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burning their capital Iskorosten’;
2) carried out the following reforms: a)
changed the system and set the norms of
tribute gathering, different kinds of quitrent
(Poliudie) (so-called “uroky”, “ustavy”’
“obroky”; b) built pogosts (“stanovyshcha”)
with local administration. The administration
representatives had to gather tribute and
execute administrative and judicial functions;
3) In the year of 957 (in 946 according to
other sources) Christianity was adopted
during the formal reception in Constantinople.
961 The mission of Adalbert, the Archbishop of
Magdeburg, to Kyivan Rus with the aim of
Catholicism spreading, was a total loss.
964-972 The rule of prince Sviatoslav Ihorevych
(“The Conqueror”, “The Brave”). During his
reign he:
1) conquered the tribe of the Vyatychi;
2) defeated the Khazar Khaganate;
3) went to wars against the Jassic (Ossetin)
people and the Kosogs (the tribe of Adygs),
annexed the city of Tmutarakan’ to Kyivan
Rus and expanded its borders to the Caspian
Sea;
4) carried out several long-lasting campaigns
to Balkans captured nearly the whole
territory of Bulgaria, started a war against
Byzantium in 969. It ended by the peace
treaty of 971. In accordance to the terms of
the treaty he renounced from all conquered
lands of Balkans. The Byzantines were
committed to let the army of Rus go home;

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