# Bogdan Hmelnitski — With Fire and Sword character guide > Bogdan Hmelnitski in With Fire and Sword by Henryk Sienkiewicz. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Hmelnitski, Bogdan Zenovi Hmelnitski, Hortitsa Hmelnitski **First appearance:** 0003-iv ## Snapshot The Cossack hetman who turns a personal grievance into a nation's uprising, charming envoys and burning towns with the same steady hand. ## Who they are Hmelnitski commands the Zaporojian host and the loyalty of colonels like Krívonos and Tugai Bey, moving between camp intrigue and open war. He is by turns gracious to prisoners and merciless to the Commonwealth that wronged him, and his authority rests on keeping unruly allies pointed at a common enemy. He matters because he is the storm the entire novel gathers around, the man whose ambition converts a border quarrel into a war that will remake the region. ## Relationships ### [Princess Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/princess_helena) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski views Princess Helena as a pawn in his conflict with the Polish nobility, using her to manipulate Bogun. ### [Pan Skshetuski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/pan_skshetuski) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski and Pan Skshetuski are enemies in the Cossack uprising, with Hmelnitski opposing Skshetuski's Polish loyalties. ### [Pan Skshetuski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/pan_skshetuski) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski and Pan Skshetuski are enemies in the Cossack uprising, with Hmelnitski opposing Skshetuski's Polish loyalties. ### [Princess Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/princess_helena) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski views Princess Helena as a pawn in his conflict with the Polish nobility, using her to manipulate Bogun. ### [Princess Helena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/princess_helena) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski views Princess Helena as a pawn in his conflict with the Polish nobility, using her to manipulate Bogun. ### [Pan Skshetuski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/pan_skshetuski) _rivalry_ Bogdan Hmelnitski and Pan Skshetuski are enemies in the Cossack uprising, with Hmelnitski opposing Skshetuski's Polish loyalties. ## In the story ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/i) Introduced under the alias Abdank, a Cossack colonel. He is rescued by Skshetuski and reveals his true identity at the end of the chapter. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/ii) Fled to the Saitch with the king's letters; his escape is the central concern. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as preparing for war, having sought Tartar aid and sent sarcastic letters to Barabash and others. ### [The Battle on the Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/x) Mentioned indirectly; Skshetuski deduces that Hmelnitski has returned from the Crimea when he sees Tartars on the island. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xi) Presides over the council, accuses Tatarchuk and Barabash of treason, and orchestrates the proceedings against Skshetuski. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xii) Defends his rebellion, ransoms Skshetuski, and demands his silence. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xiii) Leads the combined Cossack and Tartar army, deliberately slows the march to isolate young Pototski, and reacts fiercely upon learning Krechovski commands the registered Cossacks. ### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xiv) Zaporojian hetman; meets secretly with Krechovski in the steppe and persuades him to join the rebellion. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xv) Leads the Cossack forces, advances rapidly through the Ukraine, and is nearly defeated in battle before rain intervenes. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xvi) Reflects on the rebellion's trajectory, fears Prince Yeremi, and decides to strengthen his position in the Ukraine rather than confront the prince directly. ### [Chapter XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xix) Reported to have taken Chigirin and is leading the rebellion with Tartar allies. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xx) Referenced as the Cossack leader the peasants are urged to join against the lords. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as victorious at Jóltiya Vodi, having captured the hetmans and ignited the Ukraine rebellion. ### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxii) Sends a letter of submission to Prince Yeremi, but his cunning and insincerity are recognized. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxvi) Presents Kisel's letter to the council, observes dissenters, and decides to negotiate while preparing for war; struggles with doubt and drinks heavily. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as possibly coming to aid Krívonos. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned as a rebel who shields himself with the public good, and as a contrast to the prince's dilemma. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xxxvi) Mentioned as having ordered Bogun to return for the war. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xli) Mentioned as the enemy commander; the Commonwealth army's failure to strike him early is lamented. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/xlviii) Frightened by Krechovski's death, consults wizards about the future. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/l) Receives the commissioners with pride, demands the right side of the sleigh, and acts as a sovereign ruler, threatening the envoys. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/li) The hetman, drunk and belligerent, alternates between threats and feigned friendship, delaying any real negotiation. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lii) Mentioned as having affection for Skshetuski and ordering Donyéts to protect him in Kiev. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/liii) Makes exorbitant demands during peace negotiations; sends envoys to the Khan and Stamboul to prepare for war. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lvi) Sends orders to Burlai; his main army is approaching from the east, crushing castles and killing survivors. ### [Chapter LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lvii) Hmelnitski is shown in a desperate state, aware of the Khan's unreliable support, and determined to capture Prince Yeremi at any cost. ### [Chapter LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lviii) Initiates a regular siege, ordering continuous assaults and the construction of moving towers to press the besieged. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lix) Puts forth monstrous demands for the surrender of Prince Yeremi and Konyetspolski; swears to the Khan he will not withdraw while a man remains alive in the camp. ### [The King's Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/lxii) Described as the rebellious hetman who has risen from the steppes, joined with the Tartars, and now threatens the king. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/epilogue) Rises mightier than ever, leads Cossacks and Tartars, is seized and bound by the Khan after the battle. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/chapters/endnotes) Hmelnitski is noted as applying the title 'Tsar' to the Khan, and his nickname 'Hmel' (hops) is referenced. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters/bogdan_hmelnitski - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/with_fire_and_sword_se/characters