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@robertjarman37034 ай бұрын
Harold Hardrada was both the servant of a Roman Emperor, the assassin of another one, and the guy who tried to take over England in 1066. What could be more epic?
@domenstrmsek56254 ай бұрын
Hardrada, however, actually missed the chance to be crowned Byzantine Emperor, which was even more epic.
@correctionguy76324 ай бұрын
@@domenstrmsek5625elaborate?
@brandonquezada95234 ай бұрын
He was a hated tyrant in Norway unfortunately. Seems power got to his head
@curranlakhani4 ай бұрын
@@brandonquezada9523 Hence the name Hadrada, which translates to harsh ruler or tyrant. He was a great military leader but a terrible king.
@d.dante_vergil4 ай бұрын
@@correctionguy7632 A marriage to the Makedone Empress of that time (forgot her name but she was Basil's niece) would have given him the chance
@curranlakhani4 ай бұрын
The Varangian Guard was made up of a lot of veterans of the Battle of Hastings who ended up fighting the doomed campaign against the Norman's in Dyracchium. Imagine getting evicted from your home by the Norman's and travelling to the furthest part of Europe just to get annihilated by the Norman's again.
@Bzhydack4 ай бұрын
Is also possible than some veterans from Stamford Bridge were there too. So imagine being beaten by Anglo-Saxons and end up fighting alongside them.
@tylerellis90974 ай бұрын
I mean to be fair they’re the reason the battle was lost lol the Byzantines were winning until they broke ranks to chase the retreating Normans
@TheNEOverse4 ай бұрын
Its amusing to think they hadn't learned their lesson in Hastings at all lol.
@mattaffenit98984 ай бұрын
Imagine charging so hard you get surrounded by Normans because you're angey. "Lol" say the Varangian when surrounded, "Lmao get rekt"
@vangelisskia2144 ай бұрын
"The Greece runestones (Swedish: Greklandsstenarna) are about 30 runestones containing information related to voyages made by Norsemen to the Byzantine Empire. They were made during the Viking Age until about 1100 and were engraved in the Old Norse language with Scandinavian runes." "On these runestones the word Grikkland ("GREECE") appears in three inscriptions,[1] the word Grikk(j)ar ("GREEKS") appears in 25 inscriptions,[2] two stones refer to men as grikkfari ("traveller to Greece")[3] and one stone refers to Grikkhafnir ("Greek harbours").[4]"
@justinhess27474 ай бұрын
Vikings fighting Vikings in Italy is the most Viking thing
@mattaffenit98984 ай бұрын
... Yes.
@michealohaodha93514 ай бұрын
For those who ever visit Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, make sure to check out the carving made by a Varangian Guard (Halvdan). Its only his name in runes but really interesting (bet he got bored on guard duty)
@legoeasycompany4 ай бұрын
There's a reason why some people make the most funny duty logs, its a real drag but I'd like to think its just human nature to try and do anything to escape the boredom.
@MaxMustermann-bm7qt4 ай бұрын
I do not support illegal graffiti.
@Peleski2 ай бұрын
Yes, surprising and interesting. I just didn't know that they went that far at the time.
@torbjartekolshus368827 күн бұрын
It should also be mentioned the Norwegian king Sigurd the Crusader, in Norwegian called Sigurd Jordsalfare (Earthallwander), after his crusade in the promised land went to Byzantine. Unlike many of the other crusader kings he was true to his oath to return the riches he captured to the Byzantine Emperor, as well as giving him all his ships. In return the Byzantine Emperor made many of his men Varangian guards, feasted him, gave him a parade, gifted him with many horses, and gave him honorary titles, which included being captain of the Varangian Guard (but probably not the actual captain). Sigurd however returned to Norway to rule after only a short stay riding north. The journey home however did take the king a few years as he played royal tourist. Sigurd had left Norway with 5000 men and only came home to Norway together with 300. While some historians jump to the conclusion that most of the others died we do not know how many stayed as Varangian guards, how many stayed in the Holy Land, how many returned home on their own accord or even rode from Byzantine with him, but then found other employment elsewhere in Europe. We simply do not know if he lost most of his men, or just a portion of his men, campaigning. I personally think at least a fifth or more survived as he had the man power to guard his treasure wagons in his journey to the coast and sail his ships to the Byzantine Empire after his crusade concluded.
@jonh1014 ай бұрын
Harald hardada was playing mount and blade
@WalterWhiteFootballSharing4 ай бұрын
I'm Greek living in NY, and going down there is such awesome weather compared to US Northeast. Winters without frost, Dry summers with low humidity, shade is all u need. The Varangians born in Scandinavia must have felt like they reached heaven in eastern Mediterranean. Lately Climate change makes Greek summers more humid and hot, ACs everywhere, but I didn't need it in 99-01. The clubs had open roofs, night was perfection for drinking and dancing 60-65 degrees. No clouds, stars always up there!
