THE SCENE: In describing the people of the Rus, the Scandinavian/Slavic forbears of the Russian nation, an Arab traveler who encountered them describes them as vigorous, violent, and darkly religious.
THE TEXT: If one of them has a quarrel with another, it is referred to the ruler, who settles it as he sees fit. If they do not agree with his settlement, he orders the difference to be settled by single combat. The man with the sharpest sword wins. The companions of the two adversaries come out and stand watching with their arms. The two men fight, and the winner imposes his will on his adversary.
In their lands they have medicine men who have power comparable to the gods, for they can order the sacrifice of women, men, or horses to their creator. Anything ordered by these medicine men must faithfully be executed. Any medicine man can seize a man or animal, put a rope round his neck and hang him until he dies, saying that he is a sacrifice to god.
They have great stamina and endurance. They never quit the battlefield without having slaughtered their enemy. They take the women and enslave them. They are remarkable for their size, their physique and their bravery. They fight best on shipboard, not on horseback.
They never go off alone to relieve themselves, but always with three companions to guard them, sword in hand, for they have little trust in one another. Treachery is endemic, and even a poor man can be envied by a comrade, who will not hesitate to kill him and rob him.
– Ibn Rusta, 10th Century AD
