Rus Vikings: Full History of the Kievan Rus

[@haruspexambient]

1:45 interesting side note. In Finnish languake Russia is called "Venäjä" and it's a modern form of an older Finnish name for Russia "Venemaa". Translated to English "Venemaa" is "Boat land" So it's pretty interesting to have a rowing/boat connection in both Swedish and Finnish names for Russia.

[@ИванДраго-ч7у]

Венеды это народ предки славян. Страна венедов.

[@ՆաթանիելՄաշ]

I translate it to mean "Wheaties"

[@vvkth2500]

Venaja comes from Wends/Venedi - Slavs that colonized and raided the Baltic.

[@eevoanathema6425]

“It’s important for all the ladies out there to raise the kids in good traditions and values and history, because otherwise the overlords in Hollywood will” can’t agree more on this topic. I am more of a recent follower of your channel, but I really like the way you approach the topics of culture and family. Keep it up! The world needs brave people like you in order to successfully counter the widespread cultural Marxism.

[@melissahdawn]

If I could like this a thousand times, I would!

[@jozz2248]

His biggest issue lately is with a show on the History channel... owned by the US Military. Hardly Hollywood or liberal minded and perhaps the casting done to illicit a predictable response and backlash. I haven't watched, just because it looks bad... but it also seems obvious to manipulate more division and towards the backlash it's stirring up.

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

I've never heard of the History Channel being owned by the US military. Can you provide your source so I can learn? Wiki (never a reliable source, but sometimes is!) says this: "History (formerly The History Channel from 1995 to 2008; stylized as HISTORY) is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney General Entertainment Content division of the Walt Disney Company."

[@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger]

@@jozz2248 I am digging into this claim on my own and found this so far about the Hearst Communications ownership/influence over the History Channel from the book Hearst Over Hollywood: Power, Passion, and Propaganda in the Movies: "Hollywood-crossroads of filmmaking, mythmaking, and politics-was dominated by one man more than any other for most of its history. It was William Randolph Hearst who understood how to use cinema to exploit the public's desire for entertainment and to create film propaganda to further his own desire for power. From the start, Hearst saw his future and the future of Hollywood as one and the same. He pioneered and capitalized on the synergistic relationship between yellow journalism and advertising and motion pictures. He sent movie cameramen to the inauguration of William McKinley and the front lines of the Spanish-American War. He played a prominent role in organizing film propaganda for both sides fighting World War I. By the 1910s, Hearst was producing his own pictures-he ran one of the first animation studios and made many popular and controversial movie serials, including The Perils of Pauline (creating both the scenario and the catchphrase title) and Patria. As a feature film producer, Hearst was responsible for some of the most talked-about movies of the 1920s and 1930s. Behind the scenes in Hollywood, Hearst had few equals-he was a much-feared power broker from the Silent Era to the Blacklisting Era. Hearst Over Hollywood draws on hundreds of previously unpublished letters and memos, FBI Freedom of Information files, and personal interviews to document the scope of Hearst's power in Hollywood. Louis Pizzitola tells the hidden story of Hearst's shaping influence on both film publicity and film censorship-getting the word out and keeping it in check-as well as the growth of the "talkies," and the studio system. He details Hearst's anti-Semitism and anti-Communism, used to retaliate for Citizen Kane and to maintain dominance in the film industry, and exposes his secret film deal with Germany on the eve of World War II. The author also presents new insights into Hearst's relationships with Marion Davies, Will Hays, Louis B. Mayer, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mussolini, Hitler, and the Kennedys. Hearst Over Hollywood is a tour de force of biography, cultural study, and film history that reveals as never before the brilliance and darkness of Hearst's prophetic connection with Hollywood"

[@jozz2248]

@@HroduuulfSonOfHrodger oof, posted a link and my whole msg got taken down... NY times has an article showing the intensive collaboration beginning when the spin off Military History Channel. Agree on that Hearst fellow. Probably would be worse than Murdoch today. The deep pockets in Hollywood and media isn't all that liberal either aside from some that have to show their face.

[@carlodurian3730]

Really love the humor with which you tell these stories... I am always amused, entertained, and educated and edified

[@KveldulfSnowbear]

Another great video, brother! As the local Norse pagan in my circle, I usually end up giving a history lesson when asked- in the Midwest/Northern Kentucky I'm usually just considered a devil worshipper. Also, I absolutely LOVE when you do the "Scandinavian accent"! Cracks me up every time!

[@Fiduena]

Very well expressed and put. I wish more people subscribed to your channel because they'd actually learn and in a fluent, interesting way. Congratulations 👏🏻

[@tesscameron3699]

Thank you for covering this. I love how much I learn, everytime

[@strollingpoet]

One fun little leftover of the Indo-european connection between Perun and Thor is in our word for Lightning. See, if I was to write it in english, it would be Molnija, which comes from the same root as Mjolnir. I’m Russian/Ukrainian, moved to Norway, started a family and got deep into history.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

Use Aryan instead of "Indo-European" since that term implies Indian origin.

[@strollingpoet]

@@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 I tend to avoid the use of that word because of poor associations. Also, it does imply connection to Idia. For a reason.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

@@strollingpoet Aryan (Ar-), as in Ares, as in Aristocracy, as in Ararat, as in Armenia...

[@strollingpoet]

@@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 Ok, ahm… These days and with my ancestry, I will choose to stay clear of any term that might cause some to connect me with less than savory individuals with ridiculous ideas.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

@@strollingpoet Why is Uncle Mustache the evil guy when Stalín is never depicted as the murderer he was? Before WW2 all books referred to Europeans as "Aryans" but after the 2nd foundational myth (the lolocaust) the term has been anathematized.

[@marilynaderson6568]

It is wonderful developing a rich understanding of our history. May we all unite in true brotherhood soon. Thank you for your beautiful presentations and humor, you are a rare beautiful person.

[@rustam5003]

In northern Russia, near lake of Ladoga there were some excavations and Viking ship (Ladya in Russian language) of burial ritual were found. Actually nobody did big historical excavations, but I think if we will do so we can find a lot of interesting findings there.

[@shubat-t5u]

It’s because Russia doesn’t want people to know the truth.

[@Tybold63]

Haha du har bra humor och kunnig på historien. Jag tar gärna litet skit som svensk från en norrman som du, 😂cheers bro🍻

[@rumadware]

It was kind of a good surprise to find this channel with such a nice brothery mood in it. It's sad that a norse guy thinks we are brothers and my ukrainian friend (in the past, we stopped any contacts some time ago) thinks we aren't brothers. I will definitely read the norse sources mentioned in the video since I mostly know my history based only on the Primary Chronicle. Thanks for a good video

[@BudgetGainsByJJ]

It is sad but unfortunately it’s common amongst Slavs. I’m not from your area, I’m a Slav Macedonian. We have similar problems amongst Slavs here: hatred between Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bulgarians etc. anyway Привіт брате

[@rodjarrow6575]

The title of this video is ignorant nonsense! Because Viking is actually the Scandinavian name for pirates of the Baltic and North seas, who were engaged in constant violation of the law, unlike the word "prince", which means "guardian of the law". Alas, the words Vikings and Rus are also "united" (in quotes) like the words criminal and policeman! At the heart of this nonsense, with the name "Rus Vikings", is the false identity of the two words "Viking" and "Varangian" - which, in fact, are not identical, because they are concepts of the opposite meaning. Therefore, you need to read Russian chronicles about the time of the Vikings and the Scandinavian Vikings! Because in the Russian chronicles, in the text "the tribe of Japhet" (which lists the peoples of the first millennium after the Birth of Christ), the name Varangians stands apart from all the peoples of Scandinavia! Alas, Separately! Obviously, the word "Varangian" in Russian chronicles is not synonymous with the word "Viking" (Scandinavian).

