Fifty five hundred of these warriors were sent by emperor Marcus Aurelius to guard Roman settlements in Britain against attacks by the Celts. In our times the archaeological evidence related to presence of this Sarmatian force was discovered in Britain. Sarmatians even built there their own retirement villages!
Around these times specialists observe the first appearance of Celtic dragon image, which highly likely came from Sarmatian sources. The most curious fact is that in the religion of the Sarmatians, the altar represented a sword embedded in a stone. As we remember from Arthurian legends, famous Excalibur was that kind of the sword. Excalibur could only be drawn from the stone by Arthur, the rightful king. In some versions of the legend the sword is not even called Excalibur but with another name - Sword in the Stone.
This establishes an interesting and valid possibility between the Arthurian legends and the Sarmatians. There is also another interesting coincidence. Arthur's father was called Uther Pendragon, which, basically, means "Dragon's head" and refers to the dragon head symbol on a shield. The evidence suggests that the Sarmatians with their armor created a military caste that survived several centuries and provided the leadership in the early feudal era.
Archaeological search still continues. So, there will be more discoveries that may establish Sarmatian presence and their influence on Celtic Britain.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sarmatians warriors in the Roman army
What similarities can the system of knighthood in England share with nomadic tribes that lived on the vast steppes of what is now Russia and the Ukraine? How can any link between them be possible?
There is a theory that knighthood was brought to Britain by Sarmatians, an Iranian language speaking people who displaced the Scythians. Sarmatians tribes migrated from Central Asia to the Ural Mountains around fifth century B.C. and eventually settled in most of southern European Russia, Ukraine, and the eastern Balkans. In fact, their realm was even wider. At some point it extended from China in the east and the Roman empire in the west.
Among other things Sarmatians adopted the dragon motif. They were skillful horse riders and archers, they were also famous for using heavily armored cavalry in their battles. They wore dragon emblems on their shields and armor.
A first big clash between Sarmatians and Romans took place in the third century AD. There was a big battle between them near the mouth of the Danube River on the Black Sea. Romans overcome the Sarmatians but were very impressed with their fighting prowess. That is why, one of the terms of the peace agreement with Sarmatians, included the following condition advanced by Romans. They demanded six thousand Sarmatians warriors and their horses join the Roman army.
Read on ...
There is a theory that knighthood was brought to Britain by Sarmatians, an Iranian language speaking people who displaced the Scythians. Sarmatians tribes migrated from Central Asia to the Ural Mountains around fifth century B.C. and eventually settled in most of southern European Russia, Ukraine, and the eastern Balkans. In fact, their realm was even wider. At some point it extended from China in the east and the Roman empire in the west.
Among other things Sarmatians adopted the dragon motif. They were skillful horse riders and archers, they were also famous for using heavily armored cavalry in their battles. They wore dragon emblems on their shields and armor.
A first big clash between Sarmatians and Romans took place in the third century AD. There was a big battle between them near the mouth of the Danube River on the Black Sea. Romans overcome the Sarmatians but were very impressed with their fighting prowess. That is why, one of the terms of the peace agreement with Sarmatians, included the following condition advanced by Romans. They demanded six thousand Sarmatians warriors and their horses join the Roman army.
Read on ...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
End of existence
After the successful invasion of England by the Normans the guard began to see increased inclusion of Anglo-Saxons and Danes. Thousands of them started arriving to the Byzantine empire and enrolling into service.
Overall, Varangian guard was quite a peculiar and and unusual bunch of people, whose loyalties lay with the position of Emperor, not the man that sat on the throne. In 969 an Emperor Nicephorus II was assassinated in his palace. A servant had managed to call for the Varangian guard while the Emperor was being attacked, but when Vikings arrived he was already dead. Without any hesitation they instantly knelt before the emperor's murderer John Tzimisces and hailed him as Emperor. Their logic was the following: they would defend the late emperor if he was alive, but now that he was dead there was no point avenging him. Besides, they had a new master in the house.
Varangian Guard ended its existence in 1204. It happened during Fourth Crusade, when the army of knights attacked Constantinople. In fact, Vikings turned out to be the only part of the Byzantium army that successfully defended part of the city. Contemporary sources say that the fighting was very violent and there was hand to hand fight with axes and swords. After the capture the Varangian Guard was disbanded.
Overall, Varangian guard was quite a peculiar and and unusual bunch of people, whose loyalties lay with the position of Emperor, not the man that sat on the throne. In 969 an Emperor Nicephorus II was assassinated in his palace. A servant had managed to call for the Varangian guard while the Emperor was being attacked, but when Vikings arrived he was already dead. Without any hesitation they instantly knelt before the emperor's murderer John Tzimisces and hailed him as Emperor. Their logic was the following: they would defend the late emperor if he was alive, but now that he was dead there was no point avenging him. Besides, they had a new master in the house.
