sionaries into their country. Numerous Russian traders took up their residence in Cherson and Constantinople. Russian sailors shipped themselves in the Byzantine fleets. These friendly relations were interrupted, as friendly relations between countries always are interrupted, by the desire of a prince to distinguish himself. It was in the year 907, when Oleg was regent during the minority of Igor, the son of Rurik. He collected 2,000 vessels and made a plundering incursion, called a siege by some writers, in the neighbourhood of Constantinople. Leo bought them off. The next attack was in 941, when Igor made an incursion with "innumerable" vessels. The Russians landed here and there, pillaging, murdering, torturing. Their skill in torture was admirable: priests, especially, were distinguished by having nails driven into their heads. It is satisfactory to learn that an insignificant force of fifteen vessels, armed with the Greek fire, was sufficient to destroy this immense fleet. Igor escaped with a few boats only. Another Russian invasion was projected which came to nothing. Igor being subsequently murdered, his widow Olga became regent for their son Swiatoslaff. She became a Christian. Then the Byzantines began to consider how they could play off Russia against Bulgaria. Nicephorus persuaded Swiatoslaff to invade Bulgaria, which was done with a result exceeding the Greek emperor's design, for the Bulgarians were entirely defeated, and their country occupied by the Russians. Then Nicephorus took the side of the conquered: it was not at all a part of his programme that Russia should be a powerful neighbour
