In Russian historical science, the Varangian, or Norman, question occupies a special place. It is inextricably linked with the question: “How was the Old Russian state founded?”, which worries those who are interested in the past of their Fatherland. Outside of scientific circles, this problem is often reduced to an almost three-hundred-year ongoing dispute, which began in the 18th century, between Normanists and anti-Normanists.M. Seryakov, based on a comprehensive analysis of accumulated archival and archaeological material, examines the main arguments of representatives of both historical schools and determines the actual ethnic nature of the princes and their squads called to Rus' in 862. The book also shows the real reasons for the existence of the Norman theory and the ideological ideas that determine it. The book will be of interest to both historians and a wide range of readers interested in the origin of Russian statehood.