The VikingsThe Vikings

Who were the Vikings?Who were the Vikings?

• The Vikings were raiders from The Vikings were raiders from Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Sweden). Sweden).

• Only when they were raiding were they Only when they were raiding were they "vikings""vikings": They were basically farmers : They were basically farmers who raised livestock and fishermen, who raised livestock and fishermen, some of whom went some of whom went "a-viking""a-viking" in the in the summer. summer.

• The Vikings were also known as the The Vikings were also known as the NorseNorse or or Northmen.Northmen.

When did the Vikings live?When did the Vikings live?

• The Viking Age The Viking Age began about began about 750 750 ADAD

• TheThe end of the end of the Viking Age is usually Viking Age is usually given asgiven as 1066 1066 when when the Norwegian King the Norwegian King Harald Haraade lost Harald Haraade lost a battle to the a battle to the English King Harold. English King Harold.

Where did the Vikings go?Where did the Vikings go?

Where did they go?Where did they go?

• WEST:WEST: The Vikings sailed west and discovered Iceland, The Vikings sailed west and discovered Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland, which today is know as New Foundland, Greenland, and Vinland, which today is know as New Foundland, Canada.  Canada. 

• EAST:EAST: They sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed and They sailed east to Estonia, and from there sailed and down rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, the down rivers to get further into the land. By sailing on rivers, the Vikings got as far as the Black Sea! Vikings got as far as the Black Sea!

• SOUTH:SOUTH: Most frequently they traveled to the British Isles, Ireland Most frequently they traveled to the British Isles, Ireland or France. Isolated towns and churches were easy targets for or France. Isolated towns and churches were easy targets for the Vikings.   the Vikings.  

• COLONIES:COLONIES: In Northern England the Norsemen settled and In Northern England the Norsemen settled and established a large colony. A great number of Vikings settled on established a large colony. A great number of Vikings settled on Iceland in the 9th century, and some went further west, to Iceland in the 9th century, and some went further west, to Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in Eastern Europe. Greenland. Some Vikings also settled in Eastern Europe. 

What did they do?What did they do?

• Raiding and PillagingRaiding and Pillaging– They traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and beautiful They traveled by sea or up rivers in their fast and beautiful

longships to attack and seize treasures from monasteries, longships to attack and seize treasures from monasteries, towns, and churches. towns, and churches.

• TradingTrading– The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in wood, The Norse were traders and skilled craftspeople in wood,

jewelry, stone, and ivory.jewelry, stone, and ivory.– In Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic merchants In Asia, they traded goods, often slaves, with Arabic merchants

and brought back home exotic goods like glass and spices.  and brought back home exotic goods like glass and spices.  • ExploringExploring

– They created trade networks and settlements throughout They created trade networks and settlements throughout Europe and across the North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Europe and across the North Atlantic Ocean to Iceland, Greenland, and the North American Mainland. Greenland, and the North American Mainland.

• Ship BuildingShip Building

Why did they raid?Why did they raid?

• Increased wealth and trading within EuropeIncreased wealth and trading within Europe

• Fine treasures available in monasteries and Fine treasures available in monasteries and churcheschurches

• Political instability in ScandinaviaPolitical instability in Scandinavia

• Improved technology of the longships Improved technology of the longships

• Political unrest and frequent war in EuropePolitical unrest and frequent war in Europe

• Over-population and limited farmland in Over-population and limited farmland in Scandinavia. Scandinavia.

How did they travel?How did they travel?

• There were two distinct There were two distinct classes of Viking ships: the classes of Viking ships: the longshiplongship and the and the knarrknarr. .

• The longship was used for The longship was used for warfare and exploration.warfare and exploration.– designed for speed and designed for speed and

agilityagility– equipped with oars and a equipped with oars and a

sail sail – Long, narrow hull allowed it Long, narrow hull allowed it

to travel in shallow water to travel in shallow water • The knarr was a slower The knarr was a slower

merchant ship with a larger merchant ship with a larger cargo capacity.cargo capacity.

How do we know about How do we know about Vikings?Vikings?• Norse rune- and Norse rune- and

picture stones and picture stones and grave monuments grave monuments

• Chronicles written by Chronicles written by European monks European monks

• Norse literature (The Norse literature (The Sagas) written 200-Sagas) written 200-300 years after the 300 years after the end of the Viking Ageend of the Viking Age

• Archeology and Archeology and excavations excavations