Description
- Theme: Ancient Rus
- Historical Period: 13th century
- Scale: 1/32
- Coloring: Unpainted
- Soldier Type: Infantry
Evpaty Kolovrat (Russian: , tr. Yevpatiy Kolovrat, pronounced c.1200 1238) is a Russian bogatyr described in The Tale of the Destruction of Ryazan. According to the tale, he died while fighting the vastly superior army of the Mongol ruler Batu Khan, trying to avenge the destruction of Ryazan a few weeks earlier. Appearance in the Tale Kolovrat was visiting Chernihiv at the time of the Siege of Ryazan, which occurred between 16 and 21 December 1237. Learning about the tragedy, he rushed back home, only to find the city destroyed and most of its inhabitants killed. He gathered 1700 people from his soldiers and from the survivors of the siege and went after Batu Khan with the sole purpose of avenging the carnage. Kolovrat's forces suddenly attacked the rear-guard of Batu Khan's army and annihilated it in a fierce battle. Perplexed, Batu Khan sent out a much larger force, led by his relative Khostovrul. Khostovrul promised to capture Kolovrat alive and accordingly challenged Kolovrat to a duel. A man of extraordinary strength, Kolovrat split his opponent in half with his sword and proceeded to kill the surrounding Mongols, splitting many of them down to the saddle. Khostovrul's remaining soldiers retreated and killed Kolovrat from a distance using stone launchers. In a sign of respect for Kolovrat's bravery, Batu Khan returned his body to his soldiers and let them return home.