Character Relationship Map: Viking

Characters

• Irina (played by Svetlana Khodchenkova) — protagonist

  Irina is Yaropolk's Christian wife and a mediator between the rival brothers. After Kiev is found abandoned, she facilitates negotiations intended to resolve the conflict peacefully, helping bring Yar...

• Rogneda (played by Aleksandra Bortich) — protagonist

  Rogneda is Rogovold's daughter and Vladimir's intended bride. She rejects Vladimir, believing he seeks marriage only to gain access to her father's soldiers, and insults his birth, prompting his assau...

• Vladimir (played by Danila Kozlovsky) — supporting

  Vladimir is one of Sviatoslav's sons and the central figure seeking power in Kievan Rus'. He attacks Polotsk after Rogneda rejects him, becomes involved in Yaropolk's assassination, and struggles agai...

• Anastas (played by Paweł Deląg) — supporting

  Anastas is a bishop who encounters Vladimir after the defeat of the rebels. He listens as Vladimir confesses responsibility for Yaropolk's death, along with his shame over Rogovold, Fedor, and Rogneda...

• Oleg (played by Kirill Pletnyov) — minor

  Oleg is one of Sviatoslav's sons and a rival of Yaropolk and Vladimir. During a hunt, he kills Lyut in anger after Lyut brings down the aurochs first, then flees from pursuit. Unable to enter Polotsk...

• Yaropolk (played by Aleksandr Ustyugov) — minor

  Yaropolk is one of Sviatoslav's sons and a ruling prince of Kievan Rus'. He pursues Oleg after Oleg kills Lyut, later faces Vladimir over Oleg's death, and abandons Kiev with the treasury. Although he...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Anastas → Vladimir (Professional Spiritual Counselor) — Anastas helps Vladimir interpret his guilt and begin a religious transformation.

  Anastas listens as Vladimir confesses responsibility for Yaropolk's death and shame over other crimes, then absolves him.

• Irina → Yaropolk (Family Wife) — Irina is connected to Yaropolk through marriage and acts during the brothers' negotiations.

  The plot explicitly identifies Irina as Yaropolk's Christian wife.

• Vladimir → Rogneda (Romantic Rejected Suitor) — A failed marriage proposal becomes the immediate trigger for Vladimir's assault on Polotsk.

  Vladimir seeks to marry Rogneda, but she rejects him and insults his maternal background.

• Oleg → Yaropolk (Family Brother) — Their brotherhood is overwhelmed by a violent dispute involving their retinues.

  Oleg and Yaropolk are explicitly presented as two sons ruling the same realm after their father's death.

• Vladimir → Yaropolk (Family Brother) — They are brothers whose rivalry becomes the central political conflict.

  The plot identifies Vladimir and Yaropolk as sons of the same deceased grand prince.

• Vladimir → Oleg (Family Brother) — Their family connection is destabilized by Oleg's death and Vladimir's later campaign.

  The plot states that Vladimir, Oleg, and Yaropolk are brothers ruling Kievan Rus after their father's death.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Irina → Vladimir (Alliance Mediator) — She temporarily supports dialogue between the two rival brothers.

  Irina facilitates a negotiation between Vladimir and Yaropolk, during which Vladimir claims he wants a peaceful solution.

Story Analysis

A violent succession struggle transforms Vladimir from a guilt-ridden warlord into a ruler seeking forgiveness through Christianity.

Plot Progression

1. Brothers At War — The three brothers inherit a divided realm. A violent hunting dispute kills Oleg and turns succession into open conflict.
2. The Siege Of Polotsk — Vladimir seeks marriage with Rogneda but is rejected and insulted. His wounded pride leads to a siege, a berserker assault, and further guilt.
3. Throne And Rebellion — Vladimir reaches Kiev and enters a negotiation with Yaropolk. The assassination of Yaropolk creates a new rebellion, while Kiev suffers war and sacrifice.
4. Water And Redemption — Foreign allies help Vladimir challenge the fortified Roman city. After victory and confession, Vladimir turns from violence toward Christianity and baptism.