@Blox1172 ай бұрын
what is latitude?
@irohito6224 ай бұрын
"You want me to let you stab him for 200 Solidi? Nah, he pays me a whole 2 Argentii a week, I'm good."
@Baitin_Amphibian4 ай бұрын
100k sesterceroonies
@Harib_Al-Saq4 ай бұрын
😎Chad Varangian VS Virgin Praetorian 😭
@robertjarman37034 ай бұрын
Oh, and I should mention, that in Vinland Saga, one of the characters has a sword from the Roman Empire and had served with them as a younger man in the Varangians and had eventually travelled back to Denmark under King Canute.
@fortweek_73894 ай бұрын
The Varangian Guard was what every Roman emperor wished the Praetorian Guard could be.
@jendrektl57334 ай бұрын
Really? They turned to preatorian guard and became problem.
@v4enthusiast5414 ай бұрын
@jendrektl5733 Varangian guards were well-handled and were never responsible for coups or murders of Emperors.
@Phantom-xp2co4 ай бұрын
@@v4enthusiast541unlike the janissaries
@breakerdawn84294 ай бұрын
They just want money, give money equal loyalty. Unlike the Janissaries and the Praetorian who would get involved in politics.
@aokiaoki42384 ай бұрын
@@v4enthusiast541 Harald Hardrada betrayed and blind Emperor Michael V Kalaphates
@justdracir81974 ай бұрын
One of my favourite units in Age of Empires 4 and Knights of Honor. And definitly one of my favourites sagas in human history.
@ThomasWeaver19924 ай бұрын
I would like to imagine this rebel leader claiming that God was on his side before he died from falling off his horse.
@notiowegianАй бұрын
The living are never wrong.
@Y_ooKang4 ай бұрын
Reason why they were the best bodyguards
@CARL_0934 ай бұрын
The Varangian Guard consisted of Viking and Slavic mercenaries, which distinguished them from palace guard units such as the Scholai or the Exkoubitores. The earliest members of the Varangian guard came from Kievan Rus. A treaty of 874 obliged the rulers of Kievan Rus to provide men for Byzantine service.
@rahjah69584 ай бұрын
No. It’s Vanguardian leviosaaaa
@julio5prado4 ай бұрын
Very well documented and interesting as usual, thanks for your great work!
@zachhughes91493 ай бұрын
All one need do is read Howard’s Hyborian Age, to see just how much Norsemen used to get around, and why they were so sought after.
@MarktheRude4 ай бұрын
Let it be mentioned that the Varangian Way was an excellent album.
@jessiearabie81664 ай бұрын
Best middle age history video I’ve seen in quite awhile 👍🏻 give me more!
@DirtCobaine14 күн бұрын
You would think with how popular Vikings are and how popular Rome is, we’d get more movies and shows about the Varangians. All we have is a couple of episodes of Viking Valhalla. There needs to be more shows period. Especially about the Byzantine Empire. They are so underrated compared to classical Rome yet they were just as successful for just as long. A thousand years that empire reigned. I would love a show like Marco Polo having to do with the relationship between the Mongols and the Byzantine empire. From what I understand they were allies surprisingly. You’d think Atilla would’ve made the Romans hateful towards horse riding steppe nomads lol
@Proud2bGreek14 ай бұрын
They were loyal as long as they were getting paid, which is more than you could ask for the average mercenary band and certainly way more reliable than the praetorian guard.
@SeverusFelix4 ай бұрын
Red as blood and black as night!
@marcovalentini8634 ай бұрын
someone dropped a nuclear bomb in southern sardinia on this map
@petrapetrakoliou89794 ай бұрын
Roman emperors had a Germanic guard already since the beginning of the Empire, almost uninterrupted since.
@Thraim.4 ай бұрын
It's crazy to think that people travelled so far to become mercenaries.
@DylanJo1234 ай бұрын
Wealth and status is a very good motivator
@Thraim.4 ай бұрын
Yeah, especially considering that living a quiet life at a farm didn't guarantee your survival, either, back in those times. A failed harvest, or two, and you're starving to death. Might as well try your luck as a mercenary.
@DylanJo1234 ай бұрын
@@Thraim. high risk high reward through and through
@majorianus80554 ай бұрын
it's far but it's probably harder for these Vikings to travel to Central Germany than to Greece even though Central Germany is very near, because sea travel is always faster than land.
