The Varangians - Epic Music

An original composition by Farya Faraji. Please note that this isn’t reconstructed music from the Medieval Norse or Eastern Roman cultures; it’s modern music with a historical theme. The artwork featuring the human figure is by J.F Oliveras, check out his wonderful historical recreations: www.artstation.com/jfoliveras
The Varangians were the Vikings (Scandinavian traders and raiders) who specifically operated in Eastern Europe, and would become a foundational turning point in the history of nations such as Russia and Ukraine in their early days. They would make their way to Constantinople where they would become the Varangian Guard, which was an an elite section of the Eastern Roman Emperor’s forces, serving as its bodyguards. They were originally Rus, then mostly Scandinavian Norsemen who effectively fought as mercenaries and later as the Emperor’s personal bodyguards-trusted both for their lack of local political ambitions due to their remote origins, and their strong sense of oath-based loyalty typical of Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures. The Varangians would later also be comprised of other ethnicities like the Anglo-Saxons, but for a good part of its history, the institution was almost exclusively Norse.
The music utilises elements of both Scandinavian and Greek music; both Medieval and modern. The Scandinavian part uses a modern fiddle, a nyckelharpa which appeared in the 14th century, and a jaw-harp, which was utilised by the Viking-age Norse. The Greek part uses a lauto, byzantine lyra and an oud; the latter two did exist during the Byzantine era, at least from the 800’s onwards.
The lyrics are in Old Norse and in Greek. The Old Norse lyrics are extracted from the second stanza of the Voluspa, an Old Norse era poem written down soon after the Christianisation of Scandinavia. I used reconstructed Old Norse pronunciation instead of the more typically used Icelandic one, which is similar but not the same; see Jackson Crawford’s excellent channel for more info on Norse language, culture and myths: / jacksoncrawford
Lyrics in Old Norse and Greek:
Ek man jötna ár um borna,
þá er forðum mik fœdda höfðu;
níu man ek heima, níu íviði,
mjötvið mœran fyr mold neðan.
Χαίρε, αδελφέ,
Βορέα, Χειμόνα,
Έρχεται χειμώνας στην Ρωμανία,
Χαίρε, Βάραγγε!
English translation:
I remember yet the giants of yore,
Who gave me bread in the days gone by;
Nine worlds I knew, the nine in the tree
With mighty roots beneath the mold.
Hail, Brother,
Ye Boreas, ye Winter,
Winter has come upon the land of Rome,
Hail, Varangian!

[@faryafaraji]

An original composition by Farya Faraji. Please note that this isn’t reconstructed music from the Medieval Norse or Eastern Roman cultures; it’s modern music with a historical theme. The artwork featuring the human figure is by J.F Oliveras, check out his wonderful historical recreations: www.artstation.com/jfoliveras The Varangians were the Vikings (Scandinavian traders and raiders) who specifically operated in Eastern Europe, and would become a foundational turning point in the history of nations such as Russia and Ukraine in their early days. They would make their way to Constantinople where they would become the Varangian Guard, which was an an elite section of the Eastern Roman Emperor’s forces, serving as its bodyguards. They were originally Rus, then mostly Scandinavian Norsemen who effectively fought as mercenaries and later as the Emperor’s personal bodyguards-trusted both for their lack of local political ambitions due to their remote origins, and their strong sense of oath-based loyalty typical of Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures. The Varangians would later also be comprised of other ethnicities like the Anglo-Saxons, but for a good part of its history, the institution was almost exclusively Norse. The music utilises elements of both Scandinavian and Greek music; both Medieval and modern. The Scandinavian part uses a modern fiddle, a nyckelharpa which appeared in the 14th century, and a jaw-harp, which was utilised by the Viking-age Norse. The Greek part uses a lauto, byzantine lyra and an oud; the latter two did exist during the Byzantine era, at least from the 800’s onwards. The lyrics are in Old Norse and in Greek. The Old Norse lyrics are extracted from the second stanza of the Voluspa, an Old Norse era poem written down soon after the Christianisation of Scandinavia. I used reconstructed Old Norse pronunciation instead of the more typically used Icelandic one, which is similar but not the same; see Jackson Crawford’s excellent channel for more info on Norse language, culture and myths: m.kzbin.info Lyrics in Old Norse and Greek: Ek man jötna ár um borna, þá er forðum mik fœdda höfðu; níu man ek heima, níu íviði, mjötvið mœran fyr mold neðan. Χαίρε, αδελφέ, Βορέα, Χειμόνα, Έρχεται χειμώνας στην Ρωμανία, Χαίρε, Βάραγγε! English translation: I remember yet the giants of yore, Who gave me bread in the days gone by; Nine worlds I knew, the nine in the tree With mighty roots beneath the mold. Hail, Brother, Ye Boreas, ye Winter, Winter has come upon the land of Rome, Hail, Varangian!

[@CrazyChickenFarmer]

I hope to see your name in the credits of a movie, series or video game one day as the composer of such great and atmospheric music

[@guydelusignan9561]

@@GrasmesterTvoegoOhka Rus are that, what we call today norse men/Vikings. The Rus tribes, where from Sweden, they set down around Kiev, they were the founders of a viking kíngdom. Called "the Rus kingdom", in German, we say "Kiewer Rus". Thats the theorie with the highest chance to be true(there r 3 more). the territoy of the rus, includes the actual states Ukraine, Belarus and eastern Russia Russia = land of the Rus. But their capital town, was Kiev. For more information: english en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus%27 german de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiewer_Rus

[@guydelusignan9561]

great song, i like it, gimmie more

[@angryas_fok6264]

Amazing simply amazing, will you apload it on Spotify?

