Door 4
04 Dec. 2018
Byzantine Hematite Earrings
Behind door # 4 we find a pair of beautiful Byzantine / Kings Chain earrings that can be worn for any occasion.
The byzantine pattern is made of 925S silver plated 4 mm jump rings. Two round 6 mm Hematite beads and silver colored copper alloy stars makes the finishing touch to these one of a kind earrings.
Got metal allergy? The winner may choose between 316L stainless steel, 925Sterling silver or titanium earring hooks.
Length (hooks included): 6 cm / 2.3"
If you're drawn to the Hematite crystal, it could be a sign that you're in need of grounding and balancing in your life. As soon as the Hematite crystal stone touches the skin, you'll feel more centered and calm with its intense but subtle vibrations. Calling all drama queens! While all crystals have powerful grounding effects, the Hematite crystal properties are a gem when it comes to clearing and activating the root chakra, the energy center that anchors us to the earth and provides a feeling of stability.
Shipping costs are calculated from both the size of the package and its weight.
The costs for shipping this item with standard priority mail (covered by the winner) is:
Within Norway: 26,- NOK
To Europe: 32,- NOK
To the rest of the world: 39,- NOK
Today's question:
t
(the answer is found in the text below)
The quiz is now over. Please try today's door.
The conquest of Miklagard
While the Norwegian and Danish Vikings went west on their travels, Swedish Vikings went eastward. These Vikings who crossed the Baltic Sea and came down through Eastern Europe were called "Rus". The word is probably derived from the Finnish word "ruotsi", a word for the Swedes meaning "crew of a crew".
As the Rus migrated down the Dnieper and Volga Rivers, they established settlements along trade routes to the Black and Caspian Seas and conquered the native Slavic populations in present-day Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. They traveled to Bagdad, probably the worlds largest city at that time, and the high-quality silver coins which was characterized by the Abbasid Caliphate scattered across the Middle East.
Later they traveled for Constantinople: the capital of the Byzantine Empire, which was said to have even greater wealth. The big attraction in trade was silk, which was a massively prestigious product - for which they traded slaves, furs, beeswax and honey with the Byzantines. Constantinople, or Miklagard as the vikings called the town, was also one of the few places that still had gold coins, which were in short supply compared to the Roman period.
In addition to trading with the Byzantines, the vikings would launch huge surprise attacks on Constantinople both in year 860 and in 941. Neither times they were able to conquer the town itself, but the population living around the city suffered huge losses. By the time the Byzantine reinforcements finally arrived, the vikings had sailed for home for the winter (and jól) with their ships loaded with silver, gold, silk, beads, slaves, gems, fabrics and jewelry – including Byzantine gold and silver chains.
These chains was rare, and were largely reserved for kings, chiefs and high-ranking vikings, and consequently, the maille pattern eventually became known as the Kings Chain.
Main source: History.com
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2018 (C) Lisbeth M. Sandvik
