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. He is remembered for a very sad and difficult part of his life, when stories say he may have hurt his own brothers while trying to take control of the throne, though historians still discuss exactly what happened.

His name includes a special family name called a patronymic, following the customs of East Slavic naming traditions. Even though some stories call him “the Accursed,” 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 even recognized this family’s connection to Sviatopolk.

Early life

Sviatopolk's mother was a Greek nun who was captured by Sviatoslav I in Bulgaria and later married to Yaropolk I, who became prince in 972. When Yaropolk was killed by his brother Vladimir in 980, Vladimir then married Yaropolk's wife, and she later had a child. This made Sviatopolk possibly the oldest of Vladimir's sons, although some people question this.

When Sviatopolk was just eight years old, Vladimir sent him to rule Turov and arranged for him to marry the daughter of Bolesław I the Brave of Poland. The princess arrived in Turov with Reinbern, the Bishop of Kolberg, now called Kołobrzeg. However, Sviatopolk grew unhappy with Vladimir. With help from his wife and Reinbern, he planned to fight against Vladimir, likely hoping for support from his father-in-law. But Vladimir found out about the plan. He put Sviatopolk, his wife, and Reinbern in prison, where Reinbern passed away.

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 quickly took control of Kiev.

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

Sviatopolk sent officials to attack Boris, who was killed along with his servant. When Boris was found still alive, others ended his life. This cruel act gave Sviatopolk the name "the Accursed." When Yaroslav, another son of Vladimir and prince of Novgorod, heard of these events, he declared war on Sviatopolk. Their first battle happened 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, though his allies soon left. Later, Yaroslav attacked once more, forcing Sviatopolk to flee. Sviatopolk gathered an army and fought Yaroslav again but was defeated and fled to Poland, where he died in July 1019.

Biography according to foreign sources

Historians have updated the story of Sviatopolk's time as a leader. Some believe Boris took control of Kiev first, while Sviatopolk was still held captive. A story from old Norse tales 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 actually have been Sviatopolk, whose soldiers were led by the Polish leader Bolesław.

Some think Sviatopolk became leader after Boris was killed and then tried to defend himself against Yaroslav's attacks and punish those involved in Boris's death. The writings of Thietmar of Merseburg, who lived until 1018, are considered 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 who think Sviatopolk caused the deaths of Boris and Gleb believe.

Archeological record

Scientists studied an elite warrior buried in the Bodzia Cemetery around 1010-1020 AD. This person was connected 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 retreating from Kiev to Poland in 1018 AD.