Merciless Facts About Olga of Kiev, The Ruthless Saint Of Kievan Rus’
She Was A Ruthless Regent—And Soft-Hearted Saint
Olga of Kiev was the ruthless regent turned saint with a thirst for revenge that couldn’t be slaked. She buried and burned her enemies alive—then prayed for their salvation.
1. She Was Born…Sometime
Olga of Kiev was born…well, no one’s really certain when. Estimates range from 890 AD to 925 AD. But the ambiguity around her origins only adds an air of mystery to her already gripping story. However, what we do know paints an even more interesting image of her.
2. She Descended From Vikings
There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of the ruthlessness that Olga would soon unleash on her enemies. According to the Russian Primary Chronicle, Olga had the blood of Vikings running through her veins, and the city of Pleskov was where she was born.
But she wouldn’t stay there for long.
3. Her Early Life Remains Shrouded
Even contemporary chroniclers weren’t able to capture many (or any) details about Olga’s life before she entered the political scene in Kiev. Even so, her rise from obscurity to one of the most formidable figures in Kievan Rus’ speaks volumes about her intelligence and determination. Or her bloodlust.
4. She Married As A Young Teen
Historians estimate that Olga was just 15 years old when she married Prince Igor I of Kiev, becoming a major player in Eastern Europe. In fact, her marriage put her in the middle of a burgeoning dynasty with big ambitions.