[@georgeteodorescu-n6e]

The sclavine MUSKALS, crossed 400 years with their masters Mongols, are not at all related to the Scandinavian " ruossians", whereas the Ukrianeans are the descendents of the Polonian -Lituanian Commonwealth, not at all related to Mongolian Muskals. Ukraina ( country at the Edge) was for centuries the Limit of the Polonian-Lithuanian Commonwealth toward the MONGOLIAN Muskovia. Ukraina was and still is the land , where Europe and Civilisation ends.

[@rumadware]

​@@georgeteodorescu-n6ePlease do not type comments with a shit on your fingers, you wrote it miles away, but it stinks here. Wash your hands and unwash your brain. First of all, the so called Mongol-tatar yoke dates from 1223 to 1480, which is in fact only 257 years. Second, the Kyiv as well as couple of other oblasts indeed became part of Great Duchy of Lithuania, but before it it was burned to ashes by the same Mongols. Third, the Kyiv became part of Great Duchy of Lithuania only in 1362, and since 1667 it became a part of Russian Empire in a result of series of partitions of Poland. So indeed lithuanians and polands were masters of Kyiv for 305 years, but if we compare it to the overall history (starting from Kievan Rus in 882), those 257 and 305 years are very little periods. And, for the last part, the majority of modern ukrainian territory was never part of that Ukraina you mentioned. It was wild steppes, and later it was populated by both ukrainians, russians, serbs, as well as by the original tatar tribes who were living there. They lived together by centuries and made our nations bound by blood once again, once and for all.

[@rumadware]

@@georgeteodorescu-n6eFirst of all, the so called Mongol-tatar yoke dates from 1223 to 1480, which is in fact only 257 years. Second, the Kyiv as well as couple of other oblasts indeed became part of Great Duchy of Lithuania, but before it it was burned to ashes by the same Mongols. Third, the Kyiv became part of Great Duchy of Lithuania only in 1362, and since 1667 it became a part of Russian Empire in a result of series of partitions of Poland. So indeed lithuanians and polands were masters of Kyiv for 305 years, but if we compare it to the overall history (starting from Kievan Rus in 882), those 257 and 305 years are very little periods. 665 years of common history vs 477 years of separation if we will just count by dates between 1223 to 1667 and from 1991 to today as days of separation. Needless to say it's also not a true statement, because obviously we were allways in contact, including migrations. And, for the last part, the majority of modern ukrainian territory was never part of that Ukraina you mentioned. It was wild steppes, and later it was populated by both ukrainians, russians, serbs, as well as by the original tatar tribes who were living there. They lived together by centuries and made our nations bound by blood once and for all.

[@jerremyhandel2332]

Your way of teaching is spot on man

[@Torsdagskvallsmys]

Did you know that there is a small minority in Ukraine and Russia that speaks "old swedish"(or gammel svenska) ive heard them and can even understand what they are saying.

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

Pure fake

[@MarcusKallman]

@@vladimirthegreen6097 It exists but it has nothing to do with the viking age.

[@MrBlue-dm5li]

@@vladimirthegreen6097 You’re just pissed of that Swedes founded what’s today’s Russia.

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

@@MrBlue-dm5li Man how it connected with theme of discussion?

[@Sviareik]

@@vladimirthegreen6097 Its called Gammalsvenskby/Starosjvedske literally meaning Old Swedish Village in southern Ukraine

[@EllieAndOllie]

One thing that everyone for some reason forgets is that it wasn't just Slavs that lived in that area (around Ladoga and Novgorod). It was about equal mix of Slavs and Finns. Te Primary chronicle lists 5 original tribes that made up Rus and only 2 of them Slavic, 3 were Finnic. Morden day Russians living in the North are still about equal mix of Slavic and Finnish DNA

[@jokemon9547]

It is likely that the Baltic Finnic people of the time (relatives and ancestors of modern Finns, Estonians and other related groups) likely played an important role in the Swedish Norse affairs in the eastern Baltic and modern northern Russia. After all, they inhabited that region and surrounded the entirety of the gulf of Finland which you needed to pass through to get into Ladoga and the river systems beyond that. Even the modern name for Ladoga and the earlier Norse "Aldeigja" for the trade settlement that existed on the shores of Ladoga likely originate from the Baltic Finnic word "aallokas" meaning "wavy" as in waves on water. This also explains why Finns and Estonians along with their relatives call Sweden "Ruotsi/Rootsi". The settlement at Ladoga was also inhabited by both Norse and Finnic peoples as is evidenced by material findings there and there was a Finnic presence around lake Mälaren in Sweden as has been discovered through burials. The Primary Chronicle also describes the 5 founding tribes of the early Rus state, which were the Ilmen Slavs and Krivichs (Slavic) and Ves', Chud and Merya (Finno-Ugric).

[@lusciousphilosoph6392]

U can basically read Russian Chronicle "Tale of Bygone Years" and clearly see that the Finno-Ugric tribes were also part of Ancient Rus'

[@VikingFitness00]

read a research paper while ago that said Rurik the Viking ruler of Novgorod DNA is closely linked to people of modern day Western coast of Finland and that its most likely he was born there.

[@lusciousphilosoph6392]

@@VikingFitness00 The only one global research about this topic is "Russian Princes DNA Projects " which shows that Ruriks "descendants" have R1a1, N1c1d and l2a2 haplogroups. And it's still in doubt

[@MilanM33]

Same with some of the Lithuanian tribes who lived along the Neman river. It was an important trading route between the Baltic sea and the east. Especially the Jotvingians (LT: Jotvingiai) comes to mind. They were a tribe who settled in the early viking age in Soutern Lithuania and Northern Poland, famous for their smithing and iron extraction from local swamps. It is said that the name Jotvingiai is of Swedish/Old East Norse origin Jotvingr.

[@n0namesowhatblerp362]

Well yeah cause we traded with eachother and eventually grew into one country. There is a widespred misconception that sweden took over Finland by force at one point in time, which just isnt true. The forrest was a scary place, the sea was the way to go and back then peopel were actually a lot more tolerable of people speaking different languages than we are today and certainly more than we have been in the past. The racism against finns was a modern constrtuct, it didnt start out t5hat way. It wasnt starge that strangers were in fact strange. I mean just say that sentence out loud. / a swedish finn.

[@susanjackett9268]

Good luck with this channel, it's great to see the young ones so animated about world history.

[@Erotamiloc]

Skrattar! Born and raised in Ostergotland i am amused by your typical Norwegian "little brother" humor. Bra kanal, bra jobbat!

[@sarah_honey_badger]

You are Beautiful Norseman, and a great story teller.