Varangian Guard ended its existence in 1204. It happened during Fourth Crusade, when the army of knights attacked Constantinople. In fact, Vikings turned out to be the only part of the Byzantium army that successfully defended part of the city. Contemporary sources say that the fighting was very violent and there was hand to hand fight with axes and swords. After the capture the Varangian Guard was disbanded.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Popularity of Varangian Guard
Over the years the popularity of Varangian Guard in Byzantium grew so much, that these mercenaries and former pirates received a very prestigious title in the empire that can be translated from Greek as Great Companions. The Varangian guard was stationed primarily around Constantinople. Most of the guardsmen relied on their long axes as their main weapon, although they were also skilled swordsmen and archers as well. They were also famous for their penchant for drinking.
In 989 general Bardas Phocas rebelled against emperor Basil II. According to the true historic facts, Basil with his fierce Varangian guard landed at Chrysopolis to meet the rebels face to face. Sources say, that as soon as the rebellious general saw what he would have to deal with, he turned blue in the face and died of a stroke in full view of his opponent. Seeing that Bardas was lying dead on the field, his troops turned and fled, while being pursued by Vikings who were cheerfully hacking adversaries to pieces.
Read on ...
In 989 general Bardas Phocas rebelled against emperor Basil II. According to the true historic facts, Basil with his fierce Varangian guard landed at Chrysopolis to meet the rebels face to face. Sources say, that as soon as the rebellious general saw what he would have to deal with, he turned blue in the face and died of a stroke in full view of his opponent. Seeing that Bardas was lying dead on the field, his troops turned and fled, while being pursued by Vikings who were cheerfully hacking adversaries to pieces.
Read on ...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Irreplaceable special force
Since the times of the Roman Empire, praetorian guard very often played an infamous role of replacing one ruler with the other. Especially, if the new guy promised to pay the praetorians more. This practice survived even after Roman Empire split in two and new Byzantine Empire was created.
In 976 Bazil II became the ruler of the empire. He had the utmost distrust for his native guardsmen, whose loyalties shifted all the time, so he was seeking the solution to protect himself and avoid fatal consequences. And he found it: he hired Vikings, mostly of Swedish origin, to become his personal bodyguards. This new force became known as the Varangian Guard. As the years went by, new recruits from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway kept a predominantly Scandinavian cast to Varangian Guard up until the late 11th century. That kind of "employment" became so popular in Scandinavia, that special medieval law was created there stating that no one could inherit the estate of a recruit who was staying in Byzantium.
Over the years, Varangian Guard proved itself to be an irreplaceable special force of Byzantine emperors. And they had one of the greatest and unique perks for their service. When the Byzantine Emperor died, the Varangians had the unique right of running to the imperial treasury and taking as much gold and as many gems as they could carry. This privilege known in Old Norse as "palace pillaging" enabled many Varangians to return home as wealthy men. And, in return, it encouraged even more Vikings to enlist in the Varangian Guard.
In 976 Bazil II became the ruler of the empire. He had the utmost distrust for his native guardsmen, whose loyalties shifted all the time, so he was seeking the solution to protect himself and avoid fatal consequences. And he found it: he hired Vikings, mostly of Swedish origin, to become his personal bodyguards. This new force became known as the Varangian Guard. As the years went by, new recruits from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway kept a predominantly Scandinavian cast to Varangian Guard up until the late 11th century. That kind of "employment" became so popular in Scandinavia, that special medieval law was created there stating that no one could inherit the estate of a recruit who was staying in Byzantium.
Over the years, Varangian Guard proved itself to be an irreplaceable special force of Byzantine emperors. And they had one of the greatest and unique perks for their service. When the Byzantine Emperor died, the Varangians had the unique right of running to the imperial treasury and taking as much gold and as many gems as they could carry. This privilege known in Old Norse as "palace pillaging" enabled many Varangians to return home as wealthy men. And, in return, it encouraged even more Vikings to enlist in the Varangian Guard.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Mass murders in Spartan society
This fear contributed to mistreatment of helots. Because of it, Spartan men always carried their spears, undid the straps of their bucklers only at home. That may also explain why there were so inclined to succeed in military training.
There was no end to humiliation suffered by helots from Spartans. They made helots wear hats from dog's skin, so they would not mix with Spartans. Dogs were considered servile and cowardly animals, thus the canine symbolism was clear to the Greeks. Each year, the helots were ritually flogged, apparently for no other reason than to affirm their servitude. Any Spartan could to kill helots without any repercussion or punishment. In fact, mass murders of helots were quite usual in Spartan society. For example, in 425 B.C. over two thousand helots were massacred in a carefully staged event.
