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.