Vikings 4

A detailed Summary of Vikings 4

Throughout history, Vikings have been portrayed as graceless and boorish pirates. Their tale is notorious. They were well known, and feared, by those they conquered. They seemed intent on wreaking havoc on all civilizations, and blithe of the well being of their own. These accusations have originated, though, mainly from the victims of Viking conquests, and have, in most cases, been exagerated. Although Vikings have the stereotype of being cruel barbarians, they actually lived complex, emotional, and civilized lives.

The word "Viking" has many different interpretations. Most scholars belive it originated from Viking victims from such words as "vikingr" (Old Norse for "pirate"), "wic", and "wicingas" (Old English for "pirate"/"sailor"; "encampment")(p.13, Magnusson). The word "Viking", however, is used as a broad term for any Scandinavian (Norseman) during the Middle Ages.

According to popular beliefs, Vikings were pirates, and the results of their piracy were devastating to those they conquered. Many of these views are correct. Vikings raided other countries. They looted treasure, destroyed towns and villages, and killed many people. Records of these terrible raids exist in the literature, and by word of mouth of the people i

Viking men were trained to fight bravely and fiercely for their possessions at a very young age. They were usually taken away from their mothers to be raised by men. Boys were raised this way to become warriors (the noblest of professions). In the midst of all the warlike training, Viking boys grew into a special relationship with their fathers. The greatest single bond was between a father and son. A man's legacy need not die with him if he had a son. A son was expected to avenge his father's death. This vengeance often resulted in family feuds that could last many generations. It was a great tragedy for a father to lose his son.

Vikings had a religion consisting of many gods and goddesses. Each was in control of some aspect of nature. There was even a social class amongst the gods. Odin was the chief-god, and the god of the sky. He had two ravens, Hunin and Munin, on his shoulders that brought him the news. He and the other members of Aesir (group of principle gods) lived in Asgard (heaven). When a Viking warrior died honorably by the sword, he hoped to join the gods and dine in Asgard.

n the countries they invaded. This may seem appalling to the modern ear, but invasions were executed by many cultures in the Middle Ages, not just by the Vikings. "In a turbulent period, when piracy and casual raiding were a commonplace of everyday life all over Europe, the Vikings happened to be more successful at it than most other people; and they paid for it by getting an extremely bad reputation."(p.10, Golding). Vikings had little other to be identified with. They had very few written records, or literature, or works of art as many other cultures were developing at the

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Category: History