The spread of the Vikings disseminated Norse culture and also brought foreign cultural influences into Scandinavia, with profound historical consequences that would echo into later medieval periods.

Popular modern conceptions of the Vikings often differ sharply from the actual, complex culture revealed by archaeological findings and other historical sources. Vikings have been alternately romanticized as noble savages and intrepid adventurers and reviled as bloodthirsty piratical raiders.

You'll learn:

• Who the vikings were and why they raided their neighbors
• How the vikings used runestones to tell stories about the gods and themselves
• What life was like in the viking age for an ordinary viking family
• What vikings at war fought with and lived and died for
• About their myths and their pantheon of gods including freyja, odin, thor, and loki

Their language also affected europe, and many norse words formed the foundation of many of today's major languages. The world experienced and learned from their tactical warfare, smart trading, and daring explorations. The vikings were bold and had a great many heroic moments. They built strong, beautiful, and efficient ships, and sailed great distances. The significance of ancient art forms in archeology and history is well documented. Their norse mythology is familiar, even today.