[@MrsDanville]

Love these long deep dives about the history thanks for all the amazing content can't wait to see more

[@AnnaGolovan-i3k]

hi! full-blooded Ukrainian here and full devout Norse pagan/heathen/ well you get the idea lmao. so the name rus as I learned it and was explained to me by a professor in Ukraine via some study sessions on Ukrainian history comes from the name the native people of what now is Ukraine called the Swedish settlers when they arrived, the word did, in fact, come from the Norse word for row because from what we could imagine the Swedish settlers would call themselves "men who row" funny enough, but we speculate that because of some language barrier obviously the natives of the area thought the Swedish where calling them rus so the name stuck, there is an excellently written document from a local study around the Dnieper, now whether or not something like this is historically confirmable is beyond me but I thought it would be interesting to add it in for you to know, and if I can get a copy of that document I would be more than happy to send to you.

[@elladar2]

I come from a ukrainian family. My grandfather told me histories about how our family are descendants of the Rus Vikings. Our surname had that origin, but it was changed so much trough time the original one is lost, but at least we know what was its translation :"Men of the woods" or something alike.

[@BudgetGainsByJJ]

In Balkans “Rus” means “Blondes” … but that’s more than likely Slavic origin Pozdrav:)

[@sergii2945]

If he knew about such far times, he probably knew your more recent ancestors. How far you can trace your family line - from father to father? Have you made a DNA test? If so, what were its results? For example, I studied my genealogy, and could trace my father's line down to the year 1702, but due to the lack of information, I cannot go further, and know for sure only that my ancestors were Cossacks. How could your father know about Viking's ancestry? Or it was just his dream?

[@blomborg6120]

Do you think you could do a video that focuses on Sviatoslav (Sveinald) the Strong’s conquest of the Khazar State? I’d love to see you break that down 😎

[@DrFrankenskippy]

Swedes were certainly not just 'traders and settlers' ... they admittedly did a lot of their full on Viking style raiding pre Viking times BUT you still have Oleg following on the legacy of Rurik of the Svea (swedes) who pretty much carved the name of the 'Varangians' (initially named after travelling Svea) into the full on attack on Constantinople/Byzantium to spread their Rus fledgling empire at the head of the Viking era. This was already into early 900's so their Viking warring days certainly preceded what was to become more civil settled times of trade and cultural union with Slavic and other people. Ok so I am Swedish so I am biased ;-) but to suggest the Swedes were almost timid is an extreme understatement. They had a well established elite of Herse/Hersir (professional warrior) class well ahead of the Danes and Norwegians so if anything they were more advanced technologically (as crude as tech was back then) and strategically well versed in the 'art of war' ... and they remained warlike and strategic in expansion for a long time thereafter with the likes of Yaroslav The Wise (1019-1054) intermarrying with Svea so shows the Svea/Rus continued cultural and military stronghold well into the mid/late Viking times.

[@AceOfBased]

Exactly. But, this guy got no clue as an example: There were three categories of Swedish Vikings (or travelers). Each of these groups had its own reason for traveling, the first not really what you think as Vikings: 1. Merchants, 2. Varangians or Varyags i.e. mercenaries. 3. The “real” Vikings, i.e. the infamous warriors and robbers. Also the Vikings were a collective whole back then, but this guy think Norway, Sweden and Denmark existed back then like they do today.

[@jimmiekarlsson4458]

@@AceOfBased Well this guy got more clue than most ppl that only watched shit like "Vikings"

[@saibot7218]

No you are free styling swedish fictiononary history with no proofs or sources. "Rurik of svea" hahaha. Noone is called that.

[@AceOfBased]

@@jimmiekarlsson4458 He lost me when he said he's "Norwegian", and being bias due to that fact. He is an delusional American.

[@jimmiekarlsson4458]

@@AceOfBased So are you saying hes faking that hes Norwegian lol? I know accents, And i know Norwegians. Im Swedish, and i can clearly hear that hes Norwegian by the accent alone. Hes apperance also is very typical of a person from the nordic countrys, even if ppl do look diffrent from each other. Hes not a delusional American lol , Even if he came from another country i can atleast tell that he got ancestors that is nordic. Well he dont have a thick accent atleast, but how he pronounce "velkommen" is not how an american would pronounce it

[@SuperTommox]

I always find interesting how the Nordic people traveled so much and integrated everywhere, changing the local culture. Is there some interesting facts about the Nordic people who immigrated to Italy? Like the Longbards in Lombardy or the Vikings in Sicily.

[@galenbjorn443]

I think that the indo-european spirit lived on in scandinavians longer

[@frodegroven]

Take a DNA test and see.... It might surprise you ;-)

[@patton6421]

We still be doing it, sadly without the the high helms and shining mail and obviously diminished tribe size. Aber with sind hier. Look at Yellowstone tv show (with a grain of salt) to see how it might be.

[@kenhart8771]

Be course the Nordic (Scandinavian) people have a high number of people within the ADHD spectrum. Look at Iceland today which is one of the surviving countries with a very homogeneous population the ADHD spectrum is around 10-12%.

[@idealicfool]

Through to the 11th century the Nordic people had a massive influence on Italy. Norman mercinaries in the area made names for themselves with a couple such as Drogo being granted land and title. Then in an unusual peace in France when a people of war had no war to fight, many Normans set out for the southern Italian states to completly reshape the political landscape in not just that area, but also between Italy, the HRE and the Church. The sons of Tancred De hautville who are amongst the most prominent figures of that time would eventually carve out and create the Kingdom of Sicily which would remain a Norman possession until it was eventually absorbed by the HRE

[@kevinlawler2571]

Love the content as always , keep it coming.

[@critterhighland8427]

Awesome episode. Love you brother.

[@peterjobovic3406]

Garðaríki in Old Slavic means Garða- Gorod / Gord = city + Ríki - Rika = river. Garðaríki can therefore also mean River Cities. The Slavs often built cities on rivers as water forts.

[@IlyaIlya-ef4nz]

Dolboslav cringe... It's Old Norse, not Old Slavic

[@rickw.9298]

Of course we look forward to your history lessons, they are excellent. To know the game is to understand the players. Your layer approach to people, culture and religion is fascinating and much appreciated. Stand strong Kiev!

[@Greye13]

This is great and very interesting. My son has some Finnish ancestry and I've been wondering about the Rus, as they were in that area. Thank you for this.

[@sharkoj]

I was wondering about it for so long. Thank you, you magnificent scholar

[@kameelelian6044]

These are my favorite types of videos you do. I'd love to see videos on any Scandinavian influences in Finland. I'd also love to see videos on the history for a lack of better word on Scandinavian sord axe and knives. Still to this day thier influences in knife making are still prevalent today

[@susanschaffner4422]

Good presentation, packed with history. Thanks.