@ftwcrazyman3 ай бұрын
Still continues to this day. Vietnamese hired by Emiratis, Serbians hired by the Congolese in the 90s for their Bosnian War experience, and Cubans and several Africans fighting for Russia today
@ReviveHF4 ай бұрын
The Heteriaea Guards from Attila Total War is basically the Varangian Guard from real life, CA added this unit into the game for the sake of game balancing.
@DeerajGopalkrishna-yb3fs4 ай бұрын
Bro can you tell which drawing software do you use for artistic illustration in your video
@pomicultorul4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your work!
@RosierJulio4 ай бұрын
!GENIAL!!! QUE TAL UN VIDEO SOBRE LA GUERRA ARABE-BIZANTINA...
@jonathanlee81234 ай бұрын
Why are Bulgaria shown as independent after Basil's death?
@hetgrotepsv19134 ай бұрын
can u also talk about the Battle of Halidzor, 70k turks couldn't win from 300 Armenians.
@SamO-ik2cm4 ай бұрын
Typical turks
@squiglemcsquigle84144 ай бұрын
Sad to see the drop in quality and the bad description of manzikert
@arturobermudez62774 ай бұрын
Please a videl of the siege of oran and the siege of castelnouvo...
@DiscothecaImperialis13 күн бұрын
5:05 Byzantines invented or known to make plate armor similiar to what High Middle Ages Knights wore?
@rileyernst9086Ай бұрын
By disappearing from the pages of history in the 15th century you mean dying alongside their emperor in battle like true Valangians.
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
No, what happened then was the Mongol invasion. Millions of the Monsters, even Kiev was destroyed by them reducing the population of the time of 40,000 to 500, making slaves of the survivors.
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
After the Mongols, came the Ottomans, you know the rest of the story from there.
@torbjartekolshus368827 күн бұрын
It is suggested as the Nordic kingdoms evolved from heathen raiders to Christian states, raids lessened. Ever fewer people lived as warriors and those that did did so in service to their local kings and jarls (earls). Over time fewer Nordic people went south to become Varangians. Similarly after the Crusades ended and the Crusader states fell, fewer and fewer Normans made their way to Byzantine as well. The Varangian guard would have diminished in numbers. It probably ceased to be an effective force, becoming ever more ceremonial before either being disbanded or simply going out of service. Either way it disappeared from history.
@samwisegamgee83184 ай бұрын
Eastern Roman history = INSTANT LIKE
@kalixkatt3 ай бұрын
Dope drawings
@jothegreek4 ай бұрын
Janisairies plz
@dmcf2364 ай бұрын
when thirty years war
@sarahsidney19884 ай бұрын
Great video
@andrerobinson58314 ай бұрын
Did the varangians ever fight the janissaries?
@xanderdylan50854 ай бұрын
Yeah we need to know this fr
@TRLHistory4 ай бұрын
I think the Varangians lasted only until 1204, so not.
@tylerellis90974 ай бұрын
@@jamesheavy789But it’s debated whether they were actual Varangians as native Greeks began to fill the guard and none are mentioned at 1453.
@Clearwood_4 ай бұрын
@@jamesheavy789 Byzantine sources? Sounds made up just like the made up name "Byzantine". I know you meant to say Roman sources. It's not your fault you don't know any better public education has failed a lot of people on this subject.
@shellshockedgerman39474 ай бұрын
@@Clearwood_ Dude, stop trying to sound smart. Its not making you look better.
@aurele24 ай бұрын
its actually interesting seeing different demographics from different parts of Europe serve in the Guard, I mean even how Scandinavians built the kingdoms which are the ancestors of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
@DiscothecaImperialis13 күн бұрын
2:27 10:40 Did Harald Silgurdson convert to Christianity ever? or did he worship Old Gods throughout his rough life?
@nicbahtin47744 ай бұрын
Just a 30 sec to a minute history lesson
@squiglemcsquigle84144 ай бұрын
Why is bulgaria independant after basil II died?
@CemSencar3 ай бұрын
Because at the time of the rebellion Bulgaria has not been subdued yet
@Oxtocoatl1326 күн бұрын
Bulgaria made a comeback some time afterwards.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
Did the late Varangians and the Almogavars clash? I observe an apparent inconsistency when you talk of the 14th century, because the Almogavar War that effectively let the restored Byzantine Empire in tatters, was at the very beginning of that century and I doubt emperors afterwards had much gold to pay their mercenaries at all.
@Phantom-xp2co4 ай бұрын
The varangians existed until the very end of the Easter Roman Empire. But by the XIV century their role was limited to palace guards and escort
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
@@Phantom-xp2co - Makes sense. That should also mean that late "English" Varangians are pretty much anecdote.
