Roman the Great
Encyclopedia
Roman Mstislavich also Roman Mstyslavych or Roman the Great, (after 1160 – Zawichost
, October 14, 1205) was a Rus’
prince, Grand Prince of Kiev (a member of the Rurik dynasty
).
He was prince of Novgorod
(1168–1170), of Vladimir-in-Volhynia (1170–1189, 1189–1205), and of Halych (1189, 1198/99–1205). By seizing the throne of Halych, he became the master of all western Rus’
. In the early 13th century, the Byzantine imperial title, "autocrate
" (αύτοκράτωρ) was applied by the chroniclers to him, but there is no evidence that he assumed it officially.
He waged two successful campaigns against the Cumans
, from which he returned with many rescued captives. The effect of Roman’s victory was, however, undermined by new dissensions among the princes of Rus’.
Roman died in a battle with the Poles
. He founded the Romanovich dynasty that would rule Vladimir-in-Volhynia and Halych until 1340.
(who was prince of Vladimir-in-Volhynia at that time), and Agnes
, a daughter of Duke Bolesław III of Poland.
After the Novgorodians
had expelled their prince, Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich, Roman was sent to Novgorod on April 14, 1168 by his father (who had earlier occupied Kiev
). However, the princes of Smolensk
(Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s brothers) and Prince Andrey Yuryevich of Vladimir (who had supported Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s rule in Novgorod) spent the rest of the year conspiring and forming alliances against Mstislav Izyaslavich.
Following the death of Mstislav Iziaslavich on August, 1170, the Novgorodians expelled Roman and invited Andrey Yuryevich to be prince, and the latter sent Ryurik Rostislavich
to rule Novgorod.
en to drag the plows on his estates.
Roman married Predslava Ryurikovna, a daughter of Ryurik Rostislavich (who had followed him in Novgorod). Their eldest daughter was married to Vasilko Vladimirovich, a grandson of Prince Yaroslav Volodimerovich Osmomysl of Halych
, but later she was repudiated.
Following the death of Yaroslav Osmomysl on October 1, 1187, trouble began in the Principality of Halych
, due to the strife between his two sons, Oleg
and Vladimir Yaroslavich
. Roman urged the Galicians to evict Vladimir Yaroslavich and make him their prince. But they failed either to expel Vladimir Yaroslavich or to kill him. When, however, the Galicians threatened to kill his wife, Vladimir Yaroslavich took her and fled to King Béla III of Hungary
(1172–1196). According to a late chronicle, Oleg Yaroslavich was appointed by Duke Casimir II of Poland
(1177–1194) to rule in Halych, but the Galicians poisoned him and invited Roman to be their prince. When accepting their offer, Roman gave his patrimony of Vladimir-in-Volhynia to his brother, Vsevolod Mstislavich
.
But King Béla III marched against Roman intending to reinstate Vladimir Yaroslavich, and the Hungarians seized the principality. But King Béla III, instead of returning Halych to Vladimir Yaroslavich, proclaimed his own son, Andrew
ruler of the principality.
Roman was obliged to flee to Vladimir-in-Volhynia, but his brother, Vsevolod Mstislavich refused him entry. He therefore went to the Poles, but when they refused to help him, Roman rode to his father-in-law, Ryurik Rostislavich in Belgorod
. Roman solicited military aid from his father-in-law, but the Hungarian troops repelled his attack. Ryurik Rostislavich, therefore, helped Roman to drive out Vsevolod Mstislavich from Vladimir-in-Volhynia and return to his patrimony.
Meanwhile Vladimir Yaroslavich succeeded in escaping from his dungeon
in Hungary
; Duke Casimir II also sent Polish troops to Halych to support Vladimir Yaroslavich’s claims. At the approach of the expedition, the townspeople rose against the Hungarians and expelled Andrew in 1190. Vladimir Yaroslavich requested his uncle Prince Vsevolod III Yuryevich of Vladimir to support his rule. Vsevolod Yuryevich demanded that all the Rus’ princes, among them Roman, pledge not to challenge Vladimir Yaroslavich in Halych and they agreed.
