Some believe that Varangians are just a Russian term for Vikings. In fact, there are many significant differences between the Varangians and the Vikings.
Origin of names
The concepts “Viking” and “Varangian” have completely different origins. Most historians believe that "Viking" originates from the word "vík", which is translated from Old Norse as "cove" or "fjord". However, there are other versions. Thus, Doctor of Historical Sciences T. Jackson claims that the name “Viking” comes from the Latin “vicus” - a small settlement of artisans and traders. This word was used back in the Roman Empire. Such settlements were often located on the territory of military camps. The Swedish scientist F. Askerberg stated that the basis for the noun “Viking” was the verb “vikja” - to leave, turn. According to his hypothesis, the Vikings are people who left their native places in order to earn a living. Askerberg’s fellow countryman, researcher B. Daggfeldt, suggested that the word “Viking” has much in common with the Old Scandinavian phrase “vika sjóvar,” which meant “the interval between the changes of oarsmen.” Therefore, in the original version, the term “víking” most likely referred to long journeys across the sea, involving frequent changes of rowers.
The version about the origin of the term “Varangian” was one of the first to be expressed by Sigismund von Herberstein, the Austrian ambassador, historian and writer. He suggested that the name “Varangians” is associated with the city of Vagria, where the Vandals lived. The expression “Varyags” came from the name of the inhabitants of this city “Vagrs”. Much later, the Russian historian S. Gedeonov considered that the word “warang”, meaning sword and discovered by him in Pototsky’s Baltic-Slavic dictionary, is perfectly suited to the role of the primary source of the term. Many historians associate “Varangian” with the ancient Germanic “wara” - oath, vow, oath. And the linguist M. Vasmer considered the Scandinavian concept “váringr” - loyalty, responsibility - to be the progenitor of the “Varangian”.
Miscellaneous activities
The concepts of “Viking” and “Norman”, according to historians, should not be identified, since the Normans are a nationality, while the Vikings are rather just a way of life. In particular, Irish researchers F. Byrne and T. Powell speak about this. Byrne, in his book A New Look at the History of Viking Age Ireland, argues that the only term that can be equated with the term “Viking” is the term “pirate”. Because robberies were the main source of income for the Vikings. The Vikings were not sedentary and did not follow laws.
The Varangians were a unique social layer of society. These were warriors for hire who guarded the borders of Byzantium from the attacks of the same Vikings. The eldest daughter of the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos, Anna, wrote about the Varangians in her work entitled “Alexiad”. The princess argued that the Varangians understood their service in protecting the state and its head as an honorable duty transmitted by inheritance.
Also called Varangians were peaceful merchants who transported goods along the route called at that time “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” This route ran through water from the Baltic Sea to the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Moreover, the Baltic Sea then had a different name - the Varangian Sea. And, according to the Soviet historian A. Kuzmin, absolutely all inhabitants of the sea coast were previously called Varangians.
Different religions
The Vikings, who no doubt considered themselves warriors, but not pirates, worshiped the god Odin, like all Scandinavians. Odin's eternal companions were ravens - birds that were not favored in Rus' because of their tendency to eat carrion. In addition, since ancient times, Russians considered ravens to be symbols of all kinds of dark forces. But it was the raven that was depicted on the flag that adorned the ship of the famous Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok.
The sacred bird for the Varangians was the falcon, which honestly hunted for live prey. The falcon was the bird of Perun himself - the pagan Slavic god, in whom the Varangians believed. Since ancient times, the falcon has been revered as an image of courage, dignity and honor.
