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Osprey Men at Arms #459
The Varangian Guard 988-1453
The Varangian Guards were Viking mercenaries who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine Armies. Descendants from a legendary line of warriors, the Varangian Guard was formed after a group of Viking mercenaries made a major contribution to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II's victory over rebel forces in 988 AD. These 5,000 men were then retained as Basil's personal guard and would provide loyal service to many successive occupants of the imperial throne.
Commonly referred to as 'foreigners' (Etaireia), they were nonetheless absorbed into a new Palatine regiment under command of an officer termed the Akolouthos, who was either a Norsemen or a Rus (Norsemen colonizers of Russia). The Varangians wore mixtures of their native clothing and armor together with a splendid formal Byzantine uniform. But most famously, they always wielded their own traditional battle-axes; this became a sign that the emperor was on the battlefield in person. This is an insightful look of one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world, complete with a dazzling array of artwork plates showing the Varangian Guard in an array of settings from court ceremonies to the battlefield.
Commonly referred to as 'foreigners' (Etaireia), they were nonetheless absorbed into a new Palatine regiment under command of an officer termed the Akolouthos, who was either a Norsemen or a Rus (Norsemen colonizers of Russia). The Varangians wore mixtures of their native clothing and armor together with a splendid formal Byzantine uniform. But most famously, they always wielded their own traditional battle-axes; this became a sign that the emperor was on the battlefield in person. This is an insightful look of one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world, complete with a dazzling array of artwork plates showing the Varangian Guard in an array of settings from court ceremonies to the battlefield.
48 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 6, 2015
This book can be useful and very disappointing at the same time. It gives a generally competent view of the Varangian Guard and its military and politic roles in the medieval Roman Empire, from bodyguards to anti-piracy forces and the crack forces of Roman field armies in the from the late 10th until the 12th/13th centuries, besides informing very well about the weapons and armour of these mercenaries. Yet there are 3 problems: Osprey's bad editorial job, a few horrible mistakes (possibly caused by the editing, but, despite one or two clues I gathered in that direction, I can't be sure) and the fact this book might be on the wrong series (it should be on the "Elite" series).
October 25, 2012
Just because this is an illustrated book, that doesn't make it something to be overlooked. The Osprey books boast a great deal of research, and the biblio in this is worth the purchase alone for anyone doing significant research of the Varangian Guard. They pull a lot from Blondal's "Varangians of Byzantium" volume, but with his being one of the only available sources to-date, it's still a fantastic collection of information.
August 29, 2024
Oof, My brain wants to review the Varangian Guard almost as much as this book about the Varangian guard lol. Lets try to reign it in!
The Varangian guard were among the prettiest, most over dressed, over kitted out, bling and Gucci obsessed soldiers to ever grace human history. Next to them a condottieri having snuck away from a Venetian masquerade in full regalia would feel under dressed. Even the landsknecht who competed for the soul of Europe and felt that dressing up as a one man circus troupe was a necessary part of that process, would feel at least half a peacock short by comparison.
The fact that they were actually good at their various jobs is almost mystifying.
The illustrator Giuseppe Rava was great at his too!
It takes a forbearing and practiced hand as an artist to capture the level of detail this subject matter requires. Its not exactly an easy skill set to develop. Even if you are paid to draw medieval soldiers with some regularity, the odds that you’ll have a lot of experience drawing armor over embroidered moomoos and silk parachute pants is going to be pretty slim.
8.5 out of 10 stars, would watch an army of hauberk and scale mail wearing Kefka Palazzo’s storm Bari again!
The Varangian guard were among the prettiest, most over dressed, over kitted out, bling and Gucci obsessed soldiers to ever grace human history. Next to them a condottieri having snuck away from a Venetian masquerade in full regalia would feel under dressed. Even the landsknecht who competed for the soul of Europe and felt that dressing up as a one man circus troupe was a necessary part of that process, would feel at least half a peacock short by comparison.
The fact that they were actually good at their various jobs is almost mystifying.
The illustrator Giuseppe Rava was great at his too!
It takes a forbearing and practiced hand as an artist to capture the level of detail this subject matter requires. Its not exactly an easy skill set to develop. Even if you are paid to draw medieval soldiers with some regularity, the odds that you’ll have a lot of experience drawing armor over embroidered moomoos and silk parachute pants is going to be pretty slim.
8.5 out of 10 stars, would watch an army of hauberk and scale mail wearing Kefka Palazzo’s storm Bari again!
August 31, 2019
"Halvdan was here" ancient Viking rune graffiti in the Haghia Sophia in the top floor of the southern gallery. Other runic graffiti has been found, possibly pre-dating the Varangian guard.
This is thin book is fun history with lots of illustrations.
This is thin book is fun history with lots of illustrations.
September 8, 2024
A concise overview of the Varangian Guard, from their role in late Eastern Roman Empire history to the clothes they wore. There are some beautiful illustrations which help to make these warriors come alive.
July 5, 2019
Interesting to learn about the personal guard of the Byzantine emperors.
November 23, 2010
A fascinating work, a part of Osprey Publishing's "Men-at-Arms" series (Osprey seems to have scores of series!). The thin volume explores the Varangian Guard, an intriguing set of soldiers in the Byzantine military.
The Guard began as Scandinavians who had settled in Russia (e.g., in the Kiev area). Later, many hired out to the Eastern Roman Empire as soldiers (men-at-arms). Pages 4-6, at the outset, provide a useful chronology of the Guard's linkage to the Empire. The book also has narrative, on a century to century basis, of the Guard--from the 10th century through the 15th century. Over time, they evolved from an elite unit in the army to the Emperor's own guard.
The Guard appears to have numbered between 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers (for the most part) over time. The book discusses leadership, their service in the army as well as their service as imperial guards, equipment (several pages of colorful pictures of troops, uniforms, and weapons). The book concludes with a brief but helpful bibliography.
Since I knew very little about the Varangian Guard, even this slim book was a nice resource, helping me to learn something of this military force.
The Guard began as Scandinavians who had settled in Russia (e.g., in the Kiev area). Later, many hired out to the Eastern Roman Empire as soldiers (men-at-arms). Pages 4-6, at the outset, provide a useful chronology of the Guard's linkage to the Empire. The book also has narrative, on a century to century basis, of the Guard--from the 10th century through the 15th century. Over time, they evolved from an elite unit in the army to the Emperor's own guard.
The Guard appears to have numbered between 4,000 to 6,000 soldiers (for the most part) over time. The book discusses leadership, their service in the army as well as their service as imperial guards, equipment (several pages of colorful pictures of troops, uniforms, and weapons). The book concludes with a brief but helpful bibliography.
Since I knew very little about the Varangian Guard, even this slim book was a nice resource, helping me to learn something of this military force.
September 27, 2014
Another good, short introduction to the subject. Unfortunately the art in this wasn't as strong as the other books that were illustrated by Angus McBride. I might look for more of these books just for his art.
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March 6, 2016byzantium, byz-la-ema-owned
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews