Varangian

Varangian is a term used by the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus' to refer to Norsemen, who often traveled as merchants, mercenaries, and pirates from their Scandinavian homelands towards eastern Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Middle East. The Varangians were primarily traders who established extensive trade routes, most notably the Volga trade route, which connected Scandinavia to the Caspian Sea, and the Dnieper trade route, which linked the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. These routes facilitated the exchange of goods such as furs, slaves, honey, and wax for silver and luxury items.

Beyond their commercial activities, the Varangians were also renowned warriors. Many served as mercenaries in the armies of various rulers, including the Byzantine emperors and the princes of Kievan Rus'. The most famous of these were the Varangian Guard, an elite unit of the Byzantine army composed largely of Norsemen and later Anglo-Saxons, known for their loyalty and ferocity. Their presence in Eastern Europe was instrumental in the formation and consolidation of early Slavic states, particularly Kievan Rus', where Norse chieftains played a significant role in establishing princely dynasties. The term "Rus'" itself is believed by many scholars to be derived from the Old Norse term for the people of the coast, possibly referring to the Swedes who were prominent among the early settlers and traders.