Variags: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:John Howe - Variag.jpg|thumb|''Variag'' by [[John Howe]].]] | [[Image:John Howe - Variag.jpg|thumb|''Variag'' by [[John Howe]].]] | ||
The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]], east of [[Mordor]], at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. They were allied to [[Sauron]], and their warriors were seen at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. | The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]], east of [[Mordor]], at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. They were allied to [[Sauron]], and their warriors were seen at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. | ||
==Etymology/Inspiration== | |||
[[Wikipedia:Variag|Variag]] is a Slavic word derived from [[Norse]] ''Varingar'' "mercenary people" (''vár'' "contract"). The Norse root indicates that perhaps Tolkien used ''Variag'' as a "translated" [[Northern Mannish]] word. | |||
Also, the meaning suggests that the Variags of Khand were not an ethnic group but a kind of elite mercenaries or corps in service of Mordor. | |||
==Portrayals in adaptations== | ==Portrayals in adaptations== | ||
In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], Variags were depicted as a cross between feudal Japanese and Mongolians, with such objects as the vertical flag attached to the back of the warrior, except that the Variag chieftains rode in chariots. | In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], Variags were depicted as a cross between feudal Japanese and Mongolians, with such objects as the vertical flag attached to the back of the warrior, except that the Variag chieftains rode in chariots. | ||
[[Category:Easterlings]] | [[Category:Easterlings]] | ||
Revision as of 08:38, 20 June 2009
The Variags were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand, east of Mordor, at the time of the War of the Ring. They were allied to Sauron, and their warriors were seen at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Etymology/Inspiration
Variag is a Slavic word derived from Norse Varingar "mercenary people" (vár "contract"). The Norse root indicates that perhaps Tolkien used Variag as a "translated" Northern Mannish word.
Also, the meaning suggests that the Variags of Khand were not an ethnic group but a kind of elite mercenaries or corps in service of Mordor.
Portrayals in adaptations
In Peter Jackson's The Return of the King, Variags were depicted as a cross between feudal Japanese and Mongolians, with such objects as the vertical flag attached to the back of the warrior, except that the Variag chieftains rode in chariots.
