THE WAKINGS. 155

free trade throughout the empire, but were to take passports ; subject to this provision the Grand Prince of llussia and his boyards were to be allowed to send as many ships and cargoes, as many deputies and guests, as they liked. The AVaring merchants were to receive a monthly allowance. Waring of- fenders were to be punished by Waring law. Waring officers were to be named to take possession of testamentary and in- testate successions. The treaties were duly ratified by Chris- tian oaths on the part of the Greeks and on the part of those of the Russians who had become Christians, and by placing on the ground their swords, shields, and other arms on the part of those Russians who had not j-et been baptized. An interesting account is given of the Warings, a little later, swendosiav's ^J ^^^ ^^^^ Dcacon, a Contemporary of the events expediuou. j^^ dcscribcs. The description lie gives clearly shows that the Warings are meant, though he calls them Rus- sians.^ lie does justice to their valor, but also to their cruel- ty. Like all the Greek writers, he makes mention of the fact that their distinctive weapon was the battle-axe. They never, says Leo, surrendered in battle, and rather than be taken pris- oners would kill themselves. They had flaxen or reddish hair, and blue eves. One of the most strikins^ incidents of the War- ing war, which he describes, relates to a leader named Swen- doslav. He had led a host into the empire on a plundering expedition, and had occupied Dorystolon or Silistria, which commands the Derwend pass through the Balkans. He had fought bravely and held his own against great numbers, but found himself at length unequal to the task of breaking through the lines which the imperial troops, under the Em- peror John Zemiskes (969-976), had drawn round Dorystolon. Eight thousand of his followers had been killed, and he was compelled to accept terms. He stipulated that he should be allowed to leave the empire, and bound himself to send back ' 'Pwe. The Septuagint quoted by Leo used the same word, Ezckiel xxxix. 1 and 2, which there reads: Prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God. Beliold I am against thee, O Gog, chief prince of the Russians, Meshecli and Tubal.— Leo, " Dia." p. 93, ed. Reg.