Sviatopolk I of Kiev
Sviatopolk I Vladimirovich was born to a Greek nun captured by Sviatoslav I in Bulgaria. Her marriage to Yaropolk I ended when Yaropolk's brother Vladimir murdered him in 980. Vladimir then married the widow, and she gave birth to a child who became known as Sviatopolk. This boy may have been the eldest of Vladimir's sons, though his parentage remains questioned by historians. When he reached eight years old, Vladimir placed him in charge of Turov. The young prince later arranged a marriage with the daughter of Bolesław I the Brave of Poland. A princess named Reinbern accompanied her from Kolberg to Turov. Dissatisfied with his father, Sviatopolk began preparations for war against Vladimir. He likely counted on support from his father-in-law. Vladimir discovered these intentions and threw Sviatopolk, his wife, and Reinbern into prison. Reinbern died within those walls.
Not long before Vladimir's death, Sviatopolk was freed from prison. In 1015, his retinue concealed Vladimir's death to prevent him from claiming the Kievan throne immediately. When news finally reached him, Sviatopolk seized power in Kiev almost instantly. Citizens of Kiev showed little sympathy for this new ruler. He decided to distribute presents to win them over. Then he moved to eliminate three of Vladimir's sons: Boris, Gleb, and Sviatoslav. Their claims threatened his hold on power. Boris presented the greatest danger because he commanded Vladimir's druzhina and enjoyed citizen support. Sviatopolk sent boyars of Vyshgorod to execute Boris. Boris and his manservant were stabbed to death while sleeping in a tent. The prince was found still breathing during transport in a bag to Kiev. Varangians put him out of his misery with a lance thrust. This cold-blooded reprisal earned him the nickname of the Accursed.
News of the triple murder reached Yaroslav, Prince of Novgorod. He decided to go to war against Sviatopolk with support from Novgorod citizens and Varangians. The battle took place in 1016 not far from Lubech near the Dnieper river. Sviatopolk was defeated and fled to Poland. In 1018, he returned to Rus' with help from his father-in-law. He defeated Yaroslav and seized Kiev once more. Bolesław of Poland and his army remained in Rus' for several months before returning home. They seized some Cherven towns on their way back. Meanwhile, posadnik Konstantin Dobrynich and other Novgorod citizens persuaded Yaroslav to fight again. Sviatopolk was defeated and fled to the steppes. He soon returned with the Pecheneg army and attacked Yaroslav on the Alta River. He was once again defeated and fled to Poland. He died on his way there in July 1019. Some sources suggest he may have been murdered by a descendant of Valuk Conqueror who helped him in 1018.
During the last century, traditional accounts of Sviatopolk's career underwent significant modification. One Norse saga called Eymund's saga puts blame on Yaroslav for murdering Burizlaf. This name might refer to Sviatopolk or Boris. The chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg offers another perspective. Thietmar died in 1018 and his data may have come from Sviatopolk during exile at the Polish court. His account can be interpreted ambiguously regarding guilt. One passage suggests Sviatopolk escaped to Poland immediately after his father's death. Yet Thietmar states Bolesław supported his son-in-law against Yaroslav in 1017. This date matches the Primary Chronicle record of Sviatopolk's first defeat. Preparing a campaign against Kiev, Bolesław abruptly stopped a successful war against German Emperor Henry II. It is unlikely that Sviatopolk had been present at his court since 1015 as often supposed by historians.
The I-S2077 subclade of Y-DNA haplogroup I-Z63 was sampled on an elite warrior buried in Bodzia Cemetery. The burial dates from approximately 1010-1020 AD. All artifacts there indicate strong relation to Kievan Rus' ruling elite. This man likely succumbed to combat wounds and was closely related to Sviatopolk. The cemetery in Bodzia stands out for its Scandinavian and Kievan Rus' links. The Bodzia man belonged to the princely family himself rather than being a simple retinue warrior. His burial is the richest one found in the entire cemetery. Strontium analysis of his tooth enamel shows he was not local. He probably came to Poland with Sviatopolk and met violent death in combat. This corresponds to events of 1018 AD when Sviatopolk disappeared after retreating from Kiev to Poland. It cannot be excluded that the Bodzia man was Sviatopolk himself.
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Common questions
Who was Sviatopolk I of Kiev and what was his parentage?
Sviatopolk I Vladimirovich was born to a Greek nun captured by Sviatoslav I in Bulgaria. His mother had been married to Yaropolk I before Vladimir murdered him in 980 and then took her as his wife.
When did Sviatopolk I of Kiev die and how old was he when he died?
Sviatopolk I of Kiev died on his way to Poland in July 1019. He was approximately eight years old when his father Vladimir placed him in charge of Turov, making him around thirty-nine years old at the time of his death.
Why is Sviatopolk I of Kiev known as the Accursed?
Sviatopolk I of Kiev earned the nickname of the Accursed for ordering the execution of three of his brothers Boris, Gleb, and Sviatoslav. Boris was stabbed to death while sleeping in a tent and later put out of his misery with a lance thrust during transport to Kiev.
Where did Sviatopolk I of Kiev flee after being defeated by Yaroslav in 1016?
Sviatopolk I of Kiev fled to Poland after his defeat near Lubech not far from the Dnieper river in 1016. He returned to Rus' in 1018 with help from his father-in-law Bolesław I the Brave but eventually fled again to the steppes before dying on his way back to Poland.
What evidence links the Bodzia man to Sviatopolk I of Kiev?
The Bodzia man belonged to the princely family himself rather than being a simple retinue warrior according to strontium analysis showing he was not local. The burial dates from approximately 1010-1020 AD and contains artifacts indicating strong relation to Kievan Rus ruling elite which corresponds to events of 1018 AD when Sviatopolk disappeared after retreating from Kiev to Poland.