The Geopolitical Context of the Rus’ Raid on Seville

The article offers a possible explanation for the raid of Rus’ on Seville in 844 and also attempts to compare this event with embassy Constantinople Ingelheim, their Amastris. These events, taken as part complex geopolitical picture “long middle” 9th century, show origin nature emerging group people. This period started renewed Muslim onslaught Europe through Byzantine holdings Asia Minor Italy 820s–830s, finished middle 860s victory over Abbasids. Other important events time were Great Schism; victories Orthodoxy Catholicism heretics Moravia, Bulgaria Minor; first baptism Rus’. background was complemented by collapse Carolingian Empire beginning German Drang nach Osten. During time, small who identified itself 838, came into being. Its main goal explore new trade routes world bypassing Khazaria. However, eventually they discovered an opportunity pillaging Byzantium its allies Andalusia. result actions, which probably coordinated form one center Southern Denmark, acquisition “homeland” North Eastern Europe: land that given accidentally emerged name “Rus’”.