Varangian

Definitions

1. A member of the ethnically Scandinavian people around the borders of Constantinople in the ninth and tenth centuries.
   historical
2. A member of the imperial body guard at Constantinople from 955.
   historical

Equivalents

Examples

“The Byzantines continued to recruit elite warriors from the north, not merely from Rus’ but directly from far-off Scandinavia; from the end⟳ of the tenth century, they referred to them as ‘Varangians’.”

CEFR level