I think that these are different names for the Scandinavians, it’s just that the Varangians were simply more applicable when it came to trade, and the Vikings when it came to war.. http://www.lebed.com/2004/art3962.htm Everyone knows rich in semantic overtones the words “Normans”, Vikings, Varangians (in the Russian tradition): harsh warriors from the harsh Scandinavian countries, cruel conquerors who for centuries terrified the entire medieval Europe. The ancestors of modern Norwegians, Danes, Swedes and Icelanders were, to use L.N. Gumilyov’s terminology, “passionaries” in the fullest sense of this conceptual term. The Vikings, who set off on sea expeditions unimaginable at that time in terms of range and duration on their “dragon” ships, put entire countries to fire and sword. However, one should not think that the Vikings (from viks or wicks - the bays where they parked their ships) were “terrorists” in the modern sense and interpretation. “The Vikings were fiercely brave and daring and adhered to a chivalric code of honor…. The Vikings were required to swear an oath that they would not capture women and children, flee during a storm, or stop until the battle was over to treat their wounds” (p. 16). Of course, they were pirates, but noble pirates. The Normans, who captured a huge part of the territory of feudally fragmented France at the beginning of the 10th century, gave it the name Normandy, and they themselves began to call themselves Normans. According to the famous “Norman theory”, the Varangian prince Rurik became the founder of Russian statehood; in 862 he took the Novgorod throne. Many researchers trace the self-name of the Great Russian nation to the name of the Varangian tribe “Rus”. It is commonly believed that the Vikings were pagan savages who caused incalculable harm to cultural Europe, pushing enlightened countries back into the dark ages. The researcher thoroughly argues a different point of view: the Norman Vikings were an advanced nation of seafaring warriors, “their history, literature and social foundations were more perfect than those of the Anglo-Saxons and the Franks” (p. 11). “The more we learn about the Normans, the more convinced we are of how superior they were in their knowledge of useful crafts to the people they conquered” (p. 12). The sagas composed by the Scandinavian skald-bards are to this day an unsurpassed example of gloomy, menacing and original poetry. The Vikings had a strange, simple and complex at the same time belief in the gods: Odin, Thor and Balder, in an amazing “heaven” and “hell”. Warriors who fell on the battlefield ended up in the bright palace of Odin, the creator of all things, in Valhalla, where they feasted and fought forever; those who died of illness or old age ended up in the underworld, in darkness and gnashing of teeth. http://www.humanities.edu.ru/db/msg/37522 Varangians, Normans, Vikings - warriors - warriors from the Scandinavian peoples, who were often called Vikings, Normans. The Varangians are mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years. In the IX - XI centuries. The Russian princes had many Varangian warriors - vigilantes - who served as mercenaries and were used both in internecine wars and with neighboring countries and peoples. In Rus', Scandinavian merchants who were engaged in trade on the way “from the Varangians to the Greeks” were also called Varangians, i.e. between Scandinavia and Byzantium. In the XII - XIII centuries. Varangian warriors and merchants became glorified, and the peoples of Scandinavia received different names. Thus, the Swedes began to be called Svei, the Norwegians - Murmans; sometimes they were called a common term for all Western peoples - “Germans”. Normans (Varangians, Vikings, Vikings - “people of the fiords”) - inhabitants of Scandinavia in 700-1100, whose raids terrorized the inhabitants of the coastal zone of Western Europe and Rus'. Around 750, the Swedes, as vassals of the Khazar Khaganate, established control over the tribes of the Ases and Rus. In the West, Norwegian and Danish Vikings were engaged in robbery and robbery of civilians.
Warriors are warriors from the Scandinavian peoples, who were often called Vikings and Normans. The Varangians are mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years. In the IX - XI centuries. The Russian princes had many Varangian warriors - vigilantes - who served as mercenaries and were used both in internecine wars and with neighboring countries and peoples. In Rus', Scandinavian merchants who were engaged in trade on the way “from the Varangians to the Greeks” were also called Varangians, i.e. between Scandinavia and Byzantium. In the XII - XIII centuries. Varangian warriors and merchants became glorified, and the peoples of Scandinavia received different names. Thus, the Swedes began to be called Svei, the Norwegians - Murmans; sometimes they were called a common term for all Western peoples - “Germans”.
View value Varangians, Normans, Vikings in other dictionaries
Varangians- Varangians, units. Varangian, Varangian, m. The name of the Norman tribe, from whose midst, according to the chronicle story, the first Russian princes came (historical). Calling of the Varangians. || transfer.........
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
Varangians Mn.- 1. Old Russian name for the Normans, immigrants from Scandinavia, who committed in the 9th-11th centuries. trips to many European countries for the purpose of robbery and trade, as well as serving as........
Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova
Normans Mn.- 1. North Germanic tribes that inhabited Scandinavia, committed in the VIII-XI centuries. predatory campaigns in many European countries.
Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova
Varangians— -ov; pl. (unit Varangian, -a; m.).
1. Old Russian name for people from Scandinavia (hired warriors of the prince, merchants, etc.); general name for all Scandinavian tribes who committed........
Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
Normans— Normans, units. Norman, Norman, m. (German Normanne) (historical). Germanic tribes that inhabited Scandinavia in the Middle Ages.
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
Normans— -ov; pl. East. Representatives of the Scandinavian tribes who committed in the 8th - 11th centuries. predatory, aggressive campaigns in European countries (in Rus' they were called Varangians).