[@greatsarmatae]

@@guydelusignan9561 there is no investigation to mention "chances of truth", all is known, it is "terra incognita" only for the westerners =) Let me provide a brief guide. Rus is not Northmen, it was Slavic place in Kyiv region, but Scandinavian dynasty (with it's army) and Northern traders both became part of Rus. It became a symbiosis. And, ultimately, foreigners like early Byzantines or Arabs perceived Rus as Scandinavians, because these gentlemen executed naval voyages, while majority of Slavic people stayed home. In Slavic world general Northmen were known as Varyags (source for later Greek "Varangians"). Also, modern titles "Russia" and "Belarus" have nothing to do with medieval Rus, these names are of much later political and ideological origin. Medieval "Rus" consisted only of lands of Kyiv, Chernihov and Pereyaslav, it established empire by conquering other Slavic and Finnic lands. Via Church and law all them could be known as "Rus" for foreigner (as all HRE citizens were known as "Germans" once), yet just Kyiv/Chernihov/Pereyaslav region were actually "Rus" in interior perspective.

[@jsmoothd654]

“ Halfdan was here.”

[@nobodycares6881]

Carved in stone you can see the message still in Istanbul

[@aarengraves9962]

@@nobodycares6881 At Hagia Sophia, in Constantinople*

[@Vladobas]

@@aarengraves9962 Constantinople no more.

[@marcardevol3561]

Has been halfdan redreced yet ??.

[@Storm-cw6qp]

​@@Vladobas but it will be constantinopel in the future

[@justinian536]

Fun fact: A Varangian vandalised the Hagia Sophia saying "Halfdan was here"

[@ub3rfr3nzy94]

Those darn vandals, always messing with Rome!

[@noqueq9003]

He was a pagan and did not know the importance of what he did. Other so called 'christians' of the west did faaaarrr worse

[@Svevladovich]

Hálfdán var hérna.

[@luisoryan3504]

When I saw it with my own eyes, I necessarily had to put a Varangian named Halfdan in the novel I wrote about the fall of Constantinople:D

[@Svevladovich]

@@luisoryan3504 Na zemlji Slava, a na nebu Valhalla!

[@mohammadmahdijalaeipour2387]

They were what the Praetorians wished they could be.

[@keeshans5768]

Mercenaries? Praetorians were emperor-makers.

[@jakefitzsimmons1213]

@@keeshans5768 and killers

[@gigiluigi6359]

@@jakefitzsimmons1213 praetorians are the first emperor death cause 😂

[@ommsterlitz1805]

Pretorians existed for 1600 years you have to be precise my dude

[@joaopedroghigiareli3161]

Traitors don't deserve musics in their names

[@Marcus001]

I find the fact that literal vikings defended the Roman Empire, and also served as a backbone of their military for a time, to be fascinating.

[@particanmapper8924]

It is, and thinking that actually all of the current cultures come from roman empire is stunning, think about the russians, byzantine-slavs, so roman slavs, all the gallics and celtics wich fused with romans, the italians being just roman sons, the spanish people that fused in america tpo being also from roman culture... Everthing is so connected

[@Foaklore]

As a Norwegian lover of Roman history, I'll always be proud that my people were in the ranks of the Emperor's best protectors. (: Going to learn Greek and Latin, and then make the journey they did to Italy and Greece. 🇳🇴 ❤🇬🇷

[@user-rm8mk9rw7x]

Thank you for your service! Harald Hardrada - George Maniakes liberators of Sicily 🇬🇷❤🇧🇻

[@olivierdochez352]

❤

[@ronnieman87]

Fare winds and safe travels Northman.

[@gromosawsmiay3000]

do not forget to visit Constantinople

[@nazarbayev3169]

Have fun sailing down the Dnieper! It should be a really great time to go.

[@aarengraves9962]

Fun Fact: The last name *Varangopoulos* exists today in Greece. It literally translates to: Son of the Varangian (Varangian's Son)

[@creeperhannes]

Blond Greeks with that name 🤩

[@galenbjorn443]

Well, the Norse/other germanic men that were in the Varangian guard apparently loved the greek woman. So probably many of the had children with greek women and that blood and name still are in greek people these days. Kind of cool to think that

[@AdamVikingen]

If WW3 ever breaks out we should found a joint military division called "Legio Varangopoulos".

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@galenbjorn443 many was converting to Greek orthodox and was joining the ranks of the regular army, basically it wasn't uncommon for people of diverse ethnic background to merge into the eastern roman society I mean even Turkish nomads was joining the gang - either under their own leaders or as part of the army 😉 Not to mention that their most legendary giant warrior was " digenis akritas" that can be translated as the mixblooded Border guard since he was half Greek and half Persian

[@carabcy6526]

@@creeperhannes go and visit the Mani peninsula and you will see blond Greeks. Go to Sfakia in Crete and you ll see others.

[@user-evil_historian]

Now I want 1. HBO series about Eastern Roman Empire 2. All Farya Byzantine tracks in them.

[@directororsoncallankrennic3531]

@@Cormano980 cuckservitive detected on American soil

[@TempleofBrendaSong]

@@Cormano980 Yep I still havent forgot Game of Thrones season 8

[@K0EN]

@@Cormano980 It has to be historically accurate and not woke for sure. I'm not watching it if it's woke

[@mattaffenit9898]

I trust HBO to stick to history about as much as I trust Amazon to stick to Tolkien's works, or Disney to adapt Star Wars. I still haven't watched Rings of Power or any of the sequel trilogy out of an overwhelming sense of vengeful spite. Also looming dread. From what I've picked up on second hand, that was the correct decision for both.

