Yermak The Cossack

Yermak the Cossack, also known as Yermak [Timofeyevich], was a leader of a group of Russian military warriors named, you guessed it, the Cossacks. Early on Yermak held a close resemblance to the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow (who was brilliantly portrayed by Johnny Depp) running around plundering czar ships and taking what he wanted. He and his band of Cossacks followed the way of the [pirates] of the Caribbean until they were was enlisted by the Stroganov family sometime around 1577 to protect their lands in Siberia from the attacks of a Siberian ruler named Kahn Kuchum. When Yermak saw that he and his horde of Cossacks were able to fend off the Kahn's army, he decided that the conquest of his own Siberian lands might be a good idea.

Against the wishes of Ivan the Terrible, Yermak began a campaign into Siberia pillaging and plundering cities as he made his way down into the vast land, thus marking the beginning of Russian expansion into the area. To smooth over his actions with good old Ivan, Yermak sent a convoy to Moscow carrying gifts and promises to control Siberia for Russia. Although Ivan was not happy about Yermak’s actions, he decided to forgive him when he saw that Yermak brought most of the Ob’ River basin under Russian rule. At Yermak’s request Ivan agreed to supply him with additional men and resources to continue his conquest of Siberia. He even allowed Yermak and the Cossacks to keep the land they acquired and allowed them to pretty much act as they wished. This did not come without a price though. In exchange for their freedom, the Cossacks were to act as Russia’s guard from attacks that may come from Siberia.

By 1582 Yermak had taken control of the capital of the Siberian Khanate called Qashliq. Kahn Kuchum and his army had been diminished and retreated further into Siberia. The Kahn still had enough forces to plan his revenge though. In the end Ivan did not send much help in the way of manpower to help relieve Yermak‘s forces. With what he had left, Kuchum staged a surprise attack in the middle of the night against Yermak and his forces. Trying to flee the clutches of his enemies, Yermak attempted to swim across the Vagai River to safety. However as it may have it, the armor Yermak wore happened to be heavy and sink rather than float. Gee, what a surprise. Not thinking to remove the armor Yermak sank with his armor and drowned. Kuchum and his men regained control to their capital but little did they know that the adventures of Yermak would spark the interests and ideas of Russian leaders to come. The conquest of Siberia would come to be taken more seriously and attempts would be much greater and more successful.