When the Chersonesus fell. Ladinsky A.

Antonin Petrovich Ladinsky (1896-1961)-poet, translator, essayist, author of historical novels. In exile since 1920, in 1955 he returned to the USSR. The trilogy of A. Ladinsky, dedicated to Kievan Rus, included the novels "When the Chersonesos fell." “Anna Yaroslavna is the Queen of France” and “The Last Path of Vladimir Monomakh”. The ancient Greek colony in the south of Crimea, founded in the middle of the 5th century BC, was famous for its wealth and developed trade. It is not surprising that over the centuries, it attracted the mercenary interest of the neighbors. The Pechenegs, and Polovtsy, Scythians, and Khazars tried to take possession of Khersones. But in the end, the city fell under the strong influence of the Eastern Roman Empire - Byzantium.

In the X century, the Kiev Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich intervened in the ongoing “big game” around Chersonesus. By this time, his main competitors were either defeated or weakened - there was only one Byzantium, in the alliance with which the prince was interested. And in 988, taking advantage of the rebellion of the Byzantine military leaders against Emperor Vasily, he besieged and took the city, for which they received rich military trophies, trade privileges and hand of the emperor’s sister. He became a witness to the capture of Chersonesos and was then elected in order to accompany the bride of Prince Vladimir, Anna, on a distant trip to Kyiv.