[@cossackbrotherhood5772]

​@@Cormano980maybe it's Netflix. Not HBO

[@user-rm8mk9rw7x]

We haven't forgotten Thank you to all Norsemen and Anglo-Saxons whose ancestors defended the empire 🇬🇷❤️🇧🇻🇸🇪🇩🇰🇮🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@user-rm8mk9rw7x]

@@dacim930 lol

[@the_kimchi_kommandant2603]

@@dacim930 "Drinking won't affect my child" The child:

[@enclavetechsupport5248]

@@dacim930 brain dead

[@toast2300]

​@@dacim930 You must be smoking some wild shit, please get me in contact with your suppliers

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

@@dacim930 you need help from a mental health professional

[@yllejord]

As a Pontian Greek who adopted Sweden as her second homeland, this makes me extremely happy.

[@dirtyharry0191]

Välkommen!

[@yllejord]

@@tribalaheer I have a home to go to, at least, now that you've collectively decided you hate Sweden as it is and wish with a burning passion to live in a shitty country instead. What will you do, now that your wish is becoming true i rasande fart? Vart fan ska ni ta vägen, era stackare? I'm fine. Worry about your own sorry asses.

[@alessandrolivi2287]

A Masterpiece. Norse Warriors who meet the Greco-Roman and Christian Orthodox Civilization for the first time, and are shocked by the greatness of Constantinople (Miklagard)

[@AdamVikingen]

A common conflict that arouse for norsemen who visited for the first time was the Constatines use of money, many fight where started because the norsemen thought they where being cheated when the traders didn't measure the coins weight.

[@Yusef2066]

Most Vangarians would've already been Christian at this point, especially the Saxons, - so they already would've heard of the Great Constantinople.

[@Boss70305]

⁠@@Yusef2066What? Saxon Varangians? Are you sure about that . The Varangians were mostly Swedes, or ‘Rus’ as they were called by the Slavs.

[@ruviklychee4308]

​@@Boss70305 Most varangians were norse at first, then when the profession became very popular over time many other europeans joined. For example, the last varangians to serve consisted of a good amount of british mercenaries. After all, varangians are still mercenaries.

[@Boss70305]

@@ruviklychee4308 Didn’t know that actually, interesting!

[@NDeGeorge1]

I’m Greco Norwegian and this is just amazing. Well done as always

[@zissimoskalarrytis3865]

Half Greek half Dane here, same

[@hrafnayuzen9437]

Same here bro 👊🏻

[@NDeGeorge1]

@@hrafnayuzen9437 Love it brother! World needs more of us haha

[@SetuwoKecik]

Whoa, can you speak both languages? 😳😳😳

[@georgestamatopoulos2958]

Best combination, brother of the same name.

[@Lopate123]

I've never imagined a norse-byzantine/mediteran mix... Excellent work as always! Another addition to my "Eastern Roman games playlist"

[@radziwill7193]

Duh... Russia.

[@Svevladovich]

@@radziwill7193 ?

[@ap0calypseduck329]

@@Svevladovich "Varangians" is the Slavonic for "Vikings", who descended the Volga River through primordial pagan Russia (then known as the Rus) and settled there. Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Roman Empire, was besieged by these Varangians for a time, until eventually they were hired as mercenaries and called the Varangian Guard- literal Viking mercenaries of the Eastern Roman Empire. The people of the Rus were very similar to their Scandinavian counterparts in all aspects, but eventually Christianized as Orthodox due to Olga of Kiev. Still, that Scandinavian influence did not go away, but instead adapted and changed around its Roman/Orthodox influence. So, the Rus, which would eventually become Russia, is a Norse-Byzantine/mediterranean cultural amalgamation. I highly recommend learning about primordial Russia and the Varangians, it's fascinating history!

[@Svevladovich]

@@ap0calypseduck329 I know it already but thanks for clarifying! Even Harald Hardrada was considered Orthodox but at that time, great schism and division of Christianity didn't occurred yet. Harald, himself, was warmly surprised seeing there's way different Romans with darker skin and culture. Also when they reached Constantinople, they though it was gates of Asgard, that's how it was rich.

[@Svevladovich]

@@ap0calypseduck329 BTW, huge regards from Serbia! 🇷🇸🇷🇺

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

A fine Greco-Scandinavian blend! 🇬🇷🇩🇰🇸🇪🇸🇯🇫🇮

[@Svevladovich]

Kievan Rus 🇧🇾☀️🇺🇦☀️🇷🇺

[@CaptainHarlock-kv4zt]

@@Svevladovich Of course you're right.

[@jericquitoriano2107]

you forgot rome

[@aidarnabiev9226]

​@@Svevladovich Nowgorod Rus was closer had diplomatic relations and an alliance with the Vikings

[@Svevladovich]

@@aidarnabiev9226 Yes, Novgorod was called ''Holmgardr'' and the whole area was called ''Gardarika''. There's even a song ''Gardariki'', you can look it up, it's kind of catchy. :-)

[@giannisch95]

Χαίρε αδελφέ, βορέα χειμώνα ! Greetings brother, northen winter ! Έρχεται χειμώνας στην Ρωμανία ! Winter is coming to Romania (Eastern Rome) ! Χαίρε Βαραγγε ! Greetings Varangian ! From 🇬🇷 with ❤️ to all 🇮🇸🇸🇯🇸🇪🇫🇮🇩🇰

[@arsenicos576]

And what is the Finnish flag doing here? They lived in the forests, not swam on drakkars

[@flori5296]

Finland isn't nordic it's uralic

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

Romania🇬🇷🇷🇴❤🏛

[@BiyikliAri]

When the Greek guy said "Eeeeeeeeeiiiiieee. Eeeeeeeieeeeeeeeee" I felt that

[@a.v.j5664]

Finnish translation: Muistan vielä menneisyyden jätit, Jotka leipää minulle muinoin antoi; Yhdeksän maailmaa tiesin/tunsin, (ne) yhdeksän puussa jolla mahtavat juuret oli mullan alla. Terve, veli, Sinä Boreas, sinä talvi, Talvi on tullut Rooman maahan, Tervehdys, varjaagi!

