Varangian Guard
Videos
The Varangian Guard was an elite unit of the Byzantine army from the 10th to the 14th century who served as personal bodyguards to the Byzantine emperors. The Varangian Guard was known for being prima
Depiction of the Varangian Guard (above) in the 11th century chronicle of John Skylitzes
An illumination of a scene from the Skylitzes Chronicle, depicting a Thracesian woman killing a Varangian who tried to rape her, whereupon his comrades praised her and gave her his possessions.
Seal of Michael, Grand Interpreter (megas diermeneutes) of the Guard
Piraeus Lion drawing of curved lindworm. The runes on the lion tell of Swedish warriors, likely Varangians, mercenaries in the service of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor.
Varangians
Videos
The Varangians were Viking warriors, traders and settlers, mostly from present-day Sweden, who settled in the territories of present-day Belarus, Russia and Ukraine from the 8th and 9th centuries and
One of the runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia, probably carved by members of the Varangian Guard
Nicholas Roerich: Guests from Overseas (1899)
Viktor Vasnetsov, The Invitation of the Varangians: Rurik and his brothers arrive in Staraya Ladoga.