Viking Settlement on the Volga?

Is it plausible that the Vikings could set up settlements down the Volga? From there, could they cross the Caspian and build sea-side towns in Central Asia? If they did this, in what numbers would they do this and how long would their influence remain in the area?
 
Is it plausible that the Vikings could set up settlements down the Volga? From there, could they cross the Caspian and build sea-side towns in Central Asia? If they did this, in what numbers would they do this and how long would their influence remain in the area?

It is known and proved I believe that the (swedish I believe) norses used to travell the big rivers of western modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Baltic area down to go to trade and deal with the Byzantines - it's the road taken by the first Varangians I believe. But they where probably in low numbers albeit we were noticed recently that in some cases at least, women where along and even fought...
Small settlements are perhaps possible.
 
Well, it's technically possible that you may have establishments (rather than settlements, that are far more rare) along Volga (actually you most probably had reckon from Varangians historically), but I don't think it would be enough to really have an importance.

After all the Volga way was completly taken over by Arabo-Islamic traders, as it pointed directly toward their territories rather than Constantinople (hence the islamisation of Bulgars).

Now, if for some reasons, Volga Bulgars were to collapse, you *may* have some Rus' influence earlier in the Upper Volga, eventually opening the region to a small (essentially traders, and non-permanant while possibly continuous) varangian presence.
But the economical decline of Abassids, the greater importance of Dniepr way, and the problem of scretching a presence that was already quite fine are huge problems to make it worthwhile.
 
It is known and proved I believe that the (swedish I believe) norses used to travell the big rivers of western modern Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Baltic area down to go to trade and deal with the Byzantines - it's the road taken by the first Varangians I believe. But they where probably in low numbers albeit we were noticed recently that in some cases at least, women where along and even fought...
Small settlements are perhaps possible.

The Norse did pass thru Volga river in OTL. This is the Arab-Norse Trade that pass thru the Volga river. Although this lost its important to the Norse when the Arabs ran low on silver. So, there is no reason for the Norse to be in the Volga by the 11th century.

You are correct though. The Norse-Byzantine trade passes thru the Dnieper River.
 
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