Less than two minutes in and I'm already annoyed...
The Varangian Guard were not "special forces"; they were a combo of palace guards and shock troops. In other words, they had two functions: executive security and assault infantry. Since the Byzantine Army had no unit specifically assigned to the role of special forces, the VG may have occasionally improvised as SF but so would any other unit whose commanding officer had sufficient testicular fortitude.
Later: I'm five minutes in and I've already heard more stupid mistakes than I can count.
I'm stopping here because my brain is starting to bleed. The heroic regiment that inspired the Greek proverb, "Loyal as a Varangian" deserves a lot better than this.
The Varangian Guard were not "special forces"; they were a combo of palace guards and shock troops. In other words, they had two functions: executive security and assault infantry. Since the Byzantine Army had no unit specifically assigned to the role of special forces, the VG may have occasionally improvised as SF but so would any other unit whose commanding officer had sufficient testicular fortitude.
Later: I'm five minutes in and I've already heard more stupid mistakes than I can count.
I'm stopping here because my brain is starting to bleed. The heroic regiment that inspired the Greek proverb, "Loyal as a Varangian" deserves a lot better than this.
