Archaeologists searching for traces of Vikings in Istanbul reported finding a place where the Vikings settled. It turns out that they lived in Bathonea, on the shores of Lake Küçükçekmece. The Vikings stayed in Istanbul at different times between the 8th and 11th centuries serving as mercenaries. 1)
The popular image of the horned helmets of Viking warriors emerged in the 19th century, probably borrowing horned helmets from Bronze Age finds a time much earlier than the Vikings. 2)
Sacrifices to Odin were made by hanging people from a tree. According to Scandinavian mythology, Odin hung himself on the Yggdrasil tree for nine days, pierced by his spear, through which he learned eighteen magic songs and twenty-four runes. 3)
Sweyn Forkbeard (born c. 950-960, died 1014), king of Denmark and Norway, was the first to become king of England. In 1013, after numerous plundering campaigns, he exploited the weakness of Anglo-Saxon defenses and conquered and annexed the English lands, crowning himself king of England. He was followed by his son Knut the Great and William the Conqueror in 1066. 4)
Axes were the most common weapon among the Vikings, but this is not because they were more effective, but because they were extremely cheap to make. Swords were more difficult to make and required much better material, making them unaffordable for a small number of Vikings. As for hammers, they were generally unused by the Scandinavians. 5)
Ragnar's son, Ivar the Boneless, attacked England in 865 at the head of a large Viking army, conquered Northumbria and York, and thus set the stage for regular Viking settlement in the area. Described in the Ulster Annals as “the king of all Scandinavians”, he suffered from a condition similar to congenital bone brittleness or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 6)
Vikings were Scandinavian seafarers who lived during the Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th century to the mid-11th century. 7)
The word “Viking” comes from the Old Norse word “vikingr”, which means “pirate” or “raider”. 8)
Vikings were known for their seafaring skills and their longships, which were sleek, fast vessels that could sail in shallow waters and could be easily maneuvered. 9)
Vikings were skilled warriors who wore chainmail, helmets, and carried shields and weapons such as axes, swords, and spears. 10)
Vikings were not just raiders, but also traders and settlers. They established settlements in places such as Iceland, Greenland, and even North America (Vinland). 11)
Viking society was hierarchical, with kings and chieftains at the top, followed by warriors, farmers, and slaves. 12)
Women had more rights in Viking society than in many other medieval societies. They could own property, inherit from their parents, and even divorce their husbands. 13)
The Vikings were skilled craftsmen who produced intricate jewelry, woodcarvings, and metalwork. 14)
The Vikings were also skilled poets and storytellers, and their mythology and sagas continue to inspire art and literature today. 15)
Vikings were pagan and worshipped gods such as Odin, Thor, and Freya. However, they were also exposed to Christianity through their raids and trade, and many eventually converted. 16)
The Vikings had a complex legal system based on a combination of custom, tradition, and written law codes, such as the Icelandic sagas. 17)
Vikings were known for their elaborate burials, which included grave goods such as weapons, jewelry, and even ships. 18)
Vikings had a tradition of holding large feasts called “blots” to honor their gods, celebrate victories, and make important decisions. 19)
The Vikings were skilled navigators who used the stars, sun, and landmarks to navigate. They also had a system of using “sunstones” to navigate on cloudy days. 20)
The legacy of the Vikings can be seen in many aspects of modern Scandinavian culture, such as language, art, and even government systems. 21)