Sviatopolk I of Kiev

Sviatopolk I of Kiev

Sviatopolk I Vladimirovich, also known as Sviatopolk the Accursed or the Accursed Prince, was a leader in ancient Kievan Rus. He was Prince of Turov from 988 to 1015 and became Grand Prince of Kiev from 1015 until his death in 1019.

His name includes a special family name called a patronymic, following the customs of East Slavic naming traditions. His family name lived on through the Svyatopolk-Mirsky family, who were part of the larger Rurikid royal group. Many years later, the famous leader Peter the Great recognized this family’s connection to Sviatopolk.

Early life

Sviatopolk's mother was a Greek nun captured by Sviatoslav I in Bulgaria. She later married Yaropolk I, who became prince in 972. When Yaropolk was killed by his brother Vladimir in 980, Vladimir married Yaropolk's wife, and she had a child. This made Sviatopolk one of Vladimir's sons.

When Sviatopolk was eight, Vladimir sent him to rule Turov and arranged for him to marry the daughter of Bolesław I the Brave of Poland. The princess arrived with Reinbern, the Bishop of Kolberg, now called Kołobrzeg. But Sviatopolk became unhappy with Vladimir. With help from his wife and Reinbern, he planned to fight against Vladimir. Vladimir discovered the plan and imprisoned Sviatopolk, his wife, and Reinbern. Reinbern passed away in prison.

Biography according to domestic sources

The main source for Sviatopolk's life is the Primary Chronicle. Sviatopolk was freed from prison before his father Vladimir's death. After Vladimir passed away in 1015, Sviatopolk took control of Kiev.

Sviatopolk tried to gain support from the people of Kiev by giving out gifts. He then tried to remove three of Vladimir's sons — Boris, Gleb, and Sviatoslav — because they also wanted to rule. Boris was dangerous because he led Vladimir's guards and had support from the people.

Sviatopolk sent officials to attack Boris, who was killed. When Yaroslav, another son of Vladimir and prince of Novgorod, heard of this, he declared war on Sviatopolk. They fought in 1016 near the Dnieper river, and Sviatopolk was defeated, fleeing to Poland.

In 1018, Sviatopolk returned with help from his father-in-law and took Kiev again, but his allies left soon after. Later, Yaroslav attacked again, forcing Sviatopolk to flee. Sviatopolk gathered an army and fought Yaroslav but was defeated and fled to Poland, where he died in July 1019.

Biography according to foreign sources

Historians have new ideas about Sviatopolk's time as a leader. Some think Boris took control of Kiev first while Sviatopolk was still a prisoner. An old Norse story called Eymund's saga, part of Yngvars saga víðförla, says Yaroslav may have been responsible for the death of his brother Burizlaf. This Burizlaf might have been Sviatopolk, whose soldiers were led by the Polish leader Bolesław.

Some believe Sviatopolk became leader after Boris was killed. He then tried to defend himself against attacks from Yaroslav and punish those involved in Boris's death. The writings of Thietmar of Merseburg, who lived until 1018, are one of the few fair accounts from that time. However, Thietmar's information might have come from Sviatopolk himself during a short stay in Poland. His writings are not always clear about whether Sviatopolk was truly responsible.

Thietmar mentions that Bolesław helped Sviatopolk fight against Yaroslav in 1017, the year Sviatopolk was first defeated by Yaroslav, according to the Primary Chronicle. Bolesław even stopped fighting against the German leader Henry II to support Sviatopolk. This makes it unlikely that Sviatopolk was with Bolesław's court from 1015, as some historians believe.

Archeological record

Scientists studied an elite warrior buried in the Bodzia Cemetery around 1010-1020 AD. This person was linked to the ruling family of Kievan Rus'. The burial was very rich, showing the person was very important. Tests on the person’s teeth showed he was not from the area. Some believe this person may have been Sviatopolk, who disappeared after leaving Kiev for Poland in 1018 AD.