Kievan Rus AD 860 – AD 1054

Draft list by Ulf Olsson

This list covers the Kiev period of the emerging Rus state from the first conflicts with Byzantium until the Kiev realm split into competing principalities. The Rus formed as a combination of Varangian (Scandinavian) adventurers and traders with the local Slavs. Varangians were a very important part of the first Rus armies and high-status Varangian chiefs initially formed part of the aristocracy alongside Slav nobles. The Rus realm was also heavily influenced by steppe cultures, primarily that of the Khazars.

The links with Scandinavia (extensive trade, royal marriages, mercenary recruitment) remained well into the 11th Century AD, but the cultural and trading links to Byzantium, the Muslim world, various Slav tribes and steppe cultures grew much more important.

The Rus were expanding rapidly in this period and absorbed numerous Slav tribes in the forest regions of present-day Russia. They also pushed into the steppe regions in the face of stiff opposition from Khazars, Pechenegs and other steppe peoples.

Army List

Terrain: Normal - Plains

1 Prince’s Division

1c Prince’s Druzhina

0-1 Prince’s Druzhina

0-3 Polk Spearmen

The Prince’s Division must be commanded by the C-in-C.

2-3 Polk Division

1c Polk Spearmen

1-3 Polk Spearmen

0-1 Varangian Division (only AD 860 – AD1015 & AD 1041 – AD 1043)

1c Varangian Huskarls

1-3 Varangian Mercenaries

A Varangian Division must be classed as Ally in AD 900 – AD 1015 & AD 1041 – AD 1043.

0-1 Slav Ally Tribal Division

1c Slav Ally Cavalry or Slav Ally Javelinmen

1-3 Slav Ally Javelinmen

0-1 Slav Ally Archers

0-1 Bulgar Ally Division (only in AD 969 – AD 971)

1c Bulgar Ally Boyars

1-2 Bulgar Ally Horse Archers

1-2 Bulgarian Ally Spearmen

0-1 Bulgarian Ally Archers

A Bulgar Ally Division may only be used by Svyatoslav’s army in Bulgaria.

0-1 Pecheneg Ally Division (only in AD 970 – AD 1054)

1c Pecheneg Ally Horse Archers

1-3 Pecheneg Ally Horse Archers

Additional Units

0-2 Slav Javelinmen (Note 1)

0-1 Slav Archers (Note 1)

0-2 Mercenary Horse Archers (Note 2)

Additional Unit Notes

No allied Division may receive Additional Units

1. Slav Javelinmen and Archers may be added to a Prince’s Division or a Polk Division.
2. Bulgar or Magyar Horse Archers may be added to Prince’s Division or a Polk Division. They may only be used AD 900 – AD 1054.

Units

Prince’s Druzhina

Heavy Shock – Initiative 6 (Elite, Deep Line, Audacious)

4 Bases 40 Pts

6 Bases 54 Pts

Or

Heavy Irregular Horse – Initiative 6 (Audacious)

2 Bases 36 Pts

3 Bases 48 Pts

The Druzhina may be graded Heavy Irregular Horse AD 950 – AD 1054. Before AD 950 the Druzhina must be Heavy Shock.

Comments:

Th is unit represents the personal warrior following of a Prince of Rus. The initial Druzhinas were largely recruited from Varangians but also joined by Slavs, Khazars, and others. By the mid-10th Century AD the Druzhina was of even more varied ethnic background and could be a largely mounted force.

Polk Spearmen

Medium Shieldsmen – Initiative 6 (Deep Line)

6 Bases 32 Pts, 39 Pts if with Light Archer Detachment

8 Bases 40 Pts, 48 Pts if with Light Archer Detachment

May have a Light Archer Detachment.

Comments:

The Polk Spearmen represent the spearmen that made up the bulk of Rus armies. Levied from city militias they were regarded as good troops and often operated supported by archers.

Mercenary Horse Archers (only AD 900 – AD 1054)

Light Horse Archers – Initiative 6 (Wave)

2 Bases – 36 Pts

4 Bases – 60 Pts

Comments:

The Mercenary Horse Archers consists of Bulgars or Magyars. The Rus started to recruit steppe nomad cavalry as they extended their rule into the steppes.

Varangian Huskarls

Heavy Shock – Initiative 6 (Elite, Deep Line, Audacious)

4 Bases 40 Pts, 36 Pts if Ally

6 Bases 54 Pts, 48 Pts if Ally

Varangians must be graded as Ally AD 900 – AD 1015 & AD 1041 – AD 1043

Comments:

The Varangian Huskarls represent a Varangian Jarl’s personal following of professional warriors. Large numbers of Varangian mercenaries under their own leaders were periodically hired until the 11th Century AD.

Varangian Mercenaries

Medium Shieldsmen with Axemen Medium Shock Detachment– Initiative 6 (Deep Line, Audacious)

4 Bases 37 Pts, 33 Pts if Ally

6 Bases 45 Pts, 39 Pts if Ally

Varangians must be graded as Ally AD 900 – AD 1015 & AD 1041 – AD 1043

Comments:

The Varangian Mercenaries represent the rank-and-file warriors in the service of a Varangian Jarl. See above.

Slav Ally Cavalry

Medium Irregular Horse – Initiative 6 (Ally)

3 Bases – 33 Pts

4 Bases – 40 Pts

Comments:

The Slav Ally Cavalry represent the noble retinue of a Slav tribal chieftain allied to the Rus. Many Slav tribes were eventually absorbed into the emerging Rus nation, but independent-minded tribes still existed on the periphery of the Rus realm until after the end of the period.

Slav Javelinmen

Medium Irregulars – Initiative 5

6 Bases – 22 Pts, 17 Pts if Ally

8 Bases – 26 Pts, 20 Pts if Ally

Slav Javelinmen units in a Slav Ally Tribal Division are graded as Ally. Slav Javelinmen additional units are not Allies.

One Slav Javelinmen unit of in a Division may be regraded to Light Irregulars (same Pts cost).

Comments:

The Slav Javelinmen represent tribal Slav warriors serving the Rus. See above.

Slav Archers

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 5

4 Bases – 23 Pts, 20 Pts if Ally

Comments:

The Slav Archers represent bow-armed Slav warriors serving the Rus. See above.

Bulgar Ally Boyars

Heavy Cavalry – Initiative 6 (Ally, Audacious)

3 Bases – 42 Pts

4 Bases – 52 Pts

Comments:

The Bulgar Ally Boyars represent the heavily equipped warriors of the Bulgar contingent that briefly allied with Svyatoslav in AD 969.

Bulgar Ally Horse Archers or Pecheneg Ally Horse Archers

Light Horse Archers – Initiative 6 (Ally, Wave)

4 Bases – 52 Pts

Comments:

The Bulgar Ally Horse Archers represent the more lightly equipped warriors used by the Bulgar allies decribed above.

The Pecheneg Ally Horse Archers represent the warriors of one of the many Pecheneg tribes that often allied to the Rus.

Bulgarian Ally Spearmen

Medium Shieldsmen – Initiative 5 (Ally)

6 Bases – 22 Pts

8 Bases – 26 Pts

Comments:

These units represent the spearmen used by the Bulgar allies described above.

Bulgarian Ally Archers

Medium or Light Archers – Initiative 5 (Ally)

4 Bases – 20 Pts

Comments:

These units represent the foot archers used by the Bulgar allies decribed above.

References

http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles/watson1.htm