Caspian expeditions of the Rus

Discovering the Enigmatic Expeditions of the Caspian Sea

The Caspian expeditions of the Rus’ were military raids that took place between the late 9th century and c. 1041 on the shores of what are now Iran, Dagestan, and Azerbaijan. These expeditions marked a significant chapter in the history of trade and conflict along the Volga trade route, where the Rus’ initially appeared as merchants before transitioning into raiders. Could it be that these early traders were merely probing for opportunities or were they already harboring ambitions to expand their influence?

The Early Days: Traders Turned Raiders

Initially, the Rus’ appeared as merchants along the Volga trade route, selling goods such as furs, honey, and slaves. The first small-scale Viking raids took place in the late 9th and early 10th century. In 913, the Rus’ launched their first large-scale expedition, arriving on 500 ships and pillaging in the Gorgan region of present-day Iran, Gilan, and Mazandaran. They captured Bardha’a, the capital of Arran, in 943 and were only forced to leave due to an outbreak of dysentery.

From Traders to Warriors

The Rus’ continued to raid the region, with Sviatoslav’s campaign destroying the Khazar state in 965. Raids continued until c. 1041, with the last attempt taking place by Ingvar the Far-Travelled. The Rus’ first penetrated Muslim areas as traders rather than warriors and traded with the Byzantine Empire and Muslim lands along the Volga trade route.

First Large-Scale Raids

The Rus’ initially sailed to Abaskun, where they had minor raids in 909/910 and 911/912. Their first large-scale raid took place in 913, when a fleet of 500 ships reached the Caspian Sea shores and pillaged in the Gorgan region. In order to secure passage through the land of the Khazars, the Rus’ promised them half their spoils. The Rus’ sailed into the Black Sea and then the Caspian Sea, attacking in the Gorgan region around Abaskun and pillaging the countryside as they went. They raided at Baku and penetrated inland a distance of three days’ journey, taking women and children as slaves.

Conflict with Khazaria

In 943, during the expedition led by Prince Igor, the Rus’ defeated the forces of Marzuban bin Muhammad and captured Bardha’a, but soon broke down with the local people over stone-throwing and abuse. The Rus’ then began killing people and holding many for ransom, but their numbers were reduced by an epidemic caused by eating exotic fruit in the city.

End of Khazar Prosperity

The sources are unclear about the roots of the conflict between Khazaria and Rus’, but several possibilities have been suggested. The Rus’ had an interest in removing the Khazar hold on the Volga trade route because the Khazars collected duties. The conflict was also spurred by the Byzantines’ persecution of Jews and the Khazars’ decision to close the Volga passage after a raid in 943. In 965, Sviatoslav I of Kiev went to war against Khazaria, destroying cities like Sarkel, Kerch, and Atil. The campaign brought an end to Khazar prosperity and independence, paving the way for Kievan Rus’ dominance over trade routes through the steppe and across the Black Sea.

Later Raids and Mercenary Work

Later, in 987, the Rus’ were hired as mercenaries by Maymun of Derbent but were forced to surrender after a struggle. They continued to raid the region of Shirvan in 1030-1033, but were eventually defeated and expelled. Ingvar the Far-Travelled led a large Viking attack against Persia in 1042 with a fleet of 200 ships and around 15,000 men.

Ingvar’s Expedition

In 1041, Ingvar led an expedition to the Caspian region, possibly connected to the Georgian-Byzantine Battle of Sasireti. Ingvar’s purpose was likely to reopen old trade routes, but no attempts were made by the Norsemen to do so after his death in Saracen land.

Later Settlements

Some Rus settled in the region based on the History of Irkhan and Khaqani mentions an invasion of Shirvan in 1173 or 1174. The invasion was led by Bek-Bars b. Muzaffar, who used bands of free-lance warriors, possibly Cossacks, to defeat the invaders and recapture Shabaran fortress.

These expeditions were not just about plunder and conquest; they were a complex interplay of trade, diplomacy, and conflict. The story of the Caspian expeditions of the Rus’ is a fascinating tale that continues to intrigue historians and scholars alike. As we delve into these events, one cannot help but wonder: what drove the Rus’ from peaceful traders to fierce raiders? And how did their actions shape the political landscape of the region for centuries to come?