About 700 Varangians served along with Dalmatians as marines in Byzantine naval expeditions against the Emirate of Crete in 902 and a force of 629 returned to Crete under Constantine Porphyrogenitus in 949 .
As early as 911 , Varangians are mentioned as fighting as mercenaries for the Byzantines .
About 700 Varangians served along with Dalmatians as marines in Byzantines naval expeditions against the Emirate of Crete in 902 and a force of 629 returned to Crete under Constantine Porphyrogenitus in 949 .
As early as 911 , Varangians are mentioned as fighting as mercenaries for the Byzantines .