history
The Vikings, particularly the Rus’ (Norsemen who settled in modern Russia and Ukraine), established
he Vikings, particularly the Rus’ (Norsemen who settled in modern Russia and Ukraine), established a massive trade “superhighway” that linked the Baltic to Iran and the broader Islamic world during the 9th and 10th centuries. Trade Routes to “Aryan” Lands: The Rus’ navigated the Volga River to reach the Caspian Sea, allowing them to trade directly with the Samanid Empire and the Abbasid Caliphate. They reached historic Iranian territories such as Gilan, Mazandaran, and even the capital, Baghdad. The Slave Trade (Saqaliba): One of the most lucrative “commodities” the Vikings provided to Islamic markets was enslaved people. While many were…