On May 17, 1195, Grand Prince Ryurik Rostislavich (Roman’s father-in-law) allocated domains in the Kievan lands to the princes in Monomakh’s dynasty
, and Roman received Torchesk
, Trypillia
, Korsun
, Bohuslav
, and Kaniv
. Vsevolod III Yuryevich, however, threatened to wage war when he learnt of the allocations, and therefore Roman agreed to relinquish the towns in exchange for comparable domains or a suitable payment in kuny. Ryurik Rostislavich therefore gave the five towns to Vsevolod III Yuryevich, who, in turn, handed over Torchesk to his son-in-law, Rostislav Rurikovich (who was the brother of Roman’s wife). On learning that his brother-in-law had received Torchesk, Roman accused his father-in-law, Ryurik Rostislavich of contriving to give the domain to his son from the very start. Ryurik Rostislavich also warned Roman that they could not afford to alienate Vsevolod III Yuryevich because all the princes in Monomakh’s dynasty recognized him as their senior prince.
Roman refused to be mollified and conspired against his father-in-law, and turned to Prince Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich of Chernigov
who agreed to join him. When Ryurik Rostislavich learnt how Roman had persuaded Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich to seize Kiev, he informed Vsevolod III Yuryevich. Fearing retribution, Roman rode to the Poles where he was wounded in battle; he therefore asked Ryurik Rostislavich for clemency. Metropolitan Nikifor reconciled the two princes, and Ryurik Rostislavich gave Roman the town of Polonyy (southwest of Kamianets
) and a district on the river Ros’.
In the autumn of 1196 Roman ordered his lieutenants to use Polonyy as their base for raiding the domains belonging to his father-in-law’s brother (Prince David Rostislavich of Smolensk) and son (Prince Rostislav Rurikovich of Torchesk). Ryurik Rostislavich retaliated by sending his nephew, Prince Mstislav Mstislavich of Trepol to Vladimir Yaroslavich of Halych instructing him to join Mstislav Mstislavich in attacking Roman’s lands. Accordingly, Vladimir Yaroslavich and Mstislav Mstislavich razed Roman’s district around Peremil, while Rostislav Ryurikovich and his force attacked Roman’s district near Kamianets. At about that time, Roman began repudiating his wife, Ryurik Rostislavich’s daughter, and threatening to confine her to a monastery
.
) could argue that their marriage ties with the defunct dynasty gave them the right to rule Halych; and the Hungarians had already made a bid for the domain ten years earlier. The Galicians asked Ryurik Rostislavich for his son Rostislav Ryurikovich, but Roman rode to Duke Leszek I of Poland
(1194–1227), promising to be at his beck and call if the Polish ruler helped him to win Halych. When the citizens refused to welcome Roman, Duke Leszek I besieged the town, and after capturing it, he forced the townspeople to accept Roman as prince. Roman promised to be subservient to the duke of Poland and to live in peace with his new subjects.
Roman turned his attention to the Cumans, who were threatening Byzantine interests in the Balkan Peninsula, and agreed to come to the assistance of Emperor Alexios III Angelos
(1195–1203) and a severe blow was administered to the nomad
s. In 1200, he married Anna, a Byzantine princess, a relative of Emperor Isaac II Angelos
.
Shortly afterwards, Roman began wreaking havoc on domains belonging to Ryurik Rostislavich and other princes. In 1201, Ryurik Rostislavich summoned the Olgovichi to campaign against Roman. Roman pre-empted their attack by rallying the troops of his principality. The Monomashichi and the Black Caps also joined him. The Kievans opened the gates of the podol’
to Roman. He forced Ryurik Rostislavich and the Olgovichi to capitulate; he gave Kiev, with the consent of Vsevolod III Yuryevich, to Prince Ingvar Yaroslavich of Lutsk
. However, Ryurik Rostislavich and the Olgovichi re-captured Kiev already on January 2, 1203.
Roman asked Vsevolod III Yuryevich to be pacified with the Olgovichi, and after he had concluded peace with them, he marched against Ryurik Rostislavich in Ovruch
on February 16, 1203. Ryurik Rostislavich submitted to Roman and Vsevolod III Yuryevich, and promised to sever relations with the Olgovichi and the Cumans. After that, Roman also advised him to ask Vsevolod III Yuryevich to reinstate him in Kiev and promised to support his request. Consequently, Vsevolod III Yuryevich forgave Ryurik Rostislavich and reappointed him to the town.
