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Denmark and Norway, while part of the Viking thrust, found themselves with fewer direct connections to Constantinople, primarily shifting their focus westwards. Nonetheless, they were not entirely out of touch; after the Norman conquest of England, many Danes and Anglo-Saxons longed for opportunities in the Byzantine Empire, leading to their service in the Byzantine military.
Perceptions of Scandinavians
The Byzantine view of the Scandinavian peoples is particularly revealing. All individuals from the northern regions were often collectively termed as being from “THU,” a term derived from the notion of a far-off, unknown land. This label demonstrates that while Rome had some awareness of Scandinavia, its desire to explore and understand this remote region remained marginal.