The Vikings: Gernanic Norse Seafarers

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The Vikings were Gernanic Norse seafarers who originated in the coastal areas of Scandinavia. The Vikings lived from the late 8th to early 11th century in the period of time known as the Viking Age. They were the invaders who wreaked the most violence, came from the north-bands of Scandinavian warriors. Their way of life resembled with the Germanic tribes who had earlier invaded the Roman Empire. I will analyze the Viking connections: customs, travels, and conquests, trade, military technology.

(customs) Advancing agriculture, metalworking and shipbuilding technology were the Vikings culture. Since the Vikings inhabited far from towns, they grew their own crops and built their own houses. The Viking farmers raised livestock like …show more content…

The outstanding navigational skills and brave sailors who were ready to risk their live on journeys led them to travel other lands. The Vikings were different from most Europeans of their time in that they had no fear of leaving land. They traveled many parts of Europe like east down the Dnieper River to the Black Sea and the rich city of Constantinople. There were many types of ships for various uses. They developed innovative ships to sail across the ocean. The distinctive features of Viking ships were raised prows and square sails. They made dragon-ships and long-ships for a sudden attack and war. It carried 50 -100 men. One of the largest ship was 16.5 meters long. The well-known ship was the long-ship. Sometimes they loaded a ship with goods like weapons, provisions, and animals. Ships were indispensable to the Vikings life.

(trade) The Viking had an extensive trading networks. A lot of the Vikings engaged in international trade to Europeans, even to Central Asians. The main two trade routes were connected Northern Europe with Constantinople, Jerusalem. They imported items: spices and herbs, glass, wine, weapons, slaves. They exported goods: honey, wheat, wool, down feather, whalebone. They were not used to using coinage, paper money. Their economy was based on bullion, which is gold and silver bar that is officially recognized as 99.5%

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