Rostislav, in his claims to Polotsk, is the successor of his father Mstislav and uncle Monomakh. But they tried to destroy this independent ruler with one onslaught, but Rostislav realized that such a course of action was most unreliable. The change in views on Polotsk does not belong to Rostislav alone; Izyaslav, it seems, supported her and took him, and by marrying his daughter to Rogvolod Borisovich in 1143, 67) he paved the way for the legal, so to speak, intervention of the Metislavichs in the affairs of the region. Indeed, Rogvolod sat not without the support of the Mstislavichs, for when he was expelled in 1151 by the Prince of Polotsk, the latter turned to Svyatoslav Olgovich for protection, 68) fearing the strong patrons of the expelled prince. Svyatoslav was then in alliance with Yurem and in enmity with the Metislavichs. 69) After a few years, circumstances changed. Izyaslav Davidovich managed to establish himself on the Kev table and, intending to fight with Yurem, entered into an alliance with Rostislav Metislavich and Svyatoslav Olgovich. 70) Don’t be without faith
59) This year dates back to Yura’s visit to Novtorod-SVversk and the splendor shown to him by Svyatoslav. IP., b. 307.
It would be safe to assume that the Supreme Princes decided to renounce their patronage of the Polotsk people. In the dflf itself, we see that the same Rogvolod Borisovich “from Svyatoslav Olgovich” went to look for his own volost and succeed in expelling Rostislav Glbovich from Polotsk. 71) Rostislav Metislavich gathered all his strength to help Rogvolod, sent his sons Roman and Rurik with the Smolnyans and Novgorodians, and even went himself, but Archbishop Arkady of Novgorod persuaded him to return to the road. 72) Rostislav not only restored Rogvolod to the Polotsk capital, but also established his seniority over other princes of the region. 2
In the next 1160, we again see Rostislav’s auxiliary detachment in the troops of Rogvolod, who went to Minsk “3). This Rogvolod, as we know, rendered a service to Svyatopolk Rostislavich during his flight from Novgorod.
By the end of his life, Rostislav was so successful that his son David was the ruler of Vitebsk 1"), from where he could maintain his influence on the region. He assisted Vseslav Vasilkovich against Volodar 75). Such were the successes of Smolensk in the Polotsk region.
Looking for alliances between petty princes, as in Polotsk, where he could quickly appear as a patron, an equal, Rostislav “crossed all love” with the Ryazan princes, who “have a father to themselves” 76). This alliance was important for the Smolensk prince: it weakened Yuri.
In 1167, Rostislav Metislavich died, the year of his birth is unknown, but he died at a very old age, because already in 1128 he went on a campaign, so he was at least about 20 years old then. Before his death, he went to Novgorod, reconciled Novgorodtsev with his son Svyatoslav, and on the way to Smolensk. Smolensk residents remembered their beloved
71) Ip., 339. 12) 1I4., 340. 13) Pla., 346. 14) 1ya., 359. 15) PIa., 360. 16) 114. 332.
Mago prince and therefore, almost 300 miles away, people came out to meet him, then his grandchildren and Smolensai Prince Roman with Bishop Manuel came out to greet him; Almost the entire city was out to get him. From there he went to Toropets; Feeling unwell, he called the Novgorodians and his son to Luki and here reconciled them. On the way back, the prince became very ill and when he arrived in Smolensk he became so ill that his sister Rogneda advised him to stay in Smolensk, but the prince ordered him to take himself to Noev; he was in a hurry to get there so that, if his health still allowed him, he could take monastic vows at his beloved monastery. However, he did not reach Eev and died on the road in the village of Zarub 7").