Tales of the Varangian Guard Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rus

The Rus were Swedish Vikings who traveled along the Russian rivers in the 9th century as traders or raiders, whichever afforded the best opportunity! After deciding to stay in the area, settlements and fortifications were constructed in Novgorod and Kiev around 850. There they intermarried with their Slavic neighbors, who called them "Rus". Eventually that name was applied to their entire Russian realm. The term "Varangian" has two meanings; it could be used to designate a person who was foreign mercenary soldier or a person who belonged to a group of traders or soldiers. By 860 they had already continued south to the Black Sea area and had made their first attack in the area.

Although the Varangian Guard originally came from the Rus, eventually other groups of Vikings, such as Norwegians and Danes, joined the group, as well as Anglo-Saxons. This primarily happened after the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, when the Anglo-Saxon military units were replaced by Normans. At its inception the Varangian Guard contained about 6,000 men; the number changed according to need, and at one time the group contained less than 600.

Answer: Byzantine Emperor

The Byzantine Empire was the only empire during the Viking Age that hired foreign soldiers, and the Varangians were not their only mercenaries. After making a treaty with the Rus in 874, the Byzantine Emperor, Michel III, included a clause which required them to provide soldiers for him when needed.

It appears that the Varangians were preferred as a guard for the emperor because they were less prone to become involved in palace intrigues. Basil II first employed the Varangians to help quash rebellions in his empire, and liked them so much that he took them as his Imperial Bodyguard sometime around 988.

Answer: He would have to pay a sum in gold.

It should stand to reason that such an elite group as the Varangian Guard was very well paid. To be allowed entry into the group, however, the guardsman had to have access to quite a lot of gold; an entrance fee had to be paid before a person would even be considered for the job.

While this practice might have prevented some Vikings from applying for the job, it must be remembered that Guardsmen were paid very well, and the job had, well, bonuses attached. It was a common practice to allow the Varangian Guard to pillage first; apparently they even were able to raid the emperor's palace when he died - before a new emperor became their new boss!

Answer: Constantinople

While there was no mistaking that the Varangian Guard was to guard the emperor in Constantinople, they were used in battle when needed and wherever else they might be needed. For example, they might be on the front line in one battle, while in another they protected the baggage train.

At home base, they were sometimes used to patrol the streets because they were strict enforcers, and their expertise in forms of torture also made them excellent jailers. That fact that they were so well-trained and versatile made them the elite soldiers that they were.

After pondering this arrangement for a time, it is simple to see that it was a win-win situation for both groups; the wealthy emperor needed people to guard him and keep his city safe, and the Vikings, typically coming from an area poor in resources and opportunity, needed the employment.

Answer: Pelekys

A "pelekys", and it was very much like a daneaxe, however, the main difference was that it was a pole weapon. The versatility and expertness of the group meant that they were more than proficient in any number of weapons, however, when the Varangian Guard went into battle, they carried the "pelekys", which was a two-handed weapon.

While the early "pelekys" was fitted with crescent-shaped axe heads, it appears that the design varied according to the preference of the owner of the weapon. It has been estimated that the "pelekys" was about 55 inches tall, with a 7 inch-long head and a blade width of 6.7 inches.

Answer: Emperor's Wineskins

This should come as no surprise, as the typical stereotype of a Viking is the drinking of mead or ale or whatever is available. The Varangian Guard really enjoyed the Greek wine that was available to them - when they were not on duty, of course. Apparently it was relatively easy for them to assimilate into the new culture, as it is said they also enjoyed chariot races and other public entertainment spectacles available to them, as well as the city's brothels.

Although this type of behavior gained the Guard criticism from the local people from time to time, they were still highly respected. How highly respected? When the emperor was away from the city, it was customary for the Akolouthos, the leader of the Varangians, to be trusted to take care of the city.

Answer: Loyalty

It is unusual for mercenaries to gain a reputation for their loyalty, but being paid directly by the person they guarded probably helped. Not only that, but they were paid well, superbly outfitted, and had numerous side perks to their job; they were more than bodyguards, and served wherever needed as the "best of the best" military unit. Why were they labeled as mercenaries rather than imperial guards? Many times imperial guards were prone to court intrigues, while the Varangian Guard were not apparently influenced by court intrigues, they were still paid soldiers. Anna Komnene wrote that her father, who became Alexius I Komnenos after seizing the throne in 1081, had been told to not attack the Varangians during the takeover as "they preserve inviolate, and will never brook the slighted hint of betrayal".

Answer: Harold Hardrada

As a young man of fifteen, Harold led a group of 600 men at the Battle of Stiklestad in an attempt to help his brother, Olaf, regain the throne of Norway. As with many members of the Varangian Guard, who needed to "get out of town" for awhile, Harold left Norway and lived among the Rus for a time. Having made a name for himself among the Rus, he and many of his men went on to distinguish themselves in the emperor's navy before becoming respected members of the Varangian Guard.

In fact, he earned the nickname "Devastator of the Bulgarians" while in the service of the emperor. Perhaps Harold should have stayed there? When he returned to Norway he was able to gain the kingship.

However, his attempted invasion of England resulted in his death at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Answer: Crusades

During the Crusades, Constantinople became one of the stopping points on the way to fight in the Holy Land. Both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox soldiers would pay to board ships to take them to Jerusalem or other cities and buy supplies. Many times the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox armies would meet in Constantinople on their way to fight. On the way home, the soldiers would come through the city once more to take luxury goods home if they could afford to do so. It must be remembered, however, that the Seljuk Turks were dangerously close and also posed a threat to the city. After being defeated in battle by the Turks, the Byzantine Empire could no longer protect Eastern Christians. While the Catholic pope dreamed of the reuniting of the two churches (the Great Schism occurred in 1054), the Byzantine Emperor hoped to regain his lost land.

The doge of Venice wanted to end the trade rivalry of Constantinople, and seized the opportunity after convincing Catholic Crusaders to attack the city, after the Eastern Orthodox warriors had already left for the Holy Land during the Fourth Crusade, pillaging and looting the once-strong city. Constantinople was never able to fully recover from this attack and defeat in 1204. The Crusaders established a Latin Empire then in Constantinople, and it took sixty years for the Byzantine Emperor to regain control; there is no record, however, of the Varangians serving the Byzantine Emperor after 1204.

Answer: False

Actually the Swiss Guards have that record! They have been serving in foreign lands since the late 15th century. After taking into consideration the service record of the Swiss Guards, however, the Varangian Guard may well be the second-longest serving mercenary guard in history! Their term of service spans from the 10th-14th centuries.

It would probably be accurate to suggest that the Varangian Guard traveled the farthest from their homeland to serve in a foreign land.