The object of the research – the foreign policy of Byzantium. The dissertation purpose: finding-out of a role and place of Rus’ in the foreign policy of Byzantium in the last quarter of the 10th century, influence of political, diplomatic, military and religious contacts on a history of both states. The methods: historical, logic, abstracting, concrete definition; comparison, generalization, analogy, analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, historical-comparative, historical-genetic, historical-typological. Scientific novelty: the dissertation investigates the Rus’-Byzantine relations in the last quarter of the tenth century; (976-997) – the period, which was marked by cardinal changes in the foreign policy of the two states. The study is based on the different types and kinds of sources: written (narrative and documentary) ones, sfragistic, numismatic, visual, archaeological; major historiographical concept of XVIII – beginning of XXI century are revealed; the political situation in Byzantium (apostasies of 976-989 A.D.) and its influence on the foreign policy of the Empire are analyzed; the date of the Chrisopolis battle between the troops of Basil II and Bardas Phocas as a terminus ante quem of the formation of union Rus and Byzantines is established – March 989; Prince Vladimir Korsun campaign was caused by the desire of control over the Baltic-Black Sea route "from the Varangians to the Greeks", securing the rights and privileges of the ruling classes of Ruses in trade and diplomatic relations with Byzantium; the chronology of Korsun campaign, the duration of the siege of Cherson from June to March 987-988 is defined; the view about an inappropriate Byzantium matrimonial agreements with Rus’ is refuted; the contents and circumstances of conclusion of Rus’-Byzantine agreement pointed out; offered its dating in the spring and summer of 988; the diplomatic and political significance of the marriage of Princess Anna with Vladimir is studied; the opinion of the baptism and marriage of the prince in Cherson large agora is grounded; the date of the Vladimir’s baptism – at Easter or Pentecost 988 is established; the baptism of Kiev citizens between 20 July and 1 August 988 is substantiated; the delay in the establishment of the metropolis in Rus’ is associated with the church policy of Basil II and vacant Constantinople Patriarch's cathedra. Practical value of research: the materials of the dissertation can be used by preparation of generalizing scientific works, manuals on a history of Byzantium and Rus’, general courses and special courses on a history of Byzantium, Rus’, Byzantine-Rus’ relations, international relations, history of Church, in museum business, at archaeology researches in territory of Tauric Chersonese National preserve. Sphere of use: higher educational institutions.