[@tomskowski6239]

Only that Finns aren't Scandinavian.

[@nihl1005]

У меня *варяги* перевелось как *лузер*

[@a.v.j5664]

@@nihl1005 sorry i don’t speak russian

[@a.v.j5664]

@@tomskowski6239 never claimed so lmao. Also i know that because i am finnish

[@theshadowsagas3617]

"Epic Byzantine Norse Music" Never have I clicked faster

[@kalleswediboyy6940]

Im swedish and i haved always loved history especially the roman empire and knowning my ancestors protected the emperor is almost like a dream for me!

[@Svevladovich]

Til Valholl!

[@GiGi-fu2oy]

@@Svevladovich these were orthodox vikings

[@Igor-my6ml]

@@GiGi-fu2oy Really, they were Orthodox?

[@GiGi-fu2oy]

@@Igor-my6ml Attracted by the riches of Constantinople, the Varangian Rus' began the Rus'-Byzantine Wars, some of which resulted in advantageous trade treaties. At least from the early 10th century, many Varangians served as mercenaries in the Byzantine Army, constituting the elite Varangian Guard (the bodyguards of Byzantine emperors). Eventually most of them, in Byzantium and in Eastern Europe, were converted from Norse paganism to Orthodox Christianity, culminating in the Christianization of Kievan Rus' in 988. Coinciding with the general decline of the Viking Age, the influx of Scandinavians to Rus' stopped and Varangians were gradually assimilated by East Slavs by the late 11th century. -wikipedia

[@solinvictus5349]

@@GiGi-fu2oy Still Nordic

[@goshlike76]

Another masterpiece. Mind-blowing use of instruments to mix mediterranean and nordic music.

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks my man!

[@thulios2018]

Never did I expect to hear Greek and Norse in the same song, Truly remarkable!

[@stegotyranno4206]

It will be interesting to see more crossovers, like arab/persian, persian/turkic, chinese/mongol. Reminds me of the "Roma Invicta" guy in Hikantoi

[@solinvictus5349]

Mongol with Wild West crossover could be sensational

[@stegotyranno4206]

@@solinvictus5349 i was in the territory of actual possibilities, but who cares Mongol Bluegrass, Vedic Techno, Celtic carynx vs Australian Digeridoo lets do it

[@SetuwoKecik]

@@stegotyranno4206 craving for a crossover music that nobody had expected? Makassar Bugis sailors (in Sulawesi, Indonesia) once formed trade relationship with North Australian aborigins in 16-17th century. There's this orchestra music named "The Voyage to Marege" which describing the event.

[@stegotyranno4206]

@@SetuwoKecik i knew about that before, nlt the ochestra tho. They are the reason why Australian Aboriginal word for soap(jabu) can trace all the way back to Frankish Germanic, long beifre English or even Dutch colonization. Also these traders traded some crops and sea cucumbers with them?

[@SetuwoKecik]

@@stegotyranno4206 indeed. Sea cucumbers or what they called as tripang was the main commodity to be traded.

[@09stoneheart]

Imagine being a young adventurous norseman, having just traversed the rivers and roads of eastern Europe, and beholding the splendor of Constantinople for the first time.

[@alexanderboukas5388]

I am half Greek and half Swedish, this felt very topical for me Great job as always!

[@revert6417]

Serb and Danish heritage here, I feel the same way.

[@ianellenson805]

One of the kings of Scandinavia was himself a captain of the Varangian guard. His saga traveled from the sands of the Middle East to the shores of England, as he was the great warrior king of Norway. His name was Harold Sigurdson, but many remember him as Harold Hardrada, “Harold the hard ruler.”

[@tatarcavalry2342]

Varangians were in Manzikert 1071 too sources say they fought till death by the Emperor even that others fled and they surrounded by Seljuks and killed one by one honorable men indeed greetings from Turkey

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

The varangians always kept their word to the bitter end Something similar happen at the battle of dirachio - modern day Albania, they fought against the Normands almost to the last men

[@50shekels]

The good old days. Greetings from Denmark

[@albin7772]

Skål broder!

[@Agro-yt8yg]

As a Greek, i thank all the Varangians who fought with us, we are brothers from the Ancient times, thank you all, Spartans of the North.

[@dieuleroi3759]

Glory to all my Indo-European brothers and sisters! All Europeans, especially northern and eastern Europeans, have the same blood in their veins.

[@oktayaydin7143]

I hope you know the rumors that Germanic paganism is similar to old Turkish belief and that Odin is Turkish. İnformation source:Prof. Sven Lagerbring

[@SwedishNationalist]

@@dieuleroi3759love the comment and the profile pic. We are brothers

[@g1u2y345]

@@oktayaydin7143 Germanic paganism isn't turkic, Odin isn't turkic, you aren't even Turkic.. (Try a dna test?)

[@fantom_rr595]

@@g1u2y345lol, a pretty popular myth among us turks, the word “odin” just sounds like the turkic word “od” which means fire. tho the stupid “TuRkS aRE rMenian kRudish GeEeRsks” is bs, assimilation touched almost everyone.

[@hellenictech]

Very good work! Το καλύτερο βαρύ πεζικό του Βυζαντίου! Excellent combination of byzantine and norse music!

[@lurker69420]

I can tell this is about to be good from the title

[@lurker69420]

50 seconds in and i was correct

[@bloodangel19]

You can tell it's good from the artist

[@lurker69420]

@@bloodangel19 And that, Farya makes masterpiece after masterpiece

[@uberfeel]

Everytime I read about the varangians and their history, they always fascinates me because a whole new culture was created between them Kievan Rus Vikings and Greek Romans.