@Phantom-xp2co4 ай бұрын
@@LuisAldamiz they are not anecdote, since we have an actual historical account from 1404 about men in Constantinople who speak english and carry axes. It's just that the varangians at this point were more a sort of ceremonial guard than an actual military unit
@Phantom-xp2co4 ай бұрын
@@jamesheavy789 imho varangians were still deployed as military units during the civil war between the regency and John Kantakouzenos. Later? It's hard to say. As we know the late byzantine army is a very obscure topic
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
@@Phantom-xp2co - Different words, same meaning: to me your report is "anecdote", to you it's "not anecdote".
@alyenendrovtsorokean74064 ай бұрын
I thought cataphractoie were the most well known! Followed by them
@grassnothing16314 ай бұрын
Hi
@oriffel4 ай бұрын
cool
@blakebailey224 ай бұрын
Great video! Thank you for not using AI art!
@majorianus80554 ай бұрын
At ast
@Dimitriterrorman4 ай бұрын
The Varangians weren't an elite unite, they were the bodyguards of the Emperor but they weren't used in most armies and wars Furthermore the Cataphractoi were the most elite unite And there were also Elite infantry units which were in most armies unlike the Varangians
@tylerellis90974 ай бұрын
Detachments of Varangians were sent with Byzantine armies during the 11th century notably under George Maniakes and Basil Boioannes.
@rosameltrozo58894 ай бұрын
15:33 they weren't crusaders anymore at that point, as they had been excommunicated plus it was mostly a Venetian thing and the Byzantines had been quite treacherous to the real crusaders for a long time, from the beginning pretty much.
@brad54264 ай бұрын
Didn't History Matters make a video on the Crusaders and the Byzantines? Would like to know more about their relations.
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
The excommunications only came after the Crusaders had become incredibly bloated with stolen wealth from Byzantium and had immense power because of it. The Popes hierarchy felt threatened by this and moved on them.
@Oxtocoatl1326 күн бұрын
The vast majority of the Latin army were crusaders, the Venetians mainly supplied the fleet. A Crusading leader would become the first Latin emperor. And yes, the Byzantines had treated some previous crusades poorly, but the crusaders had also looted and raided Byzantium every time they passed through starting with the First Crusade.The Byzantines were smart to be wary of these passing Latin armies. The Fourth Crusade wasn't even supposed to come through Constantinople, their original plan was to sail for Egypt.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
12:50 - How come was English considered the native language of late Varangian Guards when in England itself it was French (Anglo-Norman, a variant of Old French) the official language until the late 14th century?
@Coquinhaification4 ай бұрын
Because the French in English aristocracy originated from the Normans, and the ones who served the Varangian Guard were Anglo-Saxons dissatisfied with the Norman conquest
@johnarnold79844 ай бұрын
Only the Norman ruling class spoke French, the people of England were still English and spoke English. Overtime Old English developed into Middle English with adoption of some Norman French elements. Those who went to Byzantium to serve in the Varangian Guard from England were not Normans.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
I would have thought that the first to join and to be admitted would be Normans, who are pretty much Vikings but with French language, if anything, Anglosaxons would be secondary to them. The common people were irrelevant here AFAIK: peasants were not warriors, unless exceptionally, nobles were instead. @Coquinhaification @johnarnold7984
@Coquinhaification4 ай бұрын
@@LuisAldamiz it's because these are the Anglo-Saxon warriors leaving England just after the conquest, which is when they established their colony in Crimea and all, so they would be English speaking folks. The Norman warriors mostly remained in England as the new rulers.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
@@Coquinhaification - I'll take that at face value but I still have some doubts.
@clintmoor4224 ай бұрын
hmm, I think they were no mercenaries. more a personal guard of the emperor.
@zydrate50984 ай бұрын
"Byzantium"? Really? Come on..we expect better from you.
@ZippyZapBike4 ай бұрын
While you're correct if they called it the "Roman Empire" then 95% of people would be "wtf?"
@johannl94 ай бұрын
@@ZippyZapBike Eastern roman empire is a thing you know.
@correctionguy76324 ай бұрын
Its the name used by historians
@zydrate50984 ай бұрын
@@correctionguy7632 it's a wildly inaccurate and anachronistic term that has no place in serious discourse, when the correct terminology ie "eastern rome / eastern roman empire" is very much in use.
@zydrate50984 ай бұрын
The historical community needs to educate and correct the larger masses instead of perpetuating a falsehood.@@ZippyZapBike
@Ian28442 ай бұрын
There is no such place as Byzantine Empire It was the Eastern Roman Empire
@Blox1172 ай бұрын
thats like saying americans are british because they speak english and it was british territory. they didnt even speak latin and culturally they were greek. yes, it was the closest descendant of the roman empire, but it doesn't resemble what it was.
