Marching nine hundred miles directly east from Kief, over the Russian plains, he came to the banks of the Don.

The region was inhabited by a very powerful nation called the Khozars.

They were arrayed under their sovereign, on the banks of the river to meet the foe.

The Khozars had even sent for Greek engineers to aid them in throwing up their fortifications; and they were in an intrenched camp constructed with much military skill.

A bloody battle ensued, in which thousands were slain.