VARANGIAN MERCENARIES AS GUARDIANS OF COMNENIAN EMPERORS

Abstract

The paper is a reconstruction of main features of Varangian guarding service under Comnenian emperors in Constantinople (1081-1185), referring mainly to their role in protection of the emperor both in the capital and on the battlefield. It also deals with some relative questions (Varangian role in guarding the palace, and their role in ceremonies), and details concerning their daily life. The paper is based on data from Byzantine and Western sources (both Latin and Nordic).