[@svarg432]

Contrary to mainstream historiography (Norman theory), the ethnonym Rus' comes from the Proto-Slavic Antean tribe Rosomoni that was mentioned by the historian Jordanes. Most likely the Rosomoni were related to or descendants of the Sarmatian Ros-alani (aka Roxolani). The root word "ros" (роус) has multiple meanings in the Slavic language. I give examples of words in Cyrillic and their English transliteration as well as translation (in the brackets). Рух-Ruh (Movement) Руш-Rush (Move) Русло-Ruslo (Direction) Русява-Rusiava (Light) Роса-Rosa (Dew) Рост-Rost (Growth) Русалки-Rusalky (River spirits) I assume these three words must also be related to this root word: Рокот-Rokot (Roar) Рок-Rok (Year) Род-Rod (Kin) Etymological interpretations: From Proto-Balto-Slavic *rasā́ˀ, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁róseh₂. Cognate with Latin rōs (“dew”), Sanskrit रसा (rásā, “moisture, humidity”). Sanskrit रस (rása, literally “juice; essence”). Iranian name Roxana (Old Iranian *Raṷxšnā- “shining, radiant, brilliant”). The name Roxolani is generally interpreted as a compound formed with the Alanic root *rox- (modern Osset. rūxs or roxs 'light, luminous'; Avest. raox-šna- 'luminous, shining') attached to the tribal name Alān. This would make Roxolani an endonym translatable as the 'luminous' or the 'shining Alans. Ruslana/Ruslan is a popular name among East Slavs. Interestingly Ukrainian students who registered themselves in Western European universities in the 15th-16th centuries would write down their ethnicities as Rusalan-Roxalan. Inspecting this etymological evidence really puts to doubt the interpretation of Rus' originating from Finnic "ruotsi". Interesting to note that a lot of hydronyms centered around the Antean capital Raihorod in Ukraine have the root word Ros in them (check out the Ros basin). There are different rivers in this basin with the names Ros, Rosava, Roska etc. This expansive area was fortified by a extensive wall called the Serpent's Wall. I am not denying that the Scandinavians contributed to the East Slavic ethnogenesis in the Ostrogothic and Viking Ages, but rather that their contribution has been over exaggerated for political reasons. The Varyags weren't only Scandinavian, many Polabian Slavs who were heavily influenced by their Scandinavian neighbors had a very similar lifestyle and even adopted names from their Scandinavian cousins. It is very plausible that the Rurikids were Polabian Slavs, which helped the more easily integrate into Slavic society. Another thing to consider when studying early Slavic history, is that not all early Slavic nations were called Slavs at that time. It is most likely that the ethnonym Slav became an encompassing ethnonym for all early Slavs only after the creation of the Old Church Slavonic language which became the first inter lingua for Eastern European tribes. There are also sources from earlier Persian and Arabic historians that mentions the Rus people in Eastern Europe centuries before the arrival of the Rurikids, which is the most damning evidence against the Normanist theory on the origin of Rus'.

[@manudollfie]

Slavic nationalits have been parroting this theory for centuries (particularly Russian imperialists). But the truth is, for the people of that time (Arabs, Bizantines, etc) the name Rus is associated to scandinavian raiders and warriors, which progresively started to settle around Kiev. You can easily find names that are similar to Rus, but that proves nothing if you are ignoring the actual use of the word in an historical context.

[@victoriaburkhardt9974]

Thank you for this. Very interesting. Well done.

[@alexandercheremisin3371]

I would add that Novgorod and Kievan Rus have always been a little different and separated from the very beginning. After the conquest, Kyiv became a center, mostly political, or as we still call it, the mother of Russian cities. And Novgorod from the very beginning gravitated towards independence, it was a parliamentary republic with self-government for a very long time, almost until the 15th century, the city resisted bloody Christianization for a long time. From the very beginning, because of the desire to be a free trading city and an economic center, the people's parliament called for the protection of the Varangians, led by Rurik or Rorik. From the very beginning, Novgorod was even divided into small areas where three main ethnic groups lived: Slavs, Finno-Ugric peoples and Varangians, as we always called them. And over time, the Varangians were no longer perceived as a separate nationality, peoples began to mix, and the business of the Varangians, in fact, became a profession, or I would say, an estate, which included people of different ethnic groups. Assimilation has taken place. And all this was facilitated by a very similar pagan religion, almost identical. And that's why you won't find the word Viking in Russian history textbooks, you will find the word Varangian. And the Viking is perceived as something modern Hollywood. And yes, the last season of the Vikings is just Michael Hirst's fantasy, which has little to do with real history.

[@tyson2777]

The varangians has never been an ethnic group. The Byzantine emporer used a group of Scandinavians to protect him and serve as guards, and that's were they got their name varangian from.

[@tyson2777]

And they also didn't resist christianity "almost until the 1500's. Vladimir the great, ruled from 978 until 1015, and he became christian and the rest followed.

[@dronenpc6877]

fascinating.

[@patton6421]

Kiev?

[@tyson2777]

@@patton6421 What do you mean?

[@YuuSHiiiN]

19:21 Would've been funnier here to put the picture of Oleg pointing his axe at the camera, since the actor, Danila Kozlovsky also played Vladimir the Great in the 2016 Russian film "Viking".

[@iainmelville9411]

Great video. History is real, Hollywood is what the filmmakers want to be real.

[@jackblack1675]

Dette er en kjempe flott kanal! Jeg har lurt på hvordan alle de hvite menneskene kom til Russland og Øst-Europa i mange år nå. Jeg var faktisk ute etter den informasjonen på youtube og kanalen din dukket opp. Bra gjort!

[@sergii2945]

They came to the East Europe just before the Ice age, and after that never left there.

[@sergii2945]

Moreover, the Indo-Europeans spread the Europe from the Eastern Europe (Ukraine and South Russia).

[@davidelohim8047]

I want you talk about Finland and the influence of the samis in civilization of vikings

[@normfredriksen1381]

Another awesome post. I always feel better educated after watching your history lessons.

[@byzantinetales]

Make a video about the Varangians in Byzantium. That’s gonna be really cool!

[@StupidChess]

Indonesian here. Love your historic chanell

[@AzUniverzumUraesParancsoloja]

I like your approach, way of thinking (mixing spiritual and academic approach) and humour! 👍 Could you make some research and a vlog about the interactions between the Rus vikings and other nomadic tribes originating from the Scythians, especially the interactions with Hungarians (Hun-g-aryans 😉 or also called Magyar tribes) residing and migrating from the western territories of Ural mountain (Bashkiria, also called Magna Hungaria) through the Southern part of Ukraine (Levédia, Etelköz)?

[@johndoubleu5942]

Thanks for these videos, brother. I really appreciate them.

[@randomtoyotadude8952]

Nydelig sagt.. Måtte smile bra når du gjør narr av svenskene.. Er blitt kjempe fan av denne kanalen.. Ekte historie, ikke som du sier: Hollywood bs.. Tusen takk for dine fantastiske vitenskap om dette tema

[@Akkolon]

Det er altid godt at gøre nar af svensken - men husk nordmænd er danere der for vild i sneen ;)

[@randomtoyotadude8952]

@@Akkolon Sorry, im not good in danish.. didnt understand what u said

[@Akkolon]

@@randomtoyotadude8952 Hmmm I wrote "Its always nice to make fun of swedes - but remember Norwegians are the Danes that got lost in the snow".....supposed to be a friendly joke thats all ;)

[@dreamawake2670]

@@Akkolon Haha. Laughing in Danish.

[@dreamawake2670]

@@randomtoyotadude8952 Cardinal sin.

[@Anarchyacresfarmstead]

This is a video I’ve been wanting!