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

And Saxons..! 😉

[@turkcukayi]

Greek Romans? Congratulations my friend, you have brought a new definition to history. 🤣🤣

[@the_kimchi_kommandant2603]

@@turkcukayi Least historically illiterate turk:

[@user-wr2ec7wx9k]

@turkcukay9277 idiot turkmongol en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire

[@turkcukayi]

@@user-wr2ec7wx9k There is no such empire as the Byzantine Empire. The Roman Empire we are talking about.

[@user-md3vw7ik6f]

My mom' s surname is Varangoulis. She was born in Corfu island, Greece. After Constantinopolis was conquered by Frankish demons in 1204, some members of Varangian Guard didn' t return to their homeland but they moved into several regions of Greece! Beautiful music Farya 🙂

[@elliottbaker201]

So basically, you're saying it was written that Frankland came and took what was rightfully theirs

[@user-md3vw7ik6f]

@@elliottbaker201 So basically, you are off topic! Varangians hadn't nothing to do with Frankish. What was rightfully 🤪🤣 theirs???? (Eastern) Roman Empire???? From what point of view?? I think you 're trolling me

[@elliottbaker201]

@@user-md3vw7ik6f Constantinople couldn't defend itself properly. So they promised gold to real warriors to defend the realm. You brought up the Frankland, not I. I was just finishing your statement for you

[@arcotroll8530]

Φίλε είναι η μάνα σου από Άγιο Ματθαίο μήπως;

[@niklask8753]

All members of the varangian guard didn't return to their homelands

[@miastupid7911]

Kudos! On a side note: to this day, there is a very upscale historic furniture store in Greece, by a family named Varangis.

[@Boss70305]

Sweden, the country with the most runestones in the whole world, have many stones with inscriptions of men who died in the east, in ‘Miklagård’. The are also inscriptions telling of men who died as Vikings in Estonia and other Baltic nations. One famous example is Ingvar the Far-Travelled, a Swedish Viking who led an expedition to the east during the 11th century. There were many ships and they came all the way to ’Särkland’, which was the Norse name for the lands around the Caspian Sea, so they came all the way to the Middle East. There are at least 26 runestones in Sweden telling of men who joined Ingvar on his expedition, and how they died.

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

In Gotland, there's a runestone about the _Blakumen_ which is the Old Norse for _Vlach_ "Romanians". Snorri Sturluson also wrote about the _Blökumannaland_ it is believed to be either about the Wallachian/Moldavian plains or Northern Bulgaria "Moesia" which was many times also referred as Wallachia. I would comment to Farya Faraji if he can put the theme of making in the future songs about the Blökumenn and Blökumannaland. I am currently a Blökumenn of the North, in Sweden🇸🇪

[@user-pe9if1hn9n]

Wonderful! Greetings from your Armenian brother! Thank you for your brilliant work, brother. After listening to this song, I felt like Emperor Vasily the Bulgar-Slayer, who led the Varangians and led them into battle.

[@stelios2521]

Brothers 🇬🇷❤️🇦🇲 ☦️☝🏻

[@user-so6ip5rt9f]

Greetings from Greece brother from Armenia. Stay strong to your battle! Χαίρε φίλε Αρμένιε!

[@InquisitorKalt]

Anyone listening to this if you don’t know who the Varangians are, you have to look them up. They are badass! The history of them is just amazing.

[@karetsin265]

when he said "boing boing boing boing" i was left speechless. 😔

[@_TheUnknown_]

Excellent! 🇬🇷☦

[@Tobbs96]

I'm Swedish and I just can't stop coming back to this song. I really feel it does justice to our proud history, good job :)

[@CONSTANTINEXI63]

In Scandinavia, the norse have heard tales of explorers heading down south to the capital of a great empire, and come back with more gold and wealth than imaginable. They called it the city of gold. Which later more would head there in search of employment, which they most certainly found. Which created the Varangian Guard

[@cmleibenguth]

Miklagard

[@HerculesMays]

Ahhh, me and Harold Hardrada partied to this music on our longships while sailing to Miklagard in 1033, good times when men were men.

[@ghouldr1964]

Listen to Hulkoff's song "Hardrádi" and you'll remember it all once again.

[@TheOlgaSasha]

Varangians called Constantinople as Miklagard ("great city"). They sailed to Byzantia (East Roman Empire) through the Dnieper river root known as "Way from Varangians to Greeks". Most famous Varangians were Varangian Guard of Byzantine Emperor. Greets from Kyiv🇺🇦, main city on that way (known as Konugard for Varangians)

[@mabeSc]

We all know that Ukraine is rightful Swedish clay

[@dannymarashi]

Now this, this hit the spot, man. This blending of genres and cultural motifs is what I'm all about and I'm glad you gave the Varangians the love they deserved. I also really like that it harkens back to the Akritic music you have done but just, more grand in feeling and scope and Dance of the Akritai and Digenis Akritas remain as standouts in your Byzantine catalogue. Keep it up, man. Idk how you do it so consistently, but you do.

[@jordirey4002]

A new idea for the Byzantine series could be a song of the Catalan mercenaries who fought against Turks in Anatolia and after turned against Byzantines.

[@hyoga4345]

Icelandic and self diagnosed Philhellene, This is the greatest thing I've seen all day! skál! χαίρε! 🇮🇸❤️🇬🇷

[@iberius9937]

In a perfect world, this would be a top ten on the radio, getting repeated airplay and blasting out of people's cars.

[@justinianthegreat1444]

I wish I had them as my bodyguards 🥲 Beautiful work Farya Faraji!

[@saikrishnak8631]

why ? your reign was 38 years which was highly uncommon at that circumstances.

[@user-zw6lx7gv2u]

Belisarius } varangians !

