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Description

Varangian Mercenary guard(9thc A.D.)

The depicted warrior is a væringi (probably from old Norse word vár or “pledge” or “faith”, and “gengi” or “companion”), therefore “sworn companion”, a companion under oath to serve and protect with faith and steel. The Viking settlers of Russia who ruled much territory came in contact with the Byzantine empire, founding a long lasting tradition of imperial bodyguards corps, the famous Varangian Guard.

In this illustration the Varangian is depicted in a more “native” style armor of eastern Europe : a combination of mail and lamellar torso armor, a round shield and a Slavic variation of the “Gjermundbu” Viking helmet. His main offensive weapon is the large Scandinavian battle axe, ideal weapon for mutilating men and horses.As secondary offensive weapons he carries the large "seax" single edge dagger and the Scandinavian broad-bladed sword (partly visible in the illustration hanging from his back).

(Uniform research and reconstruction - illustration by Christos Giannopoulos, commissioned artwork (2006) published in Greece and Italy)

Description

Varangian Mercenary guard(9thc A.D.)

The depicted warrior is a væringi (probably from old Norse word vár or “pledge” or “faith”, and “gengi” or “companion”), therefore “sworn companion”, a companion under oath to serve and protect with faith and steel. The Viking settlers of Russia who ruled much territory came in contact with the Byzantine empire, founding a long lasting tradition of imperial bodyguards corps, the famous Varangian Guard.

In this illustration the Varangian is depicted in a more “native” style armor of eastern Europe : a combination of mail and lamellar torso armor, a round shield and a Slavic variation of the “Gjermundbu” Viking helmet. His main offensive weapon is the large Scandinavian battle axe, ideal weapon for mutilating men and horses.As secondary offensive weapons he carries the large "seax" single edge dagger and the Scandinavian broad-bladed sword (partly visible in the illustration hanging from his back).

(Uniform research and reconstruction - illustration by Christos Giannopoulos, commissioned artwork (2006) published in Greece and Italy)