Battle of the Stuhna River facts for kids
The Battle of the Stuhna River (also called the Stugna River Battle) happened on May 26, 1093. It was a big fight between the princes of Kievan Rus' and a nomadic group called the Cumans. The main Rus' leaders were Sviatopolk II of Kiev, Vladimir II Monomakh of Chernigov, and Rostislav Vsevolodovich of Pereyaslavl. Sadly, the Rus' forces lost this battle.
Quick facts for kids Battle of the Stuhna River |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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 Cuman–Kipchak Confederation |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sviatopolk II of Kiev Vladimir II Monomakh of Chernigov Rostislav Vsevolodovich of Pereyaslavl |
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| Strength | |||||||
| unknown | unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Rostislav Vsevolodovich † unknown troops |
unknown | ||||||
Why the Battle Happened
The Cumans were a group of nomadic people. They often raided the lands of Kievan Rus'. After the death of Vsevolod I of Kiev, the Cumans attacked Rus' again. They then tried to make peace with the new great prince, Sviatopolk.
However, Sviatopolk put the Cuman messengers in prison. This made the Cumans very angry. They gathered a large army of about eight thousand warriors. Their goal was to attack the city of Kiev.
Sviatopolk needed help. He asked Vladimir II Monomakh, the prince of Chernigov, to join him. Vladimir came with his soldiers. He also called on his brother, Rostislav of Pereyaslavl, to bring his troops.
The Battle Begins
The princes of Kievan Rus' decided to work together against the Cumans. Sviatopolk then released the Cuman messengers. The armies of the three princes joined forces. They marched towards the city of Trypillia.
When they reached the Stuhna River, the princes stopped. They were not sure what to do next. The Cuman army was waiting for them on the other side of the river. Vladimir Monomakh, whose wife was a Cuman princess, wanted to try for peace. But the Rus' soldiers wanted to fight.
So, the Rus' army crossed the river. They met the Cumans in a valley near a defensive wall at Trepol'. Sviatopolk placed his troops on the right side. Rostislav's soldiers were in the middle. Vladimir's army was on the left.
The Fight and Retreat
As the Rus' troops got close to the wall, Cuman archers attacked Sviatopolk's men. After a very tough fight, Sviatopolk's soldiers began to break apart. They started to run away. Sviatopolk tried to stand his ground, but his retreating men pushed him back.
Next, Vladimir's army was attacked. After a fierce struggle, all the Rus' troops were forced to retreat. Sviatopolk found safety in Trepol'. Rostislav and Vladimir tried to swim across the Stuhna River to escape. Rostislav was wearing heavy chain armor. Because of this, he sadly drowned in the river.
Vladimir managed to retreat to Chernigov. Sviatopolk returned to Kiev during the night. Rostislav's death was a great loss. It is even mentioned in an old poem called the Tale of Igor's Campaign. The poem describes his mother crying for him by the Dnieper River.
See also
- Cumania
- Battle of the Kalka River
- Koten
