While the Norse of Norway and Denmark tended to travel west on their trading and raiding expeditions, the Swedes tended to travel east. They voyaged along connecting rivers to take an inland route, opening up trade to the Middle Eats. Vikings were seen as far as Baghdad by the mid 9th century.

The Vikings built trading posts, some of which developed into major city-states. One of these was Kyiv, which was the kingdom of the Kyivan Rus. It is not sure whether the term ‘Rus’ came from, although it may have meant ‘men who row’. The kingdom represents the foundation of modern-day Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.

The Vikings first came as traders, dominating the trade routes and then dominating the people. Three brothers – Rurik, Sineus and Truvor – ended up ruling large areas of Eurasia.

Rurik’s son, Oleg, took over power in 879 CE after the death of his father, and led a military push southward vowing to make Kyiv the epicentre of the Rus Empire.

Below is a table of the princes of Kyiv, all from the Rurik Dynasty.

After Yaroslav the Wise died in 1054 the Rurik Dynasty changed somewhat, with different branches of the family reigning over different kingdoms in Russia. Over time the Princes of Moscow were to become more dominant. However, as a ruling dynasty the Ruriks held power in some part of Russia right up to the death of Vasili IV of Russia in 1612; a period of more than 700 years.

And all founded on a Viking Chieftain who was invited to reign in Eastern Europe in the Medieval Ages.