The ancient history encyclopedia logo is a registered eu. The varangians were the elite forces of the byzantine army much like the praetorian guard of ancient rome or the ottoman janissaries. The varangian guard the vikings in byzantium the varangian guard in byzantium is one of the very few mercenary units whose history can be counted in centuries. They were originally made up exclusively of vikings which the empire had been hiring as mercenaries since the 9 th century, but after th. The varangian guard were among the bestpaid of the empires troops so well paid that membership had to be purchased. Viking, saxon and rus concept art viking books, old warrior, he makes me. Very good book for anyone interested in the byzantium and varangians history. Pappas sam houston state university, 2004one of the most interesting episodes in byzantine military history and in medieval english history is the anglosaxon participation and service in the varangian guards regiment from the late 11th to the early th century. Celebrated recruits include harald hardrada, who went on to become the king. The varangian guard 9881453 byzantine armies by osprey publishing wiki.
Oct 20, 2016 in this video, i lay out the history of the varangian guard, the most famous military unit in byzantine empire with a focus on its origins, the context of the world in which it was created, the. Names of scandinavians in the byzantine varangian guard and. Varangian guard simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Nvg inc is a historical reenactment organisation with branches throughout australia. Who protected the emperor after constantine i disbanded the. The varangian guards were viking mercenaries who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the byzantine armies. The length of their service and the number of battles in which they fought is perhaps only surpassed by the swiss in the pay of the french. Dec 08, 2017 the varyags of miklagaard, also more commonly known as the varangian guard of constantinople, were an elite unit that were the personal bodyguards of byzantine emperors from the 10th century, until their dissolution in the 14th century a. Jan 09, 2008 subscribe to exellent historical videos and tributes about nordic history mostly swedish history the story of the varangians. Varangians motorcycle club mc is a military support motorcycle club established to help reduce the growing number of veteran deaths and suicides associated with motorcycles and other experiences related to war. The varangian guard started in the second roman empire. Books on the swedish vikings andor the varangian guard. On a secret diplomatic mission to the emperors court in miklagard, the vikings name for constantinople, odd meets the members of the fearsome varangian guard whose elite viking members served as the emperors personal bodyguards. The mercenary varangian guard was an elite byzantine army corps and the personal bodyguard of emperors beginning with basil ii in c.
It played a major role not only in the development of trade in the varangian kyivan rus territories but also in the cultural and political transformation of east slavic tribes into the rus state with its center in kyiv. This is thin book is fun history with lots of illustrations. The varangian guard published on 01 jan 2017 by brill. The varangian guard was only used in battle during critical moments, or where the battle was most fierce. The varangian way was first used in the early 9th century. The varangians served as the personal bodyguard of the emperor, swearing an oath of loyalty to him. On a balcony in the hagia sophia in istanbul can clearly be seen old norse graffiti dating from the 9th century, reading. He recounts some details about his life as a varangian, and its a good look into the mindset and lifestyle of the people who were varangians, even in. The varyags of miklagaard, also more commonly known as the varangian guard of constantinople, were an elite unit that were the personal bodyguards of byzantine emperors from the 10th century, until their dissolution in the 14th century a. In that regard, unlike most other mercenaries, they were dedicated, incredibly well trained, furnished with the best of armors, and most. Oct 19, 2018 impressed by the ferocity with which the vikings battled the rebels, the emperor established the elite varangian guard to protect constantinople and serve as his personal bodyguards. March of the varangian guard was released as part of turisas third studio album, stand up and fight, recorded in hameenlinna, finland, and released on 23rd february 2011.
It gives a generally competent view of the varangian guard and its military and politic roles in the medieval roman empire, from bodyguards to antipiracy forces and the crack forces of roman field armies in the from the late 10th until the 12thth centuries, besides informing very well about the weapons and armour of these. The members served as personal bodyguards to the byzantine emperors. While the varangians gave byzantium military assistance, the byzantines helped usher christianity into the ranks of the varangians. Jun 20, 2019 the tale of the varangians continues in its prime in the form of the varangian guard, a prominent and selective byzantine army arising in the tenth century. The tale of the varangians continues in its prime in the form of the varangian guard, a prominent and selective byzantine army arising in the tenth century.
This is the the romanian army wwii military history book by osprey publishing. Dec 12, 2018 on a balcony in the hagia sophia in istanbul can clearly be seen old norse graffiti dating from the 9th century, reading. Formation compromised at first of the kievan rus ancestors, they would later be of norsemen origin, of continue reading history of the varangian. See more ideas about varangian guard, vikings and medieval. The varangian guards were viking mercenaries who operat. Viking age and the byzantine empires greatest warriors ancient.
