Expansion of Empires

The Vikings

The Vikings came from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. This area is known as Scandinavia. 

They sailed, traded and raided across the Northern and Central Europe during the 8th century to the late 11th century.

The Vikings explored the northern islands and coasts of the North Atlantic, including Britain, Greenland, Iceland, and North America, ventured south to France and the Mediterranean sea and North Africa and east to Russia, Constantinople, and the Middle East.

The Vikings did not expand or conquer much into mainland Europe. Their realm was bordered by powerful cultures to the south.

The Vikings used longships to raid and steal from other lands.

The Longships were powered by sails or by rowing with oars.

Longships were crafted out of woods and were very effective across the surface of the waves. They used their boats for transporting cargo, trading and for exploring. 

Viking children did not go to school so instead, lessons came in the form of Sagas or long stories. They described the adventures of great Viking warriors or gods. The Sagas were an important way to teach History, Geography and navigation. The Vikings often decorated buildings with pictures from famous sagas.

Viking weapons were heavy and strong. The blacksmith would make these as well as jewellery. The metal would be heated up and then banged into shape. To make a weapon stronger, it would be plunged into cold water.

They made weapons like helmets, swords, axes, spears and shields.