They were a people originally from Scandinavia, who colonized and plundered various regions of Europe between the 9th and 11th centuries, greatly influencing the culture and history of the continent. The name by which they became known would have originated from the word vikingr, which would mean «pirate» in ancient Scandinavian languages - although some experts believe that the expression may derive from vik, or «bay». Their society was formed by clans, a kind of tribes united by family ties and headed by landowners, who also assumed the role of military leaders. Under his command were men and women who, at least on their land, lived peacefully as simple farmers and fishermen. In fact, Viking women, contrary to what happened in other regions of Europe, had a lot of freedom: they could own land, manage the cultivation of farms and negotiate with merchants. Each clan also had its slaves, captured during successful raids on distant countries.
This conquering instinct of the Vikings, which led them to pillage coastal towns and cities in Europe, was fueled mainly by two factors: the growth of the Scandinavian population and the scarcity of arable land in the region. But, despite frequently attacking other peoples, these warriors do not fully deserve the reputation of ruthless killers, an image created by medieval chronicles written precisely by the victims of the invasions. “The Vikings were not more bloodthirsty than any other people of the time, but they were pagans and therefore did not stop at the door of churches or monasteries, as other Europeans did. Norse society at the time was based on agriculture and fishing and these were the true primary occupations of warriors,” says archaeologist and expert on the subject Robert McGhee, from the Canadian Museum of Civilization in the city of Gatineau.
But, when they left the care of the land and left for new conquests, they had a great ally: their boats, which had very advanced technology for the time. The problem is that all this great knowledge of shipbuilding was not matched by the capacity for guidance on the high seas. “The Viking discoveries across the Atlantic Ocean were the result of a combination of very efficient ships and very poor navigational knowledge, which means that, for the most part, their discoveries were accidental,” says McGhee. All this expansion across the ocean – which took them as far as Canada – and the frequent attacks on the rest of Europe lasted as long as the Scandinavian countries had an excess of young people willing to seek adventure and fortune far from home.
From the 11th century onwards, this surplus population dwindled, depleting the clans’ ability to recruit new warriors for their perilous journeys. It was the beginning of the end of this model of society in the Nordic countries. King Olaf II Haraldsson, who came to the throne of Norway in the year 1015, is considered the last traditional Viking chieftain.
No one knows details about Viking expeditions, but certain routes opened by them are often attributed to specific groups. Expansion around the Baltic Sea and into Russia was probably the work of the Swedes (route in red). The Norwegians, on the other hand, would be responsible for the colonization of Iceland, for the discovery of Greenland and Canada (dark green) – that is, they would have arrived in America almost five centuries before Columbus. The last major route was that of the Danish Vikings, who controlled part of England, crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and reached Italy (light green)
FIGHT WITHOUT HORNS
Vikings used to fight on foot, using a sword as their main weapon – but they also carried axes, spears and sometimes bows and arrows. Despite their image being engraved in the popular imagination with those horned helmets, they probably only used these pieces in religious ceremonies.
HULL
The V-shaped design, developed in the 8th century, made displacement over sea water more efficient, allowing for greater crossings. The hull – made of oak planks – was especially flexible, light and resistant.
Mast
There wasn’t just one Viking ship model. But there were usually some common features among them. The mast, for example, was made of pine and could be lowered and raised during the voyage, to adapt to wind conditions and navigation needs.
Candle
It was from the 9th century that Viking ships were propelled by sails, in addition to the traditional oars. In the shape of a rectangle or trapeze, the sail was made with the wool of a special type of sheep, whose oiliness made it waterproof and ultra-resistant.
oars
At least 30 men rowed the 20 meter long boat. They came into action when maneuvering in shallow water and boarding enemy ships. An oar on the right side of the rear of the vessel served as a rudder. To protect themselves, the Vikings fitted shields to the hull and passed the oars through a hole in the center of it.
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– How was the training of a Viking warrior?
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