The arrival of European civilizations into the new and old worlds were a series of momentous events that change the lives of all. It seems always the most adventurous were those who went forward, and we know as in the case of the Vikings, it was often limited land, population growth, too many sons, the most difficult became banned. These banned sons formed groups, and in exile, began their movements out in adventure. East in Sweden, strongest Vikings the Rus, near modern Stockholm, were invited to Muscovy to assist the Caesar of the area.



The Swedes arrived on the invitation of the Tsar, who in the fearful years after Mongol invasions, needed a support guard to protect him. As happens, these large chaps soon took over the Court. These blond blue eyed Swedish Rus began the expansion of the empire of Muscovy, and in fact founded Kiev. The first Russian Swede to take over married the daughter of the Muscovy Tsar: their son was given a Slavic name Boris, and the expansion of tribal jewelry groups carried forward. By the time the new Russian Empire reached the Black Sea.

Now, the land of the Rus spread north from beyond the source to the head waters of the Volga river, the new leader felt his people needed a religion. He consulted many leaders of various faiths and considered them all lacking, except the Greek Orthodox Church, which unlike Islam, would allow drink, which his Vikings enjoyed too much to ask them to give up. The Greeks followed the wise kind words of Jesus, yet did imbibe in wine with his men. This was the kind of Son of God that would suit Russia, and it is becoming back to this today.

From Boris son of Eric the Rus from Stockholm before it existed, to the Russian Orthodox Church and strange language of today, we say hello. We will trade you some of our tribal jewelry for yours, any day. We now understand why there are so many blue eyed blond peoples around Moscow, and around Kiev in Ukraine. So the famous historic meeting points between civilizations were played out in legend and songs about the mystery of the battles of Ivan Skavinsky Skvar fighting Abdul Abulbul Amir to the death.

In my youth, hearing the power in the legend of these two greatest warriors in the world, civilizations riding or rising on their results, seemed so alive and real. And we think we can trade our tribal jewelry? If we admit that ours is, as well as theirs is. Not that our pottery, or our God or Allah of Buddha is more chosen or holy than yours. Buddha, Nirvana is open to all who live holy lives, right? Thought so, just checking. Did any body else hear that? Thought not.