Who are we?

In c.479, the western Roman Empire had been conquered and divided. However, from the forested shores of the Danube to the sands of Arabia, the Eastern Empire would stand firm for another thousand years.

In Constantinople – God’s new city - the spirit of the Roman Empire still prospered. The largest and wealthiest city in Europe, this sprawling metropolis was still considered the pinnacle of learning and culture well into the Middle Ages. The Greeks, who had always played a central role in the old Roman empire, took the lead in this new state, though they continued to maintain a distinctively Roman legal system, government, army and culture. Today, we remember this eastern state as the Byzantine Empire, to distinguish it from the Roman Empire of antiquity.

The New Varangian Guard – Rusland Garrison, are a historical society dedicated to the reconstruction of the Byzantine Empire as it existed during its last great phase, before civil wars and barbarian invasions finally overran the capital of Constantinople in c.1204, and the dark years immediately following the fall (c. 1150-1250). This was a transitory period filled with crusaders, Italian merchants, and Mongol invasions that were to profoundly change the Byzantine state.

We seek to capture and portray the culture of this lost Empire as authentically as possible. At events, we portray an encamped Byzantine military unit as it may have looked during the reign of Komnenian Emperors (12^th Century), either on campaign against the Empire’s enemies or stationed at home in the Hebdomon(Constantinople barracks). In our camp you may find portrayals of Greco-Roman soldiers, Kipchak nomads from the Eurasian steppe, Varangian mercenaries from the distant northern city of Kyiv, and other peoples who lived within or were employed by the vast Byzantine Empire.