free trade throughout the empire, but were to take passports ; subject to this provision the Grand Prince of Russia and his boyards were to be allowed to send as many ships and cargoes, as many deputies and guests, as they liked. The Waring merchants were to receive a monthly allowance. Waring offenders were to be punished by Waring law. Waring officers were to be named to take possession of testamentary and intestate successions. The treaties were duly ratified by Christian oaths on the part of the Greeks and on the part of those of the Russians who had become Christians, and by placing on the ground their swords, shields, and other arms on the part of those Russians who had not yet been baptized.
Swendosky's expedition
An interesting account is given of the Warings, a little later, by Leo the Deacon, a Contemporary of the events he describes. The description he gives clearly shows that the Warings are meant, though he calls them Russians.[1] He does justice to their valor, but also to their cruelty. Like all the Greek writers, he makes mention of the fact that their distinctive weapon was the battle-axe. They never, says Leo, surrendered in battle, and rather than be taken prisoners would kill themselves. They had flaxen or reddish hair, and blue eves. One of the most striking incidents of the Waring war, which he describes, relates to a leader named Swendoslav. He had led a host into the empire on a plundering expedition, and had occupied Dorystolon or Silistria, which commands the Derwend pass through the Balkans. He had fought bravely and held his own against great numbers, but found himself at length unequal to the task of breaking through the lines which the imperial troops, under the Emperor John Zemiskes (969-976), had drawn round Dorystolon. Eight thousand of his followers had been killed, and he was compelled to accept terms. He stipulated that he should be allowed to leave the empire, and bound himself to send back
- ↑ '(
Greek characters). The Septuagint quoted by Leo used the same word, Ezckiel xxxix. 1 and 2, which there reads: "Prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God. Beliold I am against thee, O Gog, chief prince of the Russians, Meshech and Tubal."— Leo, "Dia." p. 93, ed. Reg.