That winter Ryurik Rostislavich, Roman and other princes attacked the Cumans and took many captives. After the expedition, they met at Trypillia to allocate domains in accordance with the services that each had rendered in the defense of Rus’. But they quarreled, and Roman seized Ryurik Rostislavich, sent him to Kiev, and had him tonsured as a monk
. He also forced Ryurik Rostislavich’s wife and daughter (his own wife whom he had repudiated) to become nun
s; and he took Ryurik Rostislavich’s sons (Rostislav and Vladimir Rurikovich) with him to Halych.
Meanwhile, the relations between Roman and Duke Leszek I of Poland deteriorated for both religious and personal reasons. Leszek I was a devout Roman Catholic and it was probably at his suggestion that Pope Innocent III
sent his envoys to Roman in 1204, urging him to accept Roman Catholicism and promising to place him under the protection of St Peter’s sword. Roman’s answer, as recorded in the Radziwill chronicle, was characteristic enough: pointing to his own sword he asked the envoys, “Is the Pope’s sword similar to mine? So long as I carry mine, I need no other.”
Duke Leszek I, supported by his brother Duke Konrad I of Masovia
, undertook a sudden campaign against Roman. The latter was caught unaware and killed in the first battle at Zawichost
.
According to another version, Roman wanted to expand his realm at the expense of Poland and died in an ambush while entering Polish territory.
and his wife, Anna Yuryevna of Turov
#(1197/1200):Anna, a relative of Emperor Isaac II Angelos
}}
Zawichost
Zawichost is a small town in Sandomierz County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland. It is located by the Vistula River in southern Poland, near Sandomierz....
, October 14, 1205) was a Rus’
Rus' (people)
The Rus' were a group of Varangians . According to the Primary Chronicle of Rus, compiled in about 1113 AD, the Rus had relocated from the Baltic region , first to Northeastern Europe, creating an early polity which finally came under the leadership of Rurik...
prince, Grand Prince of Kiev (a member of the Rurik dynasty
Rurik Dynasty
The Rurik dynasty or Rurikids was a dynasty founded by the Varangian prince Rurik, who established himself in Novgorod around the year 862 AD...
).
He was prince of Novgorod
Prince of Novgorod
The Prince of Novgorod was the chief executive of Novgorod the Great. The office was originally an appointed one until the late eleventh or early twelfth century, then became something of an elective one until the fourteenth century, after which the Prince of Vladimir was almost invariably the...
(1168–1170), of Vladimir-in-Volhynia (1170–1189, 1189–1205), and of Halych (1189, 1198/99–1205). By seizing the throne of Halych, he became the master of all western Rus’
Kievan Rus'
Kievan Rus was a medieval polity in Eastern Europe, from the late 9th to the mid 13th century, when it disintegrated under the pressure of the Mongol invasion of 1237–1240....
. In the early 13th century, the Byzantine imperial title, "autocrate
Autokrator
Autokratōr is a Greek epithet applied to an individual who exercises absolute power, unrestrained by superiors. In a historical context, it has been applied to military commanders-in-chief, and to Roman and Byzantine emperors as the translation of the Latin title imperator. Its connection with...
" (αύτοκράτωρ) was applied by the chroniclers to him, but there is no evidence that he assumed it officially.
He waged two successful campaigns against the Cumans
Cumans
The Cumans were Turkic nomadic people comprising the western branch of the Cuman-Kipchak confederation. After Mongol invasion , they decided to seek asylum in Hungary, and subsequently to Bulgaria...
, from which he returned with many rescued captives. The effect of Roman’s victory was, however, undermined by new dissensions among the princes of Rus’.
Roman died in a battle with the Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
. He founded the Romanovich dynasty that would rule Vladimir-in-Volhynia and Halych until 1340.
Early years
He was the eldest son of Mstislav IzyaslavichMstislav II of Kiev
Mstislav II Izyaslavich , Kniaz' of Pereyaslav, Volodymyr-Volynsky and Velikiy Kniaz of Kiev . Son of Izyaslav Mstislavich, Velikiy Kniaz' of Kiev....
(who was prince of Vladimir-in-Volhynia at that time), and Agnes
Agnes of Poland
Agnes of Poland , was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast and by marriage Princess of Pereyaslavl and Volynia and Grand Princess of Kiev since 1168....
, a daughter of Duke Bolesław III of Poland.