[@karenaandreasen7029]

Love my Norwegian ancestry 💜 was taught young by my father about our ancestors. My father used to have a recurring dream of being on a Viking ship and fighting and it was pretty intense. He would laugh telling me that he would be chopping people's heads off and it would just be bloody and I'm like dang dad. And birthmarks play a big part in battles from the past or wounds. And we both have the same birthmark in the same place. An I follow more pagan beliefs while I believe Jesus was a messenger. But I don't call myself a Christian. Just spiritual an I'm an Empath a true one. I cannot call myself a Christian most Christian people an friends an family know I do not say I'm a Christian. I believe we are all Gods an Goddesses of the Divine Source

[@watchyourowndreams]

Wow. Such an interesting dream he had!

[@rayzas4885]

Cringe

[@kev1734]

The middle of the video was the best part ;D I really look forward to your video on the varangian guard mercs.

[@Patriot1790]

One tree of my family started in Denmark, England, Scotland, than America. When I first saw my DNA profile, it was confusing, until I started building my tree. I enjoy your videos and the history of my ancestors.

[@estherbosbach377]

The thing is: nobody in Europe cares. You are just an American to us. Not to be rude or anything, just to be clear that Americans telling us Europeans their haritage is boring and not interesting conversation stuff.

[@Patriot1790]

@@estherbosbach377 No offense, but I don't care what you think. I don't care where I was born. It's still my ancestry, and I'm proud of it. So, take your negativity elsewhere.

[@estherbosbach377]

@@Patriot1790 Yes it is your ancestry, but you are not Danish, English nor Scottish. You are American. This is not negativity, but I am concerned Americans are not really attached to reality and make the mistake on idealizing history and the past. Like a lot of colonizing ppl who lost their roots do, globally. If borders, like where you are born, are not respected or cared for, democracy is doomed.

[@Patriot1790]

@@estherbosbach377 I never said I was Danish, English, or Scottish. I simply said that is my ancestry. Yes, I'm building my Family tree, because I care about where my Family comes from. Also, America is a Republic not a Democracy. You might want to learn a little more before commenting.

[@rrsjr]

Loved the back and forth with the Russki/Norsk accents.

[@jus_sanguinis]

You forgot Belarus ("white Rus"), which is the third country descendant of Kievan Rus. And btw I wouldnt call Rus people "Swedes". Everywhere they go, they introduced themeselves as "Rus", not as "Swedes". Only Annales Bertiniani connect Rus with Swedes. Lets say, Rus people indeed originated from Roslagen/Roden in Sweden, which is seems pretty plausible to me. So how this communication between Rus envoys and Frankish king could look? "We are Rus!" "Who?" "You know there is coastal area in the east of Sweden, we are from there" "Oh I see, you are Swedes!" So even if they were from Sweden, they didnt identify themselves as Swedes starting at least from the early 9 century. Like Islanders dont identify themselves as Norwegians, for example. The only true Swedes on Russian throne were Ingegerd Olofsdotter, the wife of grand prince Yaroslav (early 11 century), and Christina Ingesdotter, the wife of grand prince Mstislav I (early 12 century). Also according to Russian chronicles Rurik with his people was invited by northern Slavic (Slovenes and Krivichs) and Finnish tribes, who will become Novgorodians in the future, i.e. Russians of Novgorod city and lands it owns (Novgorod republic). Then Rus with their help conquered the rest of Slavic and Finnish tribes. As for me this looks pretty plausible. 1) To swear allegiance to the foreign king was not a big deal at the pre-national Medieval period. Foe example, Norwegians swore to the Danish kings in the 10 century. 2) At the time of writing the chronicles, Kiev was the capital city, so if Rurikids wanted to legitimize themselves through a contract vocation, then the tribes of Kiev lands instead of Novgorodians would invite Rurik in the chronicles. 3) A little bit later Novgorodians were famous for their "monarcho-republican" system. Kings were invite/expelled regularly there, concluding an agreement with the city/land. A couple of times they invited not even Russian Rurikids, but Lithuanian Gediminids. 4) In the Old Russian Law, the early layer of which is not far away in time (possibly a contemporary) from the invitation of Rurik, "Rusyns" and "Slovenes" do not differ legally in any way. In particular, an equal money penalty was supposed for the murder of Rusyn and Sloven, if there were no blood avengers. Which again looks more like an allied relationship, rather than a conqueror-subjugated relationship. While in the Frankish Salic law, for example, the money penalty for killing a Frank is twice as high as for killing a (Gallo)Roman. P.S. Here I got some quotes about Slavs vs Scandinavians, Romans and others - watch?v=r0jLMDvsU4U

[@thorspoczta4436]

Exactly. But guy is showing nornan theory as history. Tyoical dumb from US with 0knowlege about eurooe, only what found in internet turbonordic sites.

[@ellrog5452]

Man of many accents 😂 another great video with great humour 👍

[@mhameedi7184]

Amazing video keep up the good work!. Sviatoslav’s Old Norse name might be Sveinald or Sveneld.

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

It's based on nothing btw

[@questioneverything7598]

Excellent Video! Thanks for your studies and bringing this to KZbin

[@melissahdawn]

Just a fun fact to support viking heritage in Kiev, though none is really needed. A month or so ago at a restaurant we had a server who was smaller framed with very dark hair and conversation ensued that he had moved here (USA) from Russia, and he explained that he was actually a good representation of a true Russian orthodox, the western perception of a tall fair haired, warrior type is a product of breeding with mercenaries from Scandinavia. I thought it was fascinating, sort of a first-person source. He was emphatic about a true native Russian being of smaller stature and darker hair when there really was no reason for him to defend himself as such (this was before any conflict in the Ukraine had been made public).

[@sondersonics7534]

Maybe the western stereotype came from Rocky IV with the tall blonde Russian boxer Drago who is played by Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren

[@melissahdawn]

@@sondersonics7534 that was exactly what came to mind when he said that...so, probably

[@altergreenhorn]

Darker Russians are from the south of russia in general. Smaller and darker russians are from asian area of Russia Im not russian/ukrainian but slavic as well quite tall 6,2 quite dark as well, which is more or less average here. A lot of our children are born with a blond hair which later become darker, like my brother for example.

[@melissahdawn]

@@altergreenhorn that is very interesting. I have dark hair now, but it started blond and got darker. No one believes me. And my first daughter was born with lots of Jet black hair, but her hair is blonde now, and my youngest was born with curly blonde hair, but has straight brown hair now. I suspect it will end up as dark as mine. I have to show her photos because even she doesn't believe me when I tell her that she had blonde curly hair! So, I believe that it can change overtime, My mother always used to say, "you just look all-American" which I assume means like a good mix of nothing in particular. 😀

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

He not average Russian. Mostly Russians have brown (light, medium black brown) hair and blue or green eyes. Average male height is 178 cm.

[@Hero.pheonix]

Excellent work love your vids bro keep up the good work I enjoy your content 👍

[@landersen8173]

Coincidentally the Danish museum Moesgaaard has a special rus viking exhibition right now with over 1000 viking pieces borrowed from museums in Ukraine. The exhibition is open until september and the museum will keep the ukrainian pieces after the exhibition to safeguard them if the war in Ukraine isn´t over.

