Variags: Difference between revisions
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[[ | [[File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|thumb|''Variag'' by [[John Howe]].]] | ||
The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]] | The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
They were allies of both [[Rhûn]] | They were allies of both [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]], to neither of which they belonged. | ||
Khand was | Khand was southeast of [[Mordor]] at the time of the [[War of the Ring]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> The Variags were allied to [[Sauron]] and their warriors were seen at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
''Variag'' is a word of a [[Harad]] language<ref>{{HM|PM}}, [[The Appendix on Languages]]</ref>, but its meaning is unknown. | ''Variag'' is a word of a [[Harad]] language<ref>{{HM|PM}}, [[The Appendix on Languages]]</ref>, but its meaning is unknown. | ||
==Inspiration== | ==Inspiration== | ||
[[Wikipedia:Variag|Variag]] is a Slavic word derived from [[Norse]] ''Varingar'' "mercenary people" (''vár'' "contract"). The Norse | [[Wikipedia:Variag|Variag]] is a Slavic word derived from [[Norse]] ''Varingar'' "mercenary people" (''vár'' "contract"). The Varamgoa Guard were Norse body-guards of the Byzantine Emperor and founded [[Wikipedia:Kiev|Kiev]]. In modern Russian it means "travelling pedlar". | ||
It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Obscure Languages</ref> | |||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | |||
[[File:Angus McBride - Variags.jpg|thumb|''Variags of Khand'' in [[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game|MECCG]]]] | |||
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':''' | |||
:Variags, who speak the tongue Varadja, share ties with both Easterlings and Haradrim.<ref>{{ICE|2000}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|8003}}</ref> | |||
'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':''' | |||
:Variags of Khand is a Man Faction. | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[:Category:Images of Variags|Images of Variags]] | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
[[Category:Easterlings]] | [[Category:Easterlings]] | ||
[[ | [[Category:Mannish words]] | ||
[[de:Variags]] | [[de:Variags]] | ||
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/variags]] | [[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/variags]] | ||
[[fi:Varjaagit]] | [[fi:Varjaagit]] |
Revision as of 11:47, 22 August 2013
The Variags were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand.
History
They were allies of both Rhûn and Harad, to neither of which they belonged.
Khand was southeast of Mordor at the time of the War of the Ring.[1] The Variags were allied to Sauron and their warriors were seen at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.[2]
Etymology
Variag is a word of a Harad language[3], but its meaning is unknown.
Inspiration
Variag is a Slavic word derived from Norse Varingar "mercenary people" (vár "contract"). The Varamgoa Guard were Norse body-guards of the Byzantine Emperor and founded Kiev. In modern Russian it means "travelling pedlar".
It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.[4]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- Variags of Khand is a Man Faction.
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, The Appendix on Languages
- ↑ Jim Allan (1978), An Introduction to Elvish, Obscure Languages
- ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover) (#2000)
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003)