You’ve spent the last two weeks on a boat with 30 other men You’ve been out in the wind rain and sun You’ve slept under the stars with little protection from the elements It’s been weeks since your last warm meal You’ve eaten only dried fish and meat Now you approach land You’re tired from rowing but you’re also excited You’ve been preparing for this since you were a child You are in the best physical shape of your life And you are surrounded by brave and capable warriors You don’t know what awaits you in the new land ahead but you are not afraid Like the men around you you believe that the time of your death is predetermined There is nothing you can do to stop it So you have nothing to fear As you approach shore several men jump out of the boat into the shallow water You gather your spear and shield Then you rush off the boat into the unknown You are a part of one of the greatest seafaring cultures of all time You are a Viking 5
CHAPTER 1 Who Were the Vikings The Vikings were Scandinavian sailors and raiders They were explorers traders and warriors Most came from Denmark Norway and Sweden They were most active from about 800 to 1100 During this time the Vikings took over European lands using force and violence They terrified many people But they also spread Scandinavian goods and ideas throughout Europe Although all Vikings came from Scandinavian countries these adventurers weren’t united by a single goal or cause Sometimes they sought land and resources Sometimes they stole riches Some Viking groups even formed permanent settlements Vikings Vikings have had many other names throughout history They have been referred to as Norsemen Northmen and Normans 6
GREENLAND ICELAND NORWAY SWEDEN RUSSIA CANADA UNITED KINGDOM EUROPE ATLANTIC OCEAN FRANCE BLACK SEA VIKING LANDS AND ROUTES MAP KEY Viking homelands Viking settlements Viking routes MEDITERRANEAN SEA AFRICA founded major cities that still exist in Ireland and the United Kingdom They were the first Europeans to settle in Iceland and Greenland Vikings were fierce fighters They could be ruthless But they were also capable farmers and expert shipbuilders and sailors The Vikings fast and stable ships allowed them to travel farther than other European groups of the time 7
