Oleg the Wise
c. 845 – 912 · 67 years · Kiev · Eastern Europe & Russia
Reign: 879 – 912 (Rus and Russia)
Around 882 he seized Kiev, killing Askold and Dir, and made it the capital of Rus. After a campaign against Constantinople in 907 he concluded an advantageous treaty with Byzantium in 911.
Wikipedia (Russian) · Wikipedia (English) · 9th century
Portrait: Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Contemporaries around the world
Europe
- Alfred the Great — King of Wessex who held off the Vikings, 4 years younger
- Charles the Bald — first king of West Francia, the future France, 22 years older
- Æthelstan — first king of all England, victor at Brunanburh, 49 years younger
- Edward the Elder — Alfred's son who won back East Anglia and Mercia from the Danes, 29 years younger
Eastern Europe & Russia
- Rurik — Varangian prince, founder of the Rurik dynasty, 15 years older
- Igor of Kiev — prince of Kiev killed by the Drevlians over a second tribute, 33 years younger
The world in their lifetime
- 859 Fatima al-Fihri founds al-Qarawiyyin — aged 14, Africa
- c. 862 Calling of the Varangians — aged 17, Eastern Europe & Russia
- 868 The Diamond Sutra is printed — aged 23, Asia
- 882 Oleg takes Kiev — aged 37, Eastern Europe & Russia
- c. 895 Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin — aged 50, Eastern Europe & Russia
- c. 900 The bronzes of Igbo-Ukwu — aged 55, Africa
- c. 900 Rise of Chichen Itza — aged 55, Americas