@tonykalis62052 ай бұрын
@@Blox117 To be fair the Western Roman Empire of 476AD has little to nothing to do with the Roman Republic of 509BC except the language. In fact, no nation/kingdom/empire that has ever existed hasn't faced an evolution in culture, military, structure of power, language or religion. But that doesn't stop the said political entity to not carry the legacy of its previous rulers.
@Steven-cf1tyАй бұрын
@@tonykalis6205The Western Roman Empire directly held the position of the ethno-cultural successor of the Roman Kingdom. The political theory and legitimacy allowed the Greek half of the empire to claim a form of succession but nobody can seriously claim that the Greek empire in Constantinople had anything more to do with Rome than any kingdom that came out of the Western Roman Empire besides the name they called themselves.
@tonykalis6205Ай бұрын
@@Steven-cf1ty First of all, not only your answer is wrong in the sense that Western and Eastern Roman Empire were almost identical and that in fact that roman Emperor Constantine actually had more interest in the East even before the Empire got split. But secondly your comment has nothing to do with what im saying. What im trying to point out is that culture changes through time. No nation on earth had/has/will have the same culture as their ancestors simply because the values of one's nation changes with time. Furthermore culture doesn't necessarily (and in fact 99% of the time) change the legitimacy of a nation. For example take the modern UK and the one 150 years ago. Completely different cultures, values and mindset of the people. Let's go 500 years ago, different political system, art and military might. Then go 1000 years ago, the language changes, almost zero technological advancements over most nations on the globe and also they English kingdoms haven't even united under one ruler. That's my point, culture changes but it doesn't necessarily change rulership or the legitimacy of a nation.
@tonykalis6205Ай бұрын
@@Steven-cf1ty Sorry that my answer was too long but i feel i had to explain it part by part in order for it to be more understandable.
@lerneanlion4 ай бұрын
In a sense, can the Varangian Guards be considered as the Janissary Corps of the Eastern Roman Empire?
@alexanderb57264 ай бұрын
Fundamentally yes. With some key differences, one being that they were willing and grown participants whereas Janissaries, at least from the start were kidnapped Christian children from the Balkans forced to become soldiers. Another being that Janissaries were tied for life in their vocation, while being Varangian was more of a career great warriors could opt for but eventually also retire from. Harald Hardrada is an example of this. This was possible due to the steady and perpetual flow of warriors from north europe who were willing to become Varangians as soon as others returned home as rich men. I also don't think Janissaries enjoyed the same status as Varangians, as they were bodyguards to the emperor but also advisers, generals of the armies and could even at times install a candidate they favoured to the throne. But I wouldn't be be surprised if Janissaries were established with inspiration from Varangians. The Ottomans after all, fancied themelves the spiritual successors of the roman empire (big 'ol wannabes if you ask me). Something which thereto only Christian european kingdoms (which is logical) had laid claim to since it was a Christian empire.
@sasi58414 ай бұрын
The janissary was more link the praetorian guard regarding their political behavior. But simlar to varangians in military roles.
@v4enthusiast5414 ай бұрын
@@alexanderb5726Byzantines would often impose mandatory retirement (or at least transferred to somewhere different) so they wouldn't get too comfortable/form strong relationships with important people
@adamsmith87974 ай бұрын
Not really. As the janissaries were enslaved, Christian boys brainwashed and forced to serve for life while the Varangian were volunteers who were payed and could leave anytime they wanted
@Phantom-xp2co4 ай бұрын
No they can't. Janissaries were a parasitic caste who murdered in cold blood many sultans to keep their privileges. Varangians were decently loyal mercenaries
@doctorblue2059Ай бұрын
That map has nothing to do with reality
@Clearwood_4 ай бұрын
Byzantiums most sought after mercenaries? The picture you're using is of a Roman Emperor and the emperors bodyguard. Byzantium ceased to exist in the year 330. These in the picture are from a later time period.
@levilastun8294 ай бұрын
The Eastern Roman Empire is many times called the Byzantine Empire and the Greek Empire. Even though they never called that themselves
@mattaffenit98984 ай бұрын
It's a term that showed up in the 1550s that some (a lot of) people use to describe Eastern Rome as a separate state. I don't like it either.
@Harib_Al-Saq4 ай бұрын
You can't be serious.
@alicelund1474 ай бұрын
No the Eastern Roman Empire is called Byzantine Empire by modern historians for the period after East Rome became more Greek, in the Middle Ages after the end of the Western Roman Empire.
