Recent comments in /f/history

SwiftSilencer t1_izlapy0 wrote

As you alluded to, the Vikings that settled in Francia quickly assimilated with the Gallic Romans and the Germanic Franks to form a distinct Norman identity, which interestingly left a massive cultural legacy in Sicily and the Crusader states (though at this point were far from their Norse roots). There were also Scandinavians that settled along the Volga River as merchants, trading with both the Byzantines and the Muslims across the Black Sea and Caucasus. These people, known as the Varangians, ultimately formed the loosely organized Kievan Rus and assimilated with the Eastern Slavs and Fins already there, creating the cultural foundation of both the Russian and Ukrainian identity today.

1

Olstinkbutt t1_izl36zt wrote

I never considered that. Great point. Her character was hilarious too. She’s one of the main reasons I wanted a few more seasons, bc she was bound to be quite compelling. Turns out she was in real life as well.

15

Maccus_D t1_izl0qdr wrote

It was also my understanding that Sardinia (Beeker) had advanced mining and metallurgical capabilities. Including Iron at the time. And that they may have been one of the groups that could have made up the sea people.

Also that as the BAC occurred displaced/disaffected peoples formally from these cities would have swelled the ranks of the “Sea People”.

There were a few sunken ships they found that were carrying a kingdoms worth wealth in ingots and would have caused whoever was on the bad side of that deal ruined.

Any thoughts?

3

aaronjer t1_izkw0ih wrote

It's not ironic, it's expected. Wealth and power don't only happen to bad people, and don't cause them to be bad, they just expose how bad they are. Very few people remain decent and harmless when they don't have to be to survive.

6

letssnark t1_izkvzrz wrote

Apparently she really loved children and took an active role in the lives of her step daughters, and not just when they were small, but for the rest of her life. From what I've read, she actually sounds like a decent person, and felt out of place at Versailles with the intrigue and back stabbing. She was an extensive letter writer, so there is quite a lot of information about her life through those.

82