Boris Vyacheslavich

Boris Vyacheslavich (Борис Вячеславич) (c. 1053 – October 3, 1078) was a prince of Tmutarakan, son of Vyacheslav Yaroslavich (prince of Smolensk). Boris was izgoi from the Rurikid dynasty of Kievan Rus’.

Upon the death of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich in 1077, his brothers Vsevolod Yaroslavich and Izyaslav Yaroslavich started a bitter rivalry over the Kievan throne. Vsevolod left Chernigov and headed towards Izyaslav, who had set out on a military campaign against Kiev. Boris Vyacheslavich took advantage of his uncle's absence and seized control of Chernigov. He only managed to remain in power for 8 days and then had to flee to Tmutarakan upon hearing the news of Vsevolod's return. In Tmutarakan, Boris was accepted by Roman Svyatoslavich. The two were soon joined by Oleg Svyatoslavich, the second son of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich, who had been banished by his uncles from the Vladimir region. In 1078, Boris and Oleg allied themselves with the Polovtsy and attacked Vsevolod on the Orzhitsa River (Sozhitsa River), defeating his army in a bloody battle and capturing Chernigov. Soon, Vsevolod and Izyaslav were able to muster a new army with the help of their sons and headed for Chernigov. Boris and Oleg had already left the city by the time Vsevolod and Izyaslav approached it, but the citizens of Chernigov closed the gates and prepared for the siege. The attackers burned the outer parts of the city and wanted to proceed further, but received the news on Oleg and Boris coming to Chernigov's rescue. Oleg tried to convince his cousin Boris not to seek direct confrontation with the four princes and to ask for mercy, but Boris decided to take them on. Boris Vyacheslavich died in a fierce battle at a village of Nezhatina Niva on October 3 of 1078.