@Clearwood_4 ай бұрын
@@alicelund147 "modern" I refuse to spread lies and propaganda. They called themselves Romans their enemies called them Romans. You can believe revisionist history if you like that's your right but I won't follow it.
@pepperspray73864 ай бұрын
who are the byzantines? is that the empire made up by the germans so they can be the ones who conquered rome, instead of the muslims?
@zombies12384 ай бұрын
I believe you are talking about the Ostrogoth. They sacked the western roman empire.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
The Dacians who spoke Greek and hated Rome, ask in the court of Diocletian...
@valerysinitsine59494 ай бұрын
Kievan Rus and Byzantine Empire - neither entity ever existed.
@mysticnovelbro4 ай бұрын
not under those names anyways.
@LuisAldamiz4 ай бұрын
At least the capital cities are correctly named. Byzantium was never really Rome but an usurpation.
@MasonBryant4 ай бұрын
Are you trying to be profound?
@WarriorofChrist6124 ай бұрын
@@LuisAldamizEastern Rome was just the Eastern Roman empire that managed to survive until 1453. Not usurpation because they split off to make management of Rome easier. You’re either stupid, or you don’t know the definition of usurpation 😂
@valerysinitsine59494 ай бұрын
@@MasonBryant Just stating the facts.
@bydloshkolnik4 ай бұрын
tl:dr : varangian guard was only good when it was consisted of the original varangians, e.g the Russians 6000 of whom the prince of the Rus has gifted to the Emperor of the Roman Empire. Those were indeed - OP. But then the William The Conqueror has took England, and puny anglo-saxons who lost to him has started to flee the England and flocking to the banners of varangians. The mercenary pool has been polluted with influx of dirty poor English "peasants" and the varangians lost every battle after. Including a humiliation defeat from the crusade of 1204.
@honestlordcommissarbrighte79214 ай бұрын
This is such a retarded overgeneralization its almost hilarious. Its almost as if the general's leadership, tactics employed, regular army troopers and their morale, army preparedness are inconsequential because the "Varungeeayans" were invincible supermen here to save the day. Dude, shut the fuck up for us 😂
@patrikdahlberg18253 ай бұрын
Where do you get russians from? :P Most that served in the Varangian Guard were of Scandinavian descent. People mix this crap up all the time because of the fact that they came or traveled through KievnRus lol. I can assure you that Slaic people were not very common in the guard
@bydloshkolnik3 ай бұрын
@@patrikdahlberg1825 i've already written what history has told us. The sources are widely known. You should read them before writing also. The Rus are the Russians since what is written in the Russian primary chronicle, and 6000 of them were gifted to the Emperor by the Svyatoslav the prince of the Rus. Y ou call them Scandinavians yet even the terminology e.g. Varangian - is unknown still and disputed.
@patrikdahlberg18253 ай бұрын
@@bydloshkolnik Ugh I am not even going to bother here. The fact that you even use russians as an example during this time period makes no sense
@bydloshkolnik3 ай бұрын
@@patrikdahlberg1825 What period are you talking about the varangian guard of the ERE has started at the 1034 A.D. The Kievan Rus was in it's 3nd century of existence. The primary chronicle which states the Rus are Russians was written at the 1113 only 80 years after the formation of the Varangians not to mention that it could have started to get written decades before the official date. So the nation has been formed by that time. Do not mix the 8 and 11 century.
@ivanstrydom84174 ай бұрын
The Varangian guards caused the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. The Professional Standing army of the Byzantines were far more effective for 600 years before the over-hyped Varangians flopped onto the scene. The Varangians is just one more part of the overemphasised furry Viking hype train.
@SamO-ik2cm4 ай бұрын
Are you sure?
@ivanstrydom84174 ай бұрын
@@SamO-ik2cm Indeed.
@odlfmariner4703 ай бұрын
"furry viking hype train"? Also they did not cause the downfall of Byzantium.
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
What a load of rubbish. The Manzikert loss was caused by the Muslim recruits deserting to the enemies ranks.
@xModerax3 ай бұрын
When the CK3 Emeperor demands to know why his kids are all blonde with blue eyes...😊
@Tortuga-nt4pm2 ай бұрын
didn't one of the Emperators married a norse woman?
@novahascake2 ай бұрын
@@Tortuga-nt4pm Basil I, i think
@imperator78284 ай бұрын
Alexios also defeated the Normans at Larissa, not merely bribed the German Emperor
@bvbxiong57914 ай бұрын
My great great great great great great great great great great great great great grandfather was a Varangian guard.
@F_Yale4 ай бұрын
Did the later inclusion of Anglo-Saxons into the Guard have anything to do with the erstwhile Norse influence on that culture?
