The Story of Russia | Page 7

nor of the blood of princes." Kief was taken, and
Oleg took up his residence in that city.
[Illustration: Norsemen]

It is at this time that the name Russia first appears. Its (p. 032)
derivation is doubtful and is, besides, of no great importance. Oleg
ruled over Russia, that is, the plain extending from Kief to Novgorod.
There is a story that he was defeated by the Hungarians, who had
crossed the Dnieper, but it is doubtful, because in the year 907, we find
him preparing another expedition against Constantinople. On this
occasion the people of that capital forgot to bring out the robe, and tried
to poison the invaders, but their scheme was discovered in time; they
were forced to pay a heavy tribute and Oleg secured, besides, a very
advantageous commercial treaty.
One of the wizards at Oleg's court had warned him that his favorite
horse would be the cause of his death, and the animal was kept away
from him until it died. Oleg did not believe in wizards; he insisted upon
seeing the body and entered the stable. A snake came out of the horse's
skull and stung Oleg in the foot, and he died from the effect of the
poison.
Igor, Rurik's son, was the eldest, and succeeded his uncle. He led
another expedition against Constantinople, but it ended in disaster,
because the Russian fleet was destroyed by Greek fire. A large number
of Russians were captured but Igor escaped. This failure did not
prevent him from again attacking the Byzantine Empire, and this time
he was successful. The emperor agreed to pay tribute and signed
another commercial treaty.
Nestor, the Russian historian, tells us the story of Igor's death. "In the
year 945," he says, "the drujina" (that is, the body-guard, composed of
Norsemen or their descendants), "of Igor said to him, 'The men of
Sveneld are richly provided with weapons and garments, while we go
in rags; lead us, Prince, to collect the tribute so that (p. 033) thou and
we may become rich.' Igor consented, and conducted them to the
Drevlians to raise the tribute. He increased the first imposts, and did
them violence, he and his men; after having taken all he wanted, he
returned to his city. While on the road he bethought himself and said to
his drujina, 'Go on with the tribute; I will go back and try to get some
more out of them.' Leaving the greater part of his men to go on their

way, he returned with only a few, to the end that he might increase his
riches. The Drevlians, when they learnt that Igor was coming back,
held council with Nal, their prince. 'When the wolf enters the sheepfold
he slays the whole flock, if the shepherd does not slay him. Thus it is
with us and Igor; if we do not destroy him, we are lost.' Then they sent
deputies who said to him, 'why dost thou come anew unto us? Hast
thou not collected all the tribute?' But Igor would not hear them, so the
Drevlians came out of the town of Korosthenes, and slew Igor and his
men, for they were but a few."
The drujina or body-guard of the duke was at the same time his council.
The men composing it were considered as members of his family; they
ate at his table and shared his amusements as well as his toil. He did
nothing without consulting them, and was really but the first among his
peers. They formed a court of justice, and it was from among them that
he appointed the voievods or governors of fortresses, and possadniks or
commandants of large towns. We have a description of the courts of
that time by an Arab writer named Ibn Dost. He says: (p. 034) "When a
Russian brings a complaint against another, he summons him before
the court of the prince where both state their case. When the prince has
pronounced his verdict, his orders are executed; but if both parties are
dissatisfied, the dispute must be decided by weapons. He whose sword
cuts sharper, gains his cause. At the time of the fight, the relatives of
the two adversaries appear armed, and surround the space set apart. The
combatants then come to blows, and the victor may impose any terms
he pleases."
The people of the country, the peasants, were not quite so free as when
Rurik landed. They began to be known as moujik, a contemptuous
diminutive of the word mouj or man, literally manikin. The merchants
or gosti did not form a distinct class, but in larger cities, such as
Novgorod and Kief, they had a voice in the administration. These cities
had a vetché or municipal council which directed the city's business
without any direct