Iaropolk Sviatoslavich

Date of birth unknown; died 980. Prince of Kiev from 972 to 973. Eldest son of Sviatoslav Igorevich.

In 970, laropolk Sviatoslavich governed Kiev in the absence of his father, who reigned in Pereiaslavl’ on the Danube. A struggle for power with his brothers Oleg and Vladimir led to Iaropolk’s victory, Oleg’s death, and the seizure of the land of the Drevliane in 977 and Novgorod in 980. In 980, Vladimir Sviatoslavich recovered Novgorod, subjugated Polotsk, and seized Kiev. Iaropolk was killed at Vladimir’s camp near Roden’.