Kievan Rus: The Early Russian Expansion Failure

Kievan Rus: The Early Russian Expansion Failure  

Battle Of Arcadiopolis (970) 

Background: In the late 960's the Byzantine Empire, encouraged by there success against Arab forces, refused the annual tribute given to the Bulgarians. This being a declaration of war by the Byzantine Empire, worried by an attack by the Bulgarians while their forces were still coming back from their battles in Anatolia asked the Rus to assist them against the Bulgarians. Kaghan Svyatoslav responded swiftly attacking and taking over the Bulgarians. With the capture of Bulagria by the Rus the Byzantine plan instead backfired allowing a new power to lay claim in the Balkans. 

Purpose of the Battle: After the capture of Bulgaria, the Kievan Rus felt emboldened and confident to attack the heart of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. The Byzantines by now noticing the advancing to the city they prepared to war. The upcoming would determine who would control Bulgaria and most of Greece as they knew it. 

The Battle: With Byzantine forces still coming back from Anatolia, the Byzantine army could only muster a small force of around 10,000 to 12,000 men while the attackers were around 30,000 strong. The Rus force camped outside of Constantinople thinking that the small Byzantine force would attack the larger Rus force. The Rus force then began to pillage the outskirts of Constantinople ruining crops and homes. The commander of the Byzantine Bardos Skleros brother of the Emperor seeing that the Rus defenses were weak ambushed the camp and forced the Rus army to retreat. 

Result: Decisive Victory for the Byzantines  

                                     Kievan Rus Soldiers

Aftermath: After the battle the casualties for the Rus were great with several thousands dead, while on the Byzantine side there casualties were few with only a couple 100 dead. This Battle forced the Rus to retreat to Bulgaria where the weakened force lost another battle on the Danube at Dorostolon in 971 where the Rus leader Svyatoslav was killed. This caused the Kievan Rus to be set back and not allow them to become an even bigger Empire.

Commanders: Kaghan Svyatoslav-Kievan Rus
                         Bardos Skleros-Byzantine Empire






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqy4-Pds5eI
This Link shows you what Kievan Rus soldiers wore and how they fought

http://www.byzantium.xronikon.com/battle.php?byzbat=c10_14