Sviatoslav I, Prince of Kiev
Sviatoslav I reigned as a
Varangian prince of
Kiev from
945, transferring his capital to Pereyaslavets in 969. His mother
Olga of Kiev ruled as regent until his majority (c.963). Until his death in 972 Sviatoslav rejected the
Christianity embraced by Olga. He was known as a warrior Prince and spent most of his reign campaigning against nearby tribes. His unorthodx appearance was noted by the
Byzantines who described him as having shaved one side of his head, and having a single large gold earring. He divided his territories among his sons
Yaropolk and Oleg, and the illegitimate
Vladimir. Sviatoslav was killed in battle with the Pechnegs in
972