Had he been influenced by statesmanlike considerations it would have been an admirable move.

The climate was far preferable to that of Kief, the soil more fertile, and the openings for commerce, through the Danube and the Euxine, immeasurably superior.

But Sviatoslaf thought mainly of pleasure.
It was now the year 970.

Sviatoslaf had three sons, whom he established, though all in their minority, in administration of affairs in the realms from which he was departing.

Yaropolk received the government of Kief.