After the Novgorodians
Novgorod Republic
The Novgorod Republic was a large medieval Russian state which stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Ural Mountains between the 12th and 15th centuries, centred on the city of Novgorod...
had expelled their prince, Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich, Roman was sent to Novgorod on April 14, 1168 by his father (who had earlier occupied Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
). However, the princes of Smolensk
Prince of Smolensk
The Prince of Smolensk was the kniaz, the ruler or sub-ruler, of the Rus' Principality of Smolensk, a lordship based on the city of Smolensk...
(Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s brothers) and Prince Andrey Yuryevich of Vladimir (who had supported Svyatoslav IV Rostislavich’s rule in Novgorod) spent the rest of the year conspiring and forming alliances against Mstislav Izyaslavich.
Following the death of Mstislav Iziaslavich on August, 1170, the Novgorodians expelled Roman and invited Andrey Yuryevich to be prince, and the latter sent Ryurik Rostislavich
Rurik Rostislavich
Ruryk Rostislavich , Prince of Novgorod , Belgorod Kievsky, presently Bilohorodka , Grand Prince of Kiev , Prince of Chernigov...
to rule Novgorod.
Prince of Vladimir-in-Volhynia
When his father died, Roman was bequeathed the Principality of Vladimir-in-Volhynia. He subdued the Yatvingians, and harnessed the captives instead of oxOx
An ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
en to drag the plows on his estates.
Roman married Predslava Ryurikovna, a daughter of Ryurik Rostislavich (who had followed him in Novgorod). Their eldest daughter was married to Vasilko Vladimirovich, a grandson of Prince Yaroslav Volodimerovich Osmomysl of Halych
Yaroslav Osmomysl
Yaroslav Osmomysl was the most famous Prince of Halych from the first dynasty of its rulers, which descended from Yaroslav I's eldest son. His sobriquet, meaning "Eight-Minded" in Old East Slavic, was granted to him in recognition of his wisdom...
, but later she was repudiated.
Following the death of Yaroslav Osmomysl on October 1, 1187, trouble began in the Principality of Halych
Principality of Halych
Principality of Halych was a Kievan Rus' principality established in around 1124 established by the grandson of Rostislav Ihor Vasylkovych . According to Mykhailo Hrushevsky the realm of Halych was passed to Rostislav upon the death of his father Vladimir Yaroslavich, but he was banished out of it...
, due to the strife between his two sons, Oleg
Oleg Yaroslavich
Oleg Yaroslavich "Nastachich" was a Rus' prince . He was prince of Halych .Oleg was the illegitimate son of Prince Yaroslav Volodimerovich Osmomysl of Halych by his mistress, Nastaska, a daughter of a local boyar...
and Vladimir Yaroslavich
Vladimir II Yaroslavich
Vladimir II Yaroslavich was a Rus’ prince . He was prince of Halych .He was profligate by nature. He lived a debauched life and was politically ineffectual...
. Roman urged the Galicians to evict Vladimir Yaroslavich and make him their prince. But they failed either to expel Vladimir Yaroslavich or to kill him. When, however, the Galicians threatened to kill his wife, Vladimir Yaroslavich took her and fled to King Béla III of Hungary
Béla III of Hungary
Béla III was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was educated in the court of the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I who was planning to ensure his succession in the Byzantine Empire till the birth of his own son...
(1172–1196). According to a late chronicle, Oleg Yaroslavich was appointed by Duke Casimir II of Poland
Casimir II the Just
Casimir II the Just was a Lesser Polish duke at Wiślica during 1166–1173, and at Sandomierz since 1173. He became ruler over the Polish Seniorate Province at Kraków and thereby High Duke of Poland in 1177; a position he held until his death, interrupted once by his elder brother and predecessor...
(1177–1194) to rule in Halych, but the Galicians poisoned him and invited Roman to be their prince. When accepting their offer, Roman gave his patrimony of Vladimir-in-Volhynia to his brother, Vsevolod Mstislavich
Vsevolod Mstislavich of Volhynia
Vsevolod Mstislavich was a son of Mstislav II of Kiev and Agnieszka, the daughter of King Boleslaus III of Poland. Vsevolod was Prince of Belz and Prince of Volodymyr-Volynsky. He died in 1196....
.
