К вопросу о характере русско-византийских отношений при императоре Никифоре II Фоке

Abstract

Время правления Никифора Фоки (963-969 гг.) и Иоанна Цимисхия (969-676 гг.) характеризуется чередой бесконечных войн Византийской империи. Совершая многочисленные захватнические походы на Восток, ей приходилось отражать враждебные выступления на западе. В орбиту ее политики было втянуто большое количество государств и народов. Не смогла избежать этой участи и Киевская Русь. В конечном счете, взаимоотношения империи с Русью вылились в войну 970-971 гг. Кроме этих двух государств в ней принимали участие Болгария, племена венгров и печенегов, поэтому ее можно причислить к наиболее крупным столкновениям в Восточной Европе X века, несомненно, повлиявшим на дальнейшее развитие втянутых в нее государств.

In 967-968 an Alliance Agreement was concluded between Kievan Rus and Byzantine Empire. According to its clauses, in 968, Russian army was already on the territory of Bulgaria. Most probably Nicephorus II Phocas did not pursue to capture Bulgaria but only intended to secure his western borders. Russian soldiers were paid for their services. Under these circumstances it is doubtful that Byzantine Empire took part in organizing Pechenegs’ raids into Kiev in 969. Up to the very end of his rule Nicephorus Phocas mainteined ally’s relations with Svyatoslav. When John Tzimisces came to power the policy of the Empire towards Rus changed. New Emperor striving to capture Bulgaria tried to remove Russian army, but that attempt was not a success. Russian prince and Byzantine emperor began to prepare for war. Probably, patrikios Kalokir, who was with Svyatoslav, carried out the duties of an ambassador Varda Phocas, who organized the uprising against John Tzimisces. Provided Svyatoslav supported him he obtained the right to stay in Bulgaria forever, and tribute paid by Nicephorus would be enlarged. However, those plans were not implemented. The uprising headed by Varda Phocas was suppressed and soon Russian army was defeated.