[@nopenada7015]

Imagine finishing off the last of what you think is the last of the byzantine soldiers but then, you notice that the air becomes colder, you look to the west to see soldiers that you have never seen before accompanied by this song in the distance To all my Norse brethren, Skål! and to my greek allies, στην υγεία μας

[@ahmetfarukkoc8125]

I wish all your music was available on spotify :( Great music as always tho! Love your work

[@theoff8411]

We all do

[@balkanmountains2103]

Okay, this is my new favourite song of yours! This music blending came out really good. I love the winter theme too. Plus, who doesn't love the Varangian guard? One of my best friends actually has the last name 'Βαραγκός' which means 'Varangian' in Greek. I've heard that some of the Varangians carried shields and banners with Odin's raven. It must have been pretty cool seeing these along with the hundreds of orthodox banners.

[@jackwhitehead5233]

Amazing tune. Love from an Anglo-Saxon, proud of the English Varangians' contribution to the Empire, and honoured to be remembered by the descendants of the Eastern Romans 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤🇬🇷🇳🇴🇸🇪🇩🇰

[@warthunderenjoyer8542]

Saxons were at the Heteraia guards i believe.

[@americancaesar4715]

@@warthunderenjoyer8542 Imagine being a battle scarred Anglo Saxon seeing Constantinople for the first time!? On your way you are tired, angry, saddened, drained, etc. cursing the Normans for taking your homeland, your lands, and your fellow warriors after Hastings. You make your way to the Hagia Sophia and all of a sudden you see Danes in the halls with the markings on their shields, the same Danes your ancestors fought over a hundred years ago. You want to spite them, lash out at them, but then the Danes embrace you as brothers understanding how it feels to lose something you cherished.

[@jackwhitehead5233]

​@@warthunderenjoyer8542they were the majority of the Varangians for a while, recorded conquering Crimea and defending the walls of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade.

[@goneintodarkness8095]

Путь из Варяг в Греки. Привет южным братьям и братьям-скандинавам из России 🇷🇺❤️🇬🇷🇧🇻🇸🇪🇩🇰

[@arsenicos576]

Ну, хоть кто-то не влепил финский флаг к варягам

[@goneintodarkness8095]

@@arsenicos576 финны не относятся к ним никак. Они являются финно-уграми, когда как условные варяги являются германцами (этногруппа)

[@arsenicos576]

@@goneintodarkness8095 чел, по моему комментарию должно быть ясно, что я в курсе этого, раз я обрадовался, что ты не добавил финский флаг

[@green0451]

When the Varangian guard was serving the Byzantine Emperor there was an Orthodox Christian church somewhere near Agia Sophia dedicated to the Varangian Virgin Mary who protected the Varangian Guard. Inside this church there was a chapel dedicated to Saint Olaf of Norway who is an Orthodox Christian Saint and he worked great miracles. That's all the information I know about this church. If somebody knows more then please share your information.

[@ap0calypseduck329]

I made an entire civilization in my friend's D&D campaign who are heavily inspired by the Byzantines and Varangians. I've been listening to your stuff for a while and was thinking how amazing it'd be to have something from you that captures that essence in musical form. This is it. Thank you so much!

[@yes-par2983]

My i ask some of the fluff you made for your friend's campaign

[@ap0calypseduck329]

@@yes-par2983 "In the Second Age, when the Father became as one, and Night first touched the plane, the wayward son of Kierkegaard held fist in Aerlion. With it, he built up a great city and gave the Jallstan Kobolds a future as members of the great Clan Stonefist. There they made way as their own culture, serving the peoples of Erdemel by providing educated skills. In the proceeding decades, after its founder had passed the threshold, the Dragonborn would be discovered and with the Kobolds make the first Stoneborn, cementing the three draconic races of the people now known as the Kierks. Their clans would become Tarva, and each would focus on the betterment of their host countries towards a balanced ideal in Jallvera. By the temple of body and mind, they will be Unbound" The Kierks started out as an ancient clan of Dwarves from the Jallstan mountains, and became obscure over time. However one of its last members (my character), a Dwarf-sized Kobold who left Jallsta after a civil war, restarted the clan to protect the Kobold population of the human city he settled in. After a demonic invasion, the city was in ruins, and he spent a decade rebuilding it while also building up his family clan. He structured the clan like a crafts guild, believing that society would find it hard to oppress the Kobolds again if they were educated and useful. So with his intellect and resources he did just that. The Stonefists would eventually form other clans, also predicated on staking their claim in a country by providing it with statesmen, artisans, blacksmiths, writers, etc. The Dwarves in the world are Scandinavian inspired, which, due to the Kierks' dealings and mingling with the Northern Elves, formed an architectural and cultural aesthetic I extrapolated into a Rus appearance (Hyperboria is a major fantasy inspiration for their look). So the Kierks doubled down on that and formed an entirely unique culture inspired by the likes of the Byzantines and Varangians, primarily, with a little Persian, Mongolian, and Chinese. While there is much more I can say, that's a pretty good gist and I hope you found it interesting.

[@ap0calypseduck329]

@@yes-par2983 When I set out to make my own culture in the campaign world, I decided on Rus because there are not many fantasy cultures who are inspired by those ancient peoples. You have Anglo-Saxons, Germans, French, Scandinavians, Egyptians, and sometimes Japanese- where are all the Eastern Steppe peoples? It's either far-Western Europeans, Japanese Samurai, or some really hokey Egyptian knock-offs it seems. Barring historical inspiration, most fantasy writers just rip off Tolkien and call it a day. So I wanted to go somewhere few had, and make something much more memorable. Closest thing in fantasy media that comes close to the Kierks is Kislev from Warhammer Fantasy, except the Kierks are more Mediterranean and are obsessed with Draconic aesthetics, whereas Kislev is more Russian and obsessed with polar bear aesthetics.