[@MicahBell_1860]

Very informative & enjoyable video. Cheers, Big Ears

[@Jürgen_von_Schumacher]

#19:35 As a Christian, I absolutely 1000000% agree! The only time I talk or minister about Christianity to my friends or peers is if I feel called to do it, or if my friends want me to talk to them about God. You can't shove your religion down someone else's throat and expect them to convert. And forcing Christianity upon other people is literally the exact opposite of what our religion stands for and it goes against what God wants. He tells us to love our enemies and those who have different beliefs and values than us, not act as if we're better than them. Thank you for making this video :3

[@critterhighland8427]

As kindly as you just said that, you called me your enemy. Lol

[@Jürgen_von_Schumacher]

@@critterhighland8427 I suppose it can be interpreted as that XD But that isn't how I was meaning to have it interpreted. I apologize. The reason why I said we should love our enemies is because I wanted to quote the Bible and because it's true. We should love our enemies and those who have different beliefs than us as our kin. That's the only reason why I said that 😅

[@Jürgen_von_Schumacher]

@@critterhighland8427 I edited my post. I hope that clears it up a bit better 🙂 Sorry, again

[@critterhighland8427]

I know. No offense. I was trying to be funny. Peace Bruv.

[@Jürgen_von_Schumacher]

@@critterhighland8427 Ahh, ok 😊 I understand now, haha! Peace to you as well, bruder XD

[@LilyoftheValeyrising]

Very good video as usual! I’m curious if the Kievian Rus had a hot air balloon like in the show Vikings when Ivar went flying with Oleg.

[@tyson2777]

No. But here in Norway at that time, we turned the boats upside down and kept a fire under it to get it to fly. Saved us alot of time when going back and forth to England to steal people. The english is very good at cleaning houses and makin' breakfast. The Irish not so much... beautiful woman in Irland tho'...

[@LilyoftheValeyrising]

@@tyson2777 LOL 😂

[@bungleboiz9191]

I just found out about my ancestry and I am from all over Scandinavian, Icelandic, northern Germany, Irish (Dublin), and Russian, andd Swedish, annnnnnnnnd from Norway, annddddd Denmark. So I've been obsessed with the history and have been spending all my time researching this stuff. Super cool. My family thinks that there is a chance of my ancestors being raiders due to the spread of the DNA. I also have some dna in coasts of the Britain.

[@victor-ioncislari2375]

I absolutely love the research and the telling that you are making for us!

[@dushanstankovikj]

It can be from norse the word Rus but also on Slavic have meaning of different meaning Ras or Rassija just like is called means people who are distributed around. Also in balkan where is almost all slavic we have middle age empire called Rashka. We have also a lot of places mountains(who have oldest names) who contain word Rus or Ras. It can be from slavic or nordic anyway russians are crazy in a interesting way :D

[@БогданПарасюк-ы9ч]

Слово Русь произошла от названия племени Роксолан и реки Рось.

[@dushanstankovikj]

@@БогданПарасюк-ы9ч it doesnt make sense to me what are you saying.

[@БогданПарасюк-ы9ч]

@@dushanstankovikj Use Google Translate.

[@dushanstankovikj]

@@БогданПарасюк-ы9ч i understand but what are you saying doesnt make sense to me.

[@marcusaurelius4941]

17:10 what's interesting is that even though names like Oleg and Olga are now perceived as stereotypically East Slavic, they originally come from Old Norse (Helgi and Helga respectfully), and in the early years of the Kievan Rus would certainly be understood as Norse in origin. So in your scenario it's a Slavic Pagan with a Norse name inviting a Norse Pagan with a Norse name to worship Slavic pagan gods

[@gr_hds]

As a Ukrainian I was always torn between Norse and Slavic paganism, though I still stay in the middle not drawing a line between them due too a lot of similarity, this video gave me a clear reason why. Thank you

[@Hello-xh3rx]

Привет из Новгорода, тоже самое, хотя обе мифологии очень похожи

[@Parkunas]

It was always a thing to split the pantheon between two indoeuropean pagan religions

[@ТайлерДерден-р3р]

@@Hello-xh3rx Novgorod People's Republic

[@elizabethsmith3416]

Thank you so much! You cracked me up again lol, there's a lot of truth in what you say! I love the history it gives me perspective on everything especially in world events today.

[@friday26th]

This was the most "We wuz Vikingz" video I've ever seen. Genetic studies show the Rurikids were of a mixed local origin from around the Lagoda lake and Volkhov river. It appears that the paternal origin of the clan was mostly of Finnic stock, with contributions from both Germanic and Slavic peoples. Potentially their names were Norse, and potentially the recorded ones are just variants influenced by Norse language and nomenclature. Rurik literally never appears anywhere out of what became Russia, for example. There were a few Danish kings named after Vladimir the Great in a Danish manner. Yaroslav got transliterated into Jarisleif in Norse Sagas, yet it has no meaning in any Nordic language while in Russian it means "Fierce and Glorious". Go figure... If some Icelandic Saga claims something about the early Rus, it's probably unreliable. "Great Sweden" is a name that appears in Icelandic records from the medieval period while at the same time Yaroslav the Wise was known as a Rus and not a Swede across Europe. Not to mention that Sweden wasn't much of a united kingdom prior to the late'ish tenth century. So "Great Sweden" is just an anachronistic asspull. How did the Rus not know the language of the locals yet swore by their gods as early as the second semi-legendary leader (Oleg)? The Russian chronicles state that Oleg has conquered Kiev and moved his capital from Novgorod to Kiev thus marking the first expansion of the "sedentary" Rus. There are some issues with this record, as there are conflicting records stating that a certain Helgu/Helgi was a rival of Igor's and neither were immediate relatives or contemporaries of Rurik. Even then, Svyatoslav's expedition to the southeast and his conquest of the Khazar khaganate wasn't the first expansion as Kiev according to said records was conquered in the early tenth century by the Rus as opposed to Oleg's conquest a century earlier as per the Russian chronicles. The Rus made and kept ties with their neighbors because, well, globalism and realpolitik aren't new concepts. Nobody, literally nobody, portrays the early Rus as Christians, nobody but the writers of Vikings that is. Usually, Russian fairytales are set in a fictionalized reign of Vladimir the Great post-Christianization (he's even nicknamed Vladimir Beautiful Sun in said tales). The Rus were early on pagan and later on both Christian and Pagan. Olga was the first Rus leader to embrace Christianity, though her faith never caught on. Slavic paganism and Norse paganism are mostly just stylistically similar, for example, Perun is a god of the nobility while Thor is a god of the common folk. The most utilitarian deity for the common Rus/Russian would be most likely Veles who doesn't really have a cognate in the Norse pantheon. Before going Christian, Vladimir attempted to standardize the Rus faith but it didn't work out for him. Also, nobody has any fancy records about Sweden and North-Eastern Europe from the time because it's not romanticized like medieval Western Europe. It wasn't "cool" so nobody bothered obsessively studying it during the enlightenment. Oh yeah, and the Rus were definitely not Norge, so why all the "we" is beyond me.

[@lfb256]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@themartyr9086]

Well said brother, keep up the good work.

[@jmaaybraak]

I completely agree with ur statement of all Indo-European peoples being of the same religion overall and of the same primeval stock. All of us, from the westernmost point of Ireland to the Russian far east, and from the Norwegian arctic to the southernmost tip of Greece, we are all brothers and sisters. Hail.

