Under the leadership of Oleg and later rulers such as Igor of Kiev and his wife Olga, the Kievan Rus expanded significantly. The state grew wealthy through trade, particularly in furs, honey, and slaves, which were exported to the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world. The Vikings, with their extensive maritime knowledge, helped establish and protect these trade routes, and their influence can still be seen in the structure of the Kievan Rus state.
The Varangian Guard and Further Viking Influence
One of the most notable legacies of the Viking connection to the Kievan Rus is the formation of the Varangian Guard, an elite military unit that served as the personal bodyguard of the Byzantine emperors. Many of the early members of the Varangian Guard were from the Kievan Rus, and their role in the Byzantine Empire underscores the deep ties between the two regions. The Vikings were known for their fierce warrior culture, and their skills were highly valued by the Byzantine Empire, which was constantly in need of strong soldiers to defend its borders.
The Varangian Guard was not just a military unit; it was also a symbol of the ongoing connections between the Vikings and the Kievan Rus. Many of the early rulers of the Kievan Rus, including the famous Viking prince Vladimir the Great, had close ties with the Byzantine Empire and even converted to Christianity under Byzantine influence. This conversion was a turning point in the history of the Kievan Rus, marking the beginning of the state's Christianization and its cultural alignment with the Byzantine Empire. shutdown123