The Battle of the River Alta. History of Ancient Russia

The small Ukrainian river Alta, whose length does not exceed thirty-seven kilometers, was repeatedly noted in the history of Ancient Rus by bloody events that took place on its shores. They were the consequence and struggle for power between the heirs of the Kiev throne, and the confrontation, long held between our ancestors and nomadic inhabitants of the steppes.

The fratricidal battle on the river Alte

The history of the most famous battle that occurred in 1019, originates from the death of the Kiev prince Vladimir the Great, who died four years before and left four sons after him. Two of them, Yaroslav and Svyatopolk, at the head of their troops met on the bank of the Alta, trying to make their way through the sword to the power they desired. The closest relationship with the holy baptizer of Russia did not prevent them from defying their swords with brotherly blood.

Four years earlier, from the hands of the assassins sent by Svyatopolk, who had corrected all divine and human laws for the sake of power, the other two of their brothers, Boris and Gleb, who were canonized in the face of the holy martyrs, died. For this crime Svyatopolk received from the descendants the nickname "Damned".

Bloody stages of the struggle for power

The Battle of the River Alte (year 1019) was not the first encounter between the brothers. Twice before that, the enemy of the human race had darkened their minds with a thirst for power, pushing bloodshed for the sake of worldly glory and wealth. For the first time it happened in 1016 year. After the blessed death of their paraphernalia, the power in Kiev went to Svyatopolk, but the impudent Yaroslav conquered his reign by defeating his brother, who was victorious in the battle of Lubich.

The second time their blood spilled two years later on the banks of the Western Bug, when Svyatopolk, who was eager for revenge, called for the help of his father-in-law, the Polish King Boleslaw I, to flee his brother's squad. However, his triumph did not last long - having received the territorial concessions promised for his assistance and fearing the popular discontent caused by their presence, the Poles abandoned Svyatopolk to the mercy of fate. Fearful of being hanged for his betrayal, the treacherous prince fled to the Pechenegs, thus giving way to the throne of Kiev to his brother Yaroslav.

The battle between siblings

And, finally, the final of their confrontation was the battle on the river Alta. History has kept very limited information about it. But from the ancient chronicles it is known that this time too Svyatopolk used the help of foreigners to achieve his goal, leading the Pechenegs with him on the battlefield, seducing them with generous promises.

Yaroslav, being no less power-hungry than his brother, nevertheless relied only on the support of his compatriots, without resorting to the help of foreigners and not trading with Russian lands. He managed to collect in Novgorod a large army, armed and equipped at the expense of the citizens themselves. The point in their dispute was the battle on the river Alta.

History has not kept accurate information about exactly where Vladimir Vladimirovich met in the deadly battle. It is only known that this happened at the very place where in July 1015 on the riverbank the life of their third brother, Boris, was cut short. Ancient chroniclers report that the cruel sechs lasted all day and turned into a complete victory of the squad of Yaroslav.

God's wrath that struck Svyatopolk that day was a worthy retribution for his former treachery. Saving his life, he tried to escape through Poland to the Czech Republic, but on the way died, stricken with disease. The throne of Kiev went to his brother, who went down in history under the name of Yaroslav the Wise.

New heirs of princely power

Another battle is known on the river Alta, the date of which is 1068. This event has become a sad page in the history of Russia, but it is also remembered in the chronicles that have survived to us. By this time the rulers of Russia were the sons of the deceased Prince of Kiev Yaroslav the Wise - Vsevolod, Svyatoslav and Izyaslav. Having concentrated all power in their hands, they managed to subordinate to themselves also Smolensk and Volhynia, which had preserved independence until then.

Their triumvirate tried to maintain peace with a strong and aggressive neighbor - Polovtsian Khan Sharukan. In 1055 he even managed to conclude a kind of peace treaty. However, six years later, correcting their promises, the Polovtsi invaded Rus, passing along the left bank of the Dnieper.

The defeat of the princes on the banks of the Alta

Up to 1068, nomadic raids continued, as a result of which the prince brothers were forced to meet them at the head of a large squad. The result of the campaign was the Battle of the River Alta. The history of the date of this event has not been preserved, the details of what happened on that sad day on the bank of the Alta are hidden from us. It is only known about the brutal defeat suffered by the Russian squadron from the troops of Polovtsian Khan Sharukan.

Encouraged by the victory, the nomads intensified their raids, plundering defenseless villagers and approaching Kiev. The indignant townspeople demanded that their rulers, who had returned so ignominiously from the campaign, immediately distribute weapons to all and organize the militia, and, having been refused, raised an uprising that almost cost the scandalous princes of their supreme power.