The Vikings Essay examples -- History Historical Research Papers

The VikingsTypically, the image of a Viking is a barbaric, bearded man plundering and destroying a beside village. This is actually the stereotypical viewpoint. In actuality, Vikings, have a very different image. For example, Vikings did not wear furry boots or furry armor, they did not have thrust helmets, they invaded Britain, and they also were the first to discover America They were also experts in nautical technology, crafts, trading, warfare and many other skills (Jonsson 1). With all of these traits, the Vikings seem comparable an unstoppable jam in the European continent. But, who were the Vikings? The Vikings were actually venturesome seafarers. This means that they were travelers who were constantly exploring and looking for new areas of land. There roots can be traced all the way moxie to 6000 B.C. were nomadic men traveled in primitive crafts up the Denmark coast. Fast forward two millennia and these nomadic people have established permanent homes, exactly still usi ng the boat for food and travel. As stated before, they were not just raiders, although they did do this frequently, but they were actually expert traders, trading all round the world. It wasnt until around 793 A.D. that a Viking explosion took place in northern Europe (Jonsson 2). Raids began to take place on neighboring villages and their places of worship. To some this is the only graphic symbol of knowledge they have about Vikings. However, their civilization was something to be admired. Trading, religion, and usual life are all important parts of a Viking culture.Trading was a comminuted part to the culture life of a Viking. This task brought in many important goods that the Vikings needed to live an ordinary life. The Vikings were the international tradesmen of their time. In Constantinople (Istanbul) they traded silk and spices for slaves that they had brought from Russia. They Amber they set in motion in the Baltic area and they brought furs, skins, and walrus tusk ivo ry to the trading towns in Western Europe from the northern parts of the world such as Greenland. The Vikings founded trading cities in Scandinavia such as Birka, Ribe, Hedeby and Skiringsal. In Ireland they founded terrific trade in Dublin and, in England, they made the city of York flourish to become the most(prenominal) important trading town outside of London (La Fay 149-150). At a time when old trade routes between east and west thro... ...of goods with the Vikings. In everyday life, every one of us is in search of the right food, the best and warmest clothing, and the perfect place to live. Religion is still important to the American people, just like it was to the Vikings way back then. And even today, the American people exchange goods through the use of trading. However, in the present, we use plenty of money to get the supplies we need to survive. The Vikings culture can be seen as a way of survival. If they didnt work hard enough to get the items they needed to survive, they would die off. So, the Vikings were more than a mickle of wild men running around northern England destroying cities and killing people. They strived to lead a healthy life to the fullest extent possible during their time. Many people in northern England who are descendants of the Vikings are proud to be a progeny of such a dominant and prestigious culture.BIBILIOGRAPHYWorks CitedLa Fay, Howard. The Vikings Washington, D.C., internal GeographicSociety, 1972Jensen, Ole Klindt. The World of the Vikings London, England. BerneConvention, 1967Wernick, Robert. The Vikings Morristown, New Jersey. Time-Life BooksInc. 1979