Eastern Europe

Nicholas Roerich, Guests from Overseas
In the mid-700's Scandinavian & Finnish peoples (collectively known later as Varangians or Rus') started travelling east & south from the Baltic Sea, establishing or following existent trade routes as far as the Byzantine Empire & even to Constantinople. As traders, mercenaries & raiders they conquered or established cities (almost like city-states) that eventually became what is known as the Kievan Rus' empire. *
It is said that Rurik, a Varangian (Rus) chieftan, seized control of Ladoga and founded Novgorod. All of this is hotly disputed but being taken as historical fact by a growing percentage of historians with the help of archaeologists. Rurik is said to have lived from 830-879. He was succeeded by his son Oleg who became prince of Kiev and is considered to be the founder of the Kievan Rus' state*.
MUCH MORE TO COME! STAY TUNED

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A Map of the Varangian, Volga (in red) & Varangian to Greece (in purple) Trade Routes

CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

Sources:
1. Map Image from Wiki Commons - Varangian Routes
2. TheAncientWeb.com - Ancient Russia
3. Geographia.com - Ancient Russia
4. By Sigfús Blöndal, Google E-book - Varangians and Their Origins
5. Brittanica.com - Kievan Rus | historical state

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