The Varangian is ... What does "the way from the Varangians to the Greeks" mean?

The history of Ancient Rus practically begins in virtually every textbook: from the vocation for the principality of Oleg Veschego, Prince of Novgorod, who brought to Kiev the descendant of Rurik - Igor. He moved along the way from the Varangians to the Greeks, then left on the banks of the Dnieper and, defeating Askold and Dir, ascended the throne. But scientists find in this story a lot of inaccuracies, white spots are not filled with reliable data. So we'll try to figure out: the Varangian is who? And where did this famous path go?

Vikings - the thunder of the seas

Who has not heard of brave Vikings who, in their fragile vessels, adorned with terrible monsters, conquered the seas? These northern warriors scared the whole coastal Europe. It is they who, according to legend, were the first to discover America.

Robbers from Scandinavia and Denmark had many names: Normans, Vikings, Scandinavians ... Varyag is the Russian name of the rulers of the Baltic Sea. By the way, the sea itself in the Old Russian annals was called only Varyazhsky.

It is known that the pirates of the eighth-eleventh centuries were not just an ethnos, called Vikings. This is more a bunch of landless people who were driven out of need by foreign countries. They were then joined by residents of not only the northern lands, but also other countries, forming a certain community. Thus, it can be argued that the Varangian is a representative of this group or, if you like, a profession.

Vikings in Russia

In the glorious city of Veliky Novgorod, the Varangians were divided into several categories. Mainly by ethnicity. Differed svei, goti, urmanas, angles, dany and Varangians rus. The latter included the Slavs from the southern shore of the Varangian Sea. And there lived vagra, varna, Varangian, varangi and varin (by the way, vagra and varangi - this is the German pronunciation of the names of these tribes).

Together with Oleg Veschem Novgorod arrived Varangians Rus, they also joined him in the golden-haired Kyiv. By the way, even Askold and Dir are considered former military commanders of Rurik. Already on the territory of Russia, the sea robbers settled, made up her army, became full owners of the land. Since they could not already be called Varangians (they changed their craft), they were simply called Rus. Hence, apparently, the name of the state happened. Some part of the Varangians arrived in Byzantium, where they entered the service of the emperor and formed the Varangian Guard, so to speak, some kind of elite, a kind of special forces of that time.

Varangian traders

In addition to the version that the Varangian is a mercenary, an excellent warrior who had years of wandering around the seas, there was evidence that he was a merchant. Merchant ships cruised the seas, the oceans, and also along the rivers. Armed to the teeth, they could easily repel the attacking robbers. In the surviving chronicles (Kievskaya, Smolenskaya) it is pointed out that the territory between Rostislav, to which the south of Rus (from the Byzantine lands to Kiev), and Izyaslav, to which the north went to the Varangians, was divided. That is, it was not said that until the Varangian lands, since such could not be, but to the territory controlled by the merchants-Varangians. But that's not all.

As evidence that the way from the Varangians to the Greeks basically served brave merchants, you can give the following facts:

• The word "brewed" is still used by the old-timers as a designation of the commerce. Even the saying "full charge" means that bargaining is no longer appropriate. And in Moscow, a Varangian is called a merchant-trainer (pedlar, peddler).
• In 1188-1190 between the Varangians and the Novgorodians there was enmity. The fact that the citizens of Novgorod detained their merchants and put them in jail, stubbornly testifies that among the Vikings there were those who were engaged in trade. In addition to the detention of the Varangians, the townspeople did not let their people out of the sea, and the envoys were driven out.
• In 1205, another quarrel between the inhabitants of Rus and the Varangians was recorded. The latter agreed to all the conditions of Rusich, if only they were allowed to trade in these lands.

Bold defenders

Trade - the craft is not easy. But in addition to profits, it also promises to remain with nothing, because the sea routes were controlled by pirates. And the way from the Varangians to the Greeks was dangerous: on the banks settled river robbers, who were called Polyanitsi. Travelers not only took away the goods, but often they paid with their lives. That is why trade was in great need of defenders - brave, brave, skilful warriors, who were not afraid to meet the danger. And if we add to these qualities also a good knowledge of the sea business, navigation and navigation, there were no equal Vikings at all. The Varangians simply hired in an escort and accompanied the merchants in their way.

Ancient trade route

On the territory of Russia lay the famous path of merchants - from the Varangians to the Greeks. It not only connected the northern lands with the richest Constantinople (Byzantine Empire) - it was an important trading artery, a road through which people exchanged knowledge, achievements, inventions, cultural values. In addition, it was on the rivers that entered this message system that the main cities of Rus were founded, which immediately became centers of economic and cultural life. The richest finds from these lands can tell a lot. Archaeologists found here a lot of coins of gold and silver, minted by Europeans, Africans and Arabs, and in addition, brooches, masks, tools, jewelry, weapons. Mounds are of considerable interest to historians.

