Askold and Dyr

Askold and Dyr. Semilegendary figures mentioned in the Primary Chronicle as members of Riuryk's (see Riuryk of Novgorod) cohort in Novgorod the Great. Leaving Riuryk, they captured Kyiv from the Khazars and established themselves as its princes. In 860 (862 according to other sources) they led an unsuccessful campaign against Constantinople. In 882 Prince Oleh had them murdered and used the fact of their non-princely origin as justification. Askold and Dyr are said to be buried on Uhorska Hill in Kyiv at a site marked by the monument called Askoldova Mohyla.