What is the origin of the Vikings?

Origins of the Vikings It is located in the Nordic maritime towns of Scandinavia, famous for its raids into Europe between the 8th and 11th centuries.

They are characterized by their ability as sailors, extending their voyage even to the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa. Its expansion also achieved the popularity of Norse culture in far-flung places.

Etymology of the term

It is believed that the term "Viking" comes from the Norse word "vik" which means "inlet, inlet or inlet". Another theory suggests that it may simply be the name of the Norwegian district of Vikin (Vikin), so they are simply "original from Vikin".

However, this theory has been disproved because in viking ugly sweater ancient texts the people who belonged to that person were called "vikverir, people of Vik".

It is also thought that the name Viking is derived from the term vikingr, the word "pirate" in the ancient Scandinavian language.

The runic inscription of the term indicates that a Viking is a man who left his homeland for fortune and adventures and returned with new wealth and fame. The word exists as a noun: "vikingr": an individual who travels on adventures; and also as a verb "víking": to travel or participate in these adventures.

The Germans called them "people of the ash", because of the hard wood of the tree from which they built boats. The Franks called them "northerns" or "Danishes," and so did the British.

Vikings are classified as Anglo-Scandinavian, a term used in an archaeological and historical sense between the 8th and 13th centuries (800-1066).

During that time, the Scandinavians were the people who moved and occupied what is now the British Isles. 

It's from the Vikings

The era of the Vikings began around 790, when they began making maritime routes through the Norwegian Sea and the Baltic Sea to the south.

Due to its extensive expeditions, only the territory of Scandinavia, which now corresponds to Denmark, Norway and Sweden, could not be assigned to the Vikings, but also many places in Great Britain..

They managed to politically dominate a large number of territories, including Iceland and Greenland and the Shetland Islands, Orkneys and Faroes, located between Great Britain and the southwestern coast of Norway..

Historically there are documents showing them to the Byzantine Empire, where they served as mercenaries at their service. It was also created an order of imperial guards formed by Scandinavian men, who were known as the Varega Guards.

Scandinavian soldiers were reliable because they upheld the Viking tradition of absolute loyalty, until death if necessary. They served as a personal protector for the emperor and his main weapon was the double-edged ax.

In addition, there is historical data about the arrival of the Vikings in Baghdad, the center of the Islamic empire.

It is also said that they sail on the Volga to market their products. Among them, seal the grease to seal the boat and waterproof, leather, fangs and slaves.

The Vikings expanded their lands to the north and west. The Norwegians went to Scotland, Iceland, Ireland and Greenland and the Danes went to England and France.

The Swedes went to the east and formed the Rus de Kiev federation, which united all the modern states of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. A territory stretching from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Black Sea in the south.

In the days of the Vikings, the countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark did not exist and their only separation was geographical boundaries. That is why the Vikings are a single and great culture, very similar in language and customs.

At the end of the period of Viking conquest and expansion, these countries acquired their own identity with the process of Christianization. Therefore, it is assumed that the end of the Viking era would be one of the first signs of the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Viking expansion and invasion

The Vikings sailed in their wonderful barcoluengos. These are wooden boats that can accommodate the oarsman and crew and a single square sail that gives them excellent maneuverability, speed and efficiency.

They became navigators of the North Atlantic coasts, as far east as Russia, North Africa, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (Constantinople) and the Middle East. Some even came to North America, settling in present-day Canada, during the Middle Ages.

The Vikings were famous for their raids and looting, but also for their trade alliances and as mercenaries if they were required.

In their culture it was common to return to their homeland with the wealth they had acquired, but then they began to settle in the places they visited or conquered.

However, its expansion in mainland Europe was limited. This was because powerful kingdoms inhabited the area, such as the Saxons, located in what is now North Germany.

The Saxons were a warlike people who were once involved in conflict with the Vikings. However, the Vikings managed to viking hawaiian shirt establish their presence in the Baltic Sea. It is said that there are several reasons why they decided to start a campaign to expand their culture around the world.

One possible explanation is the arrival of the Charlemagne dynasty in Europe, who terrorized all pagan peoples by converting to Christianity or executing them. The Vikings decided to wage a resistance and thus defend themselves from Charlemagne.

Another explanation is that they want to take advantage of weak times in some areas. The Vikings used the gaps and divisions to attack and pillage coastal cities.

The nations had no organized maritime navies, which allowed the Vikings to control most of the sea lanes, whether offensive or marketing.

The level of invasion and attack that the Vikings carried out in Europe has no other historical precedent to date. It was the only known town at the time, capable of doing this kind of campaign and entering the regions.