Varagians Collection

Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Artist: Anonymous
Greek fire. Miniature from the Madrid Skylitzes, 11th-12th century. Found in the collection of the Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid

Viking ships arriving in Britain, ca 1130. Artist: Abbo of Fleury (c. 945-1004)
Viking ships arriving in Britain, ca 1130. Found in the collection of Pierpont Morgan Library

Askold and Dir asked by Rurik for a permission to go to Constantinople (from the Radziwill Chronicle), 15th century. Found in the collection of the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St

6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11. Ivan II 12. Dmitry Donskoy 13. Ivan III, 1831. From a private collection

1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico)
1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico? by Giulio Ferrario), 1831. From a private collection

Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11
6203781 Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 6. Yaroslav 7. Sviatoslav II 8. Sviatopolk 9. Vladimir Monomakh 10. Yuri I 11. Ivan II 12. Dmitry Donskoy 13

Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14
6203792 Portraits of the Russian Monarchy, 1. Rurik 2. Igor of Kiev 3. Olga 4. Sviatoslav 5. Vladimir the Great 14. Ivan IV (from Il costume antico)

The Death of Askold and Dir, 1832. Private Collection

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

The Invitation of the Varangians, 1832. Private Collection

The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, 1832. Private Collection

Izborsk. Truvors Cross. Found in the Collection of State Oriental Art Museum, Moscow

On the Lookout for Northmen, 1882. Artist: Anonymous
On the Lookout for Northmen, 1882. Private Collection

A Bard Reciting to Northmen, 1882. Artist: Anonymous
A Bard Reciting to Northmen, 1882. Private Collection

The Norseman. From: Columbias Courtship: A Picture History of the United States, 1893. Private Collection

After the Battle. Artist: Arbo, Peter Nicolai (1831-1892)
After the Battle. Private Collection

Saint Olav at the Battle of Stiklestad, 1859. Artist: Arbo, Peter Nicolai (1831-1892)
Saint Olav at the Battle of Stiklestad, 1859. Found in the collection of National Museum of Art, Oslo

Viking ships on the River Thames, Mid of the 19th century. Artist: Koster, Everhardus (1817-1892)
Viking ships on the River Thames, Mid of the 19th century. Private Collection

Viking coin minted in Ireland, 11th century. Artist: Numismatic, West European Coins
Viking coin minted in Ireland, 11th century. Found in the collection of British Museum

The Invitation of the Varangians: Rurik and his brothers arrive in Staraya Ladoga, before 1912. Private Collection

Rurik, Sineus and Truvor. The Invitation of the Varangians, 862 (From Illustrated Karamzin), 1836. Found in the collection of Russian State Library, Moscow

The Invitation of the Varangians, 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The Invitation of the Varangians, 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
Greek fire during the Siege of Constantinople, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

The Death of Askold and Dir, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The Death of Askold and Dir, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, before 1839. Artist: Bruni, Fyodor Antonovich (1800-1875)
The destruction of the Rus fleet at Constantinople, before 1839. Found in the collection of the Russian National Library, St. Petersburg

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The Varangians, also known as the Vikings of the East, were a group of Scandinavian warriors who ventured far from their homelands to seek fortune and glory. With their fearsome reputation preceding them, they left an indelible mark on history. One of their most notable contributions was the introduction of Greek fire, a devastating weapon that could set enemy ships ablaze with its unstoppable flames. This deadly invention gave them a significant advantage in naval battles and struck fear into the hearts of their adversaries. Throughout the centuries, many legendary figures emerged from this warrior culture. Rurik, Igor of Kiev, Olga, Sviatoslav, Vladimir the Great - these names echoed through time as powerful rulers who shaped Eastern Europe's destiny. As generations passed and dynasties rose and fell, new leaders like Yaroslav, Sviatoslav II, Sviatopolk continued to carry on the Varangian legacy. Their reigns brought prosperity and stability to their realms while upholding traditions rooted in Viking heritage. Among these great rulers stood individuals like Vladimir Monomakh and Yuri I - wise strategists whose military prowess ensured victory against formidable foes. Ivan II followed suit with his astute political maneuvering that solidified his position as a respected leader among both allies and enemies alike. Dmitry Donskoy's name will forever be etched in history for his pivotal role in defending Russia against Mongol invaders during the Battle of Kulikovo. His bravery inspired future generations to stand tall against adversity. Ivan III marked a turning point for Russia by liberating it from Mongol rule and establishing Moscow as its capital city. Under his leadership came cultural renaissance and territorial expansion that laid foundations for modern-day Russia. Intriguingly captured by Luigi Giarre's artistic hand are portraits depicting these influential figures alongside Ivan IV – known as Ivan the Terrible – whose complex reign left an indelible mark on Russian history.