@alicelund1474 ай бұрын
Probably. To the Byzantines there was probably not much difference between Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians.
@squiglemcsquigle84144 ай бұрын
It has more to do with the expulsions of the norse from britain. More infighting in scandinavia and later on anglo saxons feeing from the genocidal actions of william the bastard
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
They all spoke the Old West Norse Dialect in those times.
@joknaepkens3 ай бұрын
Time stamp 1:12 -> I assume you mean East?
@ivansalamon70284 ай бұрын
Wasn't the Varangian guard compromised of a lot of Slavs from the later Rus as well? I am actually wondering if this is true.
@Ian-yf7uf4 ай бұрын
The Rus were just swedish vikings living in Ukraine and Russia. They eventually got absorbed into native Slavic populations but they were pretty Scandinavian in culture for most of their early history.
@ivansalamon70284 ай бұрын
@@Ian-yf7uf Yeah I understand that I'd how the Rus started out, but that raises the question of at what point the intermingling with the local populations started and have any of the Varangians in the subsequent years been culturally and ethnically more Slavic or Slavic at all at some point. The Slavic influence in Varangian equipment is not hard to come across in various depictions, but this video would have you believe they were rather strictly norse and later on Anglo saxon, at least up until some point, which could very well be true, but I am wondering if it was so clear cut for all, if any of the duration of their existence as the Byzantine elite forces
@tylerellis90974 ай бұрын
The initial 5000 would have most likely included Slavs yes but afterwards Scandinavia and England were the main recruiting grounds.
@d.dante_vergil4 ай бұрын
@@ivansalamon7028 The varangians of the early days must have come solely from Nordic stocks. Kievan Rus seemed to have served mostly as the middle-man between Byzantium and the Scandinavian realms. Moreover, since cultures migrate more than people do, the Slavic features on the Varangians' equipments must have symbolized both ethnic and cultural significance.
@mattaffenit98984 ай бұрын
It was originally Rus aristocracy, but yeah. Plus Norsemen and even Anglo-Saxons, at least earlier on.
@pastapockets9844 ай бұрын
They also occupied a fortified harbour called No-Man's-Wharf.
@MarztheStoic2 ай бұрын
7:15 It's funny because the Rohmphaia is also referred to as "The Arm of the Emperor."
@torbjartekolshus368827 күн бұрын
Is it possible that the Rhomphaia is called such by historians who have worked off of the mistranslation? Nordic warriors and Norman warriors would have been far more likely to use two-bladed swords, either the Nordic and Norman swords they were used to, or the Byzantine equivalent. Basically arming-swords and broadswords. The single-edged Rhomphaia curving the wrong way would have been somewhat alien to them. If they used it I would hazard it was mostly as ceremonial weapons, not actually in combat.
@bigsarge20854 ай бұрын
Incredible history!
@Hauptmann_Rudolf.Rudi.Winkler4 ай бұрын
Artist? 🍻
@LEFT4GABEN4 ай бұрын
Varangians probably were the best Shock Infantry to ever exist. They have the Berserker mentality of their Viking Ancestors, but were drilled and equipped to the highest Standards of the Late Eastern Romans. I would imagine that any competent General would ensure that they were ordered to Charge enemy Infantry after ensuring they were safe from being harassed by Calvary, and such a direct charge would consistently produce devasting results...
@johntitor_ibm51004 ай бұрын
This is pretty much the Battle of Beroia. Emperor John II was wounded by an arrow to the leg or foot, but he still led his Varangians to a charge towards the Pecheneg wagon fort. They hacked and slashed at the Pechenegs so hard that they disappeared from the historical record as an independent entity after the battle.
@amronnog4 ай бұрын
Babe woke me up for this
@blackhawkdown3424 ай бұрын
Always cool to learn about new parts of history great video on awesome warriors
@hiddendesire30764 ай бұрын
Someone should send this to Ubisoft, given they had the bright idea to make the Varangian Guard hero a female only class.
@alyenendrovtsorokean74064 ай бұрын
Lol what?
@BorgCoitus4 ай бұрын
Ah yes, as we all know, For Honor is prized for its incredible attention to historical accuracy.
@F_Yale4 ай бұрын
You should probably give up any hope and faith you still have in this woke garbage-tier dev.
@hiddendesire30764 ай бұрын
@@F_Yale Honestly the only game of theirs I give any hope to is Skull and Bones, which yes, while being the Fallout 76 equivalent for them because of its launch, I feel can at least turn out decent with its roadmap and announced incoming features.
