deeply thoughtful and pious. Loving peace, he more than once tried to reconcile his warring brothers; persuading them to reconcile, he reminded them that they were ruining the Russian land with wars, that for the sake of Christians and the Russian land they must make peace. Aware of the disastrous consequences of the war, he always first tried to reconcile the warring parties; fought in battle only as a last resort; He told his nephews before the battle with Yuri: “Brothers and sons! From my birth I do not like bloodshed; but my brother brought me to this, and if this has to be the case, then let God judge us.” 47) The best way to characterize Vyacheslav is his speech addressed to Yuri, which we have cited in full. It is clear from it that he is bitterly aware of his insults inflicted on him by his brother and nephew, and realizes that he could take revenge on them, since he also has his own army; and now, when he has united with Izyaslav, when the hour of revenge on Yury has come for him, this wonderful prince is trying most of all to reconcile the warring parties. Having taken all this into account, we strongly doubt the validity of the characterization of Vyacheslav by many historians, including Solovyov.
However, Rostislav was only on the Grand Duke's throne for a few days. He was defeated by Prince Izyaslav Davidovich of Chernihiv and, unable to appear after the defeat in @ev, fled to Smolensk. While fleeing the battlefield, he was almost killed; his horse stumbled and fell; Enemies immediately surrounded him, but his son Svyatoslav came to his aid with a large number of troops, who helped him get rid of his enemies. 48)
Hearing about the death of Vyacheslav, Yuri Suzdalsy sent his army to Klev. But on the way, he wanted to attack the Smolensk volost, the lordship of his now main rival, Rostislav. The Prince of Smolensk, having just been defeated, could not fight him. He, having gathered as many troops as possible, went to the borders of his land, namely to Zara, and then sent Yury to ask for peace: “Father! I bow to you; you have been kind before.”
mnz, and I will tell you; I bow to you, uncle, I am like a father,” he said | he. Yur agreed to peace; he made a cross to him, saying: “Indeed, I could not be with Izyaslav, and you are my brother and son.” 29)
When Yury moved to Kev, Turov was given to his son Boris, and Mozyr was given to Svyatoslav Olgovich. 55)
While the new Grand Duke was establishing himself on his throne, he sent to Rostislav in Smolensk, calling him as his main ally. The Prince of Smolensk immediately got ready. At the same time, the wife of the Grand Duke arrived on the road from Suzdal to Noev, to Smolensk. Rostislav greeted the princess respectfully and sent Yurya with her to Kev. 51)
However, Rostislav could not become Yuri’s friend from an enemy. He made peace with him because he was forced by circumstances; therefore, at the first opportunity, he left him behind. In the same 1155, Rostislav found himself allies in the Ryazan princes, who were equally disadvantaged by the strengthening of Julius, 5?) But until 1158, this alliance was kept secret, when the more enterprising Izyaslav Davidovich did not enter into open hostility with Yurem; Rostislav sent his son Roman to help him. 53) However, due to Yury’s unexpected death, things did not come to a fight; Izyaslav was able to occupy the Grand Duchy without any hindrance.