41. The role of Varangian Frelaf is comic and forestalls the character of Farlaf in range and often a high tessitura. 42. At Boioannes'request, a detachment of the elite Varangian Guard was sent to Italy to fight the Normans. 43. From this base, the mixed Varangian -Slavic population ( known as the Rus ) launched several expeditions against Constantinople. 44. A Viking ( Varangian ) presence in the area was " less than dominant and very much less than imperial ." 45. The settlement declined in the early years of the 11th century, simultaneously with other Varangian trade stations in Eastern Europe. 46. With the aid of the emperor's elite troops, the Varangian Guard, the tribal horsemen were decisively crushed. 47. The Varangian runestones tell of many notable Varangian expeditions, and even account for the fates of individual warriors and travelers. 48. The Varangian runestones tell of many notable Varangian expeditions, and even account for the fates of individual warriors and travelers. 49. The Varangian Guard of the Byzantine Empire is the best known formation made up of barbarian mercenaries ( see next section ). 50. The Slavs and the Byzantines also called them " Varangians " ( Byzantine emperors were known as the Varangian Guard.