[@yes-par2983]

@@ap0calypseduck329your right about eastern europen in fantasy would be nice if we had more stuff there. I love kislev in w kislev arhammer, tho CA/ Total war, made to magical and bear like in my onpion. (Manly looking at the Gryphon Legion and all the sledges)

[@eindalton2638]

Also used Byzantium as an inspiration for a culture in my setting, but I kind of melded it with medieval Bulgaria and kind of wanted to represent the whole medieval Balkan/Eastern Europe feel, which is seldom seen in fantasy.

[@justinianthegreat1444]

This is like the epic sequel to your Old Norse Song that sounds jolly

[@javiklaine]

"The Varangians were the Vikings (Scandinavian traders and raiders) who specifically operated in Eastern Europe, and would become a foundational turning point in the history of nations such as Russia and Ukraine in their early days. " And Belarus (White Rus, greek tradition geography)

[@somerandomrpgenthusiast8451]

Definitely one of the most chilled out songs about the Norse I've heard.

[@faryafaraji]

I agree, though the funny thing is that it’s not even that chilled out by most cultures’ standarts, but I think we’re so used to the usual “Norse” sound with the hyper-dark Mongolian throat singing aesthetic (which is a modern pop culture invention) that something based in actual Scandinavian tradition comes across as comparatively tame, which is pretty ironic. I think actual Norse music wouldn’t have come across as Norse enough to us.

[@CaganHart]

greetings from Türkiye

[@mitrahispana4119]

Foreign body guards were attractive not because they were exotic or “cool”, but because their loyalty was easier to secure. Foreigners, isolated and far from home, were less likely to scheme. Even a Norse king was once a Varangian!

[@jacksonkalvin1205]

They also happened to be pretty damn cool as well, so that’s a plus

[@mitrahispana4119]

@@jacksonkalvin1205 call it a “feature” 😊

[@TheAchilles26]

Multiple Norse kings did stints as Varangians.

[@pseudomonas03]

Immagine a Basileus of Rhomaion named Basil, of Spartan descendence (from his mother's Theofano part), leading 6.000 Vikings in a battle against the usurpers of the throne, while having this epic music on your head! Excellent work again!

[@Aimothewizard]

Its very cool seeing this as a swede. And for those who dont know, the Varangians from the norse side were mostly and mainly present day Sweden.

[@finnilebo5067]

Farya, İ don't know If you remember but a lot of months ago, İ wrote a comment asking if you could compose a track for the Varangians because you could fuse nordic with east-mediterranean Influences. You answered such a Track is definitley on your list. Now you delivered and it's a true masterpiece 🙏🏼

[@korisnicilec5265]

My mother was Varangia , Estonian, Icen by father ❤

[@mattaffenit9898]

_OOHOOHOOOH YEAH I LIKEY_ The Varangian Guard are one of my favorite military units. It tickles me deeply to get hybridized music about them.

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

As a Romanian living in Sweden for the past 10 years this song's is sooo great. When they say "Ρωμανία", even tho doesn't really refer to my Romania, it really give's me goosebumps🇷🇴🇬🇷🇸🇪💯

[@zhaw4821]

Ρωμανία is another way to say Greeks. The Greek lyrics in this song referring to Ρωμανία is a clue

[@hansgunsche2262]

Romanians where Roman’s too Constantine the Great was a Dacian/Greek

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

@@hansgunsche2262 Yes, we Romanian's are descendants of the Roman's, from the provinces of Moesia and Dacia Traiana. However, Constantine was a Roman, and was from Moesia

[@hansgunsche2262]

@@InAeternumRomaMater his mom was a dacian

[@InAeternumRomaMater]

@@hansgunsche2262 His mother was ethnically Greek from Anatolia, but she still was a Roman. But his father was born in Moesia, thus in the place where the Romanian ethnogenesis started

[@hypersp3ce596]

I've recently fell in love with this type of music, really amazing stuff. Greetings and love from Turkey!

[@Mwichael]

its not even fair how blessed we are to get these tracks. farya legit the greatest of all time

[@024Nimma]

The history of the Byzantine Empire and The Varangians are so impressive; I can't get enough of it. Neither of these beautiful songs with amazing backgrounds. Well done Farya, again! Love from The Netherlands. ✝☦

[@breburdax4132]

Great as always! Btw Farya, have you ever considered doing some Georgian music? The ancient and medieval themes from Civilization VI's Georgia (Shen Khar Venakhi) in particular are true masterpieces, you might want to check them out if you haven't.

[@williamgunderson7365]

As someone with both Norse and ancient Greeks/Romans in my family tree 🌳 I feel at home with this one. North meets South. Byzantine style. This is a beautiful piece by the way!

[@HighLordoftheBathroom]

Farya, I'd just like to thank you. Your songs (especially those in Latin) always seem to put me in a good mood whenever I'm down.

[@bigsillyman423]

Another great piece Farya! Really love to hear your stuff at the gym and I'm looking forward to getting this one going too!

[@ShahanshahShahin]

When "Vladimir I" of Kievan Rus sends you 6,000 men.

[@telreyne]

I have been looking for more Varangian content and as a fan of both Norse and Byzantine culture, thank you so much!

[@user-nf6qz9yp9l]

We hit 1M! Nice!

[@underlander]

I am from Greece and I have always felt an attraction to the north. I have been listening to traditional Scandinavian music and studying Norse mythology for years now. I can't help but get chills every time I listen to this song. I have been a long time viewer of your channel and really appreciate the attention to detail of your videos and music. And a word in Greek "Να είσαι καλά και να μας φτιάχνεις πάντα τέτοιο ποιοτικό περιεχόμενο" !

[@rusinvelikiy]

Просто шикарно! Благодарю за работу. Best cool, Farya!

