New 3d unit: Varangian Guard

[ajaxfetish]

According to Riasanovsky, the Scandinavian origin of the Rus is hotly debated, and far from certain. He explains both the arguments in favor of and against the Norman theory. Some of the problems with it follow. There is no known group in Scandinavia known as the Rus, and the name is not present in any western sources. Byzantine and Oriental writers refer to the Rus before 862 (the year the Primary Chronicle states that the Rus arrived) as a group located in southern Russia. The linguistic arguments to tie the Rus to Scandinavia are highly suspect. The Primary Chronicle itself (the origin of the theory) has some serious internal failings.

There is also little evidence of Scandinavian culture in the culture of Kiev. There are only a few (6 or 7) Norman words in the Russian language, the vast majority being of Greek, Oriental, or Slavic origin. Written literature in Kiev preceded written literature in Scandinavia. Eastern Slavic deities were known as early as the 6th century, so are not an inheritance of Norse mythology.

This is not to say there was no Scandinavian presence in early Russia, or to deny the theory. But the issue is not settled, and it might be unwise to assume too much.

Ajax

[Dracula(Romanian Vlad Tepes)]

Looks great