But King Béla III marched against Roman intending to reinstate Vladimir Yaroslavich, and the Hungarians seized the principality. But King Béla III, instead of returning Halych to Vladimir Yaroslavich, proclaimed his own son, Andrew
Andrew II of Hungary
Andrew II the Jerosolimitan was King of Hungary and Croatia . He was the younger son of King Béla III of Hungary, who invested him with the government of the Principality of Halych...
ruler of the principality.
Roman was obliged to flee to Vladimir-in-Volhynia, but his brother, Vsevolod Mstislavich refused him entry. He therefore went to the Poles, but when they refused to help him, Roman rode to his father-in-law, Ryurik Rostislavich in Belgorod
Belgorod Kievsky
Bilhorod Kyivsky was a city-castle of Kievan Rus' on the right bank of Irpin River. The city was quite prominent in the 10th-12th centuries but ceased to exist after 1240 destruction of Kiev by the Mongols. Currently there is a small village of Bilohorodka, Kiev Oblast near the location of the...
. Roman solicited military aid from his father-in-law, but the Hungarian troops repelled his attack. Ryurik Rostislavich, therefore, helped Roman to drive out Vsevolod Mstislavich from Vladimir-in-Volhynia and return to his patrimony.
Meanwhile Vladimir Yaroslavich succeeded in escaping from his dungeon
Dungeon
A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Dungeons are generally associated with medieval castles, though their association with torture probably belongs more to the Renaissance period...
in Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
; Duke Casimir II also sent Polish troops to Halych to support Vladimir Yaroslavich’s claims. At the approach of the expedition, the townspeople rose against the Hungarians and expelled Andrew in 1190. Vladimir Yaroslavich requested his uncle Prince Vsevolod III Yuryevich of Vladimir to support his rule. Vsevolod Yuryevich demanded that all the Rus’ princes, among them Roman, pledge not to challenge Vladimir Yaroslavich in Halych and they agreed.
On May 17, 1195, Grand Prince Ryurik Rostislavich (Roman’s father-in-law) allocated domains in the Kievan lands to the princes in Monomakh’s dynasty
Vladimir II Monomakh
Vladimir II Monomakh |Basileios]]) was a Velikiy Kniaz of Kievan Rus'.- Family :He was the son of Vsevolod I and Anastasia of Byzantium Vladimir II Monomakh |Basileios]]) (1053 – May 19, 1125) was a Velikiy Kniaz (Grand Prince) of Kievan Rus'.- Family :He was the son of Vsevolod I (married in...
, and Roman received Torchesk
Torchesk
Torchesk was a medieval town, located between today's villages of Olshanytsia and Sharky in Kiev Oblast of northern Ukraine some east of Bila Tserkva....
, Trypillia
Trypillia
Trypillia is a village in the Obukhiv Raion of the Kiev Oblast, in central Ukraine, with 2,800 inhabitants...
, Korsun
Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi
Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi is a city located in the Cherkasy Oblast in central Ukraine. The city rests on the banks of the Ros' River, and is the administrative center of the Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi Raion ....
, Bohuslav
Bohuslav
Bohuslav is a city on the Ros' River in Kiev Oblast of Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of Bohuslavskyi Raion. The population is 17,135 ....
, and Kaniv
Kaniv
Kaniv is a city located in the Cherkasy Oblast in central Ukraine. The city rests on the Dnieper River, and is also one of the main inland river ports on the Dnieper...
. Vsevolod III Yuryevich, however, threatened to wage war when he learnt of the allocations, and therefore Roman agreed to relinquish the towns in exchange for comparable domains or a suitable payment in kuny. Ryurik Rostislavich therefore gave the five towns to Vsevolod III Yuryevich, who, in turn, handed over Torchesk to his son-in-law, Rostislav Rurikovich (who was the brother of Roman’s wife). On learning that his brother-in-law had received Torchesk, Roman accused his father-in-law, Ryurik Rostislavich of contriving to give the domain to his son from the very start. Ryurik Rostislavich also warned Roman that they could not afford to alienate Vsevolod III Yuryevich because all the princes in Monomakh’s dynasty recognized him as their senior prince.
