Vikingage

The Viking Age is a period of Norse expansion from Scandinavia, roughly 793 to 1066 CE, during which Norse sailors raided, traded, explored, and settled across Europe and the North Atlantic. The term describes cultural and social phenomena rather than a single political entity; it commonly begins with the raid on Lindisfarne (793) and ends with the consolidation of Christian kingdoms in Scandinavia and the broader shift in the 11th century.

Society and technology: Norse society was based on farming and crafts, organized around kin groups or chieftains. The longship facilitated both coastal raiding and river travel, enabling quick strikes and rapid movement. Literacy existed in runes, and much of what is known comes from archaeology, runestones, and later Icelandic sagas that blend history with myth.

Activities and geography: Viking activity spanned Western Europe, including the British Isles and parts of Frankish territories, with settlements in Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland (North America). In the east, Norse groups traced routes along Rus' rivers to the Black Sea, engaging with Byzantine and Islamic realms and forming vibrant trade networks.

Economy and legacy: The Viking economy combined raiding, seasonal farming, and long-distance trade. Material culture featured sophisticated shipbuilding, metalwork, and jewelry. Christianization and political consolidation in Scandinavia by the end of the 11th century contributed to the end of the Viking Age. The period left a lasting impact on language, place names, art, and cross-cultural exchange.