◁ Norman,........
Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
Varangians— - 1. Collective designation for Scandinavians. As a mercenary military force not tied to tribal interests, the East. V. Slavs played an important role in the consolidation of the state........
Legal dictionary
Varangians- (from Old Scand. vaeringjar) - in Russian sources - Scandinavians, semi-legendary princes (Rurik, Sineus, Truvor, etc.), hired warriors of Russian princes of the 9th-11th centuries. and merchants who traded......
Vikings- (Old Scandinavian) - Scandinavians - participants in maritime trade, predatory and conquest campaigns in the end. 8 - ser. 11th centuries to European countries. In Russia they were called Varangians, and Zap. Europe........
Large encyclopedic dictionary
Normans- ("northern people") - see Vikings, Varangians.
Large encyclopedic dictionary
Vikings- Vikings (Normans), sea robbers, immigrants from Scandinavia, who committed in the 9th–11th centuries. hikes up to 8,000 km long, perhaps longer distances. These daring and........
Geographical encyclopedia
Varangians— other Russian name of the inhabitants of Scandinavia. Comes from Old Scandinavian. vaeringjar - Norman. warriors who served with the Byzantines. emperors; hence the Middle Ages. Greek baraggon, Arabic. "varang",.........
Vikings- see Normans.
Soviet historical encyclopedia
Normans- (from the Scandinavian northman - northern man) - the name under which in the West. Europe knew the peoples of Scandinavia during the period of their wide expansion at the end of the 8th century. 11th centuries (in the most........
Soviet historical encyclopedia
VARYAGS— VARYAGS, -ov, unit. -yag, -a, m. 1. In Ancient Rus': immigrants from Scandinavia, united in armed detachments for trade and robbery, often settled in Rus' and served in......
Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
NORMANS— NORMANS, -ov, unit. -ann, -a, m. The general name of the tribes that inhabited Scandinavia in the Middle Ages. || adj. Norman, -aya, -oe.
Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
The Varangians are a group within the population of Ancient Rus', of an ethnic, professional, or social nature, which gives rise to numerous discussions.
In Rus', people from Scandinavia and neighboring peoples were called Varangians. And some believe that Varangians are just a Russian designation for Vikings. In fact, there are many significant differences between the Varangians and the Vikings.
Origin of names
The concepts “Viking” and “Varangian” have completely different origins. Most historians believe that "Viking" originates from the word "vík", which is translated from Old Norse as "cove" or "fjord". However, there are other versions. Thus, Doctor of Historical Sciences T. Jackson claims that the name “Viking” comes from the Latin “vicus” - a small settlement of artisans and traders. This word was used back in the Roman Empire. Such settlements were often located on the territory of military camps. The Swedish scientist F. Askerberg stated that the basis for the noun “Viking” was the verb “vikja” - to leave, turn. According to his hypothesis, the Vikings are people who left their native places in order to earn a living. Askerberg’s fellow countryman, researcher B. Daggfeldt, suggested that the word “Viking” has much in common with the Old Scandinavian phrase “vika sjóvar,” which meant “the interval between the changes of oarsmen.” Therefore, in the original version, the term “víking” most likely referred to long journeys across the sea, involving frequent changes of rowers.
The version about the origin of the term “Varangian” was one of the first to be expressed by Sigismund von Herberstein, the Austrian ambassador, historian and writer. He suggested that the name “Varangians” is associated with the city of Vagria, where the Vandals lived. The expression “Varyags” came from the name of the inhabitants of this city “Vagrs”. Much later, the Russian historian S. Gedeonov considered that the word “warang”, meaning sword and discovered by him in Pototsky’s Baltic-Slavic dictionary, is perfectly suited to the role of the primary source of the term. Many historians associate “Varangian” with the ancient Germanic “wara” - oath, vow, oath. And the linguist M. Vasmer considered the Scandinavian concept “váringr” - loyalty, responsibility - to be the progenitor of the “Varangian”.
Miscellaneous activities
The concepts of “Viking” and “Norman”, according to historians, should not be identified, since the Normans are a nationality, while the Vikings are rather just a way of life. In particular, Irish researchers F. Byrne and T. Powell speak about this. Byrne, in his book A New Look at the History of Viking Age Ireland, argues that the only term that can be equated with the term “Viking” is the term “pirate”. Because robberies were the main source of income for the Vikings. The Vikings were not sedentary and did not follow laws.