[@NorthVixen]

6:26, have you done anything on the fighting training, skills,armor, or weapons for the time?

[@whispersinthedark88]

I have been spending way too much time explaining the history behind Russia, Kiev, the Russ and much later the country that is now known as Ukraine. I had to give myself a time out...😆 Americans tend to get pretty upset about the language thing, which I find funny considering that my own family spoke only Dutch and German for over 6 generations after they immigrated to the US in the 1860's...and they were not alone by any means. How fast people forget, this is one of the reasons why understanding your history is so important.

[@la8pv737]

In a modern society you need to speak the language to get work. This is not so complicated. Dont overthink it. You're clearly overheating.

[@whispersinthedark88]

@@la8pv737 Dear if you think those most basic of comments was an example of "overthinking something" then I cannot help but think you have naught but the intellectual acuity of a stump.

[@LittleHammer_]

Not all Americans give a crap about the language. But you're spot on as evidenced by the other reply. Smh, folks so soft these days n totally focused on the wrong things. Imagine whining bout language while treating others like second class citizens smh

[@whispersinthedark88]

@@LittleHammer_ Yeah I should have probably included a "not all", but I figured that was apparent given I myself am an American. But then we wouldn't have been treated to the evidence....lol

[@krissielshaug6239]

It is not about language, it is about respect. Germans when I was stationed in Germany, and it was mandated we take a fast class to learn key German words to help us communicate and navigate while being visitors in their country, Norweigans etc. have all said it is a sign of respect when you at least attempt to learn some words of that countries language instead of expecting everyone to go out of their way to cater to you while you only speak your own. It shows your consideration for the people's of that country and thus is a sign of respect. Personally attacking people on here who make comments is not intellectual dialogue if you start hurling insults.

[@brokernicksassi]

Great video and good source.

[@zetavburtiyev6852]

It's interesting russians phenotype is similar to Finno-Baltic people. Nordic types are rare

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

Similar to other slavic people

[@aup007]

13:30 You probably meant that as a joke, but man, thats quite an extreme generalisation to say the least

[@tamarchristians1201]

I believe even now Swedes and Russians call 'orange' Apelcin.

[@vladvasiliev328]

Holy shit. You guys are also call it Apelsin? I didn't know it

[@tamarchristians1201]

@@vladvasiliev328 - If you read ancient history you might find that Swedes, Finns, Russians have the same ancestors/came from the same tribes, Rus?

[@daniellemcgee4761]

I'm rewatching Vikings so I could then watch Valhalla. Just last night I saw the episode when prince killed his uncle. Was thinking about the history about that whole part . Never looked into but now you did it for me thank youu

[@roadblock2792]

I would love to hear the Viking influence on Ireland due to the fact I'm Australian but have Viking in DNA on my dad's side

[@mattvdh]

irish history podcast goes into the dublin take over

[@therealdarklizzy]

Irish DNA also had a great influence on Viking DNA. If I am not mistaken, about 40% of Icelanders DNA comes from Irish origins.

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video ⚔️

[@andrewgood7586]

This is perfect for the times. Im frankly sick of being called a Russia sympathizer simply for pointing out that Kiev WAS Russia and that there is history there that doesn’t necessarily justify what Putin is doing, but gives insight in to possible thought.

[@hendersongalbreath1072]

How can you be sick of it? You committed the cardinal sin of speaking honestly, with conviction, and in ANY form of disagreement to your listener. I kid, of course, but the way I've learned to cope with issues like you're having with being called a "sympathizer" by simply saying "okay" and dropping it, because that person has already decided that the truth doesn't interest him or her all that much.

[@kjaldir1089]

You can likewise point that Moscow WAS Poland, it doesn't mean that Russia should belong to Poland or Lithuania. Because that's Putin's argument and faulty logic saying that Ukraine was under Russian rule so it's theirs.

[@andrewgood7586]

@@kjaldir1089 Poland was also Germania, so theres Hitlers argument. Im not saying I agree. Im saying theres a thought process behind it.

[@kjaldir1089]

@@andrewgood7586 You're proving the point how flawed this logic is. Eastern HRE was also Slavic so should we give eastern Germany and Austria to Western Slavs? There's no argument here it's flawed logic of a power hungry dictator who is believing his own lies sadly.

[@kjaldir1089]

@@andrewgood7586 Also, I'm not attacking you by any means. Just stating that this point of view is illogical.

[@MRJ-333]

Alright Mate, I love the simple Mjölnir necklace that You wear. Can you tell Me where you got that particular style? By the way I absolutely love your videos. They're so intelligent, intriguing n' are so informative. I always get a greatly educated from watching n' listening to the information that you perfectly n' in a fun way relay. Please keep them coming, you do such a great job. You make All of Us Norse Proud! May the God's Love n' Keep You.

[@marcuslegion3654]

As a Russian I did a DNA test 40% Scandinavian and 45% Slavic most Russians are of the russ Vikings

[@nuclearmaga9694]

another rich and nourishing video.... to the mind, heart, soul

[@bira896]

Love your Swede/Norwegian banter...just funny to me as a Swede as I grew up with that banter living less than two hours from the Norwegian border. Don't forget, though, who "gave" your country back to you in 1905! 😁😉

[@tyson2777]

Hehe. No one "gave" us anything, the swedes lost Norway. The swedish king tried he's best to keep it. 😊 And of course, Norway and it's people are so much better than swedes and danes. Since your a swede I'm sure you agree. We are the best, and we F@€K the rest. Can't deni our supremicy 🤷‍♂️👏👏 Hehe 🤡🤡

[@Hrorikr]

Swede's? Norwegian's? Supremacy? Hold my horn and bring me some mead. And while you are at it, and i find myself comfortable, both of you can carry my luggage. boys... A Dane has now entered this chat.

[@tyson2777]

@@Hrorikr About time! While the swede clean the floor, you can start polishing the silver. You will get half a horn with mead and some bread when you are done 👍

[@Hrorikr]

@@tyson2777 Hahaha a funny one i see! Good i need more of you, tell me more jokes! Keep my presence entertained! And while you are at it, then you can also do a dance for me when you bring me all that silver! while wearing one of those 'traditionally' Norwegian Bunad! I've head such tales that it's very viking thing to do! And it is funny you mention the ''about time'' sentence, it is not the first time i hear that today! You see. I was a little 'preoccupied' when i landed in your harbours ;) Women both single and married stood in line for a proper fuck, ''About time!'' they said! ''been a while'' they said!

