History• Succeeded Rurik, Chieftain of Ladoga and Novgorod• Was not of Blood descent, but rather an elected Ruler in the

aftermath of Rurik’s death, until his son Igor was old enough to resume the dynasty

• Campaigned against the warlords Askold and Dir who held Kiev, as well as Dneiper settlements that held valuable land

• Seized Kiev at an unknown date soon after beginning his campaign and Moved the capital of his kingdom from Novgorod to Kiev

• This created an offensive militaristic post as well as an easily defendable stronghold and a larger civilized center

History• Kiev served as a convenient place to launch an attack against

Constantinople in 911 AD• This was an economically motivated attack against the

Byzantine Empire• Oleg held superior fighting tactics, equipment and greater

armies than the Byzantines could match• When Constantinople was captured, Oleg had his Great Shield

fixed to the gates of the city as a symbol of his victory• Vengeful and resentful Byzantine assassins poisoned Oleg's

wine during a celebratory feast, but in his success he was cautious, and personally discovered and disposed of the would-be murderers

History• Oleg successfully persuaded the Byzantines to sign a mutual

trade agreement between both nations• This Trade agreement eventually became highly beneficial for

both the Byzantine Empire and the Kiev State• Although no official record of the invasion and agreement

were kept by the Byzantine, the Rus people recorded them in the Primary Chronicle (Historic Events Timeline)

• After the resignation of Oleg in 912 AD, Rurik’s son Igor took command of the Military and Kingdom until his assassination in 945 AD

• In the Primary Chronicle, Oleg’s name is literally translated into the word “Priest”

• This name is considered ironic because it refers to the circumstance of his death, predicted by catholic priests

• Proud of his own foretelling abilities in both wilderness and battle, he sent his horse away as both a sign of confidence and pride

• Some years later he asked where his horse was, and was told it had died in his absence

• Oleg then asked to see the remains and was taken to the place where the bones lay, on a small barren hillside

• When he touched the horse's skull in perhaps a sign of regret or misplaced affection, a snake emerged from the skull and bit him causing his death in 922 AD

Disclaimer• Solid facts about Oleg and the period in which he ruled

and existed are furiously debated• Many Byzantine, Russ and Greek historic undermine

each other through recorded events• Little to no maps exist that are available to the public

to pinpoint Oleg’s campaigns and territory, other than very simple and rudimentary geographical displays

• The Primary Chronicle Remains the most dependant source of information on Oleg of Novgorod, but is financially and politically challenging to attain

Bibliography• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/

Oleg_of_Novgorod• http://reference.findtarget.com/search/Oleg

%20of%20Novgorod/• http://www.russie.net/local/cache-vignettes/

L320xH292/Novgorod_Oleg-44788.jpg• http://www.spock.com/Oleg-of-Novgorod