This "Silk Road of Europe" ran along this route: the Baltic Sea - the Gulf of Finland - the Neva - the Ladoga Lake - the Volkhov River - the Ilmen Lake - the Lovat River, the Cunha River, the Serezha River. Then the rooks dragged themselves to Torop, along which the Varangians already swam to the Western Dvina, the Casly, and then again to Volodya to Katyn. Then there was the Dnieper and the Black Sea. Having stopped on the islets of Berezan, Khortitsa or Serpentine, the travelers re-equipped their vessels and moved along the European coast to Constantinople. Through the Sea of Azov and the Volga merchants could go to the east, to the Bulgars and Arabs.

The trade route on river systems with the use of dragging has decayed for several reasons. First, the Mongols attacked Russia, so there was no point in trading here: people simply did not have the means, the crafts fell into decay, and the risk was too great. In addition, it was necessary to obtain a special permission from the khan. Secondly, scientific and technological progress did its job, shipbuilding developed, so the ships became more and more comfortable, and the sea route - easier and safer.

Merchant goods

The reader is probably interested in what goods were transported by the famous route that connected the north and south of Europe, the west and east of the continent. From Scandinavia, merchants carried walrus, raw iron, ship ropes, whale skin products, amber, weapons and armor, and artwork. A special category was the things looted during the voyages of the sea voyages: jewelry made of precious metals, French wines, batiste and silk, silverware and other utensils. From the Byzantine Empire, merchants carried items of glass, gold and silver, precious stones, spices, wine, icons, expensive fabrics and books. The Baltic States supplied to the market amber and items from it. Russia provided merchants with such goods as:

• Honey, wax;
• Forged Products;
• ceramics;
• Linen and fabrics;
• wood;
• resin;
• Leather and fur;
• Weapons;
• bread;
• Slate spindle;
• Art and craft products

Varangian and modern

"The Way from the Varangians" today denotes a hard road full of trials and dangers, and the traveler himself seems romantic and a madman, who, however, does not take courage. It is not surprising that this word is used to refer to ships and snowmobiles, and writers and screenwriters are constantly turning to the theme of the Vikings. For example, "Varyag Taiga", a universal snowmobile, is a hit of sales among similar products. Powerful, comfortable, fast and affordable, it helps to move around snow-covered areas and frozen rivers. After all, there are no obstacles for the Viking!

The most famous ship

The ship, named after the ancient warrior from the north, also had an unusual fate. "Varyag" - a cruiser that was built in the late nineteenth century at the shipyard of Philadelphia. Solemnly launched in November 1899, he had to strengthen the Russian fleet. The miracle of the technique was beautiful, but it had many shortcomings, which was why it was constantly being repaired. Place of service - the water area of the Far East - it took in 1902. In 1904, the Japanese, considering the ship the best in the Russian fleet, blocked it in the bay of Chemulpo. There, giving a heroic fight and not wanting to surrender to the enemies, the legendary "Varyag" went to the bottom. The cruiser was later picked up by the Japanese and, renamed "Soyu", included in its fleet. Then the ship was returned to Russia, and after the October Revolution, a British flag was raised on its board. In 1920, he was written off and dismantled for scrap.

Vikings and art

The cruiser Varyag, which was discussed above, took an unequal battle during the Russo-Japanese War. Blocked in the Bay of Chemulpo, the ship, along with the gunboat "Korean" was attacked by six cruisers and eight destroyers. The proud "Varyag" got serious damage, however, in order not to surrender, he was sunk by his own team. The Russian sailors also blew up a gunboat. The sailors and officers met with honors at home, and the royal court even awarded them honorary titles.

The feat of the Russian sailors inspired the Austrian writer Rudolf Greintz, who wrote poems about the Varangian, singing the bravery of the team. Very soon the text was translated into Russian and put on music. The song about the proud ship, which does not surrender to the enemy, was very popular in the country, especially during the years of the First World War. True, it was not without censorship: a verse about yellow-faced features was thrown out of it, since the Japanese at that time were allies of the empire, and the authorship of the German was hushed up. But, whatever it was, it has come down to our days and is particularly fondly loved in the Navy.

Alexander Mazin. "Varangian"

And a lot, and little information has reached us about these people. A lot of puzzles about them are fraught with history. The Varangian is an unusual person, the son of his era. His life is a story about the exploits and struggle of not only people with their own kind, but also with nature. The brave Vikings defied the element and the weather, conquering them with their skill and fearlessness. It was they, sitting in small ships-shells with a scrap of sail, set off on a campaign, despite the raging hurricane. Severe cold, snow and land, unsuitable for farming, made them hardy and strong. Inspired by the strength of the spirit of these ancient warriors, Alexander Mazin wrote his book about them. "Varyag" is a story about Sergey Dukharev, a former paratrooper, who was left incomprehensible by the tenth century. At that time, Prince Igor was in charge in Kiev , and dense forests stretched out around him . Russia's neighbors were bellicose Varangians and nomadic Pechenegs, who violated the peace of the state. It was then that the hero, accustomed to the benefits of civilization, becomes happy. He finds his place under the sun, deserves respect among the Vikings, finds love. The popularity of the book caused the author to continue the narrative and create a whole cycle of stories about that time.

Instead of an epilogue

We can safely say that the Vikings (Vikings, Normans) - this is not just part of the story. These are its creators, since without their influence the world would be quite different. This is a mystery that has yet to be solved by the next generation.