Was the Caspian Sea navigated in previous centuries? (ancient, viking, kings)

[MalaMan]

Anyone knows anything about navigation on the Caspian Sea before the year 1799?

[Dd714]

Not in a lot of detail but I know there are fishing villages, both ancient and modern, all around the coast. Fishing villages and people mean boats crossing back and forth even though the vast size of the sea seems insourmountable. The size of the lake has changed in history as well.
In the early 1700's the Czar actually had a navy force patrolling the Caspian.

[grega94]

The Varangians (Vikings) and the Rus traded with Persia through the Volga trade route.


"Map showing the major Varangian trade routes: the Volga trade route (in red) and the Trade Route from the Varangians to the Greeks (in purple). Other trade routes of the eighth-eleventh centuries shown in orang"