"Poi si recarono dal Gran principe della Rus' e gli chiesero aiuto. [...] Questo li soccorse con una grande moltitudine dei suoi uomini, ed erano uomini forti e potenti, di grande coraggio".
"Variaghi" era un termine generico per indicare gli scandinavi nell'Europa dell’est. Interessante è il fatto che anche la principale via di commercio che partiva dalla Scandinavia e giungeva al Mar Nero veniva chiamata la “via variago-greca”. Per la precisione venivano definiti “variaghi” i mercenari al servizio del principe della Rus'. Secondo le fonti un contingente di variaghi sarebbe stato inviato da Vladimir “il Grande” nel 988 a Costantinopoli a servire l’imperatore bizantino. Alcuni lo vedono come l’inizio della famosa "guardia variaga" di Costantinopoli, la guardia privata dell’imperatore. Ma solo a partire dall’XI secolo si può parlare con certezza di una chiara identità scandinava della guardia variaga. Un fatto interessante è che alcuni soldati anglosassoni, fuggiti dopo la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra nel 1066, andarono a rinforzare la guardia imperiale. In questo modo, due rami di “uomini del nord” si incontrano di nuovo.
Konstantinopel, 11th–12th c.
Ivory
Köln, Museum Schnütgen, Inv. B6
This small ivory plate was originally attached to a rosette box. Decorated boxes were popular among the upper classes in Constantinople. They were used to store personal possessions and precious objects. Warriors are a common pictorial motifs and, following ancient tradition, they are often depicted naked. The warrior depicted in relief on this plate has been identified as a “Varangian” because of his Danish axe.
Sigtuna, 11th c.
Ivory
Sigtuna, Sigtuna Museum & Art, Inv. 14258
This ivory comb was found in Sweden but produced in the eastern Mediterranean. On the front it is decorated with a lion, on the back with two birds. In addition, it bears a runic inscription which was probably carved by a later owner. It reads “KUNT”, but its meaning remains a mystery. The comb was brought to Scandinavia probably via Eastern Europe, perhaps as the personal possession of a Varangian.
Harald Hardråde is also called the “last Viking”. The story of his life and his adventures show the mobility of people in the 11th century. Read the comic and learn more about his adventurous life.
There are surprisingly few depictions of Varangians or the Varangian Guard from the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, their traces can be found all over Europe and the Mediterranean. They prove the high mobility of people of Scandinavian origin in medieval times. Learn more about selected examples by turning the wheels.