Who were the Vikings?
- Davit Grigoryan
- Feb 26
- 7 min read
The Vikings have a firmly established bad reputation. It is believed that these northern barbarians, wielding rusty axes and clubs, indiscriminately attacked settlements, raped women, plundered churches, and made bloody sacrifices in the name of Odin... Over the centuries, the image of the Vikings has been embellished with fantastical myths—some even believe they could transform into bears on the battlefield. Let's try to understand what the Vikings were really like.
Who were the Vikings?
Vikings are referred to as the inhabitants of the northern countries who set out to conquer new territories in search of a better life. They were skilled seafarers and formidable warriors. However, the Vikings were experienced traders, community-oriented farmers, and craftsmen. Their era is commonly believed to have occurred during the early Middle Ages, spanning the 8th to the 11th centuries.
The Anglo-Saxons believed that the Vikings came from Denmark. However, this claim turned out to be a myth. The Vikings originated from Denmark and other Scandinavian regions, including Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and beyond. Their era began in the 8th century with raids on England, their closest neighbor.
As mentioned earlier, the Vikings were not only conquerors but also skilled traders and diplomats. They traveled great distances by sea, rivers, and land. Their traded goods were wool, iron, tin, leather, wheat, fish, and more. In return, the Scandinavians brought back spices, silver, silk, pottery, glass, and jewelry to their homeland.
Historians still debate why the Vikings embarked on their expeditions. One theory suggests that their territories were overpopulated, and the climate was harsh, prompting these seafarers to search for new, livable lands. Additionally, pursuing wealth and glory drove them to seek new adventures.
The word "Viking" comes from the Old Norse word "víkingr", which could have several meanings. Most plausibly, it derives from "vík"—meaning bay or inlet. Thus, "víkingr" translates to "person from the bay". This term describes raiders who took refuge in coastal waters long before the Vikings acquired their infamous reputation abroad. However, not all Scandinavians were sea raiders, and the terms "Viking" and "Scandinavian" should not be considered synonymous. The French typically referred to Vikings as Normans, while the English indiscriminately labeled all Scandinavians as Danes. Slavs, Khazars, Arabs, and Greeks who interacted with Swedish Vikings called them Rus' or Varangians.
How did Vikings live?
Abroad, the Vikings appeared as raiders, conquerors, and traders, while at home they primarily engaged in farming, hunting, fishing, and raising livestock. The independent farmer, working alone or with family members, formed the backbone of Scandinavian society. No matter how small his land, he remained free and was not bound as a serf to someone else's property. Kinship ties were strong across all layers of Scandinavian society, and members usually acted together with relatives in important matters. Clans fiercely protected the reputation of their members, and any affront to someone's honor often led to severe internal conflicts.
Women played an important role in the family. They could own property, make decisions about marriage, and divorce an unsuitable spouse independently. However, outside the family home, women's participation in public life remained minimal.
In the Viking era, most people ate twice a day. The main foods were meat, fish, and grains. Meat and fish were usually boiled, and less often roasted. For preservation, these foods were dried and salted. Grains used included rye, oats, barley, and several types of wheat. Typically, grains were used to make porridge, but occasionally bread was baked. Vegetables and fruits were eaten rarely. Beverages include milk, beer, fermented honey drinks, and, among the upper classes, imported wine.
Peasant clothing consisted of a long woolen shirt, short baggy trousers, stockings, and a rectangular cloak. Vikings of higher classes wore long trousers, socks, and brightly colored cloaks. Woolen mittens and hats were common, as well as fur hats and even felt hats. Women of the upper class typically wore long garments consisting of a bodice and a skirt. From the clasps on their clothing, thin chains hung with scissors and cases for needles, knives, keys, and other small items. Married women styled their hair in a bun and wore white linen conical caps. Unmarried girls wore their hair pinned up with ribbons.
Peasant homes were usually simple single-room structures, built either from tightly fitted vertical timbers or, more commonly, from woven branches coated with clay. Wealthier people typically lived in large rectangular houses that accommodated extended families. In heavily forested Scandinavia, these houses were built from wood, often combined with clay, while in Iceland and Greenland, where timber was scarce, local stone was extensively used. Walls there could be up to 90 cm thick or more. Roofs were generally made from turf. The central living area of the house was low and dark, with a long hearth in the middle. Food was cooked, eaten, and slept in this space. Sometimes, rows of posts were installed along the walls inside the house to support the roof, and the separated side areas were used as sleeping quarters.