Roman refused to be mollified and conspired against his father-in-law, and turned to Prince Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich of Chernigov
Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich
Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich was a Rus’ prince . He was prince of Ropesk , of Starodub , and of Chernigov...
who agreed to join him. When Ryurik Rostislavich learnt how Roman had persuaded Yaroslav II Vsevolodovich to seize Kiev, he informed Vsevolod III Yuryevich. Fearing retribution, Roman rode to the Poles where he was wounded in battle; he therefore asked Ryurik Rostislavich for clemency. Metropolitan Nikifor reconciled the two princes, and Ryurik Rostislavich gave Roman the town of Polonyy (southwest of Kamianets
Kamianets-Podilskyi
Kamyanets-Podilsky or Kamienets-Podolsky is a city located on the Smotrych River in western Ukraine, to the north-east of Chernivtsi...
) and a district on the river Ros’.
In the autumn of 1196 Roman ordered his lieutenants to use Polonyy as their base for raiding the domains belonging to his father-in-law’s brother (Prince David Rostislavich of Smolensk) and son (Prince Rostislav Rurikovich of Torchesk). Ryurik Rostislavich retaliated by sending his nephew, Prince Mstislav Mstislavich of Trepol to Vladimir Yaroslavich of Halych instructing him to join Mstislav Mstislavich in attacking Roman’s lands. Accordingly, Vladimir Yaroslavich and Mstislav Mstislavich razed Roman’s district around Peremil, while Rostislav Ryurikovich and his force attacked Roman’s district near Kamianets. At about that time, Roman began repudiating his wife, Ryurik Rostislavich’s daughter, and threatening to confine her to a monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
.
Prince of Halych and Vladimir-in-Volhynia
In 1198 (or 1199) Vladimir II Yaroslavich of Halych died, and his death created a political vacuum that a number of claimants were eager to fill. Ryurik Rostislavich could now claim that, after the dynasty of Halych became defunct, the territory reverted to the jurisdiction of the prince of Kiev; the princes of the two branches of the Olgovichi (the princes of ChernigovPrince of Chernigov
The Prince of Chernigov was the kniaz, the ruler or sub-ruler, of the Rus' Principality of Chernigov, a lordship which lasted four centuries straddling what are now parts of Ukraine, Belarus and the Russian Federation.-List of princes of Chernigov:...
) could argue that their marriage ties with the defunct dynasty gave them the right to rule Halych; and the Hungarians had already made a bid for the domain ten years earlier. The Galicians asked Ryurik Rostislavich for his son Rostislav Ryurikovich, but Roman rode to Duke Leszek I of Poland
Leszek I the White
Leszek I the White , also listed by some sources as Leszek II the White, was Prince of Sandomierz and High Duke of Poland from 1194 until his death, except for the short periods following when he was deposed as Polish ruler...
(1194–1227), promising to be at his beck and call if the Polish ruler helped him to win Halych. When the citizens refused to welcome Roman, Duke Leszek I besieged the town, and after capturing it, he forced the townspeople to accept Roman as prince. Roman promised to be subservient to the duke of Poland and to live in peace with his new subjects.
Roman turned his attention to the Cumans, who were threatening Byzantine interests in the Balkan Peninsula, and agreed to come to the assistance of Emperor Alexios III Angelos
Alexios III Angelos
Alexios III Angelos was Byzantine Emperor from 1195 to 1203.- Early life:Alexios III Angelos was the second son of Andronikos Angelos and Euphrosyne Kastamonitissa. Andronicus was himself a son of Theodora Komnene, the youngest daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina. Thus...
(1195–1203) and a severe blow was administered to the nomad
Nomad
Nomadic people , commonly known as itinerants in modern-day contexts, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. There are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. Many cultures have traditionally been nomadic, but...
s. In 1200, he married Anna, a Byzantine princess, a relative of Emperor Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos was Byzantine emperor from 1185 to 1195, and again from 1203 to 1204....
.
Shortly afterwards, Roman began wreaking havoc on domains belonging to Ryurik Rostislavich and other princes. In 1201, Ryurik Rostislavich summoned the Olgovichi to campaign against Roman. Roman pre-empted their attack by rallying the troops of his principality. The Monomashichi and the Black Caps also joined him. The Kievans opened the gates of the podol’
Podil
The Podil or Podilskyi Raion is a historic neighbourhood and an administrative raion in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kiev, the birthplace of the city's trade, commerce and industry...
to Roman. He forced Ryurik Rostislavich and the Olgovichi to capitulate; he gave Kiev, with the consent of Vsevolod III Yuryevich, to Prince Ingvar Yaroslavich of Lutsk
Ingvar of Kiev
Ingvar Yaroslavich , Prince of Dorogobuzh, Prince of Lutsk, Grand Prince of Kiev , Prince of Volodymyr-Volynskyi . Son of Yaroslav Izyaslavich, great-grandson of Vladimir Monomakh....
