OMINOUS OLEG. A legendary prince, a prince full of mystery—there were enough secrets in his life for ten people… A shrewd and cruel Varangian, he came to Rus’ as a mercenary—so that, in the end, become one of the most “Russian” princes. A great ruler, a great warrior, a great sorcerer—he gathered the scattered Slavic tribes together with an iron hand. He conquered new lands, “took revenge on the foolish Khazars,” and pinned his shield to the gates of Constantinople, forcing proud Byzantium to recognize Rus’ as an equal. He ruled for so long that many began to believe not only that the prince was wise, but that he was almost immortal—and his mysterious death inspired Pushkin to write poems that became an unofficial anthem of the Russian army…