The Vikings valued martial prowess but equally revered literature, history, and art. Viking literature existed in oral form, and only sometime after the Viking Age did written works begin to appear. The runic alphabet was used at that time mainly for inscriptions on gravestones, magical spells, and brief messages. However, in Iceland, a rich folklore was preserved. It was recorded after the Viking Age using the Latin alphabet by scribes who wished to immortalize the deeds of their ancestors. Viking art was primarily decorative. Predominant motifs included intricate animals and energetic abstract compositions of interlacing ribbons. These designs were used in wood carving, fine gold and silver items, and decorations on runestones and memorials, which were erected to commemorate significant events.
Initially, the Vikings worshiped pagan gods and goddesses. The most important among them were Thor, Odin, Frey, and the goddess Freyja, while Njord, Ullr, Baldr, and a few other domestic deities held lesser significance. Worship took place in temples or sacred forests, groves, and springs. The Vikings also believed in a multitude of supernatural beings, including trolls, elves, giants, water spirits, and magical inhabitants of forests, hills, and rivers. Blood sacrifices were common, and sacrificial animals were usually consumed by the priest and his attendants during feasts held in temples.
There were also human sacrifices, including ritual killings of kings to ensure the prosperity of the land. In addition to priests and priestesses, some sorcerers practiced black magic. People of the Viking Age placed great importance on luck as a form of spiritual power inherent to all individuals, particularly leaders and kings. Nevertheless, the era was marked by a pessimistic and fatalistic outlook. Fate was viewed as an independent force above both gods and humans. Some poets and philosophers believed that both humans and gods were doomed to undergo a powerful struggle and cataclysm known as Ragnarök (Icelandic: "the end of the world").
Brief History of the Vikings
The history of the Vikings, known for their daring sea voyages and bravery, spans several centuries, from the 8th to the 11th century. The Vikings were distinguished by their military skills and their drive to explore new lands and trade. They conducted daring raids on the coastlines of Europe, including Britain, France, Spain, and other regions. The Vikings were known for their longships and fast and lightweight vessels that allowed them to navigate rivers and seas.
The history of the Vikings includes many notable events and figures. One of the most famous Vikings was Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary leader and warrior. According to sagas and legends, Ragnar conducted several successful raids on Europe and even conquered Paris, making him one of the most prominent figures in Viking history.
The Great Viking Expedition is also closely tied to Viking history. In the 9th century, Vikings led by Hastein and Bjorn Ironside invaded France and established their kingdom—Normandy. This event had a significant impact on European history, as the Normans later played a key role in the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
An important aspect of Viking history was also their exploration and colonization of new lands. Vikings were the first Europeans to reach North America. The Viking Leif Erikson established a settlement in Newfoundland, which was named Vinland. This was an early indication of contact between Europe and America.
Over time, the influence of the Vikings waned, and their way of life began to change under the growing influence of Christianization and the centralization of power. In the 10th century, centralized kingdoms such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden emerged in Scandinavia. Viking armies turned into regular military forces, and their raids and expeditions gave way to the establishment of trade networks and the colonization of new lands. One example of such colonization is the founding of settlements on the island of Iceland in the 9th century. The Vikings established a new community there, which developed on principles of democracy and justice. The laws and customs of this community were recorded in the "Law of the Gódar" and the "Law of the Free Trade". Iceland became a center of Viking culture, where literature and poetry flourished.
However, despite the changes in their way of life, the Vikings left an indelible mark on history. They made significant contributions to the development of seafaring and navigation, opening new trade routes and establishing contacts with various cultures. Viking ships, such as the longships, were magnificent examples of ancient shipbuilding and continued to be used for centuries after the Vikings had disappeared. The history of the Vikings remains a source of inspiration and study for historians, archaeologists, and history enthusiasts worldwide. It allows us to glimpse into the past and learn about the lives and deeds of these remarkable people, who left their mark across Northern Europe and far beyond.
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