Igor Svyatoslavich

Igor Svyatoslavich was the elder son of Svyatoslav Olgovich, a prince of Chernigov and a descendant of Vladimir Monomakh. He was baptized as Yury, in honor of his father's friend, Yury Vladimirovich of Suzdal. He became the prince of Putivl around 1164, after the death of his half-brother Oleg. He married a daughter of Yaroslav Osmomysl, the prince of Halych, before 1170. He fought against the Cumans, the nomadic invaders who frequently raided the southern and western Russian lands, and achieved a notable victory in 1171. He also participated in the dynastic struggles among the Rurikid princes, and supported his cousin Svyatoslav III, the grand prince of Kiev, against his rivals. In 1180, he inherited the principality of Novgorod-Seversk from his half-brother Oleg, and became one of the most powerful princes in the region. In 1185, he led a campaign against the Cumans, along with his son Vladimir, his brother Vsevolod, and his nephew Svyatoslav. However, his army was ambushed and defeated by the Cumans, and all four princes were captured. Igor managed to escape from captivity in 1186 and returned to his lands, where he resumed his rule. He later became the prince of Chernigov in 1198, after the death of his cousin Gleb. He died in 1201 or 1202, and was buried in Chernigov. He was nicknamed the Brave for his courage and military prowess. His campaign against the Cumans was immortalized in a famous epic poem of old Russian literature, The Song of Igor's Campaign, which praised his heroism and lamented his defeat.