The Vikings

Who Were the Vikings?

• The Vikings – a group of seafaring people most active from from the 8th to 11th centuries

• From the Scandinavian region of northern Europe

Present-day map of the Scandinavian Peninsula

The Viking Age

• The name “Viking” comes from an old Norse verb meaning “pirate raid”

The Vikings

• The Vikings:– Carried round,

wooden shields– Sailed on longships

The Viking Age

• The earliest recorded Viking raid was in 790 C.E.

• Most Raids were carried out against Churches

• Disovered Iceland, Greenland, and North America

The Viking Age

• Historians are uncertain what motivated Vikings to raid

• Possibilities:– Acquire riches– Needed resources due

to poor farmland at home

Famous Vikings

• Harold Hadrada

- Raided parts of Russia and Byzantium

- King of Norway

- Was Killed trying to invade England

• Erik the Red

- Nicknamed for his temper and red hair

- Banished from Norway and Iceland for murder

- Started a Viking colony on Greenland

• Leif Eriksson

- Son of Eric the Red

- Discovered North America 500 years before Columbus.

- Called Canada Vineland (Wineland)

Viking Religion

• The Vikings worshipped multiple gods, including:– Odin: God of battle and

death– Thor: god of thunder and

the sky

• In Norse religion, those who died in battle could go to Valhalla, a majestic hall ruled over by Odin Odin

What Happened to the Vikings?

• Raiding became less profitable

• Many Vikings converted to Christianity

• Targets became more fortified