The Varangians were a unique social layer of society. These were warriors for hire who guarded the borders of Byzantium from the attacks of the same Vikings. The eldest daughter of the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos, Anna, wrote about the Varangians in her work entitled “Alexiad”. The princess argued that the Varangians understood their service in protecting the state and its head as an honorable duty transmitted by inheritance.
Also called Varangians were peaceful merchants who transported goods along the route called at that time “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” This route ran through water from the Baltic Sea to the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Moreover, the Baltic Sea then had a different name - the Varangian Sea. And, according to the Soviet historian A. Kuzmin, absolutely all inhabitants of the sea coast were previously called Varangians.
Different religions
The Vikings, who no doubt considered themselves warriors, but not pirates, worshiped the god Odin, like all Scandinavians. Odin's eternal companions were ravens - birds that were not favored in Rus' because of their tendency to eat carrion. In addition, since ancient times, Russians considered ravens to be symbols of all kinds of dark forces. But it was the raven that was depicted on the flag that adorned the ship of the famous Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok.
The sacred bird for the Varangians was the falcon, which honestly hunted for live prey. The falcon was the bird of Perun himself - the pagan Slavic god, in whom the Varangians believed. Since ancient times, the falcon has been revered as an image of courage, dignity and honor.
Some believe that Varangians are just a Russian term for Vikings. In fact, there are many significant differences between the Varangians and the Vikings.
Origin of names
The concepts “Viking” and “Varangian” have completely different origins. Most historians believe that "Viking" originates from the word "vík", which is translated from Old Norse as "cove" or "fjord". However, there are other versions. Thus, Doctor of Historical Sciences T. Jackson claims that the name “Viking” comes from the Latin “vicus” - a small settlement of artisans and traders. This word was used back in the Roman Empire. Such settlements were often located on the territory of military camps. The Swedish scientist F. Askerberg stated that the basis for the noun “Viking” was the verb “vikja” - to leave, turn. According to his hypothesis, the Vikings are people who left their native places in order to earn a living. Askerberg’s fellow countryman, researcher B. Daggfeldt, suggested that the word “Viking” has much in common with the Old Scandinavian phrase “vika sjóvar,” which meant “the interval between the changes of oarsmen.” Therefore, in the original version, the term “víking” most likely referred to long journeys across the sea, involving frequent changes of rowers.
The version about the origin of the term “Varangian” was one of the first to be expressed by Sigismund von Herberstein, the Austrian ambassador, historian and writer. He suggested that the name “Varangians” is associated with the city of Vagria, where the Vandals lived. The expression “Varyags” came from the name of the inhabitants of this city “Vagrs”. Much later, the Russian historian S. Gedeonov considered that the word “warang”, meaning sword and discovered by him in Pototsky’s Baltic-Slavic dictionary, is perfectly suited to the role of the primary source of the term. Many historians associate “Varangian” with the ancient Germanic “wara” - oath, vow, oath. And the linguist M. Vasmer considered the Scandinavian concept “váringr” - loyalty, responsibility - to be the progenitor of the “Varangian”.
Miscellaneous activities
The concepts of “Viking” and “Norman”, according to historians, should not be identified, since the Normans are a nationality, while the Vikings are rather just a way of life. In particular, Irish researchers F. Byrne and T. Powell speak about this. Byrne, in his book A New Look at the History of Viking Age Ireland, argues that the only term that can be equated with the term “Viking” is the term “pirate”. Because robberies were the main source of income for the Vikings. The Vikings were not sedentary and did not follow laws.
The Varangians were a unique social layer of society. These were warriors for hire who guarded the borders of Byzantium from the attacks of the same Vikings. The eldest daughter of the Byzantine emperor Alexios Komnenos, Anna, wrote about the Varangians in her work entitled “Alexiad”. The princess argued that the Varangians understood their service in protecting the state and its head as an honorable duty transmitted by inheritance.
Also called Varangians were peaceful merchants who transported goods along the route called at that time “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” This route ran through water from the Baltic Sea to the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Moreover, the Baltic Sea then had a different name - the Varangian Sea. And, according to the Soviet historian A. Kuzmin, absolutely all inhabitants of the sea coast were previously called Varangians.
Different religions
The Vikings, who no doubt considered themselves warriors, but not pirates, worshiped the god Odin, like all Scandinavians. Odin's eternal companions were ravens - birds that were not favored in Rus' because of their tendency to eat carrion. In addition, since ancient times, Russians considered ravens to be symbols of all kinds of dark forces. But it was the raven that was depicted on the flag that adorned the ship of the famous Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok.