CHAPTER II.
GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION OF RUSSIA From 910 to 973.
Expedition to Constantinople .-- Treaty with the Emperor .-- Last Days of Oleg .-- His Death .-- Igor Assumes the Scepter .-- His Expedition to the Don .-- Descent upon Constantinople .-- His Defeat .-- Second Expedition .-- Pusillanimity of the Greeks .-- Death of Igor .-- Regency of Olga .-- Her Character .-- Succession of Sviatoslaf .-- His Impiety and Ambition .-- Conquest of Bulgaria .-- Division of the Empire .-- Defeat, Ruin and Death of Sviatoslaf .-- Civil War .-- Death of Oleg .-- Flight of Vlademer .-- Supremacy of Yaropolk.
The fleet of Oleg successfully accomplished the navigation of the Dnieper, followed by the horse along the shores.

Each barge carried forty warriors.

Entering the Black Sea, they spread their sails and ran along the western coast to the mouth of the Bosporus.

The enormous armament approaching the imperial city of Constantine by sea and by land, completely invested it.

The superstitious Leon, surnamed the Philosopher, sat then upon the throne.