Waräger
the term Waräger (Varingr of old north. “var”, oath) or Rus is a name for the Skandinavier with the slawischen peoples of Eastern Europe and in the Byzantine realm.
The Waräger was connected by oaths and oaths, as well as common commercial interests Scandinavian armed man federations, between that the 8. and 12. Century in the Baltic and in Eastern Europe were active. They used the large rivers such as Wolchow, Newa, Düna, Volga, Dnjepr and Don, around itself in the Eastern EuropeanTo move low country. The Waräger appeared to Konstantinopel as dealers , Krieger and settlers and came during their commercial travels over the black sea until, where they placed at the same time the body guard (Warägergarde) of the eastRoman emperor, and over that Kaspi sea even in the Bagdad removed far. Also the body guards of the Russian princes, the Drushinas, decrease/go back to warägische oath communities.
The Waräger was participated in the establishment of the realm of the Kiewer Rus. Starting from that 9. Century settledit itself first as mercenaries, then as aristocracy - and leader layer under the Ostslawen on. This resident Skandinavier become in Russia was up to the end 10. Century completely slawisiert. From now on they any more than Waräger did not become(soot. “Warjagi”) designates, because the word “Waräger” designated in each case foreigner, never native one and/or. Integrated.
However 13 came to in. Century always again new Krieger from Scandinavia, over in the Kiewer Rus a time long asTo serve mercenary. This strange Skandinavier was called further Waräger, in demarcation to the native Rus.
The Waräger was mentioned first in the Nestorchronik.
In more recent time the term served among other things than name for the Russian warship As well as be-hunt a planned division of the weapon SS.
literature
- Scholz, Birgit, of the Chronistik to the modern science of history. Those be-AEG-inquires in the Russian, German and Swedish historiography. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2000
see also: History of Russia, history of the Ukraine, History of white Russia, Nestorchronik, Gardarike, aluminium-Madjus
