2.  Vikings invade from the North:  From about 800-1000 C.E. invasions destroyed the Carolingian Empire  The Vikings (Northsmen/Norsemen) were a Germanic people from Scandinavia, Northern Europe  The Vikings worshiped warlike gods and took pride in names like Eric the Bloodaxe and Thorfin Skullspliter  Came through Europe pillaging and looting villages all over Europe

3. Viking ships were the best of the time Long and narrow; carried about 50 men Allowed Viking invaders to travel further inland

4.  Vikings Invade from the North  Vikings are not just invaders  Also farmers, traders, and explorers  Leif Ericson a Viking explorer reached North America in 1000 C.E. nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus  Around 1000 C.E. the climate in Scandinavia grew warmer making farming much easier  New generations of Vikings stayed to farm bringing an end to most Viking raids

5. Odin Major god, father of the gods God of war, death, poetry and wisdom Rules over Asgard with his wife Frigg Father to the mighty Thor

6. Asgard is the capital city of the Norse gods, similar to Mount Olympus (Greek) Inside Asgard is the great hall of Valhalla Valhalla is a majestic hall that serves as a way to celebrate great Viking warriors. Odin selects men who die in battle to live eternally in Valhalla with all others who have died bravely in battle. Fallen Vikings are brought to Valhalla by Valkyrie's

7. God of thunder and lightning, also protector of man-kind Son of Odin Wields a giant hammer

8. Loki is a shape shifter Can take on the appearance on many other people and creatures Trickster god, god of mischief

9. Prophecy in Nordic mythology that describes several events that will lead to the destruction of many god including Odin Natural disasters will result in the earth being submerged in water and will return new and fertile. Then the world will be repopulated by two humans…