The wretch even attempted to poison his father-in-law, but the crime was suspected, and the Polish king, Boleslas, fled to his own realms.
Sviatopolk was thus again left so helpless as to invite attack.
Yaroslaf with eagerness availed himself of the opportunity.

Raising a new army, he marched upon Kief, retook the city and drove his brother again into exile.

The energetic yet miserable man fled to the banks of the Volga, where he formed a large army of the ferocious Petchenegues, exciting their cupidity with promises of boundless pillage.

With these wolfish legions, he commenced his march back again upon his own country.

The terrible encounter took place on the banks of the Alta.
Russian historians describe the conflict as one of the most fierce in which men have ever engaged.