Varangian Rossi

The Varangian Rossi appellation, or simply "The Rossi", historically described a Scandinavian tribe that initially, but not exclusively, gave rise to those known now as the Rus' (people). The name Rossi alone was also used to describe these people. Their origin is unclear and in dispute but it seems the contemporary speakers of Latin, at times, used the name Rossi when referring to these people. It is likely the current surname of Rossi survives today as a result of these original Latin, and probably Greek, references to the Rus' people.

Below are excerpts of scholarly primary and secondary references to "The Rossi":

“…under the dominion of Rurik and his Warjaega Rossi, a Scandinavian tribe to whom this denomination was given by the Finns.” [cite book
last =PRICHARD
first =JAMES COWLES
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =RESEARCHES INTO THE PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MANKIND
publisher =SHERWOOD, GILBERT, AND PIPER
date =1841
location =
pages =409
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = ]

“…who, as they were conquered, took the name of Russians, from Rossi, that of the tribe to which their Scandinavian conquerors belonged)” [cite book
last =BUSK
first =MRS. WILLIAM
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =MEDIEVAL POPES, EMPERORS, KINGS, AND CRUSADERS; OF, GERMANY, ITALY AND PALESTINE, FROM A.D. 1125 TO A.D. 1268
publisher =HOOKHAM & SONS
date =1854
location =Old Bond Street London
pages =Pg 9
url =
doi =
id =
isbn = ]

“The Slavi of Novogorod (Novgorod) were completely subjugated by the Varangian Rossi, and for the first time the name of Russ, or Russian, — probably derived from the appellation of the conquerors, — appears in history. [THE CZAR HIS COURT AND PEOPLE: A TOUR IN NORWAY AND SWEDEN". JOHN S. MAXWELL. NEW YORK: BAKER AND SCRIBNER, 36 PARK ROW AND 145 NASSAU STREET. 1848. Pages 185 and 186.]

“…as -with the Teutonic Rossi and the Bulgarians, they denationalize their conquerors and merge them into the Slavonic family" [THE RACES THE OLD WORLD. A MANUAL OF ETHNOLOGY". BY CHARLES L. BRACE, LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1863. I. J Page 78.]

“The Russians, or Muscovites, belong to this branch of the Slavonic family, though their name is derived from a Scandinavian tribe — Rossi — who gave them their governing family for some centuries.” [THE RACES THE OLD WORLD. A MANUAL OF ETHNOLOGY". BY CHARLES L. BRACE, LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1863. I. J Page 78.]

"In the following year, the Rossi, a new tribe of Scythian warriors, having driven out their predecessors, the Bulgarians, took possession of their country,,,” [READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY. A SELECTION OF THE LIVES OF EMINENT MEN OF ALL NATIONS". THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND. MDCCCXXXIV. Pages 237.]

“Scarcely had these commotions been suppressed, when a new war with the Rossi engaged the attention of the emperor.” [READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY. A SELECTION OF THE LIVES OF EMINENT MEN OF ALL NATIONS". THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND. MDCCCXXXIV. Pages 238.]

“…before the Rossi had recovered from their surprise at his unexpected appearance…. a part of the Rossi escaped to the citadel, but they were closely pursued by the…’’ [READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY. A SELECTION OF THE LIVES OF EMINENT MEN OF ALL NATIONS". THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND. MDCCCXXXIV. Pages 239.]

“The Rossi raised an immense army to avenge their losses…” [READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY. A SELECTION OF THE LIVES OF EMINENT MEN OF ALL NATIONS". THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND. MDCCCXXXIV. Pages 239.]

“The Rossi fled in confusion, and were pursued with great slaughter.” [READINGS IN BIOGRAPHY. A SELECTION OF THE LIVES OF EMINENT MEN OF ALL NATIONS". THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER, WEST STRAND. MDCCCXXXIV. Pages 240.]

Primary Sources referring to The Rossi:

“Interim quidquid est intra Euxinum pontum maritimarum regionum, Rossica incursionibus vexabat atque vastabat classis. Rossi gens est Scythica, ad septentrionalem incolens Taurum, fera atque immanis.” [Georgios Kedrenos, PG 121, 661-662: “Timotheus, cognomento Aelurus"]

The above partly translated from Latin:

" …… and ravaged a fleet of a hundred ships. Rossi clan is Scythica, to septentrionalem to inhabit Taurum , wild animal and monstrous”

“Meanwhile all the maritime regions within the Pontos Euxeinos were plagued and ravaged by the incursions of the Ros ships. The Ros are a Scythian people, dwelling in the northern Taurus, savage and monstrous in size." [Stang, Hakon. "The Naming of Russia." Oslo: Middelelser, 1996.] (Latin translation of Kedrenos above)

Patriarch Photius provides a unique description of the adoption of Christianity by Rus’-Ukraine in his circular letter written for the eastern bishops in 867:

“The Rossi are known for their cruelty, as conquerors of neighboring peoples, who in their arrogance dared to fight the Roman Empire, they have already abandoned superstitions, are professing Christ and are our friends, even though quite recently they were implacable enemies. They have already accepted a bishop and a priest from us and are eager to celebrate Christian divine services.” [Patriarch Photius]

The following paragraph is from Butler's "Lives of the Saints":

“In the mean time Ignatius was brought back from Mitylene to the isle of Terebinthus, about the time that his monasteries with the neighboring isles were all plundered, and twenty. three of his domestics massacred by a fleet of a Scythian nation, called Rossi, or Russians. The pope's two legates being arrived at Constantinople, Photius and the emperor found means to gain them after they had long resisted.” [The first edition of Butler's Lives of the Saints was written by Alban Butler, an English priest and scholar, and appeared between 1756 and 1759]

References

ee also

*Varangians