Saturday, August 9, 2025

Pagan Rus Varjazi

 







Here are some Pagan Rus Varjazi or Varangians that I've just finished painting. The figures are the very detailed resin kits by V&V Miniatures. The banner and one of the shield transfers are by LBM/Victrix, the other three shield transfers are by Wargames Foundry. The figure in white clothes is Sviatoslav I Igorevich, Prince of Kiev (942-972), based on the Angus McBride's illustration in David Nicolle's Armies of Medieval Russia 750-1250 Osprey book. Sviatoslav had a short career as Prince of Kiev, I found this really interesting online article about him:

https://deremilitari.org/2014/05/the-infamous-svjatoslav-master-of-duplicity-in-war-and-peace/


Sviatoslav was eventually killed by the Pechenegs and their leader Kurja, apparently took his head and made his skull into a drinking cup overlaid with gold! I think Sviatoslav's Last Stand would make an excellent Lion Rampant scenario. I have more Rus Varangians and Pecheneg horse archers to paint but this should be an interesting little project.









10 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Michal, the V&V figures are so detailed.

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  2. Lovely painting, great looking figures. A really enjoyable read on a character I know nothing about, very interesting and a rather gruesome end too!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Donnie, he’s an interesting character but a gruesome end for sure.

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  3. Great looking figures, Mike. The Victor using the vanquished's skull as a drinking vessel is something society cannot appreciate these days. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dean, yes well it was probably pretty common among steppe nomads.

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  4. Lovely figures, not so keen on the drinking vessel!
    Best Iain

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