[@janks4608]

Sweden could have invaded Norway in 1905, but they didn`t. Maybe Sweden is the grown up viking and something for Russia (Putin) to learn from

[@lemonlime536]

😂 I only found your channel this past month! I am so enjoying your presentation, enthusiasm and most of all knowledge!!! I love history and finding new channels that catch my attention. Recently I am self learning about European and Anglo Saxon England, I find it so much more interesting than history of NA. thanks for your contribution! Keep up the great work. Really we are all one just different experiences along the way!!!!! My experience so far is when there is nothing to Conquer outside of your domain, we start internally turning on each other. Lesson learned..!!!??? Let’s move on…

[@robinsbank]

first of your videos i have to disagree, read about the yngling dynasty and uppsala sweden, swedes were raiding in eastern europe long before viking age even started, to say they were the younger brother of denmark and norway is incorrect, problem with swedish history during this age is in sweden we dont digg upp our viking graves, those few who has been dug upp are looting attempts damaging the graves so authority had to dig the artifacts up, and sweden lost huge part of its medieval history in the big fire of the castle 3 kronor in stockholm during 1700 century, norway and denmark has been dug upp to the point that there is almost nothing left to find, but most swedish viking graves are intact, sweden has 2500 runestones, denmark 250 runestones, norway 50, that says alot, major population during the viking age were in sweden or in götaland and svealand and gotland. and im annoyed by the definition about danes and norwegians went west and swedes east, there are plently of runestones in sweden telling stories going to england and raiding. in the region of götaland were götar could travel west in the bohulän fjords, gullarfjord. and they went as mercenaries aiding norwegians and danes after getting heavy losses, there were also many norwegians going east same with danes, and the varangian were totalt beasts and viking elite force.

[@acchally]

Totally agree we are all brothers and sisters and I am not choosing a side there. I'm sure they all have their reasons which are not told to us. Thank you for everything you do ❤️

[@holyfreak86]

There is a 2016 russian movie called "The Viking". Is about Vladimir (or Vandelarr) the smallest son of Sviatoslav. Is really interesting how the movie portraits the melting pot of slav, norse and eastern roman cultures. Check out the trailer! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3e6pZalp9JqnqM

[@torstenscott7571]

Overall a good movie, but loaded with way too much Christian propaganda that smeared the old heathen culture. The movie was a modern Christian Russian straw man of heathenry.

[@vladimirthegreen6097]

@@torstenscott7571 sht movie. It's butchered Russian history

[@torstenscott7571]

@@vladimirthegreen6097 that was my impression as well. The production value was surprisingly decent, but the portrayal of heathens as unwashed ignorant barbarians in contrast to "civilized" Christians was too much. I would have to agree with you in hindsight, it was a shit movie.

[@therealdarklizzy]

I have not seen the movie, but the whole saga of the Rus and Svietoslav and his dynasty is fascinating. In my parents home country of Bosnia, and among South Slavs, the predominant paternal haplogroup is I2, whereas other Slavs like Poles and Russians have R1a. Haplogroup I2 is a sister group of Germanic haplogroup I1, and they both were found in prehistoric Scandinavian Hunter Gatherers. It is a haplogroup indigineous to Europe. I always wondered how I2 made its way into South Slavs. Perhaps it came from contact with SHG? Perhaps it came from Baltic people, since they are related to Slavs? I was shocked to find out that a set of remains positively identified as I believe Sviatoslav or one of his descendants/ancestors tested positive for haplogroup I2, specifically a clade very close to the Balkan one. Since Svietoslav was a direct male line descendant of Rurik, that means Rurik almost certainly carried this early clade of I2. What this means, I cannot say positively. The names of the Croats and Serbs does not appear to be Slavic in origin. Some have postulated that Serbs are related to a Sarmatian tribe called the Serbi that lived near the Volga, due to the similarity of the names Serbi/Srbi. Some have found similar connections to Croats, as the Sarmatian personal name Huruathes/Huruath is attested in inscriptions near the Sea of Azov, which sounds strikingly similar to what the Croats call themselves: Hrvati. Tribes often get names based on leaders, so a tribe descended from a man named Huruath would be Huruathi. Compare to Hrvati. In this hypothesis, the Hunnic invasion pushed these Sarmatian tribes west, where they would have integrated with early Slavs, possibly also explaining Iranian influence on Slavic languages, like 'Bog' for 'God,' and 'Raj' for 'Heaven.' All this also indicates cultural and religious dominance, in line with a group of Slavs being ruled by Iranians. Of course, nobody knows if the Serbi and Huruathes were even Iranian, as the Greeks called anyone living in that region 'Sarmatians.' Further evidence comes from early Byzantine records of the Slavic migration into the Balkans. They name the rulers of the Slavs, but their names are not Slavic in origin. Some have suggested Iranian origins, others Gothic or Germanic. I have to wonder if the Vandals did not have anything to do with it. The ancient Roman historians called the people living east if the Vistula as the 'Veneti.' Whether this is connected to 'Vandals,' who lived in the region at the time, or early Slavic groups is uncertain. Early Slavs are generally believed to have lived a bit further east. I believe the Vandals may have mixed with Slavs, too. Perhaps the dominance of I2 in South Slavs comes from early North European admixture, and the subsequent dominance of males carrying the haplogroup. In Bosnian Croats, I2 reaches percentages of more than 70% of males, and since my father's side of the family are Bosnian Croats, I have a more than 70% chance of carrying I2, which is why it is so fascinating to me. It is all quite fascinating.

[@rayzas4885]

​@@torstenscott7571They were uncivilized in comparison. Eastern Christian stood atop the great roman empire with it's riches, greeco roman literature, Justinian legal code, and the great city of Constantinople. The Norse had nothing to even come close to it.

[@Fires755]

Your awesome!! Thank you!!

[@EllieAndOllie]

Kiev was not the first stronghold. It was Novgorod.

[@katerynaspivak1]

Why then Huilo wants Kyiv so bad?? It wouldn’t be a good reason to terrorise other country and kill its people!

[@pianointheloophoustontexas599]

So happy about this video…

[@odinsett8824]

Excellent Video. Thank you.

[@daneaxe6465]

"Them Swedes just think they are so much better than everyone else" My Norwegian grandmother

[@Torsdagskvallsmys]

Thats becuse we are better then everyone else.

[@essett5033]

We don't think we are better than everyone else. We KNOW we are better 😉

[@Akkolon]

@@essett5033 At least you have a great sense of humour ;)

[@sondersonics7534]

I mean Sweden is in a way the biggest and best Nordic country as we’ve been through much of history but most of us Swedes acknowledge that Denmark and especially Norway are better to live in nowadays

[@Akkolon]

@@sondersonics7534 Biggest and best? I get that Sweden is a wonderful place and I really like going there but how "best"? Let me ask you this; What Scandinavian country has never been ruled by any of the two other? ;)

[@Aaron.vandenbosch]

I would recomend as well that part of Gesta Danorum when it is told about the invasion of Rugen and the temple in Cape Arkona, for a bit of Slavic worshipping.

[@dandyrevisionist7879]

Excellent video.

[@TheKetogenicMadScientist]

You crack me up! Scandanavia meets the Breakfast Club...

[@vidarolsen19]

Hello from Sweden Iam wondering if you could make a video about the old norse calender like the One vegard Solheim has in his Book, its a bit complicated i think so i like it hear your thoughts om that. Hail auk sæl

[@dylanrus8117]

I love learning about my family’s history

[@sherlynn7211]

Loving all of your vids so much! I have Swede and Norwegian roots - Berg and Paasche (Paaske), guess that makes me a probable badass nerd.. bwahaha! Omg luv it!

[@teggan]

Man! You really know your stuff. It's a lot of entertainment and knowledge to get out of your videos. Damn this is good.

[@seH2i]

Tak skal du have ~ In the movie/documentary ' A Shortcut To Nirvana ' the 14th Dalai Lama says conversion is outdated and basically comments, "we should live in harmony and all religions/spiritual paths should be stewards of the earth. "