Out of Stock Indefinitely
Other Books in Series
This is book number 459 in the Men-at-Arms series.
- #425: Roman Military Clothing (3): AD 400–640 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback): $22.00
- #451: Imperial Roman Naval Forces 31 BC–AD 500 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback): $22.00
- #470: Roman Centurions 753–31 BC: The Kingdom and the Age of Consuls (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback): $20.90
- #479: Roman Centurions 31 BC–AD 500: The Classical and Late Empire (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback): $20.90
- #502: Byzantine Naval Forces 1261–1461: The Roman Empire's Last Marines (Men-at-Arms #502) (Paperback): $20.90
- #506: Roman Army Units in the Western Provinces (1): 31 BC–AD 195 (Men-at-Arms #506) (Paperback): $20.90
- #511: Roman Army Units in the Eastern Provinces (1): 31 BC–AD 195 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback): $20.90
Description
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.
About the Author
Dr Raffaele D'Amato is an experiencd Turin-based reseracher of the ancient world. He is an external professor to the Athens University School of Philosophy and Material Culture. He has previously written Roman Military Clothing (3) and Imperial Roman Naval Forces 31 BC-AD 500 for Osprey Publishing.
Praise For…
“The Varangian Guard 988-1453 shines a spotlight on legendary warriors who operated far beyond their native shores as an elite force within the Byzantine army ... Overall this 48-page book is a slender but insightful look at one of the legendary guard units of the medieval world.” —Toy Soldier & Model Figure