The Vikings

The Vikings were seafaring peoples from Scandinavia — present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden — who, during the early medieval period, raided, traded, explored and settled across wide areas of Europe and the North Atlantic. The word is often used for the raiders themselves, but the same Norse culture also produced farmers, craftsmen, merchants and settlers. Skilled shipbuilders, they constructed sleek longships capable of crossing open seas and navigating shallow rivers, which allowed them to reach Britain, Ireland, the European mainland, Iceland, Greenland and, briefly, the coast of North America under explorers such as Leif Ericsson.

Norse society had its own religion, law and literature. Before conversion to Christianity, the Norse worshipped a pantheon of gods including Odin, the chief god associated with wisdom and war; Thor, the thunder god wielding a hammer; and others such as Loki, Freyr and Freyja. These beliefs, along with heroic legends, were preserved in the sagas and poems written down in Iceland in later centuries, which remain a major source for the period.

The Vikings wrote using runes, an alphabet whose older form is known as the Elder Futhark, carved into stone, wood and metal. Contrary to a common modern image, there is no historical evidence that Viking helmets bore horns; that notion arose much later. Archaeology, including excavated ships, settlements and runestones, together with the written sagas, allows researchers to reconstruct this influential culture.

Frequently asked questions

Did Vikings really wear horned helmets?

No. There is no archaeological evidence that Vikings wore horned helmets. The image is a later invention popularised in the nineteenth century.

What were runes?

Runes were the letters of the Norse alphabet, an early form of which is called the Elder Futhark, carved into stone, wood and metal.

Who were the main Norse gods?

Major figures included Odin, the chief god, and Thor, the thunder god, along with others such as Loki, Freyr and Freyja.