Varyags

The Varyags were a group of Norsemen, also known as Vikings, who traveled east from Scandinavia starting in the 9th century. They became active traders, mercenaries, and explorers in Eastern Europe, particularly in the lands that would eventually become Kievan Rus', and what is now Russia and Ukraine. The primary routes they utilized were the river systems connecting the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, facilitating trade with Byzantium and the Abbasid Caliphate.

These Norsemen were instrumental in the formation of the early East Slavic states. The Primary Chronicle, a key historical source, suggests that Slavic and Finnic tribes, weary of internal strife, invited the Rus' (a term often associated with the Varyags) to rule over them. This led to the establishment of the Rurikid dynasty, which would govern for centuries. Varyags served as warriors and merchants, forming a significant part of the military and economic elite. They are credited with establishing major trading centers and contributing to the development of statehood in the region. Their presence is recorded in various chronicles and archaeological finds, attesting to their extensive reach and influence.