@shellshockedgerman39474 ай бұрын
@@F_Yale Imagine using woke unironically in 2024 lmao
@kalixkatt3 ай бұрын
Something to note is that after the battle of Dyracchium Alexios signed a deal with Venice giving them increased trading rights and special privileges in exchange for their navies cutting of the normans. This in turn led to the increased Latin presence in the capitol which in turn resulted in the fourth crusade and the looting of Constantinople.
@Oxtocoatl1326 күн бұрын
In a way yes, but only indirectly. Relations with Venice were pretty good until Manuel Komnenos mass arrested them and later Andronikos Komnenos sanctioned violent attacks on them. Before that the Venetians were a key ally on a number of occasions, guarding the Adriatic against attacks from the West.
@user-bchfldmgd4 ай бұрын
👍👍
@emiralidemirel974 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@wiktorberski92724 ай бұрын
Really a very interesting episode. It was a great pleasure to watch
@kleinweichkleinweich4 ай бұрын
героям слава
@MonkeNapoleon4 ай бұрын
Last time I was this early, Anatolia was still Roman!
@kleinweichkleinweich4 ай бұрын
and Attila was some important guy
@estebancastellino32844 ай бұрын
👍
@strider27134 ай бұрын
My wet dream is for my father, my brother, and myself to be varangian guard. Going from medieval sweden to constantinople before 1204 would've been like going to space.
@andrewhart6377Ай бұрын
From 1070 onwards they were almost exclusively Anglo-Saxon.
@srdjandedic80514 ай бұрын
Great video about the guard. Just one note: the maps are totally inaccurate especially after Basil II period before Manzikert (Bulgaria was part of Eastern Roman empire) and during Alexios Komenenos reign (he reconquered Anatolia coast during First Crusade)
@-NovaRoma.4 ай бұрын
Sandrhoman history i want to ask what are your thoughts about the name byzantium should we use it or should we call the empire eastern Roman empire?
@Sev8264 ай бұрын
I know you didnt ask me, but I think *using* either one is fine, as long as its understood that the name wasn't used while it existed, only 100s of years later by historians.
@-NovaRoma.4 ай бұрын
@@Sev826 thanks
@Clearwood_4 ай бұрын
@@Sev826 How is using a false name fine? That's spreading a lie all because of a German historians'propaganda. I use the name the people alive at that time used.
@Clearwood_4 ай бұрын
@@-NovaRoma.Byzantium ceased to exist in the year 330 and the Roman Empire was finally conquered in 1453. The name Byzantine is German propaganda for the Holy Roman Empire. The name stuck in the west.
@-NovaRoma.4 ай бұрын
@@Clearwood_ I don't think we can call it propaganda but okay thanks 👍
@rehurekj4 ай бұрын
2: 03 says he besieged city right at the bosphorus, shows map with the actual city located at dardanelles...
@REAPERthePRUSKIE2 ай бұрын
Loyal my ass they deserted during the 4th Crusade when Constantinople was being sacked Yeahhhh I'm a bit too hard on them after all that was one of the only times they deserted and their emperor had run away but still deserting when their city was being sacked sucks for such a legendry unit even if it was one of the only times they deserted
@medievalist84412 ай бұрын
Heyy they quit at the last moment and for paid mercenaries of the ever changing emperor and ever shifting Byzantine court politics that's way more loyalty shown than what
@REAPERthePRUSKIE2 ай бұрын
@@medievalist8441Still a big stink in their reputation
@parodyclip362 ай бұрын
@@REAPERthePRUSKIEThe crusades were brutal. Even ceysqders themselves betrayed the crusades and the Byzantine Empire. Harsh of you to judge the varangians when realistically no one was 100% helping the Byzantines
@REAPERthePRUSKIE2 ай бұрын
@@parodyclip36Yeah but still they deserted even tho the city was probably gone they could've at least put up a good last stand After all they were trained for that
@Dovahkiin01172 ай бұрын
@@REAPERthePRUSKIEfor what take the L and go on the city was lost
@Popiward4 ай бұрын
Videos are slowed down to .75
@uelibinde4 ай бұрын
varangians were vikings not rus!
@mattaffenit98984 ай бұрын
They were both. And also Anglo-Saxons after the Norman conquest of England caused a lot of them to bail. Also assuming you mean Norsemen since viking is neither an ethnicity nor a culture. The Rus are also supposedly Norsemen that settled in Eastern Europe (Rurikid Dynasty being descended from Rurik/Hrorik). So the aristocracy could also have been Norse, at least for a while.
@bandit62724 ай бұрын
"Viking" was an occupation, not an ethnic group. Also, there were a lot of Rus in it too. All along the volga, Scandinavian and the Rus had a lot of cultural exchange, making them more similar culturally than you think.
@bomb81494 ай бұрын
originally they came from the Kieven Rus which was created by vikings