Listener william asked who the varangians were and why they figured so prominently in byzantine military affairs. An elite unit of the byzantine army from the 10th to 14th centuries, the varangian guard was mostly comprised of viking and anglosaxon mercenaries whose job was to protect the byzantine emperors as their personal bodyguards, and they were renowned for their loyalty, ferocity and honour. In this video, i lay out the history of the varangian guard, the most famous military unit in byzantine empire with a focus on its origins, the context of the world in which it was created, the. The varangian guard and anglosaxon ethnic consciousness. Eventually, basil ii asserted his claim to sole authority by ruthlessly eliminating the dominating grand chamberlain, who was exiled in 985. Impressed by the ferocity with which the vikings battled the rebels, the emperor established the elite varangian guard to protect constantinople and serve as his personal bodyguards. The company produces many ongoing series, each focusing on a specific aspect of the history of warfare. The viking unit was famous for the stature of its members.
The viking unit was famous for the stature of its members and their bloodthirsty conduct in battle, where they used their fearsome doublebladed battleaxes to devastating effect. The varangian guard were formed from scandavians or viings if you prefer, not anglosaxons. Composed of the scandinavian marauders in the beginning, the varangian guard survived until the thirteenth or fourteenth centuries as the byzantine emperors elite sentinel. Nov 10, 2014 an elite unit of the byzantine army from the 10th to 14th centuries, the varangian guard was mostly comprised of viking and anglosaxon mercenaries whose job was to protect the byzantine emperors as their personal bodyguards, and they were renowned for their loyalty, ferocity and honour. They, and the warriors who enlisted afterwards for centuries to come, had the sworn duty to protect the byzantine emperor and also to go to war if their terrifying presence was required on the battlefields on the fringes of the empire. What are some fascinating things you should know about the. Many of these come from from back issues of the varangian voice, the newsletter of the new varangian guard nvg, a historical reenactment group based in australia whose core area and period of interest of the new varangian guard is the byzantine empire, its allies and. The varangian is the final entry in bruce macbains odd tanglehair saga and brings odds challenging adventures to a climactic and satisfying finish.
Jul 20, 2010 listener william asked who the varangians were and why they figured so prominently in byzantine military affairs. The varangian guard 9881453 varangian guard, warriors. Their members served as personal bodyguards to the byzantine emperors. The viking mercenaries of the byzantine empire the. Her mother was a martiniake and a distant relative to the imperial family, as a close niece of michael ii and a distant niece of emperor heraclius and his second wife and niece martina. A collection of articles discussion the varangian guard, its origins. The varangian guard 9881453 byzantine armies by osprey publishing. This is the general washingtons army 177578 military history book by osprey publishing. This book can be useful and very disappointing at the same time. Later, after the norman conquest of england, anglosaxons. Turisas march of the varangian guard lyrics genius lyrics. According to the late swedish historian alf henrikson in his book svensk historia history of sweden, the norse varangian guardsmen were recognized by long. Raffaele damato mentioned in his book the varangian guard. Best known for their menatarms series, nearly 500 titles, each book dedicated to a specific historical army or military unit.
After helping basil overcome the rebels and reign supreme, these mercenaries stuck around, becoming known as the varangian guard. He recounts some details about his life as a varangian, and its a good look into the mindset and lifestyle of the people who were varangians, even in a different context. According to the late swedish historian alf henriksson, in his book svensk historia history of sweden the scandinavian varangian guardsmen were recognized by long hair, a red ruby set in the left ear and ornamented dragons sown on their chainmail shirts. Eudokia was the daughter of inger, a varangian guard in the emperors service. Dawkins skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. But what was a norseman doing in byzantine, so far away from home. The varangian guard served as the emperors loyal guard, elite infantry, naval assets, and a trusted police force in exchange for good wages and riches to plunder. Descendants from a legendary line of warriors, the varangian guard was formed after a group of viking mercenaries made a major contribution to the byzantine emperor basil iis victory over rebel forces in 988 ad. Regarding constantines vision, he is supposed to have seen a cross in the sky formed by a bright light through the clouds, the actual form of the cross isnt known. Norsemen from all over scandinavia and russia came to byzantium constantinople, spent time in the varangian guard and returned home wealthy. Historical fiction set in 11th century byzantium kindle edition by yates, stuart g. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading varangian. The varangian guard was known for being primarily composed of recruits from northern europe.
Its a rare history of a unique historical military group, the mostly viking varangians. Varangian guard byzantine military unit britannica. Nov 10, 2017 the mercenary varangian guard was an elite byzantine army corps and the personal bodyguard of emperors beginning with basil ii in c. The varangian guard 9881453 by raffaele damato goodreads. Predominantly illustrated books containing fullcolor artwork plates, maps and. We would like to thank all for their support whilst we transition to virtual operations. See more ideas about varangian guard, medieval and dark ages. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Subscribe to exellent historical videos and tributes about nordic history mostly swedish history the story of the varangians. History of the varangian guard and their effectiveness.
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