[@pedroalzidy5038]

هذه ليست المرة الأولى التي اسمع فيها هذا النوع من الأغاني القديمة ونادرآ ما تعجبني أغنية من هذا النوع وبصراحة هذه الأغنية اعجبتني كثيراً جداً اتمنى لك التوفيق في مسيرتك ♥️

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot my friend!

[@captaincole4511]

*(adds to workout playlist)*

[@grandadmiralsteel1989]

I’m American but I have strong Swedish descent and I’m proud knowing that there’s a chance that my ancestors were part of the Varangian guard.

[@nikolaoskouvatsos9222]

I can’t get enough of your Eastern Roman songs, keep up the great work my friend!

[@TheAsharedhett]

Byzantine/Norse... now that's an interesting synthesis of styles, but I like it!

[@lucareviews9760]

Youn know its a good day when farya posts

[@MaximusAugustusOrthodox]

Defenders of the Empire 🇬🇷☦️

[@debasishgoswami9896]

All Hail Odin!!

[@MedjayofFaiyum]

It was one of those Varangians that went by the name of Harold Hardrada that would go into have a famous career in the Empire yet met an infamous end at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066

[@TheAchilles26]

And then many of the Anglo-Saxon Huscarls went and joined that same Varangian Guard after Hastings

[@MedjayofFaiyum]

@@TheAchilles26 exactly!

[@ghalilaelsimanjuntak6886]

Excellent! Loved the transition from Norse to Eastern Roman theme

[@romaboo9772]

Actually pleased that the Norse part isn't deep voice guys humming. Also, when Egyptian themed music, Farya? I want to praise Horus, Anubis, etc while whipping my 'workers' so they get more excited 😆

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks, I purposefully didn’t want to do the stereotypical thing; the Norse were humans like any other and high pitched singing voices would have been perfectly normal for them. But yeah lol when it comes to Egypt, I’m thinking of doing research on the language and producing works based in the Ptolemaic era. Just like I didn’t want to do the stereotypical pop-culture throat singy-thing here, I don’t want to do the “vague oriental” Egyptian thing; I want it to have some cultural and historical value, and putting the language to Greek music theory would work since we know Ancient Greek music existed there by Ptolemaic times

[@TheAchilles26]

​@@faryafaraji I think there's some data on Bronze Age Egyptian music. I know they've found some for the Sumerians and Hittites

[@Elreysilente]

Es un placer para los sentidos escuchar estas canciones

[@diezelfunk]

That intro really reminds me of the theme of the Vikings from Age of Empires 2. Wonderful work here!

[@roosick4737]

As a slav I`m proud to know that my ancestors were badass. I hope I won`t disappoint them

[@ghouldr1964]

Varangians were the name for the Scandinavians. Varangiand Guard was the emperor's elite guard that bestood of Scandinavians (the majority from Svitjod/Sweden) and some parts of England and north Germany.

[@ghouldr1964]

@@cypher221 The Rus vikings were reffered to as Varangians just because they were the biggest majority of them and they were the majority of the original varangian guard. People from other places and cultures came along after the rus had been there for quite some time.

[@ghouldr1964]

@@cypher221 You were called Varangian just as you were called Viking. Vikings were Scandinavian pirates and only Scandinavian pirates. Just as the Varangians originally were only northern Europeans from the beginning as they were called by the people of Saerkland

[@neonpirych1566]

@@ghouldr1964 Some Varangians just was Slavic kings, but of course they were Scandinavians.

[@anta2030]

YES, finally song about the varangians

[@user-ik5rp7dj9w]

Farya Faraji Una canción sobre los ataques vikingos a las costas de Galicia o Las Taifas en Al Andaluz Seria de lo mejor, un Saludo

[@klakwey9852]

Another Byzantic masterpiece! Thank you.

[@czar9191]

First of all, this song is litteraly a fusion of Nordic and Byzantine folk and very successful one! Our Byxantine ancestors where experts in mercenary recruiting, did it for 1000 years. On the other hand Nordic folk of the time where the best mercenaries. Rational combo if you ask me and everyone's ""happy"". Plus the Viking age was called Viking age because Norsemen dominated the known western world in terms of war and trade.

[@g.mtorsten3564]

Keeps the spirit of Harald Hardrada alive!

[@adriennemarierozario6591]

Lovely musical composition. It was inspired at an age when the Rurik dynasty and descendants were guarded by the Varangian Viking warriors. I suppose due to Rurik having been a son of Odin.

[@Andrei-ev7du]

Ruriks were baltic and finnic vikings not skandinavians

[@konstantinoskalavrezos5273]

A very interesting mix of Norse and byzantine aesthetics, befitting of the legendary varangian guard, amazing work! The varangians were great adventurers, fighting and creating kingdoms and legends of their own far away from their homeland.A peoples truly worthy of guarding the emperor's life and exercising his will. The most well known varangian in the roman empire would be Harald the bluetooth, who after being exiled from norway fought all over russia, became a member of the varangian guard,defended the east from the Seljuks and even reclaimed sicily from the arabs.He would later go on to become king of norway and even lay claim to the kingdom of england, eventually being defeated by harold godwinson at the battle of stamford bridge.Truly the stuff of legend!

[@heyokasamurai453]

That’s Harald Hardrada

[@franciscolivino7843]

This is just so beautiful... My favorite one was always Hikanatoi, which was also the first one I listened to, but this one is making me question that. At this point I think I've heard pretty much all of them lol. But this one is just different, man... It has to be my favorite vocals from you.

[@user-dc5dr7vg4c]

Byzantine empire 🇬🇷💪

[@AI_Futurism]

Great music! Really capturing the best of norse and byzantine tunes and blending it into someting new and unique. Well done!