1000 year old Byzantine gold earring found in Scandanavia
quote:
Originally posted by Modern Day Savage: My knowledge of Viking history is fairly limited, and this story caught my eye because I wasn't aware that the Vikings' travels took them as far as the Middle East….
Russia and Newfoundland, aka Vinland.
______________________________________________ "If the truth shall kill them, let them die.”
Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
December 14, 2021, 10:39 AM
photohause
Great post- thanks! I'm an art history buff.
Don't. drink & drive, don't even putt.
December 14, 2021, 10:44 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
quote:
Originally posted by SIGnified: . Not unusual to think that they were doing trade.
hmmmm, trade? Pillaging maybe
Or neither. There was a long history of bands of Vikings traveling down the Russian rivers to the Black Sea and hiring themselves out to the Byzantine Empire as mercenaries. Norsemen made up a decent chunk of the Byzantine military, including the elite Imperial Guard known as the Varangian Guard.
December 14, 2021, 06:19 PM
reflex/deflex 64
The beginnings of a fine Clive Cussler novel I’d say.
----------The weather is here I wish you were beautiful----------
December 14, 2021, 10:59 PM
Modern Day Savage
When I first posted the topic I just thought I was just sharing a story that interested me in the hope that others might find it interesting... but as often happens on this forum, I end up learning more than I share.
I watched the first couple seasons of Vikings, but I must've missed some of the storyline, or they never covered the Mediterranean and Middle East travels in those seasons. I've obviously got some gaps in my knowledge in Viking and world history that I'm going to have to work to correct.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their comments! Learned something new and had some fun along the way! You guys ROCK!
December 15, 2021, 08:58 AM
RogueJSK
Yeah, that wasn't covered in the early seasons of the Vikings TV show, which focused on Scandinavia, the British Isles, and eventually France. The latest season (Season 6) expands out a bit more, includes references to Viking history involving Russia, the Silk Road, and the Varangians.
Here's a good YouTube video that covers the history of Viking mercenaries in the Byzantine military.
December 15, 2021, 09:08 AM
RichardC
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
quote:
Originally posted by SIGnified: . Not unusual to think that they were doing trade.
hmmmm, trade? Pillaging maybe
Or neither. There was a long history of bands of Vikings traveling down the Russian rivers to the Black Sea and hiring themselves out to the Byzantine Empire as mercenaries. Norsemen made up a decent chunk of the Byzantine military, including the elite Imperial Guard known as the Varangian Guard.
Don't forget the Swedish Bikini Airborne Team did a stint with the Byzantines.
December 15, 2021, 09:26 AM
mr kablammo
For education and entertainment check out the Kings & Generals channel on YT. The russian history episodes have viking material.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye". The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, pilot and author, lost on mission, July 1944, Med Theatre.
December 15, 2021, 05:52 PM
tacfoley
Look up L'Anse au Meadows in Canada to see a Viking settlement on Eastern Northern american continent.
December 15, 2021, 08:39 PM
satch
The Vikings invented the Jury Trial. And later converted to Christianity.
