The Rus

This book explores how Scandinavian traders, known as the Rus, built a powerful state through an extensive river network connecting the Baltic to the Black Sea, fueled by the movement of silver coins and trade goods like fur and amber. It reveals the key role of trade routes, fortified stations, and captured captives in shaping the early Rus state, with detailed insights from historical documents such as treaty records, eyewitness accounts, and letters. It offers a fresh perspective on the eastern Viking expansion, highlighting how their commerce and diplomacy laid the foundation for a significant empire, distinct from the better-known western Viking stories.