The Varangians of Byzantium

This book examines how the Norsemen came to be drawn into the Imperial service.

Benedict Benedikz (Author)

9780521035521, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 April 2007

260 pages
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.5 cm, 0.404 kg

An aura of romance has clung about the Varangians for over six centuries. This book examines how the Norsemen came to be drawn into the Imperial service until the greatest of all the Emperors of the East, Basil II, formed them into the regiment of guards which was to give unique service to the Empire. It surveys the history of the regiment down to the collapse of High Byzantium in 1204 and traces the remnant of the Varangians to the very last day of the Empire in May 1453.

Illustrations
Preface
1. Varangians and their origins
2. The army and navy of the High Byzantine Empire
3. Norse and Russian forces in the Byzantine army to the death of Romanos III
4. Haraldr Siguroarson and his period as a Varangian in Constantinople, 1034–1043
5. The Varangians between 1042 and 1081
6. Varangians during the period 1081–1204
7. The ghost of the regiment: Varangian evidences 1204–1453
8. The Emperor, his Court, his guards and his city
9. Some individual Norse and English Varangians and travellers to Byzantium
10. Runic inscriptions concerning Varangians
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]