It would seem to make good sense to keep the slaves well nourished, but Spartans were too weird. Any helots who became overweight were put to death, with their Spartan masters fined for "letting them get fat". What is more, the Spartans used to rape helot women as a means of meeting the state's needs in terms of human resources. Born from this rape girls were left to die, while boys were taken to serve as soldiers for a Spartan war machine.
There was no end to humiliation suffered by helots from Spartans. They made helots wear hats from dog's skin, so they would not mix with Spartans. Dogs were considered servile and cowardly animals, thus the canine symbolism was clear to the Greeks. Each year, the helots were ritually flogged, apparently for no other reason than to affirm their servitude. Any Spartan could to kill helots without any repercussion or punishment. In fact, mass murders of helots were quite usual in Spartan society. For example, in 425 B.C. over two thousand helots were massacred in a carefully staged event.
It would seem to make good sense to keep the slaves well nourished, but Spartans were too weird. Any helots who became overweight were put to death, with their Spartan masters fined for "letting them get fat". What is more, the Spartans used to rape helot women as a means of meeting the state's needs in terms of human resources. Born from this rape girls were left to die, while boys were taken to serve as soldiers for a Spartan war machine.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Spartan slaves
Have you ever wondered why Spartans were able to spend so much time of the lives on military exercises? I guess, everyone watched the movie about 300 brave Spartans and their king Leonidas who did not let Persian king to invade ancient Greece. Everyday life of Spartans was shown in great details omitting one "dirty" secret. The helots.
Spartans were one a very few ancient Greek nations who had their own slaves of the same Dorian origin. In other words, these slaves were their Greek fellows by birth, mostly from Messenia. This was quite unusual for the rest of Greece, where slaves were mostly foreigners, who were captures during wars.
The helots outnumbered Spartans many times by its population. They either worked on Spartans lands or were carrying all domestic work. Yet Spartans hated them as much as anybody could hate his worst enemy. This unusual hatred of the Spartans towards the helots originates in fear. Given the relatively small number of Spartans in comparison with huge slave population, they feared that helots would attempt to destroy them.
Read on ...
Spartans were one a very few ancient Greek nations who had their own slaves of the same Dorian origin. In other words, these slaves were their Greek fellows by birth, mostly from Messenia. This was quite unusual for the rest of Greece, where slaves were mostly foreigners, who were captures during wars.
The helots outnumbered Spartans many times by its population. They either worked on Spartans lands or were carrying all domestic work. Yet Spartans hated them as much as anybody could hate his worst enemy. This unusual hatred of the Spartans towards the helots originates in fear. Given the relatively small number of Spartans in comparison with huge slave population, they feared that helots would attempt to destroy them.
Read on ...
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Barbaric Ritual
This time I would like to tell you about one of the strangest barbaric rituals of ancient Rome that started after 390 B.C. and took place for centuries. Once a year dozens of Roman guard dogs were crucified on the Capitoline hill. At the same time Capitoline geese were present at the ceremony. They were watching the ceremony of poor dogs crucification, from the most prestigious place, sitting on gilded purple cushions.
This way Roman citizens were commemorating a tragic event that occurred in 390 B.C. which is known to historians as sack of Rome by Gauls. It was a collective initial shock for people of Rome that was hard to forget. The memory of the catastrophic defeat stayed with Rome for generations. The dogs were crucified because they did not alert Romans when the Gallic troops attacked. And the geese were rewarded because honking provided the only warning of approaching Gauls.
This way Roman citizens were commemorating a tragic event that occurred in 390 B.C. which is known to historians as sack of Rome by Gauls. It was a collective initial shock for people of Rome that was hard to forget. The memory of the catastrophic defeat stayed with Rome for generations. The dogs were crucified because they did not alert Romans when the Gallic troops attacked. And the geese were rewarded because honking provided the only warning of approaching Gauls.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
They got it all
Russia also received for safekeeping archives of the Romanian Academy, priceless religious artifacts and manuscripts and even multiple deposits that citizens kept at the Romanian banks. It is impossible to estimate the value of the second transport, the value of the first transport could not even stand close to this one.
And then Russian Bolshevik Revolutions of 1917 happened. And, as you many know, Bolsheviks refused to abide and respect an treaty signed by tsar and previous government. Numerous attempts of Romania to recover its national treasure were futile. Then only stuff that Romania got back was bits and pieces of the archives in 1935 and small part of the paintings and ancient objects in 1956. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union all negotiations with the present day Russia failed. And there is no hope that national Treasure will ever be returned back to Romania.
And then Russian Bolshevik Revolutions of 1917 happened. And, as you many know, Bolsheviks refused to abide and respect an treaty signed by tsar and previous government. Numerous attempts of Romania to recover its national treasure were futile. Then only stuff that Romania got back was bits and pieces of the archives in 1935 and small part of the paintings and ancient objects in 1956. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union all negotiations with the present day Russia failed. And there is no hope that national Treasure will ever be returned back to Romania.
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