Part 5/8:
The fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century marked a pivotal change in the relationship between Rome (and later the Byzantine Empire) and the Scandinavian territories. In the ensuing medieval period, the emerging Viking communities began to explore and expand across various European territories, reaching as far as Constantinople.
Upon reaching Constantinople, many Vikings enlisted in the emperor's personal bodyguard, the Varangians, where they amassed wealth and solidified trade relations. The trade routes predominantly linked Sweden to Byzantium, with goods such as furs and amber traded for wine, spices, and jewelry.