sviatoslav destroyed the Khazar capital of Atil probably in 968 or 969 after destroying the city of Sarkel around 965. This destruction brought prosperity and independence of Khazaria to abrupt end and paved way for Kievan Rus' to dominate north-south trade routes through steppe and across Black Sea.

What occurred during the Ingvar expedition of 1042 involving a fleet of 200 ships?

In 1042 Ingvar the Far-Travelled led unsuccessful large Viking attack against Persia with fleet of 200 ships containing around 15, 20 thousand men. Legendary saga Yngvars saga víðförla describes last expedition dated to 1041 possibly connected with Georgian-Byzantine Battle of Sasireti.

Caspian expeditions of the Rus'.

The 913 Massacre Campaign

Sacking Bardha'a And Dysentery

Destruction Of The Khazar State

Later Expeditions And Ingvar

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