Invaders Threaten Europe

The Vikings

Who? The Vikings were… Norse culture Seafaring people of Germanic descent, based in Scandinavia What? Fierce invaders who raided, traded, settled in Europe and Asia When? 8 th -11 th Centuries (700s-1000s)—The Middle Ages

Religion Pagans/Norse mythology Archaeological evidence shows that they began to incorporate Christianity into their religion Peteri coin (St. Peter)

Language The Viking peoples could read and write. They used a non- standardized alphabet, called runor. While there are few remains of runic writing on paper from the Viking era, thousands of stones with runic inscriptions have been found where Vikings lived. They are usually in memory of the dead, though not necessarily placed at graves. Runestones

Eyewitness Account of the Vikings I have seen the Rus as they came on their merchant journeys and encamped by the Itil (Volga River). I have never seen more perfect physical specimens, tall as date palms, blond and ruddy; they wear neither tunics nor kaftans, but the men wear a garment which covers one side of the body and leaves a hand free. Each man has an axe, a sword, and a knife, and keeps each by him at all times. Each woman wears a box of iron, silver, copper, or gold; the value of the box indicates the wealth of the husband. Each box has a ring from which depends a knife. The women wear neck- rings of gold and silver. Their most prized ornaments are green glassbeads. They string them as necklaces for their women.Itiltunicskaftansaxeswordknifeironsilvercoppergoldknifegreenglassbeadsnecklaces Ibn Fadlan, on the Rus merchants at Itil, 922.

There have been several archaeological finds of Viking ships of all sizes There were many types of Viking ships Most well-known = longship – Used for warfare and exploration – designed for speed and agility, sneak- attacks from rivers – were equipped with oars to complement the sail, making navigation possible independently of the wind. – Light weight, could carry them Viking Ships

How was geography important to the Vikings? Answer in 1 sentence on the back of your chart.

A Viking was the first European to discover America?! Leif Erikson by John K. Daniels, near the en:Minnesota State Capitol. en:Minnesota State Capitol Leif Erikson Norse Explorer First European to land in North America (excluding Greenland) 500 years before Columbus! “Vinland” = probably Canada

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I Wonder…