. However, Ryurik Rostislavich and the Olgovichi re-captured Kiev already on January 2, 1203.
Roman asked Vsevolod III Yuryevich to be pacified with the Olgovichi, and after he had concluded peace with them, he marched against Ryurik Rostislavich in Ovruch
Ovruch
Ovruch is a city in the Zhytomyr Oblast of northern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Ovruch Raion . The current estimated population is around 17,000 . It is home to Ovruch air base....
on February 16, 1203. Ryurik Rostislavich submitted to Roman and Vsevolod III Yuryevich, and promised to sever relations with the Olgovichi and the Cumans. After that, Roman also advised him to ask Vsevolod III Yuryevich to reinstate him in Kiev and promised to support his request. Consequently, Vsevolod III Yuryevich forgave Ryurik Rostislavich and reappointed him to the town.
That winter Ryurik Rostislavich, Roman and other princes attacked the Cumans and took many captives. After the expedition, they met at Trypillia to allocate domains in accordance with the services that each had rendered in the defense of Rus’. But they quarreled, and Roman seized Ryurik Rostislavich, sent him to Kiev, and had him tonsured as a monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
. He also forced Ryurik Rostislavich’s wife and daughter (his own wife whom he had repudiated) to become nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s; and he took Ryurik Rostislavich’s sons (Rostislav and Vladimir Rurikovich) with him to Halych.
Meanwhile, the relations between Roman and Duke Leszek I of Poland deteriorated for both religious and personal reasons. Leszek I was a devout Roman Catholic and it was probably at his suggestion that Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
sent his envoys to Roman in 1204, urging him to accept Roman Catholicism and promising to place him under the protection of St Peter’s sword. Roman’s answer, as recorded in the Radziwill chronicle, was characteristic enough: pointing to his own sword he asked the envoys, “Is the Pope’s sword similar to mine? So long as I carry mine, I need no other.”
Duke Leszek I, supported by his brother Duke Konrad I of Masovia
Konrad I of Masovia
Konrad I of Masovia , from the Polish Piast dynasty, was the sixth Duke of Masovia from 1194 until his death and High Duke of Poland from 1229 to 1232.-Life:...
, undertook a sudden campaign against Roman. The latter was caught unaware and killed in the first battle at Zawichost
Zawichost
Zawichost is a small town in Sandomierz County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland. It is located by the Vistula River in southern Poland, near Sandomierz....
.
According to another version, Roman wanted to expand his realm at the expense of Poland and died in an ambush while entering Polish territory.
Marriage and children
#:Predslava Ryurikovna, a daughter of Grand Prince Ryurik Rostislavich of KievRurik Rostislavich
Ruryk Rostislavich , Prince of Novgorod , Belgorod Kievsky, presently Bilohorodka , Grand Prince of Kiev , Prince of Chernigov...
and his wife, Anna Yuryevna of Turov
- Fedora Romanovna (?-after 1200), wife of Vasilko Vladimirovich of Halych;
- Elena Romanovna (or Maria Romanovna) (?-after 1241) , wife of Prince Mikhail Vsevolodovich of ChernigovMichael of ChernigovSaint Michael of Chernigov or Mikhail Vsevolodovich was a Rus' prince...
- (?) Salomea Romanovna (?-before 1220), wife of Duke Swantopolk I of Pommerellen;
#(1197/1200):Anna, a relative of Emperor Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos
Isaac II Angelos was Byzantine emperor from 1185 to 1195, and again from 1203 to 1204....
- King Daniel Romanovich of Halych (1201/1202-1264)
- King Vasylko Romanovich of Halych (1203/1204-1269)
Ancestors
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Sources
- Dimnik, Martin: The Dynasty of Chernigov - 1146-1246; Cambridge University Press, 2003, Cambridge; ISBN 978-0521-03981-9.
- Subtelny, Orest: Ukraine: A History; University of Toronto Press, 2000, Toronto, Buffalo & London; ISBN 0-8020-8390-0
- Vernadsky, George: Kievan Russia; Yale University Press, 1948